RV insurance requirements by state

If your RV has a motor and is self-powered, nearly every state requires you to carry an RV insurance policy with liability coverage. While insurance for your travel trailer is optional in all states, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision coverage if you finance your RV. Find out what your state mandates for insurance on motorhomes.

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RV insurance requirements and coverages

Motorhomes — as the name implies — have a motor and can be driven independently. Trailer-type RVs require another vehicle to tow them. If you drive a motorhome, nearly every state requires a minimum amount of liability coverage. If you pull a travel trailer, you need liability coverage on your tow vehicle.

RV insurance policies offer many coverages that benefit you and your RV, such as:

Liability coverage: All motorhome policies include bodily injury and property damage liability coverage that meets the state's minimum. RV liability coverage pays for damage and injuries you cause to others while driving your motorhome. Note that travel trailer policies don't include liability coverage.
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): Some states require additional coverage if a motorist who doesn't have insurance or enough coverage causes injuries to you or your passengers and/or damage to your vehicle.
Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive coverage protects your motorhome or trailer against damage from events beyond your control: severe weather, collisions with animals, fire, theft, and vandalism.
Collision coverage: Collision coverage can pay for damage to your RV sustained in an accident with another vehicle or object. Collision may also cover damage from rollovers.

Learn more about RV insurance coverages.

Frequently asked questions about RV insurance

What determines how much you pay for RV insurance?

Many factors affect the cost of RV insurance. These factors include your location, age, driving history, how often you travel in your RV, and the specific coverages and limits you select. Learn more about RV insurance cost, RV insurance discounts available, and how to get cheap RV insurance.

Do you need insurance on a travel trailer?

While state law doesn't require insurance for a travel trailer, your lender typically requires you to carry travel trailer insurance if you finance or lease your trailer. Because the trailer doesn't have an engine and travels by hitch to another moving vehicle, the insurance covering the towing vehicle may cover damage or injuries the travel trailer causes. However, the towing vehicle's insurance won't cover any damage done to the trailer itself. Getting a separate travel trailer policy can cover the trailer against damage, vandalism and theft, on or off your property.

What if your motorhome or travel trailer is your permanent residence?

If you live in your motorhome or travel trailer for more than six months of the year, consider a full-timer's RV policy. This special policy has the same coverages as a traditional RV insurance policy, in addition to full-timer's liability coverage if you're found liable for injuries or damages in and/or around your RV as well as loss assessment coverage, which may cover certain fees charged from your RV association. Learn more about a full time RV insurance policy.