Is My Camper Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Individuals considering a recreational vehicle (RV) or camper often wonder if their existing homeowners insurance policy provides adequate coverage. Campers serve as both transportation and temporary living spaces, leading to unique insurance questions. This article clarifies the scope of homeowners insurance regarding campers and explores specialized coverage options, which is important for protecting both the vehicle and personal assets.

Understanding Homeowners Insurance Scope for Campers

Homeowners insurance policies protect the dwelling, other structures, personal belongings, and liability for incidents on the insured premises. They cover the physical structure of your home against perils like fire, theft, and certain weather events. Personal property located within the home or temporarily away from it is also covered. Policies also include liability coverage, protecting the homeowner if someone is injured on their property.

Homeowners insurance generally excludes motor vehicles. This means cars, trucks, and other motorized vehicles are not covered for physical damage or liability under a standard homeowners policy, even if parked in a driveway or garage. This exclusion applies because vehicles require dedicated auto insurance policies for their operation and ownership risks. Therefore, a self-propelled camper, like a motorhome, is generally excluded from homeowners insurance for damage or liability while in use.

While the camper itself is excluded as a vehicle, homeowners insurance offers limited coverage for personal property stored inside. This coverage is part of the personal property section of the homeowner’s policy, extending to belongings temporarily away from the insured’s home. Specific limits or sub-limits often apply to off-premises personal property, potentially as low as 10% of the overall personal property coverage. This coverage applies only if personal items are stolen or damaged by a covered peril, and does not cover the camper structure.

Camper Types and Coverage Scenarios

The type of camper influences its limited coverage under a homeowners insurance policy. Motorized recreational vehicles (RVs), such as Class A, B, or C motorhomes, are self-propelled and treated as motor vehicles by insurers. Therefore, homeowners insurance does not cover them for physical damage or liability while being driven or causing an accident. These vehicles require specialized RV insurance policies for liability and physical damage coverage.

Towable campers, including travel trailers, fifth wheels, pop-up campers, and truck campers, differ. While not self-propelled, they are still considered vehicles. Homeowners insurance does not provide liability coverage for these units while in transit or being towed. The towing vehicle’s auto insurance policy is responsible for liability in such cases.

Homeowners insurance might offer limited physical damage coverage for a towable camper under specific circumstances. If a towable camper is parked or stored on the insured’s property, it may be considered an “other structure” or personal property. If so, damage from a covered peril, like fire, theft, vandalism, or certain weather-related events (excluding floods or earthquakes), might be covered. Coverage for “other structures” is a percentage of the dwelling coverage, around 20%, and personal property coverage may have limitations.

Even when a camper is on the insured’s property, homeowners insurance liability coverage for incidents involving the camper is restricted. Some policies extend liability if someone is injured in or near the camper while stationary on the insured’s property and not being towed. However, this coverage is limited and does not extend to accidents or injuries that occur when the camper is used off-premises.

Dedicated Camper Insurance

Due to homeowners insurance limitations, dedicated camper or recreational vehicle (RV) insurance policies are needed for comprehensive protection. These specialized policies cover unique risks of RV ownership, blending auto and homeowners insurance aspects. They provide broad protection for both motorized and towable units, covering the vehicle in transit, parked, or as a temporary residence.

A dedicated RV insurance policy includes physical damage coverage, protecting the camper. This includes collision coverage for accidents with other vehicles or objects, and comprehensive coverage for non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, and certain natural disasters. These coverages protect the camper investment, covering repair or replacement. Lenders often require comprehensive and collision coverage if the RV or camper is financed.

Liability coverage is a core component of dedicated RV policies. For motorized RVs, liability coverage is legally required in most states, covering bodily injury and property damage to others if the RV owner is at fault in an accident. For towable campers, while the towing vehicle’s auto policy provides liability while in motion, specialized RV policies offer “vacation liability” coverage. This protects the owner if someone is injured in or around their parked camper.

Beyond core coverages, dedicated RV insurance policies include personal belongings coverage, protecting items like electronics, clothing, and camping gear from theft or damage inside the camper. This coverage extends beyond the limited personal property coverage of a homeowners policy. Add-ons include roadside assistance for breakdowns, towing, fuel delivery, and tire changes, useful for large vehicles. Policies also offer full-timer coverage for those using their RV as a primary residence, providing higher liability limits and protections similar to a homeowners policy.

Key Considerations for Camper Insurance

When seeking insurance for a camper, several factors influence coverage type and amount. A key distinction is whether the camper is motorized or towable; motorized RVs require liability coverage for driving, while towable units rely on the towing vehicle’s liability when in motion. The camper’s value, make, model, and age also influence premiums, with newer, more luxurious models costing more to insure due to higher replacement costs.

How the camper is used is another consideration for insurance providers. Recreational use, involving occasional trips, has different coverage needs and costs compared to full-time living in an RV. Full-time RVers require a specialized policy with expanded liability and personal property coverage, reflecting their RV’s role as a primary residence. The frequency of use and annual mileage also impact rates, with more frequent use leading to higher premiums.

Where the camper is stored and used affects insurance rates. Areas with higher crime rates or those prone to natural disasters incur higher premiums. Storing the RV in a secure facility or a garage when not in use may lead to discounts. The owner’s driving record and claims history are considered by insurers and influence policy cost. Choosing higher deductibles lower premiums but mean a larger out-of-pocket expense for a claim.