Quick answer. Motorhomes need auto insurance to be driven, while towed trailers are insured differently. The coverage to compare most closely is how the policy pays on a total loss: actual cash value, agreed value, or replacement cost. Also check usage, storage, personal effects, and U.S. travel.
General information, not advice. We are not insurance advisors. Coverage, rules, and prices differ by province and insurer, so talk to a licensed broker or insurer about your situation.
How RV insurance works
An RV is both a vehicle and a place to live, so insurance combines features of auto and home policies. What you need depends on the type of RV.
| RV type | How it is usually insured |
|---|---|
| Motorhome (Class A, B, C) | Needs auto insurance to be driven. Many insurers add coverage for the living area and contents. |
| Towed trailer or fifth wheel | The tow vehicle's liability usually covers towing, while damage to the trailer itself needs its own policy. |
| Park model or permanently parked trailer | Often insured on a property policy, like a home or cottage. |
Provinces differ in how basic auto coverage works. In British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, public insurers provide basic auto insurance, while optional coverage may come from public or private insurers depending on the province. Quebec has a public plan for injury. Ask your broker how it applies to your RV and province.
Coverage options worth understanding
- Liability covers injury or damage you cause to others.
- Collision and comprehensive (or all-perils) cover damage to the RV from an accident, theft, fire, and weather.
- Personal effects and contents cover belongings kept in the RV. Do not assume your home policy covers a trailer's contents. Confirm it.
- Emergency vacation expense helps with lodging and travel costs if a covered loss makes the RV unusable on a trip.
- Loss of use may help pay for a substitute RV while yours is repaired.
- Campsite liability covers damage to a campsite.
- Roadside assistance for towing, tires, batteries, fuel, and lockouts. Check what it does for a large vehicle.
- Water protection covers some water damage, such as sewer backup or overland water. Ask what is excluded.
- Peer-to-peer rental endorsement is needed if you list your RV for rent.
How a total loss is paid
This is the option that changes the most when something goes wrong, so compare it closely.
| Option | What it means |
|---|---|
| Actual cash value | You are paid the depreciated market value at the time of the loss. |
| Agreed value | You and the insurer set a value when you buy the policy, and that is what is paid on a total loss. |
| Replacement cost or total loss replacement | A similar new RV is provided, or the amount to buy it. It costs more and often applies only to newer units. |
How you use the RV matters
- Seasonal use (a few weeks a year) is common, and often cheaper to insure than full-time use.
- Full-time use (generally living in the RV for more than about six months a year) is treated more like home insurance, with personal liability for the place you live in.
- Stationary use (a seasonal site or a park model) needs a different policy from a unit that travels.
- Rentals. If you rent your RV out, tell your insurer and ask for the right coverage.
Travelling into the U.S.
Many policies cover travel in the U.S., but limits vary. Some cap the days outside Canada or require an endorsement. If you head south for the winter, ask your insurer in writing how long you can be away and what happens to coverage. Our border crossing guide covers the paperwork you will need to cross.
Storage and insurance
Tell your insurer where and how the RV is stored, and whether you will be storing it for the winter. Some offer reduced coverage while a unit is stored, and some facilities require proof of insurance. See RV storage for what to ask the facility.
Questions to ask before you buy a policy
- How is my RV classified, and does the policy match how I use it?
- How is a total loss paid: actual cash value, agreed value, or replacement cost?
- What is the deductible for each kind of claim?
- Are my belongings covered, and up to what amount?
- How many days can I travel in the U.S., and what happens if I stay longer?
- What roadside coverage is included, and does it cover a large RV or trailer?
- What discounts apply, such as bundling with home and auto, or safety equipment?
- What is excluded, such as commercial use, rentals, or water damage?
- How do I file a claim, and who handles repairs?
Ways to save, without cutting protection
- Bundle with your home or auto policy when it makes sense.
- Compare at least two or three quotes, with the same coverage and deductible each time.
- Ask about discounts for age, claims history, and storage security.
- Adjust the deductible, but only to an amount you could afford to pay.
- Do not drop coverage you might need just to reduce the premium.
Red flags
- A quote that does not say how a total loss is paid
- Vague answers about U.S. travel or full-time use
- No clear explanation of what is excluded
- Pressure to decide before you have compared
Find RV insurance
This page explains how to compare coverage. For insurers and brokers that cover RVs in Canada, see the RV insurance directory at RV Resources Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need separate insurance for an RV?
Motorhomes need auto insurance to be driven, and most owners add coverage for the living area. Towed trailers usually need their own policy for damage to the trailer, since the tow vehicle's liability covers towing.
What is full-time RV insurance?
Coverage for people who live in their RV for much of the year, generally more than about six months. It works more like home insurance, including personal liability.
What is the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost?
Actual cash value pays the depreciated worth of the RV at the time of the loss. Replacement cost provides a similar new RV or the amount to buy one, and usually costs more.
Does RV insurance cover U.S. travel?
Often, but with limits. Some policies cap the days outside Canada or need an endorsement, so confirm in writing before you go.
Does my home insurance cover the contents of my trailer?
Not automatically. Check with your insurer rather than assuming.
Sources and further reading
Prices, rules, and availability change. Check directly with providers and official bodies.