Does RV Insurance Cover Water Damage?

The answer is yes. If you have comprehensive RV insurance, your insurer might pay for water-related repairs or replacements.

However, how the water damage occurred determines if your insurance will cover it. For example, if your RV gets damaged from natural events like hail, floods, or heavy rain, comprehensive coverage can help pay for repairs.

If the damage comes from lack of maintenance or normal wear and tear, you won’t be covered. For instance, if mold develops in your RV due to water damage, your insurer will likely deny your claim because mold damage is considered neglect and could be prevented with regular cleaning.

Keep reading this article about RV insurance and water damage. We’ll explain when your RV insurance covers water damage, and when it likely won’t. You’ll also learn the most common causes of water damage, and help you check if you’re covered by RV insurance.

When Does RV Insurance Cover Water Damage?

As we said, your RV insurance does cover water damage. But only under specific situations. It must be sudden, accidental, or caused by a covered peril. Comprehensive insurance is the primary coverage for water-related damages.

However, if a crash leads to water leaks, you’ll be covered under collision insurance. So, if you’re a full-time RV resident, we’d recommend keeping full coverage RV insurance to make sure your home on wheels is financially protected from all possible risks.

Here's when water damage may be covered by RV insurance or travel trailer insurance:

• Storm damage: If rain leaks in after a tree damages your RV, you’re likely covered.
• Flooding: Flash floods will be covered under comprehensive coverage.
• Falling objects: A tree branch breaking your roof that leads to leaks is a covered peril.
• Vandalism or theft: Water damage that results from vandalism may be covered by RV insurance.
• Burst pipes: If a pipe bursts unexpectedly, your insurance coverage might cover damage, not poor maintenance.
• Accidents: If you crash your motorhome and it leads to water leaks, it may be covered under collision coverage.
• Fire-related leaks: Damage from firefighting efforts can be covered by your RV policy.

You should check your insurance coverage terms to see whether you’re covered under comprehensive coverage or collision coverage.

When RV Insurance Won’t Cover Water Damage

Your RV Insurance won’t help if the damage was preventable or due to neglect. RV owners are expected to perform regular maintenance, such as cleaning. Below are the most common reasons for water damage claim denial:

Neglected Maintenance

If you ignore small issues, like broken seals or loose caulking, your insurance coverage may not apply. Insurers expect RV owners to inspect and maintain their vehicles regularly. If you don’t do so and file a water damage claim, there’s a possibility that you’ll face denied claims even though you carry the required comprehensive insurance for your motorhome.

Wear and Tear

Materials can break down over time. Cracks, leaks, or rust from aging aren’t considered a covered peril. These are routine depreciations. Neither comprehensive nor collision RV insurance coverage is designed to cover any of this regular wear and tear. Therefore, keep in mind that any damage from normal aging is your responsibility, not your insurer’s.

Freezing Pipes

If your full-time RV is parked in cold temperatures, it might lead to frozen pipes as a result of neglect. This indicates the RV owner has failed to take care of it, which could be done by winterizing the RV. In such a case, none of your coverage will be useful. Please note that burst pipes from cold weather are preventable with proper storage and prep.

Manufacturer Defects

If you face water-related damage which are caused by design flaws or factory mistakes, your RV insurance company won’t cover it. In such cases, the RV maker's warranty policy may apply, as they are liable for providing the faulty parts/damaged recreational vehicle. If you encounter the same sort of issues, take your travel trailer to your manufacturer/retailer and discuss the possible solutions.

Long-Term Leaks

Slow leaks sometimes go unnoticed for months and can cause rot, mold, or mildew. If a similar thing happens to your camp trailer, your insurance won’t pay for it. Only sudden and accidental damage that is beyond your control usually qualifies under comprehensive coverage.

Does RV Insurance Cover Mold Damage?

Quick answer: Most RV policies don’t cover mold damage. That’s because mold is usually seen as a sign of neglect. Insurers actually expect owners to fix leaks before mold grows.

Mold can affect an RV in several ways, like water leaks, condensation, poor maintenance, or storing it in a humid place without good air circulation. Regardless of how it happens, mold damage is not sudden or accidental, and it is something you can control or prevent. Because of this, most RV insurance, including comprehensive policies, does not cover mold damage.

However, there are rare exceptions.

If mold comes from a sudden, covered event like storm damage, it might be covered by RV insurance. Still, that depends on the policy and the insurance carriers. If you think your campervan or RV might be susceptible to mold growth, you can add extra protection for mold through endorsement. These add-ons strengthen your insurance coverage. Plus, it may help with cleanup costs.

