Insurance Curator Full-time RV living means your motorhome is not just a vehicle — it’s your home, office, and lifestyle. That raises distinct insurance needs: broader liability, higher contents and personal property limits, agreed-value coverage for older rigs, and dependable roadside assistance that can handle heavy towing and extended repairs. This guide, focused on the United States, explains the best insurance choices for full-timers, how much you’ll pay, key coverages to prioritize, and which companies and add-ons to consider.
At-a-glance: What full-time RV insurance must include
- Agreed value or guaranteed replacement cost — avoids depreciation disputes for totaled rigs.
- Full-timer/homestead endorsement — protects personal property, appliances, and built-in systems used as a primary residence.
- Comprehensive & collision with high limits — full-timers rack up more miles and exposure.
- Liability and umbrella options — recommended limits 300/500/1000+ (thousand-dollar limits) or higher depending on assets.
- Roadside assistance & towing tailored for RVs — heavy-duty towing, winch and on-site labor, long-distance tows.
- Emergency expense/hoteling — covers lodging/meals if your RV becomes unusable.
- Full-timer-specific discounts or restrictions — be sure the insurer explicitly permits permanent residency.
Typical cost ranges — USA (realistic figures)
Insurance varies by RV class, value, driving record, storage location, and usage. National comparison resources report typical ranges:
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Average annual RV insurance (motorhomes): $1,000–$3,500 depending on class and coverage level. (See Bankrate and NerdWallet for national cost surveys.)
- Bankrate overview: https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/rv/how-much-does-rv-insurance-cost/
- NerdWallet analysis: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/rv-insurance-cost
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Full-time usage and higher agreed-value policies typically add 10–40% to standard premiums. For example:
- A mid-value Class C used full-time: $1,500–$3,000/year.
- A high-end Class A (>$150,000) full-time: $2,500–$6,000+/year, especially with roadside and high contents limits.
These ranges align with market quotes and insurer published guides; always request a full-time specific quote because recreational-only policies often exclude permanent residency.
Top insurers and sample pricing and features (U.S. focus)
Below is a snapshot of companies that frequently serve full-time RVers and the types of costs/features to expect. Pricing is illustrative — get personalized quotes for accuracy.
| Insurer | Typical annual premium range (full-time) | Key features & add-ons |
|---|---|---|
| Good Sam Insurance (specialty RV) | $1,400–$4,000+ | Full-time RV policies, agreed value, built-in appliance coverage, Good Sam Roadside Rescue memberships (separate) — see Good Sam: https://www.goodsam.com/insurance/ |
| Progressive (large national) | $1,200–$3,000 | Multiple RV classes, agreed value options, RV rental reimbursement, optional roadside assistance add-on — https://www.progressive.com/rv/ |
| Nationwide | $900–$3,500 | Motorhome-focused policies, replacement cost options, varying roadside packages — https://www.nationwide.com/motor/motorhomes/ |
| State Farm / Allstate (regional/large) | $800–$2,500 | Bundling discounts, availability varies by state, limited specialty RV features vs. niche RV carriers |
Sources and national overviews: Bankrate, NerdWallet (links above) and insurer product pages for plan features.
Roadside assistance: what full-timers need and what it costs
Full-time RVers need more robust roadside plans than typical auto service:
- Heavy-duty towing: ability to tow larger Class A motorhomes or long distance (50–200+ miles).
- On-site labor & mobile mechanic: many RV problems can be passenger-side repairs requiring larger tools/engine diagnostics.
- Winch & recovery: for getting unstuck on dirt or sloped terrain.
- Emergency lodging/transport: if the rig is undriveable for multiple days.
- RV-specific coverage: many auto plans cap towing distance or weight, so choose an RV plan.
Representative roadside providers and pricing (examples):
- Good Sam Roadside Rescue: tiered plans — many RVers pay $100–$250/year depending on level and family add-ons. (Good Sam Rescue page: https://www.goodsam.com/roadside-assistance/)
- AAA (regional) RV-oriented plans: membership levels $70–$200+/year depending on state and towing limits; higher tiers or add-ons for RV towing capacity available via local clubs.
