How to Insure a Self-Built Campervan

Curious about insuring a self-built campervan? You're in the right place!

We find that most DIY'ers assume the biggest challenges will come with electrical wiring and power tools. Surprisingly, the biggest hurdle usually turns out to be securing insurance for self-built campervan!

If you're looking to insure your self-built campervan and are unsure where to start, we've done the legwork for you! We analyzed different insurance companies' policies on self-built campers and RVs to discover valuable insights.

Read on to learn what we found and why we think Roamly is the best RV insurance for self-built campervans.

Why Self-Built/DIY Campervans Need Special Insurance

Standard auto insurance covers the vehicle itself but typically excludes significant modifications. This means most insurers will only cover the van's value as an empty cargo vehicle, not the thousands invested in modifications like cabinets, lithium batteries, and a full wet bath. In the event of an accident, this could lead to substantial financial loss. That's why DIY campervans need a special insurance option like Roamly.

The Challenge of Insuring DIY Campervans

Many RV and auto insurance companies don’t cover self-built campers due to perceived risks and lack of awareness. Some major insurance agents may never have received inquiries about insuring a self-built camper van.

While most companies insure professionally built RVs from brands like Winnebago and Airstream, this likely won't help with a DIY build.

Companies That Don't Insure Self-Built Campervans

To save you time, here's a list of companies that (as of this writing) generally don’t insure self-built vans:

1. AAA

2. GoodSam

3. National General

4. USAA

5. Geico

6. Costco

7. Liberty Mutual

While some may cover RVs and professionally built campers, they don’t cover self-built vans. Policies may vary by state and are subject to change.

Companies That Insure DIY Campervans

Roamly was built by RVers for RVers, so we've covered DIY campervans from day one. We get it, and that's why we've got you covered.

Why Choose Roamly

RV experts created Roamly, which offers coverage for DIY camper vans across the U.S. (except Hawaii and Washington DC). Here’s why Roamly is the choice for self-built campervans:

1. Comprehensive Coverage: Our policies are tailored to RVs and campervans, covering items like pest damage, vacation liability, and roof coverage in addition to standard automobile coverage.

2. Overall Cost: We're more affordable than other RV insurers, offering comprehensive coverage at about one-third the cost.

3. Full-Time Coