Are You Required to Get Insurance for Your Tow Behind RV Trailer?

You probably haven’t thought twice about getting insurance on your RV, but what about your Tow  Behind Trailer? Does that need insurance too? Is it required by the law or just a smart decision? This is a  common question many first-time RV owners ponder.  

Before you go cruising down the highway with your new trailer, it is important to understand the law and how insurance can protect you from certain liabilities. So, continue reading because we are about to dive deep into everything you need to know about RV trailer insurance! 

Is Trailer Insurance a Thing? 

Trailer Insurance is, in fact, a real thing, and it is a highly recommended policy to get if you are a trailer owner! Despite many misconceptions, your auto insurance policy will not provide full coverage for your trailer. Although many RV policies will extend liability insurance to your trailer (when it is attached to the RV), comprehensive and collision on your trailer are not often included.  

You most likely will have to purchase an additional policy for your tow behind RV trailer. However, it does not hurt to check with your current insurance agency to see if any of your RV coverage extends back to your trailer.  

Insurance Available for Tow Behind Trailers 

There are several coverages you can get for your tow-behind trailer. Some of the coverages are like your auto insurance policy; others are unique to RVs and trailers.  

Liability Coverage: You may already be familiar with this one. Liability insurance protects you from financial responsibility when you damage someone’s property or injure another individual. Again, talk to your current RV insurance provider because, odds are, your policy will also continue to cover liability costs on your trailer. 

Collision Coverage: Collision will protect your trailer in the event of damage caused by an accident. Your insurance company will reimburse you for any repairs or replacements. The amount of coverage you will receive is based on your specific policy and the insurance company. 

Comprehensive Coverage: If non-accident-related damage occurs to your trailer, comprehensive will help to cover the cost of any repairs or replacements. This could include fallen trees, natural disasters,  vandalism, theft, or fires.  

Medical Coverage: A trailer insurance policy may cover several different expenses that arise from an accident if they fall under the policy’s medical payments coverage. This usually refers to medical costs incurred by the driver or any other covered person during a motor vehicle accident. For example, your policy could cover ambulance rides, X-rays, hospital stays, surgeries, dental care, and more. 

Contents Coverage: The contents coverage of your travel trailer protects the value of the personal belongings you have stored inside it. Some items such as electronics, appliances, jewelry, and other valuables that might not be included in other insurance policies could be costly to replace if they are not covered under those policies.

Campsite & Vacation Liability: Having this type of liability insurance is essential if someone is injured when they are in or around your recreational vehicle while you are parked rather than when you are moving. 

Types of Trailers Covered by Insurance 

When purchasing an insurance policy for your trailer, it is important to check with your insurance agency to ensure that your trailer qualifies for coverage. Here are some examples of trailers that an insurance policy can cover.  

Cargo or Utility Trailer: This is one of the smallest towable trailers and is not designed to be a human living space. They are made to carry cargo such as tools, camping materials, farm and landscape equipment, and more.  

Mounted Truck Camper: These trailers are much larger than your standard cargo trailer. These trailers are designed to sit on the bed of a truck rather than behind it. Since this type of trailer is not towed behind the truck, it may be covered by your existing auto policy.  

Pop-up Tent Trailer: Pop-up tent trailers are easy to tow because of their collapsible features. They can range between 12 to 23 feet and are towed behind a vehicle. Oftentimes, these trailers do not offer private bathrooms due to their small size.  

Fifth Wheels: This type of trailer gets its name from the design. The trailer has a raised section that hovers over a truck bed. The rest of the trailer is carried by “fifth wheels.” These trailers are some of the largest tow-behind trailers. They sometimes have full kitchens and private bathrooms. Due to their large size and high price point, they are often the most expensive to insure.  

Is Trailer Insurance Required in Florida? 

Depending on your state, insurance on tow behind an RV trailer or motor home may be required. Florida state law mandates that you have insurance on your trailer. However, this means that you need to have liability. Upon registration, you must show proof of a minimum of $10,000 in liability coverage and  $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP). So, with that said, you may already meet that minimum and will not need any additional coverage.  

If your current auto policy provides liability coverage to your tow-behind trailer, you are not required to get additional insurance. However, it is highly advised to add collision and comprehensive to avoid the financial strain of accidents, thefts, and vandalism.  

Additionally, your current policy should reflect the $10,000 PIP minimum required by law. If you are unsure if you meet the minimum requirements, you can speak directly to your insurance agent for help. 

Benefits of Getting Tow Behind Trailer Insurance 

Owning is an investment, and it is wise to protect an investment with insurance. Getting an insurance policy to cover your tow behind trailer can help to reduce the amount of money you are liable for if any accident occurs.  

Having a larger vehicle does not automatically mean you will get into an accident; however, it does increase the risk of one occurring. Even if the accident is a minor fender bender, your trailer could be 

rendered incapable of towing further by your personal vehicle. In a case like this, your insurance policy can jump in and help cover the towing costs of your trailer.  

Accident coverage is not the only benefit that comes with trailer insurance. If you opt for comprehensive or full coverage, you will also be protected from natural disasters, fallen trees, hail storms, vandalism, and even theft! 

With all this information, it should be a no-brainer that getting trailer insurance is integral to being a  responsible trailer owner.  

How Much is Trailer Insurance? 

As with any insurance policy, your premium will depend on your specific driver history and coverage choices. However, there are some average numbers you can look at to estimate how much trailer insurance will cost you.  

Most trailer owners will spend between $250 and $500 a year or roughly $21 to $42 monthly. However,  your policy may be below or well above this average range. Often, trailer insurance is more affordable than a standard auto insurance policy. This is primarily due to the value of a trailer and the fact that you are likely already getting liability insurance through your current auto policy. 

Factors that Decide the Price of Trailer Insurance  

There is a wide range of prices for trailer insurance policies, ranging from a couple of hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars per year. Several factors influence the cost calculation, such as 

• Trailer size, including its length, width, height, and weight 
• Value of personal property held inside the trailer 
• Estimated miles driven 
• Your driving, accident, and insurance claims history 
• The chosen about of your deductible 

Where to Get Trailer Insurance in Florida 

Most auto insurance companies will additionally offer trailer insurance. It is recommended that you stay with your current auto insurance provider. This is because it makes filing claims easier. Think of it this way, if your trailer has been in an accident, your truck could very well have been as well. Having the same insurance provider on both vehicles can make it 10x easier to file a claim.  

With all of that said, if you are considering switching your auto insurance policy to a new agency, now is an excellent time to shop around for the best and most affordable trailer insurance policy. There are over more than 1500 insurance agencies in the state of Florida, so it shouldn’t be challenging to find the perfect fit for you and your specific needs! 

Happy insurance hunting!