Do I need insurance for my travel trailer?

If you’re a fan of road trips, you might be thinking about getting a travel trailer—or maybe you already have one! Either way, it’s important to make sure it’s properly protected with travel trailer insurance. The fact is that a lot of people assume their car insurance policy automatically covers their trailer, but that’s not always true. To keep it safe from risks like theft, vandalism, and accidents on the road, having the right trailer insurance is a must before you hit the road.

What is travel trailer insurance?

Travel trailer insurance is a form of auto insurance specifically designed for non-motorized or tow-behind trailers. It helps protect against loss or damage that your auto or home insurance might not cover. Travel trailer insurance, like RV insurance, works a lot like regular car insurance, but it’s specifically meant to protect things like:

• Fifth-wheels
• Pop-up campers
• Stationary travel trailers
• Park model travel trailers
• Truck-mounted campers
• Hybrid travel trailers
• Tent trailers

Depending on the type of travel trailer you have, you might be able to add it to your existing home or auto insurance policy. However, if you own a motorized travel trailer—like an RV or motorhome—it’s a different story. Since these vehicles can be driven on their own, they’re considered separate vehicles and need their own RV insurance policy, just like a car.

Why do you need travel trailer insurance?

Your travel trailer is more than just a vehicle—it’s a big investment and a key part of your adventures. That’s why it’s important to have the right insurance to protect both your trailer and everything inside it from risks like theft, fire, and unexpected accidents.

Depending on the situation, travel trailer insurance can also cover personal liability if someone gets hurt or if you accidentally damage someone else’s property while using your trailer. Plus, if your trailer is damaged while you’re on a trip and you can’t stay in it, your policy might help cover your temporary living expenses.

A lot of people assume their trailer is already covered by their auto insurance or that their home insurance will take care of the contents inside. But the truth is, coverage isn’t always that simple, and having a dedicated travel trailer insurance policy can help fill those gaps.

Is your travel trailer covered by your home or auto insurance?

No, your home and auto insurance won’t cover physical damage to your travel trailer. Your auto policy does include liability coverage for your trailer, but only while it’s attached to your insured towing vehicle. Once it’s unhitched—whether at a campsite or in storage—that liability coverage no longer applies, meaning you'd be on the hook for any third-party property damage or medical bills.

And when it comes to personal belongings, your auto insurance doesn’t cover anything inside your trailer. While your home insurance or tenant insurance might cover items you temporarily bring from home, anything that’s always kept in the trailer isn’t protected under your home or tenant insurance policy. That’s why having dedicated travel trailer insurance is so important—it fills in those gaps and keeps you fully covered.

What does travel trailer insurance cover?

Since a travel trailer isn’t the same as an RV, you are not legally required to insure it. Because it’s motorless and gets towed by your vehicle, you’re not required to have a separate policy.

That said, you'll want to think about the investment you’ve made and the risks that come with owning a trailer. Damage, theft, or unexpected accidents can be costly, so having coverage is a smart way to protect yourself financially.

You can choose enhanced coverage options like comprehensive and collision coverage for your travel trailer, additional liability coverage, and you may even want to add coverages like contents insurance and some additional endorsements, such as:

Liability coverage

As we mentioned earlier, your auto policy does include liability coverage for your trailer, but only while it’s attached to your insured towing vehicle. Adding liability insurance coverage to your travel trailer can help protect you if your trailer accidentally detaches from your towing vehicle and causes property damage or injures someone, or if someone is injured while visiting your travel trailer (while it's detached from your vehicle). It can cover the cost of repairing or replacing their damaged property and medical expenses.

Collision coverage

Collision coverage can help cover the costs of repairing or replacing your travel trailer if it's damaged in a collision either with a stationary object or another vehicle.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive coverage can help protect your travel trailer from risks other than a collision, such as theft, vandalism, fire, water damage, falling objects, or extreme weather.

All perils coverage

Choosing all perils insurance gives you broad protection, covering almost all types of loss or damage, except for anything specifically excluded in your policy. Think of it as a mix of collision and comprehensive coverage, with a little extra peace of mind built in.

Contents coverage

Also, as we mentioned earlier, when it comes to personal belongings, your auto insurance doesn’t cover anything inside your trailer. That generally falls under your tenant or home insurance policy. However, if you don't have home insurance or tenant insurance, then you may want to add contents insurance to your travel trailer. This will protect your belongings inside the trailer should they be damaged or stolen, up to your coverage limit.

Endorsements

Beyond the coverage types listed above, there are additional endorsements you may wish to include for greater protection. Some of the most relevant endorsement options include:

• Water protection endorsement: This covers water damage from things like sewer backup or overland flooding. While your contents insurance may protect against some types of water damage, it doesn’t include these risks.
• Guaranteed replacement cost endorsement: If your trailer is damaged beyond repair in a covered claim, instead of worrying about depreciation or out-of-pocket costs, you’ll get a new, comparable trailer without the financial stress.
• Accessories endorsement: This provides coverage for items attached to your trailer, like satellite dishes, antennas, and awnings.
• Emergency expenses: This provides coverage in case of an unexpected breakdown or damage to your travel trailer.
• Low branch collision: This provides protection against damage caused to your trailer, air conditioning units, or awnings from low-hanging branches.
• Unit in storage: This provides coverage for trailers, fifth wheels, tent trailers, and campers while in storage.
• Full-timer trailer coverage: This provides coverage for policyholders who live in their travel trailers for most of the year.
• Towing and roadside assistance: This provides coverage if your travel trailer breaks down, for a number of reasons, and you need rescuing.
• Total loss replacement: This provides coverage in the event that your travel trailer needs to be replaced due to a covered total loss.

How much does travel trailer insurance cost?

The cost of travel trailer insurance depends on factors like the value of your trailer or camper, how you use it, and the coverage you choose. On average, premiums can range anywhere from $250 a year to over $1,000. Things that can affect your insurance premiums include:

• The type of travel trailer
• The value of your belongings
• How you use your trailer
• What coverage you choose
• Your coverage limits
• Your insurance history

For a personalized travel trailer insurance quote, reach out to BrokerLink today.

Is travel trailer insurance required by law in Canada?

No, travel trailer insurance isn’t required by law in Canada like car insurance is. Since trailers aren’t motorized, they don’t have the same legal insurance requirements. As long as your towing vehicle is insured and registered, you can legally use your travel trailer without its own policy.

That said, auto insurance is mandatory for all drivers in Canada, and the penalties for driving without it are serious, ranging from hefty fines to licence suspensions or even jail time, depending on the province.

Even though travel trailer insurance isn’t required, it’s still a smart investment. Without it, you’re leaving yourself open to risks like theft, damage, and liability issues that your auto and home insurance might not cover. To make sure your trailer is protected no matter where or how you use it, getting a dedicated travel trailer insurance policy is the way to go.

Contact BrokerLink today

Are you looking at purchasing a travel trailer and need help deciding what type of insurance is right for you? Reach out to BrokerLink today. We can help you determine the best coverage for your needs, and we'll find you the best travel trailer insurance quotes from top Canadian insurers for travel trailer insurance. We can also help you with other types of insurance, like RV insurance or travel insurance.

You can reach us by phone, by email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool.

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