What Is RV & Trailer Insurance?
RV and trailer insurance is specialized coverage designed for motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, campers, and other recreational vehicles. These policies address risks that standard auto insurance doesn't adequately cover—from the higher values of recreational vehicles to the unique exposures that come with using a vehicle as temporary or full-time living space.
Whether you own a Class A motorhome, tow a travel trailer behind your truck, or keep a pop-up camper for occasional beach trips near Myrtle Beach, dedicated RV insurance protects your investment on the road and at the campsite.
Why Myrtle Beach RV Owners Need Proper Coverage
The Grand Strand is prime RV territory. Mild winters allow year-round camping, and RV parks from North Myrtle Beach to Pawleys Island stay busy with seasonal residents and travelers. Owning an RV in this area means having coverage that matches how you actually use it. Here's why RV and trailer insurance matters:
- Auto insurance falls short. Standard auto policies aren't built for recreational vehicles. They don't account for RV-specific risks, living quarters, or the personal belongings you carry. Even if your auto insurer adds an RV, coverage gaps remain.
- RVs represent significant investments. A new motorhome can cost as much as a house. Even modest travel trailers run $20,000 to $40,000. Proper coverage protects that investment from collision damage, theft, fire, storms, and vandalism.
- You're liable on the road and at camp. Accidents happen while driving to Myrtle Beach State Park and while parked at your campsite. RV insurance provides liability coverage in both situations.
- Personal belongings travel with you. TVs, cooking equipment, bedding, outdoor furniture, bikes—RVers carry thousands of dollars in personal property. RV policies include personal effects coverage your auto policy doesn't.
- Breakdowns far from home are expensive. RV-specific roadside assistance covers towing for large vehicles, which standard auto clubs often can't accommodate.
What Does RV & Trailer Insurance Cover?
RV and trailer insurance policies combine coverages similar to auto insurance with protections unique to recreational vehicles. Understanding each component helps you build appropriate coverage.
Liability Coverage
Liability pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others while operating your RV. South Carolina requires liability insurance for motorized RVs driven on public roads. If you cause an accident near Conway or damage another camper's property at a Murrells Inlet RV park, liability coverage responds.
Collision Coverage
Collision covers damage to your RV from accidents—whether you're at fault or not. Sideswipe a post pulling into a campsite, get rear-ended on Highway 17, or roll your trailer on a curve—collision pays for repairs minus your deductible.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive protects against non-collision losses: theft, vandalism, fire, falling trees, hail, flooding, and animal strikes. RVs parked for extended periods—whether at home, in storage, or at seasonal sites—face theft and weather exposure that comprehensive coverage addresses.
Personal Effects Coverage
Your RV carries belongings your auto policy ignores: electronics, camping gear, kitchen equipment, clothing, and recreational items. Personal effects coverage protects these possessions whether the RV is parked or traveling.
Vacation Liability
Standard auto liability covers you while driving. Vacation liability extends coverage to incidents at your campsite—a guest trips over your power cord, your awning damages a neighboring RV, or someone is injured at your outdoor setup. This coverage is essential for RVers who spend significant time at campgrounds.
Emergency Expense Coverage
If your RV is damaged while traveling and you're stranded far from home, emergency expense coverage pays for temporary lodging, meals, and transportation while repairs are completed. This keeps an RV breakdown from derailing your entire trip budget.
Total Loss Replacement
Standard policies pay actual cash value—what your RV is worth at claim time, including depreciation. Total loss replacement coverage pays to replace your RV with a new one of similar kind and quality if it's totaled within a certain timeframe after purchase. For newer RVs, this coverage prevents a significant financial loss.
Types of RVs and Trailers We Insure
RV insurance covers a range of recreational vehicles, each with different coverage considerations:
Class A Motorhomes: The largest motorized RVs, often bus-sized with full living amenities. High values require substantial coverage limits. These are essentially homes on wheels.
Class B Motorhomes (Camper Vans): Smaller motorized RVs built on van chassis. Popular with couples and solo travelers for their maneuverability and fuel efficiency.
Class C Motorhomes: Mid-size motorhomes with the distinctive cab-over sleeping area. A balance between Class A amenities and Class B drivability.
Fifth Wheels: Large trailers that hitch in the bed of a pickup truck. Popular among full-timers and seasonal campers for their spacious layouts. Fifth wheels require a properly equipped tow vehicle.
Travel Trailers: Towable RVs ranging from compact to large. The most common RV type, with options from basic to luxury. Coverage needs scale with value.
Pop-Up Campers: Collapsible trailers that expand for use. More affordable to buy and insure, but still need protection from damage and theft.
Toy Haulers: Trailers with built-in garages for ATVs, motorcycles, or other recreational equipment. Coverage should address both the trailer and the toys inside.
Full-Time RV Insurance
If you live in your RV full-time—no separate permanent residence—you need full-timer coverage. Standard RV policies assume occasional recreational use. Full-timer policies recognize the RV as your primary residence and adjust coverage accordingly.
Full-timer coverage typically includes higher personal property limits, liability coverage similar to homeowners insurance, and medical payments for guests. If you're a full-time RVer based in the Myrtle Beach area or using a South Carolina address for domicile, make sure your policy reflects your living situation.
How Much Does RV & Trailer Insurance Cost in South Carolina?
RV insurance premiums vary based on several factors:
RV type and value: A $300,000 Class A motorhome costs more to insure than a $15,000 travel trailer. Higher values mean higher premiums.
How you use it: Occasional weekend use costs less than full-time living. More time on the road means more exposure.
Driving record: For motorized RVs, your driving history affects rates just like auto insurance.
Storage location: RVs stored in secure facilities may qualify for discounts compared to street or driveway parking.
Coverage selections: Higher limits, lower deductibles, and optional coverages like total loss replacement increase premiums.
Annual premiums for travel trailers might run $250 to $500. Motorhomes typically range from $1,000 to $3,000 or more depending on class and value. Full-timer policies cost more than recreational-use policies. Getting quotes from multiple carriers reveals your actual cost.
Why Choose Moore & Associates for RV & Trailer Insurance
Moore & Associates has served Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand since 1979. As an independent insurance agency, we work with multiple carriers offering RV and trailer coverage—not just one company with limited options.
Our local agents understand how South Carolina RV owners use their vehicles, from seasonal camping at Huntington Beach State Park to full-timing at RV communities in Surfside Beach and Litchfield. We'll match coverage to your specific RV, your travel habits, and your budget.
Get an RV & Trailer Insurance Quote in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Our RV and trailer insurance agents serve Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and surrounding areas including North Myrtle Beach, Atlantic Beach, Conway, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield, Pawleys Island, and Georgetown. Contact Moore & Associates today for a free quote.
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