Travel Trailer Insurance, Explained

Trailers are not necessarily covered by your car insurance policy. Make sure you have insurance on your trailer before you use it. Read this article on travel trailer insurance to learn more.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
Your
car insurance policy
may cover your travel trailer, but it’s a good idea to check to be sure.
If a trailer comes unhitched on the road, it can cause a huge amount of damage to other people, vehicles, and property. Plus, whatever you're hauling could be completely wrecked.
Read on to find out if trailer insurance is already covered by your car insurance policy and get the additional coverage you need before an accident happens.
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How trailer insurance works

Trailer insurance works the same as car insurance. You can get
liability
,
collision
or
comprehensive
insurance coverage. Liability covers damage to other people’s vehicles and property. Collision covers the trailer, and usually the contents, if it's involved in an accident.
Comprehensive insurance covers non-accident damages or losses. For example, if your trailer is stolen or vandalized, comprehensive trailer insurance will cover the damages or replace the trailer.
MORE: How to find the best mobile home insurance companies

How to get trailer insurance

Step 1: Check your current vehicle insurance policy. Your trailer may already be covered, although the coverage will most likely be limited to liability only.
If your car insurance does provide liability coverage on your trailer, though, you won’t need to get that.
Step 2: Check your homeowners or renters policy. It may provide some insurance coverage for your trailer, although it will probably be very limited.
You want to know what you have, though, so you aren’t paying for duplicate coverage.
Step 3: Have all of your trailer details at hand. You will need to know the size, type and age of the trailer.
Step 4: Call your current car insurance provider. Ask them if they will sell you additional coverage on your trailer. Most insurance providers will happily sell you additional coverage.
Don’t buy the additional coverage right off the bat, though. Find out what they offer and get a quote, but you should also search for quotes elsewhere to get the best rate.
Step 5: Call around for trailer insurance quotes from other insurance providers. Get quotes for additional trailer insurance to meet your wants and needs. At a minimum, you should make sure you have liability. If you want to be fully covered, get collision and comprehensive quotes, too.
Step 6: Go online to get quotes for trailer insurance and a new car insurance policy. You can get side-by-side quotes that will make it easy to see which insurance provider will give you the best deal.
Step 7: Research the car insurance providers before you buy. This is very easy to do online.
You can go to sites like
Consumer Affairs
to find out how reliable an insurance provider is. A good deal is not a good deal if the provider doesn’t come through for you when you have a claim.
Step 8: Consider the costs and your needs. If you’re only using your trailer to haul inexpensive items from time to time, you may not need to spend the extra money for more than liability insurance.
If you haul something that is worth quite a bit of money, though, you need to get more insurance.
For instance, if you haul around an expensive boat or a show car, you will want more than just liability insurance.
Step 9: Contact the best provider and buy the coverage you need. You may even be able to complete the transaction online. Get it done before you use your trailer again.
MORE: How much does it cost to move a mobile home?

FAQs

Do you need insurance on a trailer?

You're not required to have insurance on your travel trailer because it isn't motorized. However, you do need insurance on your actual vehicle. And if you're driving an RV, you'll need to get insurance.

How much is travel trailer insurance?

The yearly cost of travel trailer insurance ranges from $250 to $500, depending on your trailer and how many coverage options you want.

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