Preparing for a trip out on the road? Maybe you’re going for a weekend getaway, or it’s the annual hunting trip, or you’re hitting the road for a longer-term road trip with your family. Having an RV presents so many options for us Calgarians who love to experience the great outdoors in a whole new way.
Granted, it’s not all smooth sailing. You’ll have to do your fair share of planning, mapping out destinations and stops, preparing your family members, and figuring out an emergency preparedness plan, if something goes wrong. How would you put together the pieces if, say, an accident happened while on the road, or if your trailer unexpectedly broke down?
RV Direct – leading RV Insurance Broker in Alberta, can help you get the comprehensive coverage that guarantees your safety on the road for the best rate other there! RV insurance Alberta trailer owners may not be required to carry trailer insurance for tow-behind recreational vehicles, but it’s important for an asset so expensive and so valuable to be insured properly. So, if you were wondering, does an RV in Alberta need insurance? – The answer would be yes – not technically (if we’re talking provincial mandates) but for your peace-of-mind, and to protect your possessions, absolutely!
What is RV Insurance?
RV insurance or “RV” insurance is a type of property insurance that has been specially designed for vehicles that are “tow-behind” and covers them for losses or damages that are not otherwise covered by your home or auto insurance policies.
Insurance is not legally obligated for these trailers, but it is for the automobile that is towing them. Self-propelled trailers, like motorhomes, are required to carry insurance coverage because they operate on their own.
Just because insurance isn’t mandatory doesn’t mean it isn’t important. Insurance, specifically liability insurance, is highly recommended if something happens where a third-party’s property is damaged, or someone is injured on the premises of your trailer and/or as a result of the operation of it.
Why Insure an RV?
Trailers aren’t cheap. Even if you buy a used trailer from several years’ prior, it’s still likely to cost you thousands of dollars. Furthermore, if your trailer plays an integral part of your lifestyle, it makes more sense to keep it insured and protected against potential theft, fire, and other unexpected events.
It’s a lot less expensive than you might think to insure a RV, and it’ll pay off in the end. Think of insurance for your RV as just another maintenance cost. Depending on the circumstances, your RV insurance can cover your personal liability, provide you with additional living expenses if you can no longer stay in your trailer while on vacation because of a covered loss, and more.
People fail to insure their trailer because they may assume that their trailer is already covered by their auto insurance. While this is true, to an extent, home and auto policies will not cover any physical damage that occur to the trailer itself – meaning without separate trailer insurance, your asset would be left vulnerable. Auto policies can extend to cover your personal liability for your RV, but this is only applicable while the trailer is physically hitched to your automobile. If the trailer is unhitched and parked – say, at a campsite – it won’t apply for coverage under your auto policy.
Moreover, an auto policy will not cover physical damage to the physical possessions contained within your automobile. Although a home policy will typically cover belongings in-transit, items contained within a trailer may not qualify for this coverage.
What Type of Trailers Need Insurance in Alberta?
“RV” is technically a broader definition for multiple different types of trailers that exist in Alberta, and throughout the province of Alberta. An RV is essentially a recreational vehicle that is not self-propelled or motorized. RVs are either towed behind another vehicle or are motorized. The following list is comprised of a variety of types of towable RVs:
- Toy haulers
- Utility trailers
- Pop-up trailers
- Fifth-wheel trailers
- Truck campers
- Hybrid trailers
This is just a small sampling of the wide variety of RVs that exist which necessitate insurance.
RV insurance protects your trailer from the wide variety of potential losses that your home and auto insurance wouldn’t otherwise cover, including losses to your possessions, liability claims while your trailer is left unhitched, physical damages (including collision and comprehensive coverage, which operate similarly to how they would for an auto insurance plan).
There are additional insurance options for an increased premium, like snowbird endorsements, additional living expenses, emergency roadside expenses, overland water coverage, and more.
Where Do I Purchase RV Insurance?
RV insurance can be purchased through the same company from which you have bought your RV, or it can be purchased from a third-party – i.e., from an RV insurance provider. Your best bet is to work through a dedicated RV insurance provider, with a broker who can get to know you, your trailer, and how you use it to fully detail a comprehensive coverage plan for the most affordable price.
This way, you can be sure you’re getting the best rates for the best coverage. An RV insurance broker will also be able to advise you throughout the claims process if a loss ever does occur, as well as negotiate on your behalf so you can get your settlement easier and faster.