Progressive RV Insurance Review


Progressive RV Insurance Review

Very Good Experience With The Roadside Assistance

 I wanted to also post this article to review my recent experience with a Progressive RV insurance claims department. I remember, now at my old age, that this company, was the only place you could go if you have negative driving history records and you could not be accepted anywhere else.

However, that is not the case anymore. When I checked with them, a few years ago, you know I could, have gone anywhere.  I have a clean driving record, excellent credit, safe towing vehicle, positive insurance scoring.  I ticked all the boxes that insurance companies look for and could have gone anywhere as I wrote above.

Nobody could even touch Progressives RV insurance rates.  I mean that the competition is not even close. To obtain these lower prices, you should be a member of the USAA, which is their business partner for many products and services.

So I was thinking in the back of my mind at that time, the following: if I ever get involved in a claim situation it is probably not derived very well because as you know “you get what you pay for”.

Nevertheless, I had a chance to put that to the test here recently.  I was involved in a little accident about 40 miles from home. I just called them, they passed me with someone else, presumably a local Progressive RV insurance agent. Then he made the arrangements, and the RV was towed to a repair shop. 

progresive rv insurance
A REPAIR SHOP USES A SOFTWARE TO PROVIDE THE ESTIMATION THAT WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE INSURER.

Progressive RV Insurance Disadvantage: Actual Cash Value Instead Of Replacement Cost

 Some time ago, Progressive RV insurance, in line with their competitors, offered an actual cash value policy (that I explain below) and this was the standard of the insurance industry. However, after 2019 (niche RV insurers started earlier), there are several companies offering the “replacement cost” policy.

This can hugely protect much more the investment of the policyholder in exchange for a small increment in the price. So Progressive RV insurance is not offering this advantage while Nationwide (Allied Nationwide in some states) offers this already and without any difference in the price, as I explained thoroughly in this article.

Can you request them to enjoy the “replacement cost” clause? The problem is that currently, they are not offering it. Let me explain to you the “replacement cost” and the “actual cash value”, and why Progressive RV insurance is not doing well here.

Replacement cost is the cost to replace your RV today with the same RV you had before the event and before you filed the claim. Usually, this kind of policy is a higher premium than an “actual cash value” policy.

An actual cash value RV insurance policy is replacement cost minus depreciation. Depreciation is the decrease in value over time. It takes into consideration the cost of wear and tear.

These “actual cash value” policies eliminate thousands of dollars for the insurance company to pay.  “Actual cash value” policies yield a much lower premium than “replacement cost” policies.

So currently, since 2019 (earlier in some derived products and in other insurers) Nationwide or Allied Nationwide are offering this “replacement cost” policy for RV insurance (they offered always this to homeowners) and this is an advantage against Progressive RV insurance approach.

Progressive RV Insurance: Objects Covered

Coverage of Objects That Can Be Towed Such As Travel Trailers 

If the RV has to be towed, insurance is normally optional, but this depends on the state where you live. For our readers in the European Union, travel trailer insurance is mandatory in that jurisdiction.

When buying an RV through a lender, they will probably require that you get full coverage insurance, at least until the RV is fully paid, and here is where Progressive RV insurance enters into the game.

Even if you do not legally need to get RV insurance, it may still be worthwhile getting it anyway, even if it is only for your own peace of mind.

Coverage of Objects That Can Be Towed Such As Class A RVs

If your RV can be driven, it will be classified as any other vehicle and you will need at the least, the state’s minimum liability insurance before you can legally take it on the road. As with trailers that are towed, you will probably have to get full coverage Progressive RV insurance if you buy this RV using a loan from USAA.

The Auto Insurance Vs The Progressive RV Insurance

Progressive RV insurance has specific products for motorhomes and campers. Here is where they have a huge advantage against their competitors. Many auto insurance companies will sell you a normal auto insurance policy for classes A, B and C RVs.

This will, however, create gaps in the coverage that could be very costly down the road. This is because a traditional auto insurance policy only covers the actual vehicle part of your RV, and will not cover things like kitchens or bathrooms.

A Progressive RV insurance policy also covers you for things that happen on the road, but it goes further than that and includes coverage for things like your personal belongings, emergency expenses, and replacement costs, for example, an RV water pump breaking.

An insurance policy specifically for RVs is normally a combination of homeowners insurance and auto insurance. This means that it will cover your home belongings, as well as the RV’s wheels, engine, and other automotive parts. This requires special treatment and first-tier companies such as Geico, Progressive RV insurance and Nationwide have specific products to cover these needs.

