Do You Need Insurance for a Pop-Up Camper?

Deciding whether you need insurance for a pop up camper isn’t always an easy call to make. That’s because insurance for towable RVs is usually optional in some cases — not to mention that some pop-up campers are so affordable that buying insurance may not automatically make sense.

So, if you’re wondering, “Should I buy insurance for my pop-up trailer?”,  it’s important to note that buying insurance for a pop-up camper is important if you’ve invested in a pretty expensive rig. Additionally, if you’ve financed the purchase, your lender will compel you to insure it. Some states also require some level of insurance for all motorized and towable RVs, including pop-ups.

Want to learn more about pop-up insurance? Read on for everything you need to know about these light trailers.

What Exactly is a Pop-Up Camper?

To be precise, a pop-up camper is a pull-behind trailer that collapses into a small, portable package when you need to transport or store it. And when it’s time to camp, you raise the roof and pull out the slide-outs to expand the living space.

These towables are also known as tent trailers, expandable campers, or fold-out campers. They are a perfect middle ground between a travel trailer and a traditional tent. Most are super light, equipped with the basic amenities, and pretty affordable.

What Do Pop-Up Campers Weigh?

So, what is an average pop-up camper weight? Tiny and simple tent trailers can weigh as little as 600 pounds, while the larger and feature-rich trailers can clock over 4,000 pounds. The majority, however, tip the scales at around 2000 pounds.

How To Determine If You Need Pop-Camper Insurance

How do you decide whether to purchase insurance for your pop-up? First, if you just bought a new camper worth $20,000, you may want to protect that investment. But if you purchased a used trailer worth only a few thousand dollars, you may be better off saving that money for repairs and maintenance.

As mentioned in the intro, another factor that will determine whether you need insurance is if you took a loan to buy the trailer. Most lenders will require you to maintain some degree of insurance on it. Finally, you need to understand if your state requires you to have any form of coverage for pull-behinds.

Does My Tow Vehicle’s Insurance Cover My Pop-Up Camper?

If your tow vehicle has comprehensive coverage, then some level of protection will usually extend to the trailer. However, if you’re at fault, that coverage will only pay for damages your pop-up camper causes to other vehicles, property, and people — but won’t fix your trailer.

Keep in mind that the coverage from your truck or SUV’s insurance won’t be available if the incident happens when you have unhitched your pop-up camper from the tow vehicle. To find out if you’re covered, and what protection is available, talk to your dealer or go through their policy terms. If the coverage isn’t great, do some research to discover what car insurance offers the most coverage for trailers.

Why Get Pop-Up Camper Insurance?

There are a few reasons why getting pop-up camper insurance is important. First, the tent trailer could be involved in an accident while being towed or even while parked in your driveway. Also, extreme weather conditions could cause extensive damage that could be too expensive for you to pay.

Moreover, you need some protection if the camper catches fire, gets vandalized, or is stolen. Although a pop-up camper can be a fun thing to have, it can also be a liability if a person is injured while in or around it. Not to mention that some of your expensive personal effects inside the camper, such as laptops, cameras, or phones, can be damaged or stolen.

How Much Does Pop-Up Camper Insurance Cost?

Pop-up camper insurance cost depends on the amount of coverage, insurance company, and various at-risk factors. Generally, it’s cheaper to cover a pop-up camper than to get coverage for an RV you drive. It’s difficult to estimate an average cost to insure a pop-up camper, however, it could be as low as $75 a year or as high as $400. Note this is just a rough estimate.

The cost may be low or high depending on the value of the camper, its dimensions, the trailer’s safety features, your location, how often you use it, how you store it, and your driving history. To get the best price, get quotes from several different insurance providers, such as Geico pop up camper insurance or the pop-up camper insurance State Farm offers — or even Progressive pop-up camper insurance.

Specialized Coverage Types for Pop-Up Campers

Here are just a few of the most popular insurance coverages you can select for tent campers:

● Comprehensive – Protects your trailer from damages out of your control, such as vandalism and falling trees.
● Collision – Your insurance pays for damages caused during a collision on the road. It will foot the repair bill even if you’re at fault.
● Total Loss Replacement – If your pop-up gets written off in an accident, then the insurance provider will pay for a new tent trailer of the same model. Some companies even give you the option to receive a lump sum of cash.
● Replacement of Personal Effects – This insurance will cover any possessions damaged or stolen while inside the trailer.
● Roadside Assistance – This option covers any costs that are incurred when the trailer fails while on the road. Failures can range from flat tires to mud, sand, or snow entrapment.
● Vacation Liability – Protects you if you cause damage to property or injury to another person while you’re parked at a campsite.
● Other Special Coverage – Depending on needs, you can get special coverage such as coverage for pet injury or personal medical coverage during RVing.

So, Does a Pop-Up Camper Need Insurance?

Insuring a pop-up camper is definitely worth it if you just bought an expensive trailer and you want to protect it. You might also need insurance if you’re financing the purchase or if your state requires trailers to have some form of coverage. For others, pop-up camper coverage may not make a lot of sense, especially if you’ve bought a used, low-priced trailer.

If you feel insurance is essential for you, make sure you consult other tent-camper owners and compare different coverage options before choosing a provider.