Motorcycle and RV Insurance 101

This summer, make the most of the warmer weather by taking your motorcycle for a spin or embarking on that cross-country road trip you’ve always dreamed about. But before hitting the road, take a moment to speak with an insurance agent to make sure you’re properly covered.

When you’re riding your motorcycle on the Mass Pike or taking your family on an RV adventure up to New Hampshire or Maine, you don’t want to worry about paying for the costs of getting into an accident, incurring serious damage to your vehicle, or losing out due to dangerous weather. Give yourself the peace of mind ahead of time by securing the right motorcycle and RV insurance.

Here, we’ll explain the different types of policies you need for both motorcycles and RVs, so you know what’s covered, what’s not, and what factors into the price you pay.

Motorcycle Insurance: The Basics

Before you hit the road, here’s everything you should know about motorcycle insurance in Massachusetts:

Is Motorcycle Insurance Required in Massachusetts?
Most states, including Massachusetts, have minimum liability coverage requirements for motorcyclists. Massachusetts also requires you to carry uninsured motorist coverage as a motorcyclist.

Is Motorcycle Insurance Required in Massachusetts?

Most states, including Massachusetts, have minimum liability coverage requirements for motorcyclists. Massachusetts also requires you to carry uninsured motorist coverage as a motorcyclist.

How Much Does Motorcycle Insurance Cost?

The cost of motorcycle insurance in Massachusetts varies depending on your circumstances and the type of policy you select. On average, coverage can cost as little as $22 per month for minimum coverage and $79 per month for full coverage.

Factors impacting what you’ll pay for a motorcycle insurance policy include:

• Your age
• Your driving record
• Where you live
• The type of motorcycle you ride
• The age of your motorcycle
• The number of miles you ride per year
• Where you store your motorcycle

What Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover?

Like auto insurance, liability coverage for motorcycles covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to other parties — not to yourself or your motorcycle. Liability coverage is required in Massachusetts.

Guest passenger liability coverage provides protection in the event a passenger gets injured on your motorcycle. It’s a good idea to add this protection, as passengers aren’t included under standard liability coverage.

Motorcycle collision coverage covers damage to your motorcycle in a crash.

Motorcycle comprehensive coverage shields you from the cost of non-collision types of damage, such as fire, theft, and vandalism.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for your medical bills, lost wages, and (in some cases) property damage you incur from an uninsured driver.

Typically, motorcycle insurance covers the “book value” of your motorcycle. Understand what’s covered and what your limits are by reviewing your policy with an expert insurance agent.

Does Motorcycle Insurance Cover Custom Parts?

Most comprehensive and collision policies for motorcycles only cover factory standard parts, or they limit your coverage for custom parts. If you have chrome parts, a custom paint job, trailers, or sidecars, check with your insurance agent to see what additional coverage you might need.

RV Insurance: The Basics

Here’s what you need to know about insuring an RV, motorhome, or travel trailer:

Is RV Insurance Required in Massachusetts?

Yes, for motorized RVs operated on public roads, insurance is required in Massachusetts and almost every other state. At a minimum, you are required to have liability coverage on your motorhome.

If you have a travel trailer that you pull with a car or truck, you aren’t required to insure it because it isn’t motorized. However, if you lease or finance your trailer, you may be required to purchase comprehensive and collision insurance.

Your towing vehicle’s liability coverage extends to the travel trailer, so no separate coverage is needed. That said, you can purchase vacation liability coverage, which protects you if you’re held liable for property damage or injuries while your trailer is parked.

How Much Does RV Insurance Cost?

The average annual cost of RV insurance in Massachusetts varies and is widely determined by what class of motorhome you have.

• Class A motorhomes are the biggest models (seating up to 10 passengers) and on average cost between $1,000 and $1,300 to insure annually.
• Class B motorhomes are smaller, and include camper or sleeper vans and similar models. Insurance for these RVs generally costs $500 to $1,000 per year.
• Class C motorhomes fall in the middle of class A and B sizewise, and typically have a truck or van as the base and an overhead sleeping area. The average insurance cost for this type of RV is between $800 and $1,000 each year.

In addition to vehicle class, the price of your policy is determined by several factors, including:

• Usage
• Coverage selection
• Location
• Your driving record, including RV driving experience
• Your claims history

What Insurance Do I Need if I Live in My RV?

If your primary residence is your motorhome, rather than a regular auto insurance policy on your RV, you need a full-time RV insurance policy. These policies typically include loss assessment coverage, which pays for any needed repairs to common areas owned by RV associations or parks.

What Does RV Insurance Cover?

Liability coverage under your RV insurance pays for property damage or bodily injury caused to other parties if you’re held liable in an accident.

Collision coverage pays for damage to your RV caused by a collision with another vehicle or object.

Comprehensive coverage shields you from the cost of weather damage, theft, vandalism, and other non-collision damages to your RV.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you if your RV is damaged by an uninsured driver.

Personal injury protection (PIP) helps pay for your or your family’s medical bills if you get into an RV accident, regardless of fault.

What RV Insurance Does Not Cover

While RV insurance can cover several types of damage, it typically doesn’t cover:

• General wear and tear
• Damage from mold, fungus, or rot
• Delamination repairs

Motorcycle & RV Insurance in Massachusetts
Ready to take the next step and insure your motorcycle or RV? Get in touch with the C&S Insurance team for a quote today.