Please note that if you decide to rent an RV as you can do with Outdoorsy, the rental company will handle all the insurance details for you.

progressive rv insurance
PROGRESSIVE RV INSURANCE IS VERY CONVENIENT FOR USAA MEMBERS AND NON FULL TIMERS. FULL TIMERS WOULD HAVE BETTER CHOICES WITH NATIONWIDE, IN MY OPINION.

Coverage For Full-Time Policyholders

Progressive RV insurance covers full-time RVers, something that not all companies do. Different types of RV insurance are available in progressive depending on how you plan on using your RV.

For people that plan on using their RV full time, their insurance needs will definitely be different than those wanting to use them part-time.

  • Full Time:

If you use your RV full time, the RV effectively becomes your home, and you would want to make sure that it is covered like every other house is. A full-time RV insurance policy will provide liability coverage the same as a homeowner insurance policy does, but it will cover any potential losses related to parking the RV and using it as your main abode.

In this type of policy, Progressive RV insurance also usually covers medical expenses for insured people in or around the RV, as well as emergency cover. Currently, I consider that the best RV insurance for full-time RVers is currently offered by Nationwide, with their “replacement cost” policy approach, as I explain here. 

  • Part Time:

If you only use your RV occasionally or part-time and do not live in it permanently, you would normally only want campsite or part time insurance. This kind of insurance policy will however also cover you for most of the benefits of a full time policy.

The best product for part timers, is currently offered by Progressive RV insurance if the policyholders is also a member of USAA. 

Extent Of The Coverage

In Progressive RV insurance, there are typical policies that cover as follows:

  • Uninsured Motorist: This policy works in the same way as a traditional auto insurance policy. This part of the policy will cover you if you are the victim of a “hit and run”, or are in an accident with an individual that does not have an RV insurance. 
  • Personal Property: This coverage includes personal property, the personal effects,  both when you are driving in the RV, and when you are parked. It includes in the coverage, objects such as TVs, laptops, dishware, and cellphones. As policies with Progressive RV insurance will have different limits on the coverage amount, be sure to check your specific policy for details, but think in coverage of two thousand dollars with Progressive to remain in the ballpark of the coverage for personal effects.
  • Collisions coverage: This part of the Progressive RV insurance policy covers you for damage caused to the RV if you are involved in an accident and will cover you irrespective of who is at fault. 
  • Ancillaries and Attachments: This part of the policy covers things attached to the RV, including awnings, TV antenna, and satellite dish to name some. It is important to have attachments coverage, especially if you have to drive through bad weather, or accidentally drive under trees, if you do boondock or if your RV is particularly tall, like a-frame campers and fifth wheels. Check the policy limits to understand how much your attachments will be covered. 
  • Medical Payment: This part of the Progressive RV insurance policy, the “med pay”, covers medical expenses for you and whoever else is in the vehicle if your RV is involved in an event, irrespective of who was at fault. When checking out policy options, specifically ask about this coverage as medical payment coverage is one of the most important ones to have. 

Comprehended Perils

These Progressive RV insurance policies cover well all the expected perils. In some states, they could be including hurricanes and tornados.

Here, they cover events other than collisions and include things like damage from theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, floods, storms, and other natural disasters. As with any other type of coverage, check your policy limits to know how much you are covered for.

Deductibles For Prolonged Storage

This option from Progressive RV insurance gives you the ability to nearly halve monthly premium payments for RV insurance while the RV is in storage.

This is a very good option for people who do not use their RV full time as you will not pay any other insurance premiums for the part of the year that you do not utilize your RV.

Extras For Pet Injury

Although living with pets is a daily adventure, living with them in an RV brings extra challenges. This coverage makes sense if you take your pets everywhere you go. If you do not have a separate pet insurance policy, this protection can be added to a policy at additional costs. Different policy limits will apply, so be sure to check them.

Roadside Assistance

Roadside assistance is quite comprehensive in Progressive RV insurance as it includes all lodging expenses generally at a limit of two thousand dollars. This coverage kicks in at the moment you are a specified distance away from home. It is likely you will require more coverage for this than normal as towing an RV costs more than what it does to tow other vehicles.

This part of the policy will cover RVs that break down from things like battery failure, mechanical or electrical failure, lock-outs, flat tires, an insufficient supply of fuel, oil, water, or other fluids.

Progressive RV Insurance Costs

To determine how much it costs, let’s have a look at how the cost structure is established in Progressive RV insurance Costs are based on the following analytical structure:

Class A – These are the most expensive motorhomes and are the most luxurious and largest, ranging between 21 and 40 feet in length and able to sleep up to 8 people. These motorhomes typically look like a bus and are often equipped with high-quality living areas and kitchens.

