RV rental insurance

Do I need insurance for an RV rental?

It depends on the RV, what coverage the rental company offers and what your car insurance covers. In most cases, the camper will come with insurance coverage built into the rental. Your car insurance company might also extend some coverage, like liability for towing a travel trailer. Other insurers will cover rental RVs on a separate specialty policy.

In any case, ask what coverage the rental company includes, then call your car insurance company to see if it covers any unprotected areas. To make sure you’re fully covered, consider buying extra insurance to fill in gaps. Be sure to take pictures of the RV once you purchase insurance to ensure you aren’t held accountable for any damages you don’t cause.

What coverage comes with my rental?

If you book with the right rental company, you’ll have ample RV coverage built into the price. Coverage you might see includes:

• Liability. Your rental should come with at least the minimum insurance your province requires. Some rental companies offer extended liability coverage of up to $1 million for the renter and owner.
• Comprehensive. Some rental companies cover the RV for damage caused by a storm, vandalism, fallen tree limbs or similar accidents.
• Collision. This protects the RV, travel trailer or camper if you damage it while driving the vehicle. Some companies make this protection optional.
• Roadside assistance. Since renters may travel long miles in their vacation home on wheels, most companies offer 24/7 support for peace of mind.

Temporary coverage to consider buying

If the rental company provides limited protection, consider adding:

• Supplemental liability. You might opt for higher liability limits if the rental company only offers the provincial minimum liability, which may not cover damage or injuries in a severe accident.
• Collision. You’ll need this coverage to cover RV repairs if you damage it while you’re on the road.
• Trip interruption. You can add protection to pay for lodging, meals or extra transportation if your trip gets interrupted by an accident.
• Personal belongings. If you’re traveling with expensive personal items, consider buying separate coverage if your home or renters policy has low limits on personal belongings, travel exclusions or won’t cover valuables. Otherwise, your current insurance may be sufficient.

How much does RV rental insurance cost?

You might pay an extra $40 to $80 per day for RV rental insurance. That cost goes down if the rental company includes coverage for free or if your car insurance covers the rental or offers a temporary RV policy.

Costs of renting an RV vs. buying an RV

Renting an RV is cheaper than buying one unless you’re an avid camper. Two weeks of RV rentals might cost $5,000 per year. However, owning a small travel trailer could cost over $8,000 per year assuming you pay the trailer off in five years.

Where to buy RV rental insurance

You can buy additional coverage for your rental RV in several places:

• The RV rental company may offer upgrades at checkout for your convenience.
• Your car insurance company may protect RVs on a temporary basis.
• A specialty rental insurer can offer temporary coverage for your RV.

What to watch out for

Renting an RV can come with coverage gaps you need to keep an eye out for:

• Renting an older RV. Some rental companies offer less insurance coverage if you rent an older travel trailer or RV, such as liability-only. If you dig vintage campers, consider buying extra collision coverage.
• Varying rental company coverage. Some rental companies include less insurance than others in the rental price, so shop several rental companies for the best deal.
• Low car insurance coverage limits. If your car insurance covers you, consider whether your policy limits are high enough to cover RV damage or liability.
• Deductibles too high for your finances. Rental companies can provide insurance with deductibles as high as $4,000. A supplemental policy could offset any out-of-pocket costs.
• Trekking across borders. Make sure your policy still covers you if you’re driving to the US or Mexico, otherwise you may need an international policy.

How to make an accident claim for an RV rental

Report an accident using your online customer account within a few days of it happening. In some instances, the owner will file the damage claim.

Follow these general steps to go through your rental’s claims process:

1. Notify the owner about the accident.
2. Go to your customer account and report the accident details. If the owner handles this, send a description of the events to the owner.
3. Review the rental insurance policy to understand your responsibilities.
4. File any claims with your own insurance if you bought separate coverage. You can typically file online or by phone.
5. Wait for an adjuster to contact you for an interview.
6. Pay the deductible for the damage. The security deposit may apply toward the damage.
7. Sign any paperwork and finalize the process on your end.

Bottom line

You need to meet the province’s and rental company’s insurance requirements, even though you don’t own the RV yourself. While most rentals come with decent protection, you might need to shop for additional RV coverage or buy it from the rental company.

Also make sure that the insurance you choose fits into your overall RV camping budget, which should include funds for campground fees, gas and more. Check out our guide on auto insurance to learn more about the basics of getting coverage.