Step By Step MotorHome Insurance

You've found a motorhome for sale and you're off to buy it. Wait! Have you factored the cost of insurance into your budget, and most importantly; have you actually purchased motor home insurance? A little common sense requires that you do both of these before rushing out to purchase your new recreational vehicle! Imagine your distress if it was hit as you pulled out of the sales yard or it was broken into after you had packed it full of goodies before your first trip.....and you didn't have insurance.

There are two aspects of Motor Home insurance that a new buyer should consider - the financial and the practical. Financially, one should weigh up both the monthly premiums and the value of those premiums should an accident or theft occur. On a practical level, one must research the most appropriate cover for their vehicle and its drivers.

The first place to look for motor home insurance is to your current household or car insurance provider. Not all will offer Recreational Vehicle insurance, but those that do will usually also offer a discounted rate for the purchase of multiple policies. This is a great starting point as one may then use this discounted quote as a benchmark.

However, it is also important to look at exactly what the insurance will cover and it is well worth finding specialised motorhome insurance protection designed specifically for the recreational vehicles, their typical uses and their breed of owners. If you plan to use your motorised home full time, look for coverage similar to homeowners, if you do not then you will want to have a storage option on your policy. When your vehicle is not in use, this option will save you at least 50% of your premium. Whoever you choose should offer specialised cover including:

1) Claims reps that actually specialise in Motor Homes. They will better understand the requirements of motorhomes and their drivers.
2) A service call allowance which pays for (and this is important) a Motor Home expert to come and have a look at your vehicle should it break down.
3) Cover for more than one driver
4) Hitch coverage which is cover for the whole hitch assembly to be replaced.
5) Protection for permanent vehicle attachments such as antennae and awnings.
6) Full replacement; providing you with a replacement vehicle when yours is un-drivable or stolen.
7) Like holiday insurance, there should be an allowance for emergency expenses to help you cover food, travel and lodging in the case of loss of your vehicle.
8) Between $3000 - $5000 coverage for the contents of your RV.

Use the experience of others where you can. It is well worth asking any motorhome owners that you know about the most important aspects of cover one should look for. Take a look in campervanning magazines for the contact details of current motorhome owners - you will be able to ask them about their own experiences and recommendations.

What you're looking for is firsthand experience of insurers actions and payouts following a distressing accident or theft and this is best gained from those who have already been on the RV circuit for a few years. If they can't tell you from their own experience then they will certainly be able to tell you about someone else's!. The last is particularly important. Remember that the cheapest premiums may well offer only 'cheap' cover when you actually need it!


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Sara Leadbetter is a Business Advisor specialising in Internet Marketing. Her work brings her into contact with Motorhome Dealerships across New Zealand and Australia. This Motor Home Insurance report stems from her workwith Lifestyle Motorhomes Ltd. who have motor homes for sale and also repair pre loved recreational vehicles.