I'm renting an RV. What insurance do I need?

Driving-related accidents.

Your car insurance policy may provide some coverage for a motorhome rental. Auto insurance is generally designed to cover driving-related accidents, like rear-ending another driver or damaging property while backing into a campsite.

What's covered on your car.

Many auto policies extend the same coverage you have on your car — for example, liability, collision and comprehensive coverage — to a rented motorhome on four wheels. As you're planning your trip, be sure to check with your insurance provider on whether your auto policy offers this type of coverage.

What's covered on your car.

Many auto policies extend the same coverage you have on your car — for example, liability, collision and comprehensive coverage — to a rented motorhome on four wheels. As you're planning your trip, be sure to check with your insurance provider on whether your auto policy offers this type of coverage.

Incidents that aren't auto-related.

Your auto policy probably won't protect your rental against non-auto accidents. If, for example, a cooking fire inside the motorhome damages the vehicle or injures someone, your auto policy probably wouldn't cover the incident.

Motorhomes with more than four wheels.

If you rent a motorhome with more than four wheels, your auto insurance likely will not cover the vehicle. In this case, you might want to purchase a supplemental motorhome rental insurance policy from the rental company.

Other drivers.

Who's driving the motorhome might matter. Depending on your insurance company and the state in which you're insured, your auto policy might extend to a rented motorhome only if you (the insured person named on your policy) or your spouse is driving. In other states, the auto insurance policy would apply to the motorhome even if another relative who lived with you (your adult son or your live-in father) were driving.

Personal property.

Your homeowners policy may cover personal belongings in the motorhome. If, for example, a laptop, cell phone or clothes in the motorhome are stolen or damaged during a covered event (such as an accident or severe storm), your homeowners policy could help. Check with your insurer in advance, however, since some homeowners policies have limits on property that's away from your primary residence.

Liability.

If a visitor to your rented motorhome is hurt and you are found responsible, the liability coverage in your homeowners policy might not apply. That's because some homeowners policies do not provide liability coverage for motor vehicles (including motorhomes).

Before you rent a motorhome, be sure to read your auto and homeowners policies or talk to your insurance provider. They can detail what coverage might already be available through your existing policies. That way, you'll know whether it makes sense for you to purchase temporary insurance coverage through the motorhome rental company for your trip.