How Serious Can Water Damage Be to My RV?

Now you know whether your insurance will pay for water damage to your RV or not. In this context, you might also wonder how serious water damage could be to your RV. Is it really worth exploring insurance coverage for water damage?

Well, yes, it could be serious, particularly if you’re using an RV as your primary residence. If water enters through cracks or loose seals, it can soak into the walls and floors. After a few months, it can rot the wood, warp materials, and weaken the frame of your RV.

Besides, it may also ruin insulation, damage wiring, and affect the plumbing system. In the worst-case scenario, repairs may cost more than the vehicle’s value. According to Yahoo, you will typically end up paying $20 and $2,800 for RV water damage, depending on the repair type.

Apart from costly repairs, water damage to your RV can also lead to mold, which puts your health at risk. That’s why early detection is so important. Let’s look at how you can check for it.

How Can I Check for Water Damage

You can easily look for signs both inside and outside of your campervan or RV. Start with a simple workaround inspection:

• Discolored walls or ceilings: Yellow, brown, or gray stains may signal past leaks.
• Peeling wallpaper or soft spot: This could show hidden damage inside the structure.
• Musty smell: Mold and mildew give off a strong odor.
• Soft flooring: Feel for spongy areas, especially near vents or windows.
• Bubbling or wrinkled surfaces: These may appear on the walls or fiberglass exterior.
• Rust: Look around screws, vents, and window edges.

Also, check your roof seals, door frames, and slide-outs often. Press gently on corners to test for softness or sagging. You should always inspect before you go for a long trip or after heavy rain.

Tips to Prevent Water Damage in RVs

1. Inspect your RV roof regularly. Check seals, vents, and edges for cracks or wear, particularly before and after a long trip.
2. Re-seal windows and doors yearly. Use RV-approved sealants to keep moisture out of seams and joints.
3. Store your camper under cover. Use an RV-resistant cover or park it indoors to protect it from heavy rain or snow.
4. Avoid parking under trees because branches can fall and damage your roof. Sap and leaves clog drains too.
5. Clean and check gutters often. If drainage is blocked, it can lead to roof pooling and interior leaks.
6. Winterize before the cold hits. Drain water lines and insulate pipes to prevent freezing and burst lines.
7. Fix minor leaks as soon as possible. Even small drips can cause major issues.
8. Check slide-outs and seals. Slide-out edges are leak-prone. Make sure rubber seals are tight and undamaged.
9. Monitor humidity levels. Use a dehumidifier if necessary. Damp air can silently lead to mold growth.
10. Walk your RV interior every month. Feel floors, check ceilings, and sniff for musty odors.

How to Get RV Insurance Coverage for Water Damage

Save on costly RV water damage repairs. Protect it from downpours, flooding, or natural disasters. Whether it’s delamination, flood damage, or pipe leaks from covered events, our affordable insurance agency will always help you. We offer cheap RV and motorhome insurance for everyone that includes comprehensive coverage. Reach out to L.A. Insurance today to get an affordable RV insurance quote. You can also contact us for details or dial (800) 893-9393 and talk to one of our reps.

Related FAQs: Will RV Insurance Cover Water Damage

Does RV insurance cover water leaks or roof leaks?

Yes, your RV will be covered for water leaks or roof leaks as long as you carry comprehensive coverage. However, insurers will only cover this if it occurs under covered events such as sudden rain, flood, or storm. For instance, if a tree falls and damages the roof and water leaks in, the insurer will pay for it. But if it’s a regular wear and tear or happened due to a lack of maintenance, you won’t be covered.

Does RV insurance cover flooding?

Yes. It will cover flooding if you have comprehensive RV insurance coverage. Because it’s a natural disaster that is out of your control.

What type of water damage is covered by RV insurance?

Sudden, accidental, and something that you can’t prevent or control. For instance, a falling branch, heavy rain, storm. If it’s from a natural disaster or vandalism, your comprehensive policy will help. However, if water damage is caused by accident, collision RV insurance will be effective.

What type of water damage is not covered by RV insurance?

Anything slow or preventable. Leaks from old seals, wear and tear, ignored roof, cracks, or freezing pipes you didn’t winterize won’t be covered.

How much does it cost to repair RV water damage?

A simple ceiling leak might run you a few hundred bucks. But serious structural or mold damage can cost you a few thousand dollars or more. It all depends on the type and severity of the damage. Typically, you can expect to pay from $20 to $2,800, depending on the type of repair.