Whether you’re an avid RV driver or taking one out for the first time, having RV insurance is an important part of preparing for any road trip. If you’re going out for a few days or planning a longer adventure, an RV is a great way to see new places from the road and have a place to sleep all in one.

Not all insurance policies are created equal, though. Much like other types of insurance, RV insurance can have gaps in coverage that leave you vulnerable to certain circumstances. If you’re going out on an RV trip, check your RV insurance to see where potential gaps in coverage are so that you can choose to add in additional insurance policy coverage if you need it.

 

Choosing the Right RV Insurance

 

One factor that many RV drivers want to make sure they have covered in their insurance is water damage. Just like in a house, water can damage some of the more delicate features of an RV and make it undriveable or uninhabitable. Carpet can become wet, stained, and moldy; appliances can break down, and the vehicle itself might have trouble working if water gets into the wrong places.

Water damage can occur even if you’re driving through hot and dry locations. These areas may be prone to flash floods, which can affect parking lots or campgrounds where you may have your RV. Water damage isn’t just limited to floods, hurricanes, or major storms, either. Water can come through seals in the roof, seams, vents, and water and sewage hook-ups.

While insurance that covers water damage to an RV isn’t required, it is beneficial for people who want to keep their RV in tip-top shape.

 

Help Protect Your RV

 

Water damage can occur to vehicles that are driven consistently as well as those that are in storage for most or part of the year. RVs are expensive vehicles, and having insurance on one is much like having homeowners’ insurance for a house. If you live in your RV full time, it is your home, and you want to make sure that you are taking care of it accordingly.

Water leaks can be small and amplify overtime as they affect mold and mildew growth, start to rust metal objects, and make life in an RV uncomfortable to impossible. RV owners can keep an eye on potential water damage by closely checking problem areas, like seals and vents, and giving the RV a thorough inspection before taking it out on the road or putting it back in storage.

Getting insurance coverage for water damage can be easy and inexpensive; oftentimes RV insurance can be customized to include a water damage policy. Unfortunately, undetected water damage can result in expensive maintenance and replacement costs, and might end up being a complete write off of your RV if the damage is unfixable.

 

Kinds of Coverage

 

Full-time RV drivers will need a different level of water damage coverage than RV owners who just take their RVs out a few times a year. For those who live in their RVs full time, this vehicle is your home, and any damage to it can affect your way of life. Full-time liability insurance for RVs usually does cover water damage, in addition to other damages that could affect your RV.

When looking for the right insurance policy for your RV, the age, make, and model of your vehicle will influence how much your insurance premium will be. Older RVs may have an increased potential for water damage, due to worn out seals or weakened roofs. Check your RV to see where water might get in, and if the age or state of your RV is such that additional water could get in various places.

RV owners can check their existing insurance policy to see if water damage coverage has been included in their larger insurance policy; if not, you may choose to purchase additional insurance to help protect you and your RV against water damage. Older vehicles are more prone to leaks, but any RV can experience water damage due to various circumstances. Make sure you have the right RV insurance coverage for water damage before it’s too late.