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RV Insurance in California

RV Insurance California

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What is RV Insurance?

Motorhomes present unique insurance considerations, for they function both as a vehicle and as a residence. RV insurance is specialized auto insurance that’s designed to meet the insurance needs of California residents who own motorhomes.

RV insurance policies generally come in three distinct classes, with each class based on the size of motorhome that’s covered:

  • Class A: Usually covers the largest motorhomes and converted buses
  • Class B: Usually covers smaller motorhomes, camper vans and travel trailers
  • Class C: Usually covers small van motorhomes and fifth wheels

Residents must be careful to purchase the proper class of policy, and special considerations can make determining the proper class complex in some cases. An insurance broker who knows these policies well can make sure that motorhome owners get the right class of policy for their vehicle.

RV Insurance California

Who in California should carry Motorhome Insurance?

Most California residents who have a motorhome need insurance for the vehicle. Insurance is broadly required for most vehicles that are driven on public roads in the state and other states, and leaving a motorhome uninsured can also create additional risk exposure.

In many cases, even motorhomes that are in storage and not currently being drive should still be insured. They might not need all of the coverages that should be purchased when driving the motorhome, but protection against damage and theft is still important when in storage.

What coverages does Motorhome Insurance make Available?

In order to provide the auto and home protections that motorhome owners need, motorhome insurance policies typically bundle multiple coverages together. 

Some auto-related coverages that motorhome policies typically offer are:

  • Personal Injury Coverage: May cover injuries sustained by persons in the motorhome
  • Bodily Injury Coverage: May cover injuries sustained by persons outside the motorhome
  • Collision Coverage: May cover damage to the motorhome that occurs during an accident
  • Comprehensive Coverage: May cover damage to the motorhome that occurs during other incidents
  • Property Damage Liability Coverage: May cover damage to other vehicles and property
  • Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Coverage: May cover accidents involving uninsured drivers

Some of the home-related coverages that motorhome policies typically offer are:

  • Personal Property Coverage: May cover belongings kept in a motorhome (e.g. clothing, electronics, cameras, etc.)
  • Campsite and Vacation Coverage: May extend certain protections when taking a motorhome on vacation
  • Emergency Expenses Coverage: May cover unexpected expenses that arise after a covered incident
  • Full-Timer Coverage: May include additional property and liability coverages for owners who don’t have another residence

RV Insurance California

Do motorhome owners need Personal Property Coverage?

Most residents should have personal property coverage, but there are a couple of ways that the coverage might be obtained.

Most homeowners insurance policies come with personal property coverage, but the coverage may be restricted to the insured primary residence. If a homeowners policy’s coverage includes “worldwide coverage,” then belongings are likely protected most anywhere that a motorhome would go (e.g. war zones are often excluded). If worldwide coverage isn’t included within the personal property coverage, belongings might only be insured when they’re at the residence.

Residents who have a homeowners policy that comes with worldwide personal property coverage normally don’t need to purchase through a motorhome policy. Residents whose homeowners policy doesn’t include the more extensive personal property coverage might be able to amend their policy so that it does, or they might choose to purchase the coverage through a motorhome policy.

Residents who don’t have a homeowners policy probably should consider getting personal property coverage through their motorhome insurance policy. The coverage is often included as part of full-timer coverage, which is generally appropriate for these situations.

How can California residents get RV Insurance?

For help insuring a motorhome that’s registered in California, contact the independent insurance brokers at Heffernan Walton Insurance. Our brokers have the expertise necessary to help you find RV insurance that’ll provide robust protection, and we can recommend the best policies because we’re an independent agency.