So you've bought your dream RV or you're thinking about it. Before you hit the open road, there's one question you need to answer: what insurance do you actually need? The answer depends on what kind of RV you have, how you're paying for it, and where you plan to take it. Let's break down exactly what's legally required, what your lender might demand, and what campgrounds expect when you roll up.
What Your State Legally Requires
Here's where it gets interesting: the legal requirements for RV insurance depend entirely on what type of RV you own. If you've got a motorized RV—that's a Class A motorhome, Class B camper van, or Class C mini motorhome—you're looking at the same rules as any other vehicle on the road. Nearly every state requires you to carry minimum liability insurance before you can legally drive.
Liability coverage has two parts: bodily injury liability, which pays for injuries you cause to other people, and property damage liability, which covers damage you cause to someone else's property. The minimum amounts vary by state, but they typically look something like this: $25,000 per person for injuries, $50,000 per accident for total injuries, and $25,000 for property damage. Some states require less, some more.
In 2025, several states raised their minimum requirements. California bumped their minimums from 15/30/5 to 30/60/15 as of January 1, 2025. North Carolina is making an even bigger jump on July 1, 2025, going from 30/60/25 to 50/100/50—giving them the highest property damage minimum in the country at $50,000. Utah and Virginia also updated their requirements this year.
Now, if you've got a towable RV—a travel trailer, fifth wheel, or pop-up camper—the rules change. Most states don't require separate insurance for these because they're not self-propelled. When you're towing them on the road, they're covered under your towing vehicle's auto insurance policy. That said, some states do have specific requirements. In Michigan, for example, if your RV trailer has more than two wheels, it's legally considered a motor vehicle and needs its own liability insurance and personal injury protection.
A few states also have special requirements beyond basic liability. Florida requires personal injury protection (PIP) coverage of $10,000 per person. Michigan famously requires unlimited medical benefit coverage in addition to liability. Oregon and Washington both mandate uninsured motorist coverage, which protects you if you're hit by someone without insurance.
What Your Lender Will Demand
If you're financing your RV—and most people do, since RVs can cost anywhere from $10,000 to well over $500,000—your lender is going to require more than just the state minimum liability coverage. They want to protect their investment, which means they'll require you to carry comprehensive and collision coverage until you pay off the loan.
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from things other than collisions—think theft, fire, hail, vandalism, or hitting a deer. Collision coverage handles damage from accidents, whether you hit another vehicle, a tree, or roll your RV off the road. Your lender will typically require these coverages because they ensure the RV can be repaired or replaced if something happens, protecting the collateral for your loan.
Lenders also have other requirements that affect your insurance needs. Most require a credit score of at least 660-670, though some will work with scores as low as 600. You'll typically need to put down at least 10% if you have excellent credit, or 20-30% with less-than-perfect credit. Lenders often won't finance RVs older than 10-15 years or with high mileage—typically over 60,000 miles for gas engines or 100,000 for diesel.
Here's something important: your lender will want to be listed as the loss payee on your insurance policy. This means if your RV is totaled, the insurance check goes to them first to pay off the loan. Only after the loan is satisfied would you get any remaining money. Your lender will also require proof of continuous coverage—if your policy lapses, they can force-place insurance on the RV and add the cost to your loan, which is typically much more expensive.
What Campgrounds and RV Parks Expect
This is where things get less standardized. Unlike state laws and lender requirements, which are pretty consistent, campground insurance requirements vary widely. Most campgrounds don't require you to show proof of insurance when you check in. However, some private RV resorts and high-end campgrounds do require it, particularly if you're signing a long-term lease or seasonal contract.
State and national parks typically don't ask for proof of insurance for short-term stays. But if something happens—say, your RV catches fire and damages park property, or your awning flies off in a storm and damages a neighboring RV—you'll be glad you have liability coverage. Without it, you're personally responsible for all damages.
Some membership campground networks and private resorts do have insurance requirements written into their contracts. If you're planning to park your RV at one location for an extended period—think snowbirding in Arizona or summering in the mountains—read the fine print. Many long-term sites require proof of comprehensive coverage, and some specifically require liability limits above state minimums.
Going Beyond the Minimums: What You Should Actually Carry
Here's the uncomfortable truth: state minimum liability limits are dangerously low for RVs. A Class A motorhome can weigh 30,000 pounds or more. If you cause a serious accident, the medical bills and property damage can easily exceed your state's minimum coverage. One trip to the emergency room can cost $50,000. A totaled luxury vehicle? Easily $100,000. And if you injure multiple people, you could be looking at hundreds of thousands in medical expenses.
Insurance experts recommend carrying liability coverage of at least $500,000 to $1 million for RVs. Yes, it costs more than state minimums, but the price difference is often surprisingly small—maybe $200-400 more per year for significantly better protection. If you have substantial assets—a home, retirement savings, investments—you should seriously consider an umbrella policy that provides an additional $1-2 million in liability coverage above your RV policy.
Even if you own your RV outright and aren't required to carry comprehensive and collision coverage, consider keeping it. RVs are expensive to repair. A minor fender bender can cost $5,000 to fix. Storm damage, theft, or vandalism can run into tens of thousands. And if you're traveling far from home when something happens, you'll want the financial protection.
Getting Your RV Properly Insured
The first step is figuring out exactly what coverage you need. Check your state's minimum requirements—they're easy to find online or by calling your state's department of motor vehicles. If you're financing, contact your lender to get their specific insurance requirements in writing. And if you're planning to stay at specific campgrounds long-term, ask about their insurance policies before you sign a contract.
When shopping for RV insurance, don't just settle for the first quote. RV insurance rates vary wildly between companies, and the cheapest isn't always the best. Look for companies that specialize in RV coverage—they understand the unique needs of RV owners and often offer coverages that standard auto insurers don't, like full-timer coverage if you live in your RV, vacation liability if you rent it out, and replacement cost coverage that pays to replace your RV with a new one rather than paying depreciated value.
Make sure your policy covers everything you keep in your RV too. Your personal belongings—clothes, electronics, camping gear—need coverage, and standard RV policies often have limits on these items. If you're carrying expensive equipment like bikes, kayaks, or fishing gear, you may need to add scheduled personal property coverage to fully protect them.
Bottom line: RV insurance requirements aren't one-size-fits-all. What you legally need depends on your RV type and state. What your lender requires depends on your loan. And what you should actually carry depends on protecting yourself financially. Don't wait until you're pulled over or involved in an accident to figure this out. Get properly insured before you hit the road, and you'll have peace of mind knowing you're covered no matter where your travels take you.
