Camper insurance costs between $800 and $2,500 per year for most owners, but the real price depends on what you own, how you use it, and which insurer you choose
There is no single camper insurance cost because insurers price policies based on the camper itself, your driving record, how often you use it, and where you store it. A small travel trailer insured for three months of seasonal use costs far less than a motorhome you live in year-round. A 20-year-old fifth wheel and a brand-new Class A motorhome will have different premiums even with the same coverage limits. The only way to know what you will actually pay is to get quotes from multiple insurers, because the same camper can cost $600 a year with one company and $1,400 with another.
Most camper owners pay somewhere between $1,000 and $1,800 annually for comprehensive and collision coverage on a mid-range travel trailer or motorhome. Liability-only policies (which cover damage you cause to others, not your own camper) run $400 to $800 per year. Full-timers and owners of high-value rigs often pay $2,000 to $3,000 or more. Seasonal users who store their camper for half the year can sometimes reduce their premium by notifying their insurer during off-season months.
Key Takeaways
- Camper insurance premiums depend primarily on the camper's age, value, and type — not just on you as a driver.
- Liability-only coverage costs roughly half what comprehensive and collision coverage costs, but leaves your own camper unprotected.
- Seasonal storage discounts and multi-policy bundling with your auto insurance can reduce your annual premium by 10 to 25 percent.
- Motorhomes typically cost more to insure than travel trailers because they are classified as vehicles rather than cargo.
- Getting quotes from at least three insurers is necessary because the same camper can have a $600 to $800 annual price difference between companies.
How camper type affects what you pay
Travel trailers and fifth wheels are usually the cheapest to insure because they are towed behind your vehicle and classified as cargo rather than motorized vehicles. A basic travel trailer typically costs $600 to $1,200 per year for comprehensive and collision coverage. Fifth wheels, which are larger and more expensive, usually run $900 to $1,500 annually. These policies cover the trailer itself but not the truck towing it — your auto insurance covers the truck.
Motorhomes cost more because they are self-propelled and classified as vehicles. A Class B motorhome (van-based, smallest type) might cost $1,000 to $1,600 per year. A Class C (mid-size, built on a truck chassis) typically runs $1,200 to $1,800. A Class A (large, built on a bus chassis) often costs $1,500 to $2,500 or higher. The insurer treats a motorhome like a combination of an RV and a vehicle, which means higher liability exposure and more complex coverage calculations.
Truck campers — small units that sit in the bed of a pickup — fall somewhere in between. They usually cost $700 to $1,300 per year because they are smaller and lighter than travel trailers but still require separate coverage from your truck insurance.
What the camper's age and value mean for your premium
A brand-new camper worth $60,000 will have a higher comprehensive and collision premium than a 15-year-old camper worth $12,000, all else equal. Insurers charge more to cover newer rigs because the replacement cost is higher. A newer camper also means higher repair bills if damage occurs, which increases the insurer's risk.
However, very old campers sometimes become harder to insure at all. Some insurers will not write policies on campers older than 20 or 25 years, or they will only offer liability coverage without comprehensive and collision. If you own an older camper, you may need to contact specialty RV insurers rather than mainstream companies. The trade-off is that liability-only coverage is cheap — often $300 to $600 per year — but it means you bear the full cost of repairs if your camper is damaged.
Stated value and agreed value are two ways insurers handle older campers. With stated value, you tell the insurer what the camper is worth, and they pay up to that amount if it is totaled (though they may investigate and pay less if they believe the stated value is too high). With agreed value, you and the insurer settle on a value upfront, and that is what you receive if the camper is a total loss. Agreed value policies cost more but remove the uncertainty.
How usage patterns change your cost
Seasonal users pay less than year-round users because the camper spends months in storage when it is not on the road. If you use your camper only from May through September, you can often suspend or reduce coverage during winter months. Some insurers offer seasonal policies that run four to six months and cost proportionally less — roughly $300 to $600 for a three-month summer season on a travel trailer. This approach works only if you genuinely do not use the camper during off-season and can document that it is stored safely.
Full-time RVers pay year-round premiums and often face higher rates because they live in the camper and log more miles. Insurers view full-time use as higher risk. If you are a full-timer, expect to pay at the upper end of the range for your camper type — often $1,800 to $2,500 or more annually for comprehensive and collision coverage.
How many miles you drive per year also matters. Most insurers ask whether you plan to stay within a certain radius of your home (say, 100 miles) or travel nationally. Local use is cheaper to insure than cross-country travel because it reduces exposure to accidents and theft in unfamiliar areas.
