Camper van insurance (Class B RV insurance) typically costs $500-$1,600 annually and covers your van, conversion build, and belongings with specialized policies for liability, comprehensive, collision, and add-ons like roadside assistance. DIY and professionally converted vans qualify for RV insurance once equipped with sleeping and kitchen areas, with full-time coverage available for those living in their van 6+ months yearly. Unlike traditional auto insurance, Class B RV policies protect your conversion investment and offer rental-friendly options.
Camper van insurance is specialized Class B RV coverage that protects your van, conversion build, and personal belongings — something regular auto insurance won't cover once you add living amenities. Most states require liability insurance for motorized RVs, and if you're financing your conversion, lenders typically mandate comprehensive and collision coverage. Our comprehensive RV insurance for camper vans guide covers everything from factory-made to DIY conversions.
Think of it this way: once you've added a bed, kitchen, and all the gear that makes your van livable, you're no longer driving just a cargo van. You're operating a mobile home worth potentially $50,000-$150,000 or more. Regular car insurance covers the base vehicle but leaves your conversion investment, and everything inside, unprotected.
Campervan insurance can cost anywhere from $500 to over $1,600 a year, depending on factors such as your van type, usage, location, and driving record. That's typically cheaper than homeowner's insurance and often less than what you'd pay to insure a regular car. When choosing the right RV insurance for your rig type, it's crucial to work with insurers who understand the unique needs of different van configurations.
Class B camper van insurance averages $500-$1,600 annually, making it the most affordable RV insurance option. Industry data shows the average RV insurance premium ranges from $594 for travel trailers to over $1,000 for motorhomes, with liability-only policies starting as low as $125 per year. This is cheaper than most Class A or Class C motorhomes, and, in many cases, is even cheaper than car insurance.
Here's what drives your premium up or down:
Your van's value and type: A basic Ford Transit conversion costs less to insure than a fully-loaded Mercedes Sprinter with $80,000 in upgrades. Ford Transit generally has moderate premiums due to widespread availability and reasonable repair costs, while Mercedes Sprinter has higher premiums due to premium parts costs and specialized service requirements.
How much you drive: Each mile is another opportunity for an accident to occur that you will file a claim for. Weekend warriors typically pay less than full-timers, covering 15,000+ miles annually.
Your coverage choices: Liability-only keeps costs low, but comprehensive and collision coverage for a $100,000+ conversion investment makes financial sense for most owners.
Location matters: Insurance costs vary dramatically by state. Michigan has exceptionally high premiums, around $4,000 annually, while North Carolina has the least expensive RV insurance premiums, averaging about $860 annually.
Essential camper van coverage includes liability (required by law in most states), plus comprehensive and collision to protect your conversion investment, with optional add-ons like roadside assistance and personal effects coverage. According to the Federal Highway Administration's vehicle classification system, Class B motorhomes fall under the "Two-Axle, Six-Tire, Single-Unit Trucks" category, which includes camping and recreational vehicles with dual rear wheels. Here's what each piece covers in plain English:
Liability Coverage (Required) This covers the other guy if you cause an accident. Most experts recommend carrying at least $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 coverage, with many van lifers choosing $250,000/$500,000/$100,000 or higher limits. It won't fix your van, but it'll keep you from losing your house if someone gets seriously hurt.
Comprehensive & Collision (Recommended)
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Covers you when the other driver doesn't have insurance or enough coverage. In 22 states and the District of Columbia, RV owners are also required to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance.
Smart Add-Ons to Consider:
Yes, DIY camper van conversions can qualify for RV insurance once they have permanently installed sleeping and cooking facilities, though you'll need to document your build and work with insurers who specialize in self-conversions. Most RV insurers require a permanently installed sleeping area, cooking facilities (permanent cooktop), and fresh water system or water hookup. As we note in our DIY conversion coverage guide, we've specifically updated our definition of what constitutes a motorhome to better serve the growing DIY conversion van movement.