- Insurer add-ons (Progressive, Nationwide): roadside add-on can run $100–$300/year depending on limits and included services.
Note: If you boondock or travel remote regions (Alaska, rural Montana, deserts of Arizona/Utah), confirm long-distance towing and mobile mechanic dispatch capabilities.
State & regional premium differences — examples
Location materially affects premiums due to theft, accident rates, and weather exposures:
- Seattle, WA / Portland, OR (Pacific Northwest): higher comprehensive costs due to frequent salvage/repair costs and moisture-related claims. Expect +5–20% vs national median.
- Phoenix, AZ / Las Vegas, NV (Southwest): hotter climate can reduce some perils but increase wear; theft in urban areas can push premiums +5–15%.
- Orlando, FL / Tampa, FL (Southeast): hurricane risk and higher claims frequency can increase premiums significantly — hurricane deductibles or storm exclusions may apply; expect +10–30% for coastal full-timers.
- Minneapolis, MN / Chicago, IL (Midwest): winter driving and salt-related corrosion increase collision/comprehensive costs; +5–20%.
Always confirm insurer licensing and coverage availability for your domicile state when registering as a full-timer.
How to optimize coverage and lower cost (without underinsuring)
- Choose agreed value for older or custom rigs to avoid depreciation disputes.
- Increase deductible on collision/comprehensive if you can self-fund smaller damages.
- Bundle with homeowners/auto where available for multi-policy discounts.
- Maintain a clean driving record and complete RV-specific safety/driver training courses.
- Consider storage/garaging clauses: some insurers offer reduced premiums if the RV is stored off-season or kept in a secure lot — see details in Best Insurance For RVs to Get the Lowest Premiums: Storage, Garaging and Usage Tips.
- Document aftermarket equipment and appliances with receipts/photos; ensure endorsement coverage for high-value items (solar arrays, washers, satellite systems).
For a deeper dive on how full-time vs recreational policies differ, read Best Insurance For RVs and Campers: Full-Timer vs Recreational Policy Differences.
Recommended checklist before you buy a full-time RV policy
- Is your insurer willing to declare the RV as your primary residence? (Some exclude permanent residency.)
- Do you have agreed-value or guaranteed replacement?
- Are contents limits high enough for appliances, clothes, tools, and electronics? Consider $10,000–$50,000 depending on lifestyle.
- Does roadside assistance include heavy-duty towing and long-distance tows? (Ask specific mile/weight limits.)
- Are rental or liability exposures covered for occasional rentals or sharing? If you rent your RV, verify host protections or a specialized rental policy.
- Ask for a sample claim scenario estimate (deductibles, covered costs) from the agent.
If towing capabilities and winch/recovery coverage matter, review Best Insurance For RVs With Towing and Roadside Needs: What Tow and Winch Coverage Includes.
Final takeaways
Full-time RV insurance is specialized: plan to pay above standard recreational rates for agreed-value, higher contents and liability limits, and robust RV-specific roadside assistance. Target a budget of roughly $1,200–$4,000/year for most full-time motorhome situations, with higher costs for luxury Class A rigs and coastal/hurricane-prone domiciles. Compare specialty RV insurers (Good Sam, RV specialty brokers) with large carriers (Progressive, Nationwide) and prioritize confirmed full-time endorsements and heavy-duty roadside coverages.
Useful resources and national cost references:
- Bankrate — RV insurance cost guide: https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/rv/how-much-does-rv-insurance-cost/
- NerdWallet — RV insurance pricing and tips: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/rv-insurance-cost
- Good Sam insurance & roadside: https://www.goodsam.com/
For targeted comparisons by RV class and contents coverage, see Best Insurance For Class A, B and C RVs: Which Insurers Specialize by RV Class? and Best Insurance For RVs to Cover Contents, Appliances and Aftermarket Equipment.