Coverage types and what they cost
Liability coverage is the minimum required by law in most states if you finance or lease your camper. It covers damage or injury you cause to other people or their property. Liability-only policies typically cost $400 to $800 per year and are the cheapest option, but they do not cover your own camper if it is damaged, stolen, or totaled.
Comprehensive coverage protects your camper from theft, weather, vandalism, and other non-collision damage. Collision coverage pays for damage from accidents. Together, comprehensive and collision are called "full coverage" and usually cost $600 to $1,500 per year depending on the camper's value and age. Most owners who own their camper outright choose this combination because it protects their investment.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you if another driver causes an accident and either has no insurance or insufficient coverage. This typically adds $100 to $300 per year. Medical payments coverage pays for injuries to you and your passengers regardless of fault and usually costs $50 to $150 per year. Many insurers bundle these into a package rather than charging separately.
Roadside information and emergency expense coverage are optional add-ons that cover towing, lockouts, and temporary lodging if your camper breaks down far from home. These typically cost $50 to $150 per year and are worth considering if you travel frequently or in remote areas.
Discounts that actually reduce your bill
Multi-policy bundling is the largest discount available. If you insure your camper, auto, and home with the same company, you typically receive 10 to 25 percent off your camper premium. This alone can save $100 to $400 per year, making it worth shopping for a bundled quote even if the individual rates are not the lowest.
Safety and security features lower your premium. Campers with anti-theft devices, GPS tracking, or alarm systems often may have access to for discounts of 5 to 15 percent. Newer campers with modern safety features may also receive small discounts. Ask your insurer what specific features they recognize.
Paid-in-full discounts explore if you pay your annual premium upfront rather than in monthly installments. This typically saves 5 to 10 percent. Some insurers also offer discounts for completing a defensive driving course or for having a clean driving record with no accidents or violations in the past three to five years.
Storage location matters. Campers stored in a find facility or in a garage cost less to insure than those parked on the street or in an open lot. If you have access to covered storage, mention it when getting quotes — it can reduce your premium by 5 to 10 percent.
Why quotes vary so much between insurers
Different insurers use different formulas to calculate risk. Some weight the camper's age heavily; others focus more on your driving record. Some specialize in RVs and have lower rates for certain camper types, while mainstream auto insurers may charge more because RVs are outside their core business. A company that insures many motorhomes in your state may offer better rates than one that rarely writes motorhome policies there.
Underwriting appetite also varies. An insurer might aggressively price travel trailers to gain market share but charge high rates for motorhomes because they have had claims problems in that category. Another insurer might do the opposite. This is why the same camper can have quotes ranging from $800 to $1,600 per year across different companies.
Getting quotes from at least three insurers is standard practice. Major RV insurers include NRMA (National RV Owners Club), Good Sam, Progressive, State Farm, and Allstate, though availability varies by state. Specialty RV insurers often have better rates than mainstream companies, so it is worth calling a few even if you already have auto insurance elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my auto insurance cover my camper if I'm towing it?
No. Your auto insurance covers the vehicle towing the camper, but not the camper itself. You need a separate RV or trailer insurance policy for the camper. If you cause an accident while towing, your auto insurance pays for damage to other vehicles and property, but your camper insurance pays for damage to your camper.
Can I get a discount if I only use my camper a few months a year?
Yes. Many insurers offer seasonal or short-term policies that run three to six months and cost proportionally less than a full-year policy. You must store the camper safely during off-season and not use it. Some insurers also allow you to suspend coverage during winter months and restart it in spring, which can save 20 to 40 percent compared to year-round coverage.
What happens if my camper is financed or leased?
The lender or leasing company will require you to carry comprehensive and collision coverage, not just liability. They will also require you to name them as a loss payee on the policy, which means they receive payment if the camper is totaled. You cannot choose liability-only coverage if someone else owns the camper.
Is RV insurance more expensive than auto insurance?
Not necessarily. A liability-only RV policy often costs less than a full-coverage auto policy because the camper sits parked most of the time. However, a full-coverage motorhome policy can cost more than a full-coverage auto policy because motorhomes are more expensive to repair and insure. The comparison depends on the specific camper and vehicle you are comparing.
What should I do if my camper is very old and no insurer will cover it?
Contact specialty RV insurers that focus on older or classic campers — they are more likely to write policies on vintage rigs. You may only be able to get liability coverage, which is cheaper but leaves your camper unprotected. Some insurers also offer stated value or agreed value policies for older campers, which can work if you and the insurer agree on a fair value upfront.