The USA is easily one o the best places in the world for a road trip. This vast land is home to an unbelievably vast array of different terrains, climates, and regions. Whether you’re planning on driving across the entire US or if you’re just looking to explore one state or area, one thing you will have to think about is RV insurance. There are different laws in the States than those in Australia, so you should definitely have your papers in order before you head to the caravan sales location and pick up your RV.
Must Caravans Have Insurance In The US?
The simple answer here is yes. Every motor vehicle on the American roadways must have a valid form of insurance. This includes all recreational vehicles, RVs, caravans, trailers, and anything else on the road. One thing you never want to do is try to drive anything in American without insurance. The consequences could be incredibly severe. First of all, you could be fined or even arrested if pulled over without the proper papers. The police will not let you drive away, and your vehicle will most likely be towed. Secondly, if you get into an accident you can personally be sued for damages by anybody who got hurt in the crash. The one thing protecting you from arrest, hefty fines, and lawsuits is the proper insurance. SO make sure to have your papers in order.
Full Vs. Partial Insurance
The difference between paid and partial insurance may sound quite complicated, but really it is rather simple. If you are financing your RV with the caravan sales office, you are going to have to get full coverage for the vehicle. This is due to the fact that, as a financer, you don’t completely own the vehicle officially. Full coverage will be required for all those on a finance plan. If you have paid for your RV in full, however, you are not required to have full insurance since you are the official owner of the vehicle. Of course you do have to have insurance, but you have more of a choice in terms of what you want covered. In this case you should keep in mind the value of the RV compared to the risk of loss in case of damage. Most owners who have paid in full for their RV will want full coverage in case they get into an accident. This way you won’t end up losing money from the damages and also this will protect you further against personal lawsuits from other parties in an accident.
In Case Of Theft
Although the US is indeed a beautiful country full of great people, you must face the fact that that there are areas where crime tends to occur. One of the top crimes in the country is theft, with incidents of car theft being high in certain areas. If the worst should happen and your RV gets stolen, if you have full insurance you will end up making back most or all of your lost property value. This includes both the RV itself and the property that was in the vehicle when it was stolen. When you have full insurance, you will be reimbursed the full value of the items inside the RV, as well as the RV itself. This is where having insurance can truly allow you to breathe easy in case the worst should happen.
Rentals
For those renting and RV, the dealer will either provide insurance with the rental or have it available as an added cost. You should check with your own independent insurance agency to determine if the coverage you currently have will transfer to the RV rental. If this is the case, it will end up saving you money. Even if your insurance won’t cover the rental, however, you can be sure that the dealer you are renting from will provide it. If this is the case for you, you may want to research the various dealerships in the area that you will be travelling. Make sure to go with a dealer that offers insurance automatically with the rental. This will save you the extra fee and assure that you are covered for your trip.
Although the insurance issue in the US may seem tricky, it is really rather simple as long as you know the specifics. So make sure you stay safe while you travel and remember the main thing you need to keep in mind is that you are going to need insurance one way or the other if you want to drive an RV in the US. Whether you are buying and paying in full, signing up for a payment plan, or renting your caravan, always make sure that your papers are in order before hitting the American highways.
