With the weather getting warmer, people everywhere are breaking out their favorite summer “toys,” including recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
Unfortunately, you can’t assume your part-time vehicles are properly insured under an existing auto and/or home insurance policy. And instead of simply adding these substantial investments to another policy, it’s better to look for policies designed specifically for each one.
mobile home insurance
Insurance coverage for recreational vehicles, such as travel trailers, RVs, fifth wheels, and truck trailers, offers protection that regular auto insurance doesn’t. Here are some reasons to consider RV insurance in addition to your auto insurance policy:
- Roadside assistance: Even if your auto policy covers some expenses on the road, it may not cover towing that big, heavy RV, leaving you to foot the bill.
- Financial Protection: Insurers that offer RV coverage often have claim representatives who know how to look for damage specific to RVs, including specialized RV parts like awnings, sliders, and appliances.
- Personal Property Protection: Your “home away from home” probably houses things you wouldn’t keep in your car, like camcorders, laptops, and jewelry, which may not be covered by an auto policy.
- Protect your investment – RVs are expensive! It is better to have “full replacement cost coverage” to ensure full payment if the vehicle is beyond repair, rather than a refund based on current market value.
boat insurance
Don’t assume your shiny new boat is covered by your homeowners policy. A ship is, for all intents and purposes, a moving vehicle. As such, you need coverage similar to an auto policy, including protection for:
- bodily harm that your ship inflicts on others.
- Damage to property your ship inflicts on docks and other ships.
- Physical damage to your boat, in case you hit something or run aground.
You’ll also want to consider comprehensive coverage against theft, vandalism, fire and flood; personal property coverage for fishing gear and other items; uninsured boater insurance (such as uninsured motorist insurance) and even “boat assistance” in case you need a trailer.
motorcycle insurance
Motorcycle insurance is essential, and just like car insurance, the price can vary depending on the type of bike you ride. In other words, insuring a high-performance sports bike typically costs more than covering a lower-powered motorcycle, scooter, or moped.
The components of a comprehensive motorcycle policy are also similar to auto coverage, including collision insurance (to cover damage to your bike as a result of an accident), comprehensive coverage, bodily injury liability coverage, property damage liability coverage, uninsured motorist insurance, and roadside assistance. .