Roof Leaks, Rodent Damage, and Specialty Coverages Every RV Owner Should Know

RVs face hazards that cars and trucks simply don't. Rubber roofs degrade. Mice find their way into engine compartments during storage. Windshields on Class A motor homes cost a small fortune to replace. Standard auto insurance doesn't account for any of this.

RV-specific specialty coverages exist for exactly these problems. You won't find them on a car policy.

RV roofs are one of the most expensive components to repair or replace. Between sun exposure, weather, and the general wear of travel, every RV roof will eventually need attention.

Roof Protection coverage pays for repair or replacement of your RV's roof when it malfunctions — even if the cause is normal wear and tear or a manufacturing defect. It also covers damage to other parts of the vehicle caused by the roof failure, like water damage to the interior.

What counts as a "roof component":

• External upper covering and membrane
• Substrate, underlayment, and framing
• Structure and trusses
• Insulation
• Related plumbing and wiring

What's excluded:

• Slide toppers and awnings (one program)
• Residential roofing materials (one program)
• Damage from failure to follow preventive maintenance
• Recall or voluntary repair issues
• Improper winterization or storage
• Damage from previously identified issues you didn't repair

Key details:

• 30-day waiting period from the date you purchase this coverage
• One program requires the RV be less than 6 years old when you add this coverage, maintaining it until the vehicle reaches 16 years
• $250 deductible (one program)
• Not available on stationary trailers

Our advice: If your RV has a rubber or membrane roof, this coverage is worth every penny. A full roof replacement can easily run $5,000-$15,000 depending on your RV's size and type.

Anyone who's stored an RV for the winter knows the drill: mice, squirrels, and insects find their way in. They chew wiring, nest in insulation, damage upholstery, and contaminate surfaces. The repair bills add up fast.

Pest Damage coverage pays for damage caused by rats, mice, insects, birds, and other rodents or vermin.

Key details:

• 30-day waiting period from purchase
• One program requires the RV be less than 6 years old at purchase, maintaining coverage until 16 years
• $250 deductible (one program)
• Covers motor homes and non-stationary travel trailers
• Not available on stationary trailers

Standard comprehensive coverage typically excludes rodent and pest damage. Without this add-on, you're paying out of pocket for rewiring, cleaning, and repairs after an infestation.

Motor home windshields are specialized — they're often larger, curved, and more expensive than passenger vehicle windshields. A Class A motor home windshield replacement can cost $1,000-$3,000 or more.

Windshield coverage provides a $0 deductible for windshield replacement when no other damage has occurred. If other damage happened at the same time (like a collision), your standard Comprehensive or Collision deductible applies.

One program also waives the deductible on windshield repairs even without this coverage purchased — so a small chip repair might be free regardless.

This is primarily available on motor home policies.

If the fire department is called to save or protect your RV — whether from an engine fire, a propane leak, or an electrical fire — this coverage pays up to $1,000 for fire department charges.

It's included automatically with Comprehensive and/or Collision coverage, so there's nothing extra to purchase.

Planning to take your RV south of the border? This coverage extends your Comprehensive and Collision protection to losses occurring in Mexico.

Important caveats:

• You must separately purchase liability insurance from a licensed Mexican insurance company — this coverage does NOT satisfy Mexico's insurance requirements
• If a loss occurs, the RV will be towed to the nearest qualified repair facility in the U.S. for repairs (coverage only pays for U.S. repairs)
• Mexican law treats auto accidents as a criminal offense — having proper Mexican liability coverage is essential

Not many people need this, but if you're planning a Mexico trip in your motor home, it's worth knowing about.

These coverages exist because RVs aren't cars. A roof failure, a mouse infestation over the winter, a cracked Class A windshield — any one of those can run you thousands of dollars. And most of these add-ons are surprisingly cheap relative to what they cover.

Not sure which ones make sense for your rig? Give us a call. We'll look at what you drive, how you store it, and where you take it, and figure out the right combination.