Full-time RV living has grown steadily in popularity across North America. Driven by a desire for mobility, adventure, and a lower cost of living, according to the RV Industry Association, more than 1 million Americans live in their RVs full time, a number that is believed to have increased significantly in the past decade.
Precise figures for Canada are harder to pin down, however estimates suggest that tens of thousands have embraced the full-time RV lifestyle, especially retirees and remote workers seeking flexibility. A 2023 survey by Go RVing Canada revealed that one in five Canadian RVers expressed interest in full-time or extended RV travel, with many citing the ability to work anywhere and explore the country at the same time as major motivations.
That same study also found that 25% of Canadians were current, past or prospective RV owners and renters. In 2023, 6% owned an RV with an additional 6% considering buying one in the next two years. First-time RV purchases were found to have doubled since 2021. In 2021, 6% of purchases were by first-time buyers, increasing to 10% in 2022 and 12% in 2023.
Not surprisingly, millennials and Gen Xers are joining boomers in the trend, making full-time RVing a cross-generational phenomenon. As the digital economy grows and housing costs explode, full-time RV living will likely become even more common.
Your RV as your primary residence means different insurance considerations
If you live in your recreational vehicle full-time, it’s important to remember that it is no longer just a vehicle — it’s your primary residence.
Standard RV insurance isn’t designed for full-time living. If you’re using your motorhome or towable RV as your primary residence, you’ll need a full-timer’s RV insurance policy, which is similar in scope to a home insurance policy. It provides a much broader level of protection, addressing both vehicular risks and those associated with living in the unit day-to-day.
When you’re living on the road, you’re also more exposed to risks that occasional RV users might not face. This makes it even more important to work with an experienced insurance broker who understands the full-timer lifestyle such as us at Lane’s.
Full-timer’s recreational vehicle insurance offers:
- Personal liability (like a homeowner’s policy)
- Extended personal property coverage
- Medical payments for others if they are injured in your RV
- Additional living expenses if your RV becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss
- Higher liability limits: Since you’re interacting with more people and spending longer periods at campgrounds, having increased liability coverage can protect your financial future in case of a serious accident or lawsuit.
- Scheduled personal property: If you carry high-value items such as camera equipment, bicycles, jewelry, or a high-end laptop setup for remote work, it may be worthwhile to schedule them separately for full replacement value in case of loss.
If you opt for property coverage (which we strongly recommend), you may also consider optional add-ons such as:
- Emergency roadside assistance
- Extended warranties for your appliances
- Frozen food protection for if your freezer breaks down
- Lock replacement for if you are broken into
With the right policy in place, RV insurance offers peace of mind and protection whether you’re exploring the open road for a weekend or living full-time in your home on wheels.
Additional full-timer’s RV insurance considerations
Additional options and considerations you may want to discuss with your broker include:
- Coverage for attached accessories: Items such as satellite dishes, awnings, solar panels, or custom-built storage can be included in your policy to avoid out-of-pocket repair or replacement costs.
- Weather and geographic risks: If you’re travelling across provinces or into the U.S., let your broker know. Some policies have geographic limitations, and you may need extended coverage for cross-border travel (especially to Mexico) or for parking in areas prone to flooding, wildfire, or extreme weather.
- Mail and residency Issues: Since most full-timers don’t have a permanent mailing address, some provinces have residency rules that can complicate insurance coverage. An experienced broker can help ensure your documentation, policy, and registration are set up correctly and legally.
The Lane’s Insurance advantage
Lane’s Insurance is a client-oriented, full-service insurance brokerage that leverages our strong relationships with insurance providers to offer customers unbeatable rates on all their insurance needs. We are locally owned and operated, and we offer every type of insurance you’ll ever need, including everything from RV insurance to home insurance, auto insurance, commercial insurance, and much more.
We are happy to offer plenty of advice and resources to make the right choice for your recreational insurance coverage. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at Lane’s Insurance to see if we can help improve your coverage and lower your costs.
