By Jordan Lair, Licensed Agent, MBG Insurance, Springfield, MO
An RV isn’t a car, and it shouldn’t be insured like one. It’s a vehicle, a campsite, a storage unit for everything you own on the road, and for some people, a home. A basic auto-style policy can leave serious gaps. For example, it may pay only depreciated value on a two-year-old motorhome, cover nothing when a guest trips over your awning stake, and pay nothing for a hotel when you break down 300 miles from home.
At MBG Insurance, we write RV coverage with two carriers that take this seriously: National General (an Allstate company), which offers one of the most robust RV policies on the market, and Progressive, one of the nation’s leading RV insurers. Because we’re independent, we can quote both and put you with the one that fits how you actually use your RV.
Here’s how they compare.
Quick Comparison
| Coverage | National General | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Total loss on a new RV | Original owners: replaced with a comparable new RV if totaled or stolen in the first 3 model years | Qualified new RVs: replaced with a new one of the same model year or later and same trim or better |
| Total loss on an older RV | Full original sales price toward a replacement; optional Purchase Price Guarantee available through the first 9 model years | After 5 model years, pays the amount specified in your policy |
| Personal belongings | Replacement cost (no depreciation) up to $3,000 included, with more available | Replacement cost up to the limit you select |
| Vacation/campsite liability | Available | $10,000 included; can be raised to $500,000 |
| Full-timer coverage | Available | Full-timer’s liability available |
| Emergency expense | Up to $750 at no extra charge, with more available | Up to $750, with higher limits available |
| Pets | Pet coverage included | Up to $1,000 for vet bills, no deductible |
| Roof and pest damage | Not advertised | Roof Protection Plus® and Pest Damage Protection℠ for RVs under 6 years old |
| Storage savings | Storage option suspends collision and liability while stored (up to 53% savings) | Not advertised |
| Custom equipment | Specialized equipment and permanent attachment coverage | Personal effects coverage |
| Deductible rewards | Diminishing deductible for claim-free years | Disappearing deductible available |
Coverage features are summaries and vary by state, RV type, and eligibility. Your policy language governs.
Where National General Stands Out
Total loss protection that doesn’t punish you for depreciation. RVs lose value fast. National General’s full replacement cost coverage replaces an original owner’s totaled or stolen RV with a comparable new unit during the first three model years. After that, it pays the full original sales price toward a replacement instead of a depreciated value. Their Purchase Price Guarantee option extends protection through the first nine model years.
Personal belongings at replacement cost. Laptops, cookware, bedding, and fishing gear are covered at original cost new up to $3,000, not what a used-goods market says they’re worth.
Customization and attachments. If you’ve added solar panels, custom wheels, suspension upgrades, or an awning, National General offers coverage for specialized equipment and depreciation-free coverage for permanent attachments.
Storage savings. Many Ozarks RVers park their rigs from November to March. National General’s storage option suspends collision and liability during those months, which can cut the premium by up to 53%.
RV-specialist claims adjusters. National General’s claims are handled by RV specialists, not general auto adjusters, which matters when the damage involves slide-outs, leveling systems, or water intrusion.
Extras included at no charge. These include pet, fire department, and locksmith coverage, plus options for agreed value, full-timers, and Mexico physical damage.
Multi-vehicle perks. You can save up to 20% by combining RV and auto, and if both are in the same covered accident, you pay one deductible instead of two.
Where Progressive Stands Out
Coverage built for newer RVs. Progressive’s Roof Protection Plus® covers roof repair or replacement, including wear and tear, on RVs under six years old. Pest Damage Protection℠ covers damage from rodents, birds, and other wild animals. Both carry a $250 deductible. Anyone who has found a mouse nest in their wiring after winter storage knows why that matters.
Strong total loss replacement on new units. If a qualified new RV is totaled, Progressive can replace it with a new one of the same model year or later and the same trim or better, even if that costs more than you paid.
Flexible liability at the campsite. Vacation liability starts at $10,000 and can be raised to $500,000 for a small cost increase. It also applies while your RV sits in a storage facility.
Pet injury coverage. If your dog or cat is hurt in an accident while riding in the RV, Progressive pays up to $1,000 in vet bills with no deductible.
Wide range of RV and trailer types. Progressive writes Class A, B, and C motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, pop-ups, truck campers, and utility, cargo, and horse trailers.
Extras for RV park members. Loss assessment coverage pays up to $5,000 in fees your RV association charges for damage to shared areas.
So Which One Is Right for You?
There’s no single winner; it depends on the RV and the owner:
- New RV, original owner, heavy investment: Both carriers have strong total loss replacement. National General’s purchase-price protection runs longer, which matters as the RV ages.
- RV parked for the winter: National General’s storage option can save real money.
- Newer RV with roof or rodent concerns: Progressive’s Roof Protection Plus and Pest Damage Protection are hard to match.
- Full-timers: Both offer full-timer coverage. We’ll compare the liability and personal property limits side by side.
- Heavily customized rig: National General’s specialized equipment and permanent attachment coverage is built for it.
- Budget-focused or insuring a trailer: We’ll quote both and show you the difference.
RV Insurance FAQ
Do I need RV insurance in Missouri, Arkansas, or Kansas?
If you drive a motorhome, you need liability coverage just as you would for a car. Towable trailers usually rely on the tow vehicle’s liability, so there’s no state requirement to insure the trailer itself. However, lenders almost always require comprehensive and collision on a financed RV or trailer.
Even if your RV is paid off, the question is whether you could afford to replace it out of pocket. For most owners, the answer is no.
Will my auto policy cover my camper?
Your auto policy may extend some liability to a trailer you’re towing, but it typically won’t cover physical damage to the trailer, your belongings inside, campsite liability, or emergency expenses if you break down far from home. A dedicated RV policy fills those gaps.
What’s the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost on an RV?
Actual cash value pays what your RV is worth today, after depreciation. Replacement cost and purchase-price coverage pay to put you in a comparable new unit or return what you originally paid. On a unit that loses value quickly, the difference can be tens of thousands of dollars.
Why Buy Your RV Coverage Through MBG Insurance
Buying direct means you’re choosing between one company’s options. As an independent agency, MBG Insurance represents both National General and Progressive, so we can compare the two for your specific RV and bundle it with your auto, home, boat, or motorcycle coverage.
We write RV insurance throughout Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas from our offices in Springfield, MO; Oak Grove, MO; and Bentonville, AR. You’ll work with a real person, not a call center.
Ready to compare? Call us or email Jordan@insurancenerd.net, or stop by one of our 3 offices. We’ll quote both carriers, and others, and walk you through the differences before your next trip.
Want to learn more? Check out our Powersports page!