10 Things You Need to Know Before You Rent an RV

By Diane Tait

Image courtesy Pixabay

I was putting out the trash a couple of days ago when I noticed a rented RV parked on my neighbor’s driveway.  It was hard to miss since it had the words 4-RENT prominently painted on its flanks.  So, I went back in the house and called my neighbor to ask her if she had purchased additional insurance on her rental.  She told me her auto insurance covered rented vehicles, including RVs.  I told her while her auto coverage may extend to accidents on the road, she should call her agent to find out about liability coverage, as well as any damage done to the vehicle that isn’t related to driving-related incidents.  Then I gave her a list of ten questions to ask her agent about RV coverage.

      1.      Does your collision, comprehensive and liability coverage extend to a rented RV? Never assume that everything that applies to the family sedan applies to a rental vehicle, especially one as cumbersome and expensive as an RV.  While you might be covered if you have a fender bender or accidentally sideswipe someone else’s vehicle while backing into a campsite, you need to find out about any exclusions before you take delivery of a rented RV.

      2.      Does your existing coverage apply to non-driving damage caused to a rented RV?  While your existing policy may cover you in the event of an accident, will the coverage to vandalism or fire damage? What if the vehicle is stolen while you and your family are sightseeing?  Will your existing policy pay to replace the RV?

      3.      Does your auto policy cover anybody that drives the rented RV?   While the coverage may extend to you and your spouse, what happens if Uncle Fred gets behind the wheel to take a driving shift only to get in an accident or damage someone else’s property when he improperly backs into a gas station to fuel up?

      4.      What happens if a guest breaks a leg while exiting the RV?  Believe it or not, visitors or even old Uncle Fred who injure themselves in an RV can and do sue to recover the medical expenses and possibly lost wages for any injury they incur.  If this should happen to you, are you sure your existing auto policy will cover the damages?  If not, you could wind up spending more than the RV costs in legal expenses. 

      5.      Will your auto or homeowner’s policy pay for personal items stolen from your rented RV?   If you and your family decide to take a hike to admire the scenic beauty only to come back to find that thieves have broken into your rented RV, will your existing insurance pay to replace the items that were stolen?

Image courtesy Pixabay

      6.      Can your credit cards come to your rescue?  While some credit cards offer some additional insurance coverage for rental cars, you need to call the issuer to find out if the coverage applies to RVs. What you may come to learn is that restrictions may apply to things like luxury automobiles, rental trucks and RVs.   

      7.      Should you consider adding basic coverage through the RV rental agency?  Even if you’re considering opting for additional coverage, you need to make sure you get the right coverage.  Basic coverage usually provides only the bare minimum when it comes to protection.  For an extra $15 or so a day, you can acquire $1,000,000 in liability coverage with many RV rental companies.  Premium coverage can also bring into play less exclusions and lower deductibles.  Be aware that some basic coverage packages levy deductibles of up to $1,500 for damage done to their vehicles.  You need to read the policy carefully before you opt-in on additional coverage.

      8.      Never assume you’re covered. Since most drivers have little or no experience maneuvering a vehicle that can be as large as a city bus, it’s all too easy to damage an RV by misjudging its turning radius.  The height of a motorhome is also difficult to judge, which means it’s all too easy to damage a vehicle by trying to pass under a structure that’s lower than you thought.  What happens if a flash flood inundates or overturns your rental RV?  Will your policy cover all the damage, even if it means replacing an RV that’s been totaled? 

      9.      Ask your agent if roadside assistance applies to a rented RV. While you may have roadside assistance built into your existing policy, find out if it applies to rented RVs.  If not, you could wind up paying a lot more than you might think.  If you accidentally run your rented RV off the road, will the rental agency pay to have it towed, or do they expect you to cover the cost? Even if the rental agency covers the cost of a tow and the repairs to the vehicle, if you and your family are stranded for a night or two, who’s going to pay the hotel and restaurant bills?  Who will pay the campground fees for any reservation you have to delay or cancel?

      10.  Does your existing auto policy cover a travel trailer?  For those of you who are looking to rent a travel trailer as opposed to a motorhome, you need to make sure of all the coverage and exclusions before you hitch the trailer to your vehicle.  You also need to make sure your existing car or truck is rated to haul something as heavy as a travel trailer.  If not, you may wind up paying for a blown engine or transmission out of your own pocket. 

Diane Tait owns and operates A&B Insurance.  To find out more about how you can save money on insurance, go to her site or fill out the form at right.