Planning to make your RV your home sweet home? You're not alone; over 486,000 Americans now live full-time in RVs, more than double since 2021.
Most folks don't realize until it's too late: your standard RV policy won't cut it when your motorhome becomes your primary residence. You need coverage that protects you like a homeowner, not just a weekend camper.
Full-time RV insurance covers personal liability when guests visit your parked rig, emergency lodging if your home becomes uninhabitable, and risks you face living on the road year-round.
Let's break down what full-time coverage really means for your lifestyle.
Full-time RV insurance is designed for owners who reside in their RV as their primary residence for six months or more annually, offering homeowner-style protections such as personal liability, property coverage, and emergency lodging. Standard policies cover road risks only, while full-timer coverage protects you whether driving or parked. You need this if your motorhome serves as your primary residence, especially when renting it out or living in an HOA community.
Full-time RV insurance is designed to protect owners who use their RV as either a primary residence or live in it for six months out of the year. Full-time insurance is similar to home insurance—it covers you for personal liability, injuries, property damage, and other losses that may happen while the RV is parked.
Standard RV insurance treats your motorhome like a vehicle. It covers you while you're driving and handles basic road risks. Full-time coverage goes way beyond that. It recognizes that your RV is more than just a means of transportation. It's your home, your sanctuary, your base of operations for life on the road.
The difference between full-time RV insurance and short-term RV insurance lies in the unique risks of living in an RV full-time. If you're considering living in your RV full-time, it's important to make sure you have a comprehensive RV insurance policy that includes coverages specifically crafted for full-timers. Let’s break it down.
Short-term RV insurance typically comes with basic protections, similar to an auto insurance policy. You can expect to find motorhome coverages like:
Full-time RV insurance includes all the above and more. Remember that as a full-time RV owner, you’re assuming virtually all the risks of being a homeowner. That’s why full-time insurance not only covers you against risks on the road but also against risks when the RV is parked. The coverage for full-timers includes:
Say a guest slips and falls in your RV, and then sues. Or an overshot throw while tossing the pigskin smashes into a nearby camper’s window (yikes!). Personal liability can, respectively, cover medical and legal costs if you’re held liable for said guest’s injuries, and pay for that cracked window.
This coverage helps pay to replace or repair personal belongings. Plus, it includes pet coverage in most states.
Mentioned above, medical payments coverage would help pay for an injured passenger’s hospital bills, regardless of fault. Full-time coverage would extend this coverage to someone who is injured inside or around the RV while it’s parked. It helps cover hospital fees related to stitches, ambulance rides, X-rays, and other medical expenses.
If you live in an RV community, there might be an HOA. Loss assessment would help reimburse you for fees that an HOA would charge to repair damaged property in common areas.
If your RV is damaged to the point of being uninhabitable, this coverage can be a lifesaver. It helps cover the cost of temporary lodging while your RV is being repaired or replaced.
This covers standalone structures you might have on your motorhome site. Think sheds, decks, porches, or carports.
This isn’t coverage so much as it is a benefit. For every consecutive year you don’t file a claim, we’ll reduce the deductible on certain coverages by a whopping 25%. A deductible is what you pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in.
Additionally, if you opt for a higher deductible when purchasing a policy, your premium will typically be lower. If you remain claim-free, your deductible will decrease, and your premium will remain at that lower rate.
The six-month threshold is your key marker. If you're spending more than half the year in your RV as your main residence, you need full-timer coverage. But time isn't the only factor.
Think about your living situation. Do you own or rent another house? If not, your RV is your primary residence by default. Do you receive mail at your RV or use it as your driver's license address? These are clear signs that you're a full-time RVer.
Some full-time RV residents report spending between $2,000 and $3,000 monthly per two adults on expenses, including food and clothing. When you're investing this much in the lifestyle, proper insurance becomes essential.
You should consider your risk exposure even before hitting six months. If you're hosting guests regularly, parking in HOA communities, or carrying valuable property in your rig, full-timer coverage might make sense sooner.
Traditional RV insurers get tricky the moment you list your rig on Outdoorsy or similar platforms. Most policies either exclude coverage entirely or require a separate commercial insurance policy. That creates dangerous gaps where you're completely uninsured during rental periods.
Roamly takes a different approach. We're one of the few online RV insurers that cover peer-to-peer rentals without a separate policy. Your coverage stays active whether you're living in your RV or renting it out for extra income.
If you combine Roamly's coverage with Outdoorsy's rental-period insurance for verified rigs, you can eliminate coverage gaps completely. Your RV stays protected 24/7 while you generate income from your home on wheels.
Several factors affect your rate. Your RV's value, age, and type are the most important factors. A luxury Class A motorhome costs more to insure than a modest travel trailer. Your location and state's liability requirements also impact pricing.
Your driving record and claims history play a role, too. Clean records mean lower costs. The coverage limits you choose also matter. Higher liability limits and lower deductibles increase premiums but provide better protection.
The good news? Full-timer coverage is often more affordable than you think. When you compare the premium to your potential exposure, especially temporary housing costs after a major incident. The value becomes crystal clear.
Don't just shop on price alone. Coverage quality matters more when your RV is your only home. Here's what to evaluate:
Coverage Essentials:
Insurer Quality Factors:
Policy Exclusions to Check:
It depends on how you actually use your RV. Where you spend your time and face the most risk matters more than what you own. If you live in your RV for extended periods while maintaining a house, you may still need full-time protection. So ask yourself: Are you hosting guests? Parking in HOA communities? Storing valuables in your rig?
Standard policies assume your RV is recreational, not residential. When your usage blurs that line, coverage gaps emerge. Talk to your agent to determine whether full-timer endorsements fit your lifestyle.
Whether it’s full-time, part-time, commercial RV insurance—or anything in between—Roamly has got you covered with quality protection at affordable rates.
Roamly Insurance Group, LLC ("Roamly") is a licensed general agent for affiliated and non-affiliated insurance companies. Roamly is licensed as an agency in all states in which products are offered. Availability and qualification for coverage, terms, rates, and discounts may vary by jurisdiction. We do not in any way imply that the materials on the site or products are available in jurisdictions in which we are not licensed to do business or that we are soliciting business in any such jurisdiction. Coverage under your insurance policy is subject to the terms and conditions of that policy and is ultimately the decision of the buyer.
Policies provided by Roamly are underwritten by Spinnaker Insurance Company, Progressive Insurance Company, Safeco Insurance, Foremost Insurance Company, National General Insurance, Allstate Insurance Company, Mobilitas Insurance Company, Lyndon Southern Insurance Company and others.