Renting out an RV can be a great way to earn extra income. If your RV sits in the driveway most of the year, why not let someone else enjoy it and help you pay for maintenance, storage, and insurance? But before you hand over the keys to a renter, there’s something very important you need to think about—insurance.
Do You Need Insurance to Rent Out Your RV?
Regular RV insurance is made for personal use. Once you rent your RV to someone else, it becomes a business. That means your personal insurance no longer covers it. If something goes wrong during a rental, like an accident, theft, or damage, you could be stuck paying thousands out of pocket—unless you have commercial RV rental insurance.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this special kind of coverage. We’ll keep it simple, easy to understand, and focused on real-life situations.
What Is Commercial RV Rental Insurance?
Commercial RV rental insurance is a special type of coverage that protects you, your RV, and your renters when the RV is being rented out for business purposes.
This type of insurance is not the same as standard RV insurance. Once you’re making money from your RV by renting it to others, personal policies don’t apply. You need business coverage.
Commercial insurance takes into account that strangers will be using your RV. It’s built to protect you from risks like accidents, damage, or even lawsuits while your RV is being rented.
Why Your Personal RV Insurance Isn’t Enough
Most personal RV insurance policies clearly state that they do not cover commercial use. This means if a renter crashes your RV, even if they were at fault, your regular insurance won’t help.
Let’s say someone rents your RV for a weekend camping trip. They drive it into a tree, break a window, and damage the side panel. If you only have personal insurance, the company might refuse the claim—and you’re left paying for repairs.
Even worse, if a renter hurts someone or causes property damage, you could be sued. Without commercial insurance, you’re completely unprotected in those situations.
What Does Commercial RV Rental Insurance Cover?
Commercial RV rental insurance is designed to give you full protection when renting your RV. Most policies include the following:
Liability Coverage
This is one of the most important parts. If your renter causes an accident that injures someone or damages property, liability insurance pays for the medical bills, repairs, and legal fees. Without this, you could be sued personally.
Collision Coverage
If your RV gets into a crash while it’s being rented, this pays for repairs or replacement. It doesn’t matter who caused the crash—it still helps cover the cost.
Comprehensive Coverage
This covers things other than collisions—like fire, theft, vandalism, or falling trees. If a renter parks your RV and someone breaks in or a storm causes damage, this part of the policy protects you.
Personal Injury and Medical Payments
If your renter or their passengers are injured in the RV, this coverage can help with medical bills, even if no one else is involved.
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist
If your renter gets into an accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance (or doesn’t have enough), this coverage protects your RV and the people inside it.
Loss of Income
Some policies offer coverage if your RV can’t be rented while it’s being repaired after an accident. This helps you recover lost rental income.
Roadside Assistance
Breakdowns, flat tires, or dead batteries happen. If your renter gets stuck on the side of the road, roadside assistance makes sure they get help fast.
Who Offers Commercial RV Rental Insurance?
You can get this kind of coverage from:
Specialized RV insurance providers
Rental platforms like Outdoorsy and RVshare
Some standard insurance companies with commercial options
Outdoorsy and RVshare, for example, include commercial insurance in every rental. It’s built into the platform, so you don’t have to buy it separately for every trip. However, if you rent your RV independently or through other platforms, you’ll need to find your own insurance.
Some companies, like Roamly and MBA Insurance, specialize in this kind of coverage. They offer full commercial RV rental insurance that you can customize to match your business needs.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost depends on a few key things:
The value and type of your RV
How often you rent it out
Where you live
Your driving record
The coverage you choose
In general, expect to pay more than you would for personal RV insurance. But keep in mind—you’re running a business. This cost protects that business.
Some RV owners pay between $1,000 and $3,000 per year for commercial insurance. If you rent often and have high-value RVs, it might be more. But if you’re only renting a few times a year, you might find short-term or usage-based coverage that costs less.
If you use a rental platform, part of the insurance cost is usually built into the renter’s fee. This means you don’t always have to pay it yourself. But it’s still smart to double-check exactly what’s covered.
What Happens If You Don’t Have the Right Insurance?
Renting out your RV without proper commercial insurance is risky. Here’s what could happen:
Your personal insurance cancels your policy
Claims for accidents or damage are denied
You pay out-of-pocket for repairs or legal fees
You lose rental income while fixing your RV
You face lawsuits from injured renters or third parties
Some RV owners try to rent quietly and hope nothing goes wrong. But that’s a big gamble. One accident could cost more than years’ worth of insurance.
Can Renters Be Covered Too?
Yes, commercial RV rental insurance often includes coverage for the renter. This means they are protected while they drive and use the RV, depending on the policy.
If they cause an accident, insurance can help cover the damages. This gives peace of mind to both you and the renter.
Some policies allow renters to buy extra coverage for added protection. This might include lower deductibles or coverage for personal items.
What Should You Look for in a Policy?
When shopping for commercial RV rental insurance, here are some things to consider:
Does it cover all types of RVs? (Class A, B, C, trailers?)
Is liability coverage high enough to protect your assets?
Are renters fully covered while driving and using the RV?
Does it include roadside help and towing?
Will it cover income loss if your RV is out of service?
Does it include legal defense if you’re sued?
Can you use it with or without a rental platform?
Don’t just buy the cheapest policy. Make sure it protects you from the most likely risks. And always read the fine print.
How to Get Started
If you’re new to RV rentals, here’s a simple way to start:
Decide how often you want to rent out your RV.
Choose if you’ll use a platform (like Outdoorsy) or go solo.
Research insurance options based on your choice.
Get a few quotes and compare the coverage.
Choose the policy that fits your rental plans.
Set up your listing or prepare to rent on your own.
Make sure renters understand the insurance terms.
Starting with a platform like Outdoorsy is a good way to test things out—they handle a lot of the insurance for you.
Conclusion
If you’re serious about renting your RV, commercial insurance is not just a good idea—it’s necessary. It protects your RV, your finances, your renters, and your peace of mind.
Think of your RV as a business asset. Every time it’s on the road with someone else behind the wheel, there’s a risk. Accidents happen. Repairs get expensive. Lawsuits are real.
With the right commercial RV rental insurance, you’re not just covered—you’re confident. You can rent without worrying about what might go wrong. And when things go right, you’ll enjoy the extra income knowing your investment is safe.
So yes—if you plan to rent your RV, even just a few times a year, you do need insurance. And not just any insurance—the right kind, built for business.
Related topic:
Is Your Permanently Parked RV Protected? Here’s What You Need to Know
Is State Farm RV Insurance the Right Choice for Your Road Trips?
