RV Insurance

RV Insurance

It’s a known fact that Ontario residents love their RVs. It’s a fantastic way to embark on a new adventure. Having an RV allows you to travel whenever you wish, making living in a vast province with hundreds of beautiful destinations that much more exciting. From overnight camping to extended vacations to even a permanent residence, the uses for recreational vehicles are undoubtedly versatile. 

As such, it’s essential that RV owners purchase a comprehensive insurance policy that fully protects them and their passengers when they are on the open road. If you are currently planning for your next adventure, whether it be in-province, across Canada or below our southern border, you might be wondering if having a comprehensive RV insurance policy is necessary. Read on to learn what RV insurance covers, whether it is mandatory, and what type of insurance policy you will need for your RV. 

What is RV Insurance?

RV insurance offers protection for the many types of non-motorized and motorized trailers. It helps to safeguard your RV and its contents against potentially large out-of-pocket expenses due to damage, theft and more.

What Does RV Insurance Cover?

Having recreational vehicle insurance helps RV owners protect themselves from financial loss should their trailer be involved in a collision or an accident that causes bodily harm or property damage, as well as from acts of vandalism, theft, fire, windstorms, lightning and more. Depending on the type of RV you own, most insurance policies will cover things like the RV’s contents, personal liability, the trailer’s accessories and portable structures, and even travel expenses should you be unable to stay in the RV as a result of insured damage. 

There are several types of coverage depending on the type of RV you own. Here’s what you need to know about each:

Non-Motorized Trailer Policy

Non-motorized trailers are travel trailers that need to be towed behind a car or truck. Unlike a motorized RV that has an engine, travel trailers are not self-propelled. Examples of non-motorized trailers include the following:

  • Park model trailers
  • Trailers that are permanently parked
  • Mobile homes
  • Travel trailers
  • Tent trailers
  • Fifth-wheel trailers

Coverage Features 

RV owners in Ontario can generally expect the following coverage features for a non-motorized trailer insurance plan.

  • Premises Liability: Covers your trailer once it has been disconnected from the towing vehicle. It protects you from legal liability in the event that a third party is injured while visiting your RV. 
  • Golf Cart Liability: Provides coverage if you are found liable for property damage, bodily injury, or death to a third party while operating your golf cart.
  • Personal Contents: Covers all personal belongings in your RV that are compromised as a direct consequence of an insured loss, such as a collision, vandalism, theft or fire.
  • Replacement Cost: Replaces your RV if it has been declared a total loss and is irreparably damaged.
  • Actual Cash Value: If an RV owner’s trailer is destroyed during a total loss, they are given a cash value to replace it. The price of your RV will determine this monetary value prior to the damage.

Additional Features: 

Most insurance companies also offer additional RV insurance in Ontario to ensure that you are adequately protected throughout your travel adventures, such as:

  • Emergency Towing: Towing your trailer to a repair shop if it is involved in an accident or completely breaks down while travelling to your location is covered.
  • Water Protection: Covers any water damage caused by sewage backup.

Motorized Trailer Policy

Motorized trailer insurance covers motorhomes and campervans. There are three categories for motorized RVs, class A, class B and class C. 

Class A RVs are your large RVs, ranging from 7.5 meters (24 feet) to 13.7 meters (45 feet) in length. Class B RVs are generally the smallest RVs, ranging from 5 meters (16 feet) to 6.5 meters (21 feet). Then you have class Cs, which are anywhere in between, from 6.5 meters (21 feet) to 11 meters (36 feet).

What owners of these motorized RVs can generally expect from their motorized trailer insurance policy is outlined below.

  • Liability Coverage: Third-party liabilities such as property damage, bodily harm, and death are covered.
  • Accident Benefits Coverage: If you or a family member is injured or killed in a car crash, this policy will pay for your medical expenses, loss of earnings, caretaking, funeral costs, and life insurance.
  • Collision Coverage: This policy will pay for structural repairs to your vehicle. Depending on the deductible*, this may include some interior elements of your RV.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: Repair costs for damage caused by fire, lightning, explosion, glass, vandalism, theft, or windstorm are covered.

*Your standard deduction is the value you must pay directly for any claim covered by your Ontario insurance. Deductibles can range from low to high, leading to lower premium costs. Therefore, make sure to ask for information about the multiple deductible amounts available to you when communicating with an Allen Insurance expert.

What Does RV Insurance Not Cover in Ontario?

While the above coverages are designed to build you a solid, comprehensive RV insurance policy that protects you and your trailer from many insured perils, there are still some situations that your insurance will not cover. RV coverage does not include the following:

  • Regular wear and tear or deterioration of the RV, defects, rust or corrosion, rot, worn seals or mechanical breakdown
  • Buckling or cracking of the RV
  • Infestation, including pet-related damages
  • Contamination
  • Most water-related damages
  • Any damage that occurred during an illegal act
  • Growing or selling cannabis
  • Earthquakes, landslides, etc. 

Speak with your insurance broker to determine if you believe you will need additional coverage to cover any of the above. 

Is RV Insurance Required in Ontario?

It depends on the type of recreational vehicle that you own. If you own a smaller travel trailer, such as a tent trailer or fifth-wheel trailer, having insurance is not mandatory in Ontario. Nonetheless, a trailer is an investment, and it is recommended that you still insure it to protect it in the event of an accident or collision. 

Motorhomes and campervans, on the other hand, must be insured. As motorized trailers are driven instead of being towed, like with a travel trailer, it is mandatory that you have insurance. 

What Are Some of the Risks of Not Having RV Insurance?

Although it is not mandatory in Ontario for you to have RV insurance, depending on the type of RV you have, there are still several reasons why it is strongly encouraged. 

RVs are generally expensive. Should yours be stolen or damaged, it may not be financially feasible to replace it and all of its contents without the assistance of a good insurance policy. Plus, if you are deemed at fault for any third-party injuries or property damage involving your RV, you could find yourself suddenly facing an expensive lawsuit. So, even though it’s not required, it is absolutely something all RV owners should strongly consider.

Another thing to consider is that while your standard auto insurance will cover you and your RV while you are on the road, it does not cover you once you are parked. Should your RV be damaged, stolen or vandalized while parked at your campsite, RV insurance will help you cover the costs of repairing or replacing it. 

What Kind of RV Insurance Do I Need?

There are several factors that help insurance companies determine the type of insurance you will need for your RV. 

  • Where you plan to travel with it
  • How often you plan to use it
  • What you plan to use it for (e.g., overnight trips, extended vacations, travelling)
  • The contents within your RV

RV Insurance Discounts and Savings with Allen Insurance Group

At Allen Insurance Group, we offer cost-saving and discounted rates to Ontario residents who purchase more than one type of insurance policy from us. 

Below are just some of the advantages of partnering with us:

Claims-Free Discount: If you have a spotless property insurance history, you are eligible for our claims-free discount. 

Trailer, Car and Home Discount: You can combine and save money on insurance plans for your home, car, and RV trailer with Allen Insurance.

Don’t forget to ask one of our Ontario insurance experts for more information on deals to help you save even more money on your insurance coverage!

Get your Free Quote for RV Insurance in Ontario today!

Are you looking for personalized RV insurance? If so, call and speak to one of our team members directly or get a free quote for RV insurance online before reaching out for further information at a later time.

With the assistance of the insurance specialists at Allen Insurance, RV owners throughout the province of Ontario can get the most out of their travels without having to worry whether their RV insurance sufficiently protects their interests and assets in the event of an unexpected accident.

We look forward to helping you craft your RV insurance policy in Ontario!