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Tuesday, April 22nd
Good Sam is the world's largest community of RVers, connecting RV owners across the globe. It was launched in 1966 and began offering insurance to protect travelers against misfortune in the 1970s. (Fun fact: their name is a reference to the parable of the Good Samaritan - a clever way to allude to their organization's mission.) Good Sam is a multi-carrier agency, which means they can combine coverages from various RV insurance providers like National General, Progressive, Safeco, and Foremost to get you lower rates and coverage in most, if not all, US states.
Full-timer friendly
Good Sam offers coverage for a variety of RVs, including motorhomes and pull-behind trailers such as truck campers, toy haulers, pop up camping trailers, and more. They can insure both full-time RVers and weekend campers, and their Storage Option lets you reduce your premium up to 53% by pausing certain coverages for the months you aren't on the road. Be cautious when purchasing a policy for a DIY build - our research turned up a few instances where a customer was told their converted van was covered, only to be dropped by their underwriter at a later date.
Online quote possible, but clunky
Our experience with the Good Sam quote process was somewhat challenging. While it's nice to be able to get a quote online, we encountered persistent technical issues, like the form abruptly closing with an "Oops, we're sorry!" message (and no further explanation of the error). When we finally got through, the page would refresh every 10 minutes, requiring us to re-enter our quote number. This made the process tedious and time-consuming.
Poor pricing
When we finally did get it, our quote for a 6-month policy as the original owner of an imaginary 2022 Winnebago Travato, intended for full-time use, was $1,058, reduced from $1,163 after six applicable discounts. Did you catch that? (We almost didn't.) Good Sam charges the same price for a 6-month policy as many other providers charge for an annual policy. On top of that, Good Sam estimated our RV's worth at around $97,000, significantly lower than one major insurer's estimate of $125,800.
Decent coverage
For $1,058, our quote included:
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage and Personal Injury Protection were available but would have brought up the price of our quote to add them.
Plenty of discounts available
Good Sam advertises several discounts, including:
Other discounts you may qualify for include Accident Free Claims Free, Homeowner Discount, New Business Discount, Original Owner Discount, and Paperless Discount.
Coverage for renting out your RV when you do it through Good Sam
If you're planning on renting out your RV to make some money while you're not driving it, good news! Good Sam offers insurance protection for owners, and they can help you list your RV, too. When you rent out your RV through Good Sam, you'll automatically get up to $1 million in liability coverage for free during the rental period. This covers damage to the outside of your RV from accidents, but not inside damage or normal wear and tear. Renters have to choose from three insurance packages, but their choice doesn't affect your protection. Your personal insurance will be secondary to Good Sam's during the rental. The secondary coverage starts when you hand over the keys and ends when you get them back. If you're delivering the RV, your personal insurance covers you during transport. If there's damage, you need to contact Good Sam within 48 hours and provide details like photos and rental forms.
Roadside assistance is sold separately
Good Sam offers tiered roadside assistance packages, starting at $64.95 annually. The basic package includes unlimited distance towing (with potential additional fees), North America-wide coverage, tire service, and access to certified RV technicians. Higher-tier plans (Platinum at $79.95, Platinum Complete at $119.95, and Platinum+ at $219.95) offer additional benefits such as coverage for multiple RVs, Tire & Wheel Road Hazard coverage, Emergency Travel & Medical Assistance, and coverage for all owned, rented, or borrowed vehicles. These plans also include perks like discounts on rentals, hotels, and restaurants - great for frequent travelers. For the peace of mind that it offers, an annual fee of under $300 sounds like a pretty good deal to us... at least on the surface.
Roadside assistance dispatch is... patchy
Under the surface, it appears to be a different story. We dug into reviews of Good Sam's roadside assistance around the web, and according to our research, the service often fails to deliver on what it promises. We found consistent reports of long wait times, unreliable dispatching, and difficulty getting the promised assistance. In one instance, a customer's camper blew a tire. Despite contacting Good Sam, who provided the name of a repair company and an estimated arrival time, the tow company had never been contacted by Good Sam and didn't even contract with them. The customer ended up changing the tire themselves with the help of a highway patrol officer. So, while Good Sam's roadside assistance looks appealing on paper, be aware that your real-world experience may not live up to the company's claims.
Not our top choice
Good Sam's RV insurance options are "just okay” at best. While they offer coverage for various RVs and tout numerous discounts, they're expensive, their quote process is a little clunky, and their roadside assistance is downright unreliable. Because they're a broker juggling multiple underwriters, it's hard to give you a clear idea of what to expect when filing a claim with Good Sam. Savvy RV owners should double-check what other customers have to say about experiences with those underwriters before making the decision to purchase a policy through Good Sam.
If you're hitting the road in an RV, insurance is a must-have to protect your investment and your peace of mind. Whether you're a full-time traveler, weekend warrior, or using your RV seasonally, specialized RV insurance offers protection beyond standard auto policies. Unlike a car, an RV can function as both a vehicle and a living space, which means it faces unique risks.
RV insurance covers everything from accidents on the road to theft, damage, and liability while you're parked at a campsite. It ensures that both your transportation and your home-on-wheels are safeguarded. One of the biggest benefits of RV insurance is that it can protect you from unexpected costs.
For example, if you're in an accident and your RV is damaged, repair bills can quickly pile up. Similarly, if someone gets hurt in your RV, you could be liable for their medical expenses without the right coverage. Even less obvious risks, like damage from severe weather or theft of personal belongings inside the RV, can be covered under the right plan.
When you begin shopping for RV insurance, you'll quickly notice that different types of coverage exist. Basic policies include liability insurance, which covers the cost of damages or injuries you cause in an accident. However, comprehensive policies provide additional protection for events like theft, fire, or storm damage. Another option is collision coverage, which specifically pays for repairs or replacements if you crash your RV.
You might also hear about Total Loss Replacement and Actual Cash Value (ACV) coverage. Total Loss Replacement will pay for a brand-new RV if yours is totaled within the first few years of ownership, while ACV only gives you the depreciated value of your RV at the time of the accident. These types of policies can make a huge difference in your payout if something goes wrong.
You may notice that some services are direct insurance companies, while others are brokers. Insurance companies underwrite their own policies, meaning they manage claims and coverage in-house. Brokers, on the other hand, work with multiple insurance providers to find the best policy for you. There's value in choosing a broker because they can compare coverage and rates across various insurers, offering a wider selection and helping you find the most competitive prices. Brokers can also advocate for you if there's ever an issue with your policy and offer personalized service that insurance companies may not always provide.
Not every RV insurance provider covers all types of RVs or situations, which is important to keep in mind when shopping for coverage. Some insurers may not offer policies for DIY or custom-built RVs, while others might exclude full-time RVers, who live in their vehicles year-round. Full-timer coverage is often treated like homeowner's insurance, providing liability and personal property protection, but not every company offers it. Likewise, if you've built or heavily modified your own RV, it may be more challenging to find an insurer that will cover it, since factory-made vehicles are less risky.
To help you make an informed decision, here are a few key considerations when shopping for RV insurance online:
Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the leading RV insurance providers available. We hope these reviews help you find the best service to suit your needs and keep your adventures on the road worry-free.
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