Liability. Deductibles. Personal effects? Insurance terminology can be so … insurance-y. As RV enthusiasts ourselves, even we at Roamly know how frustrating insurance can be. But luckily, knowing some of the basic lingo can go a long way toward keeping you informed.
Here are 16 common insurance terms to help get you started.
Most states require drivers of any kind to carry liability insurance. If you’re found at-fault in an accident, it steps in to help cover injuries or damages. That way, your wallet is protected, and the other person’s bills are covered. Nice.
Comprehensive covers your vehicle from non-collision-related accidents. Think vandalism, theft, or, say, if a tree falls on it. Collision covers — you guessed it, collisions, be it with another vehicle or object. It’s worth mentioning, too, that you typically have to get comprehensive before you can add collision.
Your “dec page” (as some folks call it) is the front page of your policy. It has all the details about your policy, like your name, address, policy number, coverage, coverage limits, and deductibles. It’s a great place to make sure all your info is correct.
When you submit a claim, your deductible is the amount of money you’re responsible to pay out of pocket. You get to choose your deductible. And the higher your deductible, the lower your premium — and vice versa.
Also called medpay, this coverage helps foot medical costs if you or your passengers get hurt in an accident. RV insurance also comes with scheduled medical payments, which can help cover an injured guest when your RV is parked.
Personal injury protection — AKA PIP — helps is similar to medpay in that it helps cover medical fees. But it also helps cover lost wages or funeral costs. PIP can even cover your health insurance deductible.
A coverage limit is the most your insurance will pay for a claim. Different coverages on your policy have different limits and you can typically decide to increase them however you see fit.
Personal effects covers stolen belongings from a vehicle you rent, including an RV. This can be especially useful if you don’t have renters or home insurance.
An adjuster evaluates all the aspects of an insurance claim. How much it’ll cost to repair damage. Whether the damage is covered, and the amount the insurance company will pay the person who filed the claim.
A policyholder is a customer of the insurance company. Another term for a policyholder is an “insured” or “assured.” And when a policyholder files a claim, they are called a “claimant.”
If your RV is damaged and out of commission, emergency expense coverage can help cover temporary lodging. This can be a lifesaver if you’re on vacation or live in your RV for most of the year.
A car, truck, or RV is typically considered a total loss when the repair costs are higher than the vehicle’s value. A vehicle can also be considered a total loss if it can’t be safely repaired. Each state also has specific ways of defining a total loss.
Uninsured motorist protection covers you if an at-fault driver hits you and can’t pay for the damage. Some states even require drivers to have it.
This is another way of saying “hazard” or “risk.” Think fires, windstorms, vandalism, or theft. Pretty much any kind of insurance policy will name specific perils you’re covered against.
This can cover you if you accidentally damage someone’s property outside your RV. It can also cover you if you’re held legally responsible for a guest’s injury in or near your RV. A scenario would be if you were staying at an RV park. Maybe your kid accidentally hurls a baseball through the window of another RV. Or a guest trips walking up the steps of yours.
A premium is the amount of money you pay for your insurance policy. It’s like saying the “price of your policy.” It’s not to be confused with a quote, which is an estimate of how much the premium will be.
Now that you’ve got rockstar insurance knowledge, why not make sure you’re adequately covered?
Start a quick, free quote with Roamly and find out how much you could save on RV insurance. We’ll ask you a few simple questions about you and your RV, and whip up an estimate and suggested coverages.
Plan on renting out your RV? No problem. Unlike many other RV insurance companies, we won’t drop your coverage if your RV is rented out on sharing platforms like Outdoorsy.
Did you know you could save an average of 35% compared to other insurance companies by getting a comprehensive plan with Roamly? This insurance company was created by passionate RV owners,so they know exactly the type of coverage you need for your RV. No more paying for expensive features you don’t need.
Additionally, Roamly doesn’t stop covering your RV if you decide you want to rent it out on peer-to-peer networks like Outdoorsy. That means you can make extra money when you’re not using your RV.