How are travel trailers insured?

In today’s blog post, we will answer the following question: How are travel trailers insured? We will discuss what travel trailer insurance covers, whether it should be mandatory and how much it costs. 

How are travel trailers insured?

How travel trailers are insured depends on the insurance company, but it mainly works like car insurance, with a few key differences.   Travel trailer insurance policy is different from the others, as it concerns the extension of a car liability insurance policy. The towed vehicle, in fact, is considered a trailer and must be insured as such.

What does it all mean? The insurance of the vehicle that transports the travel trailer must cover and, therefore, be extended to the circulating unitary complex, which in this case is the travel trailer. However, the presence of the tow hook must be specified in the policy.

Different is the case in which the travel trailer is not attached to the car, but temporarily parked on public land. In this case, compulsory insurance only compensates for the static risk. If the stop is permanent on special feet, however, insurance is optional.

As essential, as with cars, it is mandatory to have insurance that covers any potential damage that you can do to third parties and civil liability insurance.

Here’s how it works:

• If your caravan weighs 1650 lbs (750 kg) or less – it is covered by the insurance of the towing vehicle (your car).  
• If your caravan weighs more than 1650 lbs (750 kg), you need to insure your caravan separately. 

Not everyone knows that it is also possible to insure objects that are transported inside the travel trailer in question, which could be damaged or destroyed in the event of an accident. If a claim occurs, the reimbursement will cover up to the maximum agreed upon in the stipulation of the contract.

Travel trailer insurance also applies to historic products with which you have been traveling for years, as well as new ones. Anyone wishing to purchase these products must sign a new contract with the insurance company to be associated with the car liability of the towing vehicle.

Travel trailer insurance: travel damage policy and parking damage policy

With travel trailers, there are two types of policies. The first concerns the damage that can be caused when the car is traveling. For example, it allows you to compensate for damage caused by third parties, for example in the event of accidental uncoupling of the trailer. If desired, it can be linked to theft-fire insurance.

The second policy concerns a parked travel trailer. It is to be considered an obligation if the travel trailer is not attached to the car or to the ground and if it is parked on public land. If welded to the ground, as when stopping at a campsite, it is not mandatory to take out any insurance. In any case, it is advisable to take out a theft-fire policy.

Historical or new travel trailer insurance: types of policy

Many have long since replaced it with the camper, certainly more functional, yet travel trailers, manufactured today in smaller quantities, continue to be popular and loved by enthusiasts, that is, by those who do not want to part with the historic travel trailer they have been traveling with for years.

Anyone who decides to buy a vintage or new travel trailer is required to sign a contract with their insurance company to be associated with the TPL of the vehicle from which it will be towed.

You can choose between two types of insurance, reserved exclusively for mobile homes. The first type guarantees only for damage caused when the travel trailer is towed by the car. It, therefore, allows you to be compensated for any damage caused to third parties in the event (for example) of accidental uncoupling of the trailer. This type of policy can be linked to a Kasko, theft-fire insurance or to protect the valuables transported inside the travel trailer.

The second type, on the other hand, guarantees against all accidents that may occur when the travel trailer is parked (such as at a campsite or in another public place). This is a mandatory policy to be taken out in the event that the travel trailer is not attached to the car or the ground and is parked on public land.

In the event that the travel trailer is welded to the ground (for example when it is permanently parked in a campsite), you are not obliged to take out any type of insurance but it is advisable to have a theft-fire policy.

Choose the right insurance company, even online. Deciding which insurance company to trust is not easy. Sometimes we are guided by a purely economic aspect but we must be careful not to be duped only by this, there are in fact several other fundamental factors.

The advice is to request online quotes for travel trailer insurance from various companies, by correctly filling in all the necessary fields.

What types of protection should a travel trailer insurance cover?

As mentioned above, the minimum mandatory protection is that of civil liability. Covers and compensates for personal injury or material damage caused to other people.

To fully cover the damage suffered by the travel trailer or its owner, additional protections must be added. You will need to choose based on its use and whether it is firm, exceptional or both.

For example, there are:

• Damage and accident protection that supports travel trailer repair in the event of an accident,
• Theft protection covers the theft of the travel trailer and its contents. Theft attempt is also taken into account, for example during a theft if the locks are deteriorated, for example,
• Fire and Explosive Protection, which as we can imagine covers the damage associated with a fire or explosion,
• The legal protection that supports the insured’s advice and legal costs in the event of a dispute.

You should also know that if the travel trailer is parked and if it is being used as accommodation, some insurers offer special home insurance.

How do I know if insurance is compulsory for my travel trailer?

The obligation to take out travel trailer insurance depends on the weight of the towed vehicle:

• If the authorized total weight of the trailer or caravan is less than or equal to 750 kg: we grant our “Civil Liability – Defense” and “Recourse” guarantees free of charge and without prior declaration to the caravan (or trailer) coupled to the insured vehicle.

• If the authorized total weight of the trailer or caravan is greater than 750 kg: for the assembly formed by the vehicle and the caravan (or trailer) to be insured, it is essential that the vehicle and the caravan (or trailer) are both insured.

• If the weight of your caravan (or trailer) is over 500 kg, you must, in the event of an inspection, be in possession of an insurance certificate (green card). 

You choose one of our 4 formulas then you personalize your insurance by choosing options according to your needs. Whatever your choice, we recommend to always including in your caravan or trailer insurance guarantees and essential services:

1. compulsory civil liability, to repair material and bodily damage caused to third parties,
2. 24/7 assistance, whether you are in the US or abroad, as well as help in drafting your amicable report,
3. legal information by telephone, if you are faced with a dispute in the context of your private life.

Final thoughts and recommendations

It is very important that you take into account the characteristics of your travel trailer, in addition to the coverage of each company. Before making the final decision, read very well what are the coverages you are hiring, that they are suitable for your travel trailer, what you need and, above all, that everything is detailed in the contract.

Our final advice is to consult the insurance policy of the company that is covering your vehicle. 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.

If you have any questions, comments or tips on the content, please let us know!

FAQ on How are travel trailers insured?

What insurance does a caravan need?

For a caravan, as essential as with cars, it is mandatory to have insurance that covers damage that you can do to third parties and civil liability insurance, but in the case of caravans weighing less than 750 Kg, it is included with the insurance. of the towing vehicle.

Do I need to tell my insurance if I tow a caravan?

Whether you will have to tell your insurance that you are towing a caravan, will depend on its weight. When its permissible gross vehicle weight (GVW) exceeds 750 kg, the trailer or caravan must be insured independently of the vehicle towing it. Otherwise, it will be covered by the third party liability insurance of the towing vehicle at no additional cost. 

What trailers have to be insured?

Trailers or semi-trailers that have a maximum authorized mass must be provided with mandatory civil liability insurance. According to current law, trailers and semi-trailers that exceed 750 maximum authorized mass of weight must be insured.

How to insure a trailer?

Trailers of less than 750 kg or light trailers do not need to have their own insurance but can be covered by car insurance, whose civil liability coverage may be sufficient to cover damages to third parties.

Other FAQs about Travel Trailers that you may be interested in.

How do I get the best deal on a travel trailer?

How do I know the tongue weight of my trailer?

How do you add power to a cargo trailer?

References

• How Does RV Insurance Work? | Progressive
• Travel Trailer Insurance: Coverage Details & Tips | The Zebra
• A quick guide to caravan insurance – The AA