Many states require carrying property damage and bodily injury liability on your travel trailer.
Is travel trailer insurance required?
In most cases, your vehicle insurance covers your travel trailer, but this is only liability coverage.
So, in case of a traffic accident, or other accidental damages that you may cause to an individual or property, you will get covered. However, it will not cover the damages caused to your trailer.
Therefore, financing your travel trailer is crucial, especially if you don’t want to experience the risk of unexpected expenses.
What is covered?
There are plenty of things that should be included in your travel trailer insurance. Some of them may include:
Property damage and bodily injuries liability
This coverage covers the damages you cause to people or properties when driving your travel trailer.
Collision
It is a coverage that will cover your travel trailer in case it gets damaged during an accident.
Comprehensive
It covers the damages that may not happen as a result of an accident. Instead, it covers damages caused by storms, vandalism, theft, tree damages, among others.
Content coverage
It covers damages that happen inside your travel trailer.
Roadside assistance
It covers things like tire changing, towing, delivery, and locksmith services.
Total loss replacement coverage
In this coverage, you will be compensated with a brand new travel trailer in case you lose one.
Emergency expense coverage
It covers the cost of traveling in case your travel trailer gets damaged after 50 miles from your home.
So, when looking for an insurance agent, make sure you understand what your coverage plan has.
What is not covered?
Although travel trailer insurance is similar to homeowners insurance, some items are excluded from the coverages. These include;
Intentional accidents/damages
Damaged caused by using the vehicle in a manner that is not allowed by the travel trailer insurance policy
Normal wear and tear
Water damage coverage
It is a good idea to talk with your insurance agent about water damages. One of the common problems with travel trailers is that they are prone to leaks and tears. While the comprehensive plan covers water damage, the fine print of this coverage may contain exclusions of causes of the damages. Some of these sources may include;
Ice build-up
Corrosion
Manufacturer’s defects
How much does travel trailer insurance cost?
Although travel trailers are considered one of the most inexpensive types of RVs, you still need a hefty investment. Most vehicle insurance covers the liability for travel trailers, but this only caters to damages caused to others in case of an accident. And it will not cover the damages caused to the travel trailers.
So, to be safe, you need to seek a specific insurance plan that will cover all the expenses.
An average travel trailer insurance costs between $300 and $600 per year. However, this depends on the coverage plan.
How to save money?
While insuring your travel trailer will help you save money in case of an accident, adding extra bills will make you feel like even trailer coverage isn’t costly. Thankfully, here are the best ways you can save money without sacrificing yourself to quality.
How to save money by reducing your trailer insurance cost
If you own an old travel trailer, comprehensive and collision plans are not worth it. An average person is supposed to file a claim once after 18 years. If you have to pay, say, $15 per month, this means you will spend $180 extra.
The average comprehensive claim for a travel trailer is $1820. So, in nine years, you will end up paying more than what you could expect from a single incident. It is estimated that you can pay up to 200% more than the cost of repair damages.
Accident statistics say that a person is supposed to have a single incident after 18 years.
The idea is; calculate wisely and decide whether covering some options is worth the cost if you go for a monthly plan.
Phone quotes and online quotes
Getting effective insurance for your trailer can be a daunting task because you have no idea of everything you need. So, it is crucial to do thorough research. Otherwise, you may end up paying more than you could expect.
For instance, an insurance company may ask you whether you need a particular cover. Since you don’t know what you need, you feel worried and can’t say no. Finally, you will end up overpaying for options that aren’t worth it.
Realistically, online quoting tends to be cheaper than quoting through the phone. Yes, because you have time to decide which option to choose and which you don’t need.
Good credits will give you a serious negotiating power
A good credit score means cheap insurance costs. Nearly all companies will flag your insurance once they notice you have a bad credit score.
According to research, the likelihood of an unhealthy credit score and filing a claim has a special connection. A credit score is determined based on your rating. So, if you are dealing with many insurance companies, your rating will be high. Thus a good credit score!
Discounts through employer
Some companies, especially large corporations, strike a deal with insurance companies to provide lower rates for their workers. So, try to talk with the human resource department to see if they have worked with any insurance company for better deals.
Check out the rivals.
Every insurance company strives to offer the best services. While the company you choose comes down to your personal preferences, checking what the competitors are offering is a good idea. Sometimes you may be surprised by the price difference between the companies.
Higher deductibles will result in cheap monthly payments
When talking to your insurance agent, ask if they are willing to take higher deductibles.
When a person is willing to pay a huge amount of money to cover accidental damages, your cost is likely to go down, making your monthly payment cheaper.
Consider local insurance companies.
Local companies tend to be less expensive, especially if they are small. But they also have hard times covering large repair damages. So, make sure to research well before you sacrifice yourself to lower prices. Go to the one with good reviews from happy customers.
Combine policies
The more things you insure, the more valuable you become to your insurance company. They will offer you cheap insurance costs for every particular item. So, ensure you list several items you want to insure when talking to an insurance agent.
Travel trailer insurance costs
There are plenty of factors that will lead to the cost of insurance for your travel trailer. Sometimes it may depend on the size of your trailer, how often you use it, the coverage it has, where you use it, among others. And you will also need to concede the fact that premium insurance looks different from basic ones.
In short, the more you use your trailer, the more coverage you will want to obtain. And the more coverage, the more money you are likely to pay.
If you own a customized travel trailer, expect to pay around five hundred dollars per year. That is if you opt for comprehensive cover. However, the price varies depending on the type of travel trailer you want to insure.
