Fifth wheel insurance is a possible coverage you might get to protect yourself and your RV. As an RV owner, you probably already know the importance of insurance. And if you’ve done your homework, you might even have full-time RV insurance. However, fifth wheel insurance might be a good fit for you.
The “fifth wheel” is the U-shaped coupling attached to a tow vehicle’s cargo bed. It has a pin-box at the bottom of the front section, which connects and locks into the truck’s fifth wheel coupling. This entire mechanism is similar to those on tractors that pull commercial semis.
Fifth wheels are popular features on RVs used for full-time or extended travel. Likewise, people often use the overhang above the towing vehicle’s bed as a sleeping section, kitchen, or additional living space. Besides providing more interior room, it also improves the vehicle’s stability.
The fifth wheel is a separate component from the rest of the vehicle. For this reason, it requires its own insurance instead of being bundled in with standard auto insurance. Fifth wheel insurance is explicitly intended for these features, providing specialized coverage for associated risks.
The risks inherent in RV operation highlight the importance of fifth wheel insurance. Because of their design has unique risks, some of which result from uneven loading or overloading. RVs are generally at higher risk of rollovers because of their high center of gravity and large blind spots.
And then, there are the common risks to consider. Fifth wheels are subject to the same risks that affect cars, whether parked or running. Storms, hail, rain, flood, landslides, and other natural occurrences can damage RVs just as easily as cars. They are also at risk of damage from low-lying tree branches, animals, and vandals.
Fifth wheel insurance provides coverage that mitigates the risk exposures that RVs and fifth wheels typically face. Among these are:
Basic Coverage: This protects fifth wheels against loss or damage caused by fire, smoke, collision, flood, landslides, windstorms, lightning strikes, hail, wildlife, low-lying branches, theft, and vandalism.
Coverage usually includes total loss replacement, agreed value, emergency lodging expenses, and campsite or vacation liability.
Additional Coverage: RV owners also have the option to purchase insurance coverage for attachments. These plans may cover the following: awnings, steps, satellite dishes, and television antennas.
In some cases, RV owners may only require insurance for a few months. If that is the case, they may purchase seasonal RV insurance instead of full coverage.
Fifth wheel coverage may include the following:
Injury Liability: This pays for injury caused to a third-party individual. It may cover illness, disease, pain, emotional distress, income loss, and death expenses.
Damage Liability: This pays for loss or damage to third-party property. The amount of property damage is assessed by the reduction from its original value.
Collision Coverage: This pays for damage resulting from impact with another vehicle. It may also cover damage to an object outside the car. This insurance coverage is usually subject to a deductible.
Comprehensive Coverage: This coverage pays for direct and accidental damage incurred by the insured’s vehicle, apart from a collision. It is also usually subject to a deductible and covers losses that aren’t explicitly excluded in the policy.
Total Loss Replacement: This replaces lost vehicles with the latest model of the same vehicle type or a comparable model.
Agreed Value: This applies to total losses, where the policy covers the original amount spent on the fifth wheel or its appraised value.
Emergency Lodging Expenses: This covers lodging expenses if the fifth wheel is damaged or lost to a covered risk more than 50 miles from the policyholder’s home.
Campsite or Vacation Liability: This covers liability when the vehicle is parked or used as a residence.
Roamly Insurance Group, LLC ("Roamly") is a licensed general agent for affiliated and non-affiliated insurance companies. Roamly is licensed as an agency in all states in which products are offered. Availability and qualification for coverage, terms, rates, and discounts may vary by jurisdiction. We do not in any way imply that the materials on the site or products are available in jurisdictions in which we are not licensed to do business or that we are soliciting business in any such jurisdiction. Coverage under your insurance policy is subject to the terms and conditions of that policy and is ultimately the decision of the buyer.
Policies provided by Roamly are underwritten by Spinnaker Insurance Company, Progressive Insurance Company, Safeco Insurance, Foremost Insurance Company, National General Insurance, Allstate Insurance Company, Mobilitas Insurance Company, HIPPO Insurance Services, Lyndon Southern Insurance Company and others.