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Sooner or later, recreational-vehicle owners learn that there's a big difference between the kind of insurance they can obtain from standard automobile-insurance carriers and the insurance provided by specialty RV-insurance companies. While automobile-insurance carriers can provide RVers with liability and physical damage coverage, standard automobile policies do not provide sufficient coverage to include the cost of a comparable new RV if the vehicle is stolen or destroyed. Standard automobile policies also do not typically cover the broad range of liability exposures that are associated with the living quarters of an RV.

And while specialty RV insurance is the only kind of coverage that includes both liability exposures, many first-time RV owners don't discover the existence of specialty RV insurance unless their dealers tell them about it at the time of purchase or unless they do a lot of research on their own.

Consequently, many specialty RV insurers rely on dealers to get the word out about the importance of having a specialized RV-insurance policy.

Unlike standard automobile policies, specialty RV coverage can include:

Total-Loss Replacement Coverage: This is the best kind of coverage available to RV owners. It not only provides maximum protection from physical damage or theft, but protects against depreciation of the actual value of the vehicle. This kind of coverage typically pays for a brand-new RV if your vehicle is stolen or destroyed during the first five model years. After five model years, this coverage provides no less than the stated value of the vehicle listed on the policy at the time of purchase. Some policies offer this level of coverage for 10 years after the vehicle is purchased while others provide coverage for however long the consumer owns the vehicle.

Roadside Assistance: This coverage is similar to the well-known service provided by the American Automobile Association (AAA), but it is specifically enhanced for RV owners because it covers not only the cost of towing the RV to the nearest qualified repair facility, but also the cost of towing any additional vehicles either towed by or towing the RV.

Personal-Belongings Coverage: This coverage provides for replacement of personal items carried in the RV -- such as clothing, jewelry and camera equipment -- if these items are stolen, damaged or destroyed by fire or other incidents.

Emergency-Expense Coverage: This coverage reimburses the RVer for living expenses that may result from specific kinds of vehicle emergencies that take place on the road. For example, if you're on vacation and you have an accident, 

this coverage will cover the cost of renting a car, staying in a hotel and eating in restaurants while your vehicle is being repaired. Emergency-Expense coverage typically provides $750 to $2,000 per incident.

Campsite Liability Coverage: This coverage is like a homeowner's liability policy that provides coverage while you're on the road. It covers claims that may result from trip-and-fall accidents that take place in your RV and immediate campsite as well as any injuries or damage that result from fires, explosions, dog bites or miscellaneous accidents.

Scheduled Medical Benefits Coverage: This coverage provides specific settlement amounts for specific kinds of accidents or injuries to the RVer.

All of these coverage areas can be adjusted to suit the particular needs of each RVer, with full-timers typically opting for higher coverage limits, since they often have more personal belongings with them when they travel, as well as greater travel-related liability exposures, from campsite-related accidents to RV repairs that may temporarily force them to stay in a hotel or rent another vehicle.

RVers also find that specialty RV insurance covers any gaps in protection they may have in their existing homeowner's liability policies.

Specialty RV-insurance prices vary, depending on the carrier, your driving record and the discounts offered by your automobile insurance company. Bender says motorized-RV insurance is frequently less expensive than typical automobile insurance, while coverage for trailers can go either way, depending on your individual insurance profile.

But while there are differing opinions on how much specialty RV insurance costs when compared to standard automobile-insurance policies, RV insurers agree that specialty insurance provides maximum coverage for the recreational-vehicle enthusiast.

Specialty RV-insurance providers also have another advantage: A specialized staff who understand RVs and know how to handle RV claims.

There are a number of companies that provide specialty RV insurance, including GMAC Insurance through the Good Sam Club, Progressive Insurance, American Modern, Foremost Insurance Group, National Interstate and Mendota Insurance.

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