So, how much trailer insurance costs can be a difficult question to answer. Thankfully, today’s companies have price calculators that allow customers to check their costs. But, this depends on the type of coverage you want.
Tips for choosing the best travel insurance company
While saving your money is something you would like to consider when talking about travel trailer insurance, you only don’t need to choose the cheapest policy but you also want immediate compensation when an accident occurs.
For this reason, comparing companies might be the best way to find a better deal that can surely meet your needs.
Cargo coverage
Cargo coverage is the part that you need to pay so much attention to. Yes, because if you don’t, it becomes pretty difficult to get compensated for anything carried within your travel trailer in case of an accident.
If your travel trailer is meant to carry something like sports equipment, talk to your insurance agent to see if they provide the coverage policy for it.
Luckily, cargo coverage isn’t that expensive. It can be an option you don’t need if you are tight on budget or want to reduce the overall expenses.
Liability vs. Comprehensive coverage
Liability coverage caters to damages caused to other properties in case of an accident. However, it won’t cover expenses for your travel trailer.
On the other hand, comprehensive coverage caters to repairs to your travel trailer in case of an accident.
Both have advantages and disadvantages, and which one you choose depends on your needs and expectations. Like said earlier, all you want is liability coverage. But if you have purchased a new travel trailer, comprehensive coverage may be all you want. This is especially true if you need to protect your property against vandalism or theft.
Auto policy
Some companies will allow you to insure your travel trailer without additional costs. But that is applicable only when you hitch your travel trailer to your car. For many people, this is an inexpensive option.
Is there a difference between companies?
Yes. Insurance companies are not the same, and so the services. Here are the best companies that offer quality travel trailer insurance policies. You contact any of these companies for a quote.
Farmers
Farmers take pride as one of the best travel trailer insurance companies, providing convenience and optimal choices for discerning customers. The company is a team of highly trained professionals working to build a good relationship with customers. The company strives to keep its services top-notch. So, never hesitate to contact them for personalized insurance solutions.
GEICO
Geico is best known for offering affordable insurance rates for your camper, travel trailers, RVs, and motorhome. The company allows customers to check their travel policies from anywhere. Some of the insurance coverage they provide for trailer insurance include;
Fifth-wheel travel trailers
Folding camper trailers
Conventional trailers
Truck campers
Progressive
It is another one of the famous insurance companies in the USA. Progressive has helped millions of people with insurance policies. Although it is best known for driving innovation in the auto market, the company also provides travel trailer insurance in its humble offering.
The Hartford
Hartford is a leader in travel trailer insurance with over 200 years of experience in the industry. The company provides insurance policies through AARP. But you can also receive their services through independent agents. Hartford offers a wide variety of travel trailer insurance coverage, including collision, comprehensive coverage, property damage, and bodily injury liability. Check their website for a quote and more information about coverage discounts and options.
What affects the cost?
In some states, you are free to spend weekends or enjoy summer trips with your travel trailer, as long as you have insured them properly in case of damage or losses. The costs of travel trailer insurance vary considerably. Therefore it is crucial to understand basic elements and the degree to which particular factors may impact this cost.
The brand model and year
The made year and the type of model may affect the value of your travel trailer and the coverage plans available for you. The newer the travel trailer, the more expensive it is to insure. Yes, because the repair costs for new travel trailers tend to be high. The made year also determines the coverage option available for you.
Deductibles
A deductible is a fee that you pay to claim compensation. If you pay low deductibles, expect higher premiums.
Your insurance history (credit score)
Your insurance history can affect how the company will insure your travel trailer in case of an accident. Your driving history also matters. Before a company decides the plans available for your travel trailer, it first takes into account your driving seriousness and accident caused. So, good driving history can significantly lead to higher premiums.
Additional coverage
Getting additional coverage can increase the cost of insurance. Some additional coverage may include;
Outside rental
Outbuilding coverage
Full-timer liability
Emergency vacation expense
The discounts
Insurance companies offer several discounts. Some of them include;
Claim free: All people with a good history of claim-free insurance are eligible for discounts.
Clubs: If you belong to a particular club membership, you may be eligible to get a discount on your insurance rates.
Bundled insurance: If you insure your vehicle and travel trailer with the same company, you are eligible for a discounted rate.
So, when talking to your insurance agent, ask what discounts are available.
Does it matter how many miles?
How many miles you drive your travel trailer matters too. The more miles you cover, the more you are risking. Thus, translating to higher insurance costs.
Where you go also can impact your insurance. For instance, if you are planning a three-month visit to a particular place, you will experience an increase in your insurance premiums.
Which insurance to use?
The insurance you choose to use depends on different factors. But for simplicity purposes, it is a good idea to keep all your insurance in the same location. Yes, because they will provide you with better quotes, better discounts, and increase your dependency. It is also a better way of building a good relationship than purchasing a new one.
However, it is wise to compare quotes from another company to see which one offers the best insurance policy.
If you are looking for travel trailer insurance, there are many things you need to take into consideration. But, it all comes down to good research. Doing research will save you thousands of dollars in a year. Moreover, your choice of the travel trailer insurance company will also determine the compensation you get when your trailer is involved in an accident. Some insurance companies will find the tiniest reasons to deny your claim.
Also, remember to take advantage of the discounts which you are eligible for (including being a teacher, a veteran, or a student).
What else, compare the quotes from different companies. The idea is, never go for the first quote. You may end up paying an extra amount of cash than you could expect.
