Finding RV insurance that allows short-term rental (for AirBnB)

[njarnold]

We are looking into insurance options for a Class A that we'll be using as a stationary rental (we're in a highly lucrative spot for AirBn. It will be parked as rental most of the year, but occasionally, we'll be driving the RV for summer trips etc.

Here's the breakdown of what we've found so far: We can find RV insurance that will cover the RV while we are personally using it, but as SOON as we have short-term renters in it (even stationary renters) most carriers remove all liability coverage (if a renter should happen to get hurt) and all comprehensive coverage (if a tree should happen to fall on the unit, wind/hail etc).

We could choose to rent using ONLY RV rental sites (Outdoorsy / RVshare / RVezy), and those sites solve this insurance problem by having each renter purchase their own RV insurance policy just for the rental period but... it's really expensive because the sites don't distinguish between stationary rentals and renting out the entire RV (for driving across the US etc).

So bottom line question: is there a stand-alone RV insurance (any including commercial) that allows short-term rental. That would enable us to use the actual AirBnB platform rather than just RV-sharing sites. I'd also appreciate recommendations for any insurance brokers or agencies who specialize in RV insurance even if it's just to get advice or various options.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Isaac-1]

Do you own the property that it will be sitting on? If so do you have homeowners / property owners insurance on it and does it cover vehicles parked on the property?

 

[njarnold]

We do own the property (it will be parked near our home)... but home-owners insurance (of any kind) does not cover damage to vehicles. Some Home-owners policies will cover damage to a NEIGHBOR'S vehicle if it can be proven that there was negligence on your part (not removing a dead tree you had been asked to etc.) but not to your own personal vehicles. That would be covered under the vehicle's policy. So, that's where we're struggling to find something.

 

[Kirk]

I think that your best option is to talk with an agent who handles commercial insurance. I have seen RVs that are parked permanently in an RV park that are rented out but I don't know that those are ever used as a moving RV. You might need to have a separate policy for the rental periods and one for the RV when you use it.

 

[njarnold]

Thanks and appreciate the response... I've already spoken with a couple commercial agents (very good ones) but they're having trouble finding a carrier that will allow short-term rentals for a unit that is not permanently parked. So it all comes down to finding an insurance company that will cover that usage.

I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations for an insurance broker who specializes in RV's or short-term-rentals I could contact. I am located in SC but would be glad to contact an agent in other states as well to get advice.

 

[Kirk]

Try Miller Insurance Agency

 

[Krazeehorse33]

Might chat with an attorney and consider creating an LLC for your rental business. Make the MH property of the LLC. Then maybe your homeowners might cover it.

 

[Ex-Calif]

I recently started getting pinged by Turo which is a car sharing system. So I googled and found RVshare that does the same thing.

You may have to bite the bullet and pay them whatever they charge to cover your unit. The good news is they probably also handle the booking.

https://rvshare.com/?semid=google.n...aW3UQUVGdBjLfCbE-HtAhaeYAJvTnhKRoCooQQAvD_BwE

 

[njarnold]

Might chat with an attorney and consider creating an LLC for your rental business. Make the MH property of the LLC. Then maybe your homeowners might cover it.

Not sure I'm understanding... we do have the option to put the MH under an LLC but any coverage is still going to be through the vehicle's policy (not home-owners). Correct?

 

[Krazeehorse33]

You said that maybe your home owners insurance would cover your neighbors car. Maybe it would cover the MH. But probably NOT from damage caused by the renters. But I'm just guessing. Not a pro on any of this.

 

[Oldgator73]

I have seen a few places that have vintage RV’s and Air Streams they use as AB&B’s. They have several onsite. We have neighbors that stay in boats used as AB&B’s. It can be done.

 

[Oldgator73]

As someone mentioned look into RV Share. They list your RV rental for free and take 25% of the rental fee. Insurance is included with up to $1m in liability insurance.

 

[njarnold]

I have seen a few places that have vintage RV’s and Air Streams they use as AB&B’s. They have several onsite. We have neighbors that stay in boats used as AB&B’s. It can be don

I've seen those too... but many of those AirBnB RV's are permanently parked (so owner would not be able to travel in them) and there are noticeably few on AirBnB compared to houses or apartments. Most seem to be using Outdoorsy or rvShare, maybe because they can't find a good insurance solution for AirBnB. Or maybe many of the RV's currently on AirBnB have no clue about their insurance and are operating without coverage without even knowing it. ;-)

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

As long as the RV has wheels and is tagged for highway use, you would have a very difficult time convincing your property insurer or homeowner insurer that it's an rental abode and not a vehicle. Your homeowner liability should still cover you if the claim is something you are liable for, e.g. injury to the renter, but not to the vehicle itself.

You probably need the "commercial" type insurance that will cover rentals, but don't be surprised it's expensive.

 

[njarnold]

As long as the RV has wheels and is tagged for highway use, you would have a very difficult time convincing your property insurer or homeowner insurer that it's an rental abode and not a vehicle. Your homeowner liability should still cover you if the claim is something you are liable for, e.g. injury to the renter, but not to the vehicle itself.

You probably need the "commercial" type insurance that will cover rentals, but don't be surprised it's expensive.

Do you have any recommended insurance company's for the commercial policies that allow short-term rentals? That's we're trying to find options for currently and open to suggestions (or brokers who would be familiar with options). I've talked to a commercial brokers already (who are excellent at what they do) but they've struggled to find good options.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Sorry, I've never looked for an insurer like that. How about contacting one of the private RV rental agencies and see if they can suggest an insurer. They must field a question like that all the time from people who are interested in renting out their rig. Rental agency companies include RVshare, Outdoorsy, or RVezy.

 

[njarnold]

Sorry, I've never looked for an insurer like that. How about contacting one of the private RV rental agencies and see if they can suggest an insurer. They must field a question like that all the time from people who are interested in renting out their rig. Rental agency companies include RVshare, Outdoorsy, or RVezy.

I did contact those three companies (RVshare, Outdoorsy, RVezy) and they all have renters purchase their own insurance at the time they book rental (so we can do that). The problem we're facing is that they charge the same price for stationary or driving (so very expensive) and since it's stationary, we'd REALLY like to list it on AirBnB (it's essentially a tiny home). So anyway... one of those "gaps in the market" that's just tricky to find coverage for... but I'd be surprised if there's not some way to accomplish it. Surely we're not the only folks out there trying to rent their RV as a guest house between trips. Anyway, still open to any other suggestions or leads.

 

[Tulecreeper]

Surely we're not the only folks out there trying to rent their RV as a guest house between trips.

This is an interesting topic, I have never heard of anyone doing that. I can't imagine ever trusting some stranger to live in my RV. RV's have enough ongoing maintenance issues for the person who owns and takes care of them without the added factor of someone I don't know tearing it up because, hey, it doesn't belong to them.

 

[Domo]

Sounds like you need business insurance...

 

[Jackiemac]

Our insurance is billed every 6 months. Maybe you could fo 2 different policies each year if your timing suits?