Does RV insurance cover roof leaks?

In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Does RV insurance cover roof leaks? We will discuss what RV insurance covers and how to choose the best one for your needs. 

Does RV insurance cover roof leaks?

RV insurance would cover roof leaks, but it will depend on the reason behind the roof damage and the RV insurance policy. We’ll explain this below, however, let’s first see what does RV insurance actually cover: 

As the insured, RV insurance protects you in the event of:

• damage to your RV in a collision if you were not responsible for the accident when the third party is identified;
• property damage and bodily injury to others for which you are responsible when the accident occurs in Canada or the United States.

Insurers also offer the following coverage for damage that may occur to your RV:

• “Collision and rollover risks“, which covers damage caused by a collision for which you are responsible or when you are the victim of a hit and run;
• “All risks except collision or upset”, which covers damage such as fire, theft, vandalism and broken glass.
• “Specific risks”, which is a less expensive alternative to the “All risks except collision or upset” coverage. The protections are however less extensive: they do not cover, among other things, vandalism and glass breakage.

So, does RV insurance cover roof leaks? Well, it depends:

1. If it is a manufacturer’s defect and the RV is still within time periods of the warranty, then the warranty would cover the repair.
2. If you hit something or it is leaking from a hail storm or wind damage from a severe thunderstorm then yes your insurance should cover it.
3. If the roof of your RV is leaking because it is old and the seal is worn then no, insurance will not cover the repair costs.

What you need to know about a trailer or RV insurance

Before you can fully enjoy your summer days spent on the road or in the great outdoors, you must choose the insurance coverage for your trailer or motorhome. 

1. Mandatory basic protection: liability insurance

Any owner of a vehicle or motor home is required by the Automobile Insurance Act to have the civil liability protection of at least $50,000. Liability protection covers you in the following situations:

• if your vehicle suffers damage following a collision with another vehicle for which you are not responsible if the third party is identified and if the collision occurs in the US;
• if you are held responsible for property damage or bodily injury to another person in an accident in Canada or the United States.

2. Optional protection for damage to the vehicle

You can choose to add one or two of the four optional protections offered to cover any damage your vehicle may suffer:

• “All risks” protection: it covers damage caused by any type of risk, except exclusions.
• “Risk of collision and upset“ protection: this covers damage resulting from collisions for which you are responsible or for which you are the victim of a hit and run.
• “All risks except collision or upset” protection: it covers in particular damage caused by fire, theft, vandalism and glass breakage.
• “Specific risks” protection: this can be chosen to replace the “All risks except collision or upset” protection. This is a cheaper option, but also more restricted. It covers damage resulting from fire and theft but excludes vandalism and glass breakage.

3. The protection of your movable property: included in certain specialized insurances

Certain specialized insurance products include all-risk coverage free of charge in the event of theft or damage to movable property located inside the vehicle or on its site. 

This is an attractive advantage since this protection will prevent you from having to make a home insurance claim in the event of a loss affecting these goods.

4. Additional protection available

Depending on your needs, other additional protections can be added to your coverage. They may even be included for free with your basic coverage!

• “Travel expenses” protection: if you are deprived of your vehicle for several days following a covered accident, it covers certain additional costs incurred to continue your trip or return home. For example, it could cover certain additional costs incurred for accommodation or meals.

• “Insurance for roadside assistance costs”: this covers the costs of roadside assistance, for example, in the event of a fuel failure or a puncture.

• “Modification to compensation” or “Compensation without depreciation” protections: similar to replacement cost protection, it protects the sums invested in the purchase of your trailer or motorhome.

• Repatriation guarantee for trailers: if the vehicle towing your trailer is stolen or suffers a total loss accident, this additional guarantee will cover the costs incurred to bring your trailer back to your home.

Are you covered if a rock falls on your RV?

The answer is: it depends on the coverage you choose – and ultimately the circumstances under which the rock fell on your RV. If you have chosen the “all risks” cover, yes, you are covered. This does not matter how the rock lands on your caravan, trailer or motorhome, subject to certain exclusions.

On the other hand, if you have chosen “collision or rollover” protection, you are covered only and only if the rock falls on your RV in a collision or rollover – but hey, that is probably not the case. only damage incurred.

In short, if you want to be covered no matter what, your best bet is to choose comprehensive coverage.

Travelling with an RV: Additional coverage

Going on an adventure with your RV, especially when you cross the borders and you leave for a while, involves its level of preparation and risks. But good news: in addition to the liability coverage, there are additional protections to be well protected.

What is it exactly? Additional protection for your caravan, tent-trailer or motorhome as well as for the goods that accompany you on the road. This type of product allows you, among other things, if an accident or disaster occurs, to continue your trip without breaking your head.

Let’s say you’ve been on the road with your family for three days and you have an accident with the trailer. Everyone is fine, but your RV cannot continue in this state. In this type of situation, if you benefit from enhanced protection, you will be reimbursed for the costs to allow you to continue your trip up to the amount determined in your contract. Here are some examples:

• Your accommodation while your vehicle is being repaired
• Your meals while you wait to have access to your caravan again
• Rental of a caravan to continue your trip as planned in an RV in good condition
• Rent a car to allow you to return home or continue your trip with your trailer

You could also enjoy other benefits:

• Coverage for your personal belongings inside storage spaces or inside the recreational vehicle or attached to it
• Value without depreciation
• No minimum deductible
• Reimbursement for the costs of repatriating towed vehicles, that is to say, the costs to bring your trailer home if your car that pulled it is declared stolen or total loss.

The bottom line

Our final advice is to consult the insurance policy of the company that is covering your RV. In some cases, you may get some sort of compensation for wear & tear situations, but as we mentioned already, it all differs depending on the circumstances.

Please let us know if you have any comments or questions or the content. 

FAQ on Does RV insurance cover roof leaks?

Do I have to replace the entire sheet to repair an aluminium roof?

It depends on whether it is a scratch or a strong blow or a “break”. In most cases, however, you will have to replace the whole sheet. This is why people prefer polyester since it is easier to repair, as it is chemically bonded.

What is covered under RV insurance?

The following are covered under RV insurance:

• Collision and rollover risks”, which covers damage caused by a collision for which you are responsible or when you are the victim of a hit and run;
• “All risks except collision or upset”, which covers damage such as fire, theft, vandalism and broken glass.
• “Specific risks”, which is a less expensive alternative to the “All risks except collision or upset” coverage. The protections are however less extensive: they do not cover, among other things, vandalism and glass breakage.

How often should the RV roof be resealed?

It is recommended to reseal the RV roof every 10 years, but of course, this will depend on various factors (e.g. where you keep your RV and the weather conditions it was exposed to). 

Rerenfeces

• Does Travel Trailer Insurance Cover Water Damage? – Camper Report
• Does RV Insurance Cover Water Damage? | Protective Agency
• What Does RV Insurance Cover? – Nationwide