RV Insurance

If you’re buying an RV or a trailer, then one of the first items on your RV checklist should be insurance! Recreational vehicles, just like cars, require insurance in order to drive in Canada. Keep reading to learn more about what RV insurance is and how it can protect you on the road.

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What is RV insurance?

RV insurance, which may also be referred to as mobile home insurance, is a type of auto insurance designed to cover recreational vehicles from a wide range of risks. Since recreational vehicles are motorized, this type of insurance is mandatory in Canada, assuming you plan to drive your RV. Thus, one of the top tips for your first RV trip that we can offer is to make sure that you purchase an insurance policy that complies with local laws in your province - a BrokerLink insurance advisor can help you do just that!

Mandatory RV insurance in Canada

As mentioned above, recreational vehicle insurance is a legal requirement in Canada. Just as with cars and car insurance, it is illegal to get behind the wheel of an RV without adequate insurance. What does adequate insurance coverage look like? This depends on the province you live in. Let’s take Ontario as an example. In Ontario, you will need to purchase a car insurance plan that contains the following types of coverage in order to drive your RV legally:

If you choose to drive an RV without purchasing the coverage listed above, you can face serious consequences. The consequences will be the same whether you are caught driving a passenger car or an RV without insurance.

Penalties range from fines of up to $50,000 to the impoundment of your vehicle and the temporary suspension of your driver’s licence for a period of up to one year. Thankfully, you can easily avoid these inconvenient and expensive penalties by purchasing auto insurance for your recreational vehicle.

Insurance coverage for your recreational vehicle

Drivers of recreational vehicles are required to purchase the same types of car insurance coverage as those who drive passenger cars.

Beyond the required coverages listed below, there are also several optional coverages that are available and can be easily added to RV insurance policies. We outline several mandatory and optional coverages below:

Third party liability coverage

Third party liability coverage protects drivers who cause car accidents. So if you get into a car accident in your RV and are found liable, the third party liability coverage in your policy can help pay for any medical fees, vehicle repair bills, or legal fees associated with the accident.

Accident benefits coverage

Accident benefits coverage comes into play if you are involved in an accident and someone is injured in that accident. Whether you are the one who suffered bodily harm or another person involved, like another driver or passenger, is the one who was injured, accident benefits can help.

Specifically, this type of coverage can pay for medical fees not covered by health insurance, such as prescription medications and physical therapy, as well as lost income resulting from the injury and funeral fees.

Direct compensation - property damage coverage

Direct compensation - property damage coverage will pay to repair your RV if it is damaged in an accident you did not cause.

Uninsured automobile coverage

Uninsured automobile coverage will cover you if you get into an accident with a driver who is underinsured or does not have any car insurance whatsoever. It can also protect you if your RV collides with another car and the driver of that car decides to flee the scene (e.g. a hit-and-run).

Collision coverage

Collision car coverage is optional for most RV drivers but it can be worthwhile due to the financial security offers. This type of coverage can help pay to repair or replace your recreational vehicle if it suffers extensive damage in an accident.

Whether you caused the accident or not and whether the accident was with another driver, animal, or even an object on the road, this type of coverage can protect you.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive car coverage is also optional and it can protect you if your recreational vehicle is damaged or stolen. The specific risks that comprehensive coverage protects against depend on the coverage you have but they will be clearly listed in your policy.

Known as insured perils, comprehensive coverage mostly commonly covers risks like fire, theft, vandalism, falling and flying objects, explosions and riots, weather-related damage, and water. For instance, if your recreational vehicle was stolen from your driveway or damaged in a hail storm, comprehensive coverage can help pay to repair or replace it.

Accident forgiveness coverage

One more type of optional car insurance coverage popular among RV drivers is accident forgiveness. Accident forgiveness is additional coverage that can be added to your recreational vehicle insurance policy as an endorsement to protect your driving record and help prevent your insurance premium from increasing if you have an at-fault accident claim.

Note: coverage and eligibility varies by province.

Waiver of depreciation

Adding a waiver of depreciation to your RV insurance policy might be a smart decision, especially if the RV is new. With this type of coverage, your insurance provider will be required to cover the full cost of the vehicle if it needs to be replaced, less your deductible. In other words, deprecation will not be factored in.

