Owning and maintaining an RV for most of us means a major investment of time, effort and, most importantly, money. RVers are pretty good about squeezing a dollar, though. The more experience you get, the better you become at fixing and maintaining your vehicle's equipment and accessories. There are, however, a few items that you simply can't take care of yourself. A major one is insurance. There's no way around it, its in your best interest to buy it.
Fortunately, there are a number of discounts out there that RV owners can take advantage of. A surprising number, in fact. Here's a list of some of the best RV insurance discounts available:
You've got a lot of stuff. A home. A couple of cars, maybe three or four. Then, of course, there's your boat, snowmobile, ATV. That motorcycle your spouse won't let you ride anymore. And all of them are insured, each with separate insurance. Now you are going to add an RV into the mix. Maybe it's time to bundle two or more of those policies. Many insurers will discount your total insurance bill by 10 percent or more if you insure everything with them.
This is a bit different than the multi-policy discount. Here, we are not talking about bundling separate policies with one company, but combining separate policies into one policy. Depending on the insurer, you may be able to put all of your vehicles (RVs, cars, motorcycles, etc.) on one policy and get a big discount when you do.
- Partial Use Discount
If you only use your RV for part of the year and keep it in a secure facility the rest of the time, some insurers will cut you a break during that downtime.
Sometimes referred to as a "responsible driver" discount, this is one you have probably run into with your regular car insurance. If you are a good driver, that is. Insurers like customers who don't cause problems that they have to pay for. So, if you have a pristine driving record (meaning no accidents or violations in the last few years), particularly with your RV, you are likely eligible for a cut in your monthly premium.
- Claims-Free Renewal Discount
This one is very similar to the "good driver" discount, but focuses specifically on drivers that have made no claims (or had no claims made by others) on their insurance during the previous policy period.
- Safe Driving Course Discount
Driving record not so pristine? Here's a possible discount for you. Check with your insurer to see if they offer a discount for taking a safe driving course. There are lots of them out there, sponsored by organizations like the AAA and the AARP. Just be sure that your course is accredited and approved by your insurance company before you sign up.
- Safety Features Discount
You could be in for substantial savings for factory-installed or added-on safety equipment such as a supplemental braking system, engine fire suppression system, or even a fancy alarm system.
I've combined these two since you have probably encountered them before and they are both very simple. Pay your entire policy up front and get a discount. Pay your premium on-time and get a discount.
- Original Owner Discount
This is your insurers thinking here. You are the original owner of your RV. That means it was brand new when you bought it. Brand new means a smaller chance of something going wrong. And that means you are less likely to file a claim. Discount.
- RV Association Discount
Join a recognized RV group. Insurers like them and think it indicates a more responsible and involved RV owner. Discount.
So there you have it. Lots of ways to save, right? There is one little catch, however. Not all of these discounts are available from all insurers. You are going to have to decide which ones work best for you and then shop around to see what companies are offering them. That's going to require making some calls and pulling out the old calculator. You may save some real money though, so it's worth it. The trick is to find a reputable insurer that, once they have applied all of the discounts you are eligible for, presents you with the lowest premium bill. In other words, the bottom line is the bottom line.