Home > Rv > A Guide to RV Shipping Insurance

A Guide to RV Shipping Insurance

RV transport is a process that requires careful planning and research. If you take just a few precautions in choosing the company that transports your RV and prepare it beforehand, you will likely take delivery of your RV in a reasonable amount of time and in good condition. As with any kind of vehicle being transported, however, damage may still occur in some circumstances. By being knowledgeable about RV shipping insurance and taking some simple steps beforehand, you will know what to do in the rare instance that your RV is damaged in transit.

Check Your Transporter for Proper Authority and Insurance

All transporters registered with the Department of Transportation (DOT) have a legal obligation to carry a minimum of $750,000 in liability insurance which should be sufficient to cover potential damage to your RV. It is easy to research a transporter:

  • Obtain a copy of their insurance policy. Request this directly from the transporter’s insurance company to ensure you get an original document.
  • Ask for a DOT number. Using this number, you can check that a transporter is authorized and insured to transport your RV using Safersys.org, which is maintained by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
    • Unless your transporter is a broker, the 'DBA Name' should match the name of the company.
    • The "Auth. For Hire" field under "Operation Classification" section should be checked.
    • The "Motor Vehicles" field under "Cargo Carried" section should be checked.
    • After clicking on the "FMCSA Licensing and Insurance Site" link at the bottom of the transporter’s profile, check that the BIPD (Bodily Injury and Property Damage) coverage is at least $750,000.

Know the Terms and Limitations of Insurance Coverage

Although a transporter’s liability insurance should cover any damage that your RV may incur, you still want to check for any exclusions and limitations. The terms of insurance coverage will be on the Bill of Lading (BOL) and shipping contract – you should have copies of both documents. Make sure to get any agreements or changes to the contract in writing before releasing your RV to your transporter.

Making an Insurance Claim

When dropping off and picking up your RV, either you or someone representing you should inspect the RV together with the truck driver to determine if any damage occurred in transit. Pre-existing damage should be noted on the condition report at drop-off. Check for any new damage against the condition report at delivery and note it in detail on the condition report. It is also helpful to document your RV with photos before and after shipping. If you need to make a claim, contact your transporter as soon as possible – ideally within 24 to 48 hours.

List Your RV
to Start Getting Bids

Category: Vehicles
?
?