The process isn't always smooth sailing. Most traditional RV insurance companies don't allow you to rent out your RV and may even drop your coverage entirely if they learn you've been renting. Some insurers also have stricter requirements for DIY builds.
Documentation You'll Need:
Companies That Actually Insure DIY Conversions: At Roamly, we specialize in converted vans and offer rental-friendly policies that other insurers don't. We understand the unique challenges of insuring DIY builds and have streamlined our process to make it as painless as possible for van lifers.
Pro tip: Some owners keep their van insured as a commercial vehicle during the build, then switch to RV insurance once conversion is complete. Just don't drive off the lot without proper coverage in place.
You need full-time RV insurance if you live in your camper van more than six months per year, which adds personal liability, medical payments, and loss assessment coverage similar to homeowner's insurance. Full-time RV insurance includes optional coverages that provide protection if you use your RV as your permanent residence.
Regular RV insurance assumes you're using your van recreationally — weekends, vacations, maybe a few weeks of road-tripping. But when your van becomes your primary residence, your insurance needs change completely.
What Full-Time Coverage Adds:
Real-World Example: You're parked at an RV resort and accidentally start a fire that spreads to neighboring sites. Standard RV insurance might not cover the community's cleanup costs, but full-timer coverage would.
Annual premiums for full-time RV insurance typically range from $1,000 to $4,000 or more, depending on your van's value and coverage limits. It's still typically cheaper than renting an apartment in most cities.
Key requirement: Most insurers need proof you maintain a permanent address (like a mail forwarding service) even if you're living full-time on the road.
Most traditional RV insurers prohibit rentals and will deny claims or drop coverage entirely, but rental-friendly policies from companies like us allow you to rent through platforms like Outdoorsy while maintaining your personal coverage. Traditional RV insurance doesn't cover your new needs when renting, and companies often deny claims related to rentals. For those considering larger-scale rental operations, our commercial RV rental insurance offers specialized coverage for fleet owners.
Here's how it actually works when you rent smart:
Platform Protection During Rentals Outdoorsy requires that all renters purchase insurance packages for every day of their trip, with each package including liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage up to $1 million. This covers damage during the rental period.
Your Coverage Between Rentals You still need your own policy for when you're using the van. With us at Roamly, you can keep your original insurance policy without paying additional rental fees — once the rental period is over, we resume your regular coverage.
What Most Insurers Get Wrong Traditional companies see rentals as commercial use and either exclude coverage entirely or require expensive commercial policies. We understand that peer-to-peer rentals are different from running a rental business.
Bottom Line: Don't try to hide rentals from your insurer. Get proper rental-friendly coverage upfront — it protects you, your renters, and keeps your policy valid.
Looking to offset your van payments with rentals? Get a quote with us that stays valid whether you're camping or earning.
You don't need to retitle your van as an RV to get insurance coverage, but some owners choose to retitle for clarity and potential premium savings. You are not required to retitle your van as an RV to get coverage, but we recommend it as the "cherry on top" step when the van conversion is complete.
The retitling process varies by state, but typically involves:
Potential Benefits:
When It's Worth the Hassle: If you've invested $30,000+ in your conversion or plan to live full-time in your van. For basic weekend builds, the paperwork might not be worth it.
Choose an insurer who specializes in converted vehicles, offers the coverage types you need (recreational vs. full-time vs. rental-friendly), and understands your van's actual value. Van insurance is a niche product and can be confusing — it's important to work with an agent who has experience with campervans. At Roamly, we built our entire business around understanding the unique needs of Class B RVs and camper vans.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy:
Red Flags to Avoid:
Our Take: Don't just shop for price. The cheapest policy often excludes the very things that make your van valuable. Look for insurers who understand van life and have experience with conversion claims. For more details on how much Class B RV insurance costs, including factors specific to camper vans, we break down all the pricing considerations.
Ready to protect your investment the right way? Start your quote with us — we specialize in van conversions and understand what matters to van lifers.
Insurance terms, coverage, and discounts vary by jurisdiction; consult a licensed agent. This article provides general information only and doesn't constitute insurance advice.
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.