Loss of use coverage

Loss of use coverage is another optional coverage type that may be worth adding to your RV insurance policy. This type of coverage can help pay for you to take alternate modes of transportation if your RV is damaged and needs to be repaired. While your RV is in the shop, the way that you choose to get around, whether that be by hiring a rental car or hailing taxis, will be covered by your loss of use coverage.

Other endorsements for RVs

A few additional endorsements that might be worthwhile for RV owners are as follows:

  • Campsite/vacation liability coverage: This covers you against damage when your RV is parked in a trailer park or campsite.
  • Accessories endorsement coverage: This covers the cost of replacing or repairing certain items that are affixed to your RV, such as satellite dishes, antennas, and awnings, in the event of damage.
  • Towing and roadside assistance coverage: This covers you if your recreational vehicle breaks down and needs to be towed or if you need to be rescued after a breakdown.

Does personal car insurance cover RVs?

No, your personal car insurance policy will not extend to your RV. You must purchase separate coverage for each if you own both a regular passenger car and a recreational vehicle. An individual policy is necessary since an RV is entirely separate and motorized, unlike a travel trailer. Your personal car insurance policy will not apply at all. Keep in mind that RV insurance policies and car insurance policies are very similar. Many feature the same types of auto insurance, including all of the mandatory coverage types in the province you live in.

Ultimately, even if you have a personal car insurance plan, you will need to buy another one for your RV. In this case, you would end up with multiple auto insurance policies. The good news is that many insurers offer discounts to policyholders who purchase more than one auto insurance policy together. Thus, if you need to buy personal car insurance and recreational vehicle insurance, you could end up saving money.

Does RV insurance cover the contents of my recreational vehicle?

No, RV insurance does not cover the contents of your recreational vehicle. As with car insurance, your RV being stolen or damaged will be covered by insurance but not theft or damage to items inside the vehicle.

The only exception to this rule is permanent fixtures in your RV, like the catalytic converter, built-in stereo, or steering wheel. Items like clothing, furniture, or electronics will not be covered in the event of an accident.

That said, if your RV is damaged during an attempted break-in, the repairs might be covered by comprehensive insurance. But again, any items stolen during the break-in would not be covered. If your policy features accessories endorsement coverage, then certain additional items, like satellite dishes or antennas, may be covered.

But generally speaking, it’s best to assume that your RV insurance policy will not cover damage or theft of personal belongings. Thus, if you have important belongings inside your RV, you may need to purchase a separate policy, like a home insurance policy featuring contents coverage.

Contact BrokerLink to learn more about RV insurance

Do you want to discover more about RV insurance in Canada? Contact BrokerLink today to learn how RV insurance works and how it can protect you and request a free RV insurance quote. BrokerLink is pleased to offer free RV insurance quotes to all prospective customers. These quotes are accurate, reliable, and 100% obligation-free. Quotes can be requested by calling, visiting us in person, or using the online quote tool on our website.

Finally, as a full-service insurance brokerage, don’t hesitate to come to BrokerLink with any auto insurance-related queries, whether you want help renewing car insurance or want an expert to suggest some safe driving tips to help you maintain a clean driving record. Get in touch today to speak with a fully licensed car insurance broker.

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RV insurance FAQs

Is RV insurance cheaper than car insurance?

RV insurance policies tend to be less expensive than car insurance policies. However, premiums vary considerably between drivers, so the only way to determine how much an RV insurance policy will cost is to request a free quote.

What factors influence the cost of RV insurance?

A few factors that will influence how much you pay for RV insurance in Canada are as follows:

  • The make, model, and year of the RV
  • Your insurance claims history
  • The actual cash value vs. the guaranteed replacement cost of your RV
  • The coverages, deductibles, and limits you choose to include in your policy
  • Age
  • Driving record
  • Driving experience
  • Marital status
  • Gender
  • Local laws
  • How often you drive your RV
  • Where you drive your RV
  • Home address
  • If you are eligible for any RV insurance discounts

Are RV insurance quotes free?

Yes, you can obtain an RV insurance quote free of charge from a number of insurance companies and brokers in Canada.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.