Class C – These are often called mini motorhomes, are in the mid-range and are typically between 20 and 33 feet in length. They sleep up to 6 people comfortably.

Class B – These motorhomes are also known as “camper vans,” are the smallest and most economical, range between 16 and 21 feet in length and sleep up to 4 people.

Fifth Wheels and Travel Trailers – They are in the same category in Progressive. These RVs have to be towed. Some are mainly for storage and others have living quarters.

A Class A motorhome Progressive RV insurance typically costs more than $2,800 per annum to insure, a Class B somewhere between $750 and $2,000, while the premium for a Travel Trailer or Camper will be lower.

Influence Of Your Driving History Record

As with normal auto insurance, your driving history, and the number of past claims and accidents influence your total monthly premiums.

The rate will also be affected by the level of RV driving experience you have, with lower premiums being applicable for more experience.

Limits and Deductibles

Be careful when you choose deductibles limits in a Progressive RV insurance, as there is a fine balance to be maintained.

Premiums that are too high could become unaffordable, while low premiums could hurt you financially in the event of an accident or loss, as your coverage will be less.

Limits should be chosen to fit your lifestyle and should be reevaluated regularly, once per year, each renovation of the Progressive RV insurance contract.

How Much RV Insurance is Required?

When deciding how much RV insurance you need, there are a number of factors you need to consider.

  • The class of your RV
  • Usage – full time or part-time
  • Where are you planning on traveling
  • What needs to be protected
  • Are there any custom features

To minimize your risk, you actually need as much insurance coverage as what you can afford. Make sure the cover protects you, your guests, the RV, and all your personal property.

Once you have a good idea of what you are looking for, enter the Progressive RV insurance website, and get a quote online.

Other Insurances Related

You may obtain discounts or other advantages in a Progressive RV insurance contract if you are a USAA member, or if you have other insurance contracts already opened with Progressive. Let´s see the typically related contracts:

  • Life Insurance: This insurance is very important to have and if you travel around in an RV, be it full time or part-time, it becomes even more important than normal. If you are on the road often, your risk is higher than what it would be for someone that does not travel often and stays at home most of the time.
  • Disability Insurance: Disability insurance will cover you if something were to happen that prevents you from working, thus making it impossible to earn an income. Disease, rather than accidents, cause most disabilities in the United States, so it is always good to have a policy like this.
  • Health insurance: A separate health insurance will add to the typical medical coverage that you receive in one of the Progressive packages for your RV. This health insurance will cover you if you are hurt in an accident, or if you get sick. It will also cover gaps that might exist if you only have medical coverage as part of your Progressive RV insurance.

Progressive RV Insurance Review: Conclusions

If you are not a full-time RVer, and you are a member of USAA, your best option is for sure a Progressive RV insurance contract.

If instead, you are a full-timer, currently the best offers correspond to Nationwide and Allied Nationwide (depending on the state). The disadvantage of Progressive for full-timers is because of the utilization of the “actual cash value” instead of the “cost of replacement” policy that Nationwide is offering.

I am updating this article on a monthly basis checking news from Progressive, so probably this evaluation changes in the future and Progressive starts to offer policies as Nationwide for full-timers.

While it is a great deal of fun to be able to live anywhere and travel at any time you want, it is very important to make sure that everyone and everything is covered by proper insurance.

Although it might seem complicated to insure your RV, this is not the case as long as you remember that you need to be insured for both the vehicle and the home part of your RV before your start traveling.

There are various options and insurance carriers available online that offer RV Insurance, as well as RV assistance programs.

As I described above, premiums will depend on whether you use the RV occasionally, or are living in it full-time. Rates will obviously be more expensive if you have made the RV your residence.

If you do not use your RV for a certain period during the year and park or store it, you will pay much less for insurance.

Either check out the choices online or reach out to a licensed insurance agent to get covered right away.

Anthony Foxx

I am Tony, an RV designer and RV developer. I create bill of materials for RV manufacturers for travel trailers and fifth wheels. I worked as a freelance transportation consultant for Lyft. As an RV development consultant, I create customization trees for RV manufacturers who want to offer a solution to prospective customers to design their custom RV with variant configuration. Apart from this, I sell in Indiana trailer hitches, hitch balls, goosenecks and weight distribution systems where I provide advice to customers who want to know which is their towing capacity, which hitch ball should they utilize and how to deploy a weight distribution system. I do my best to explain all these processes and their installation, here in RV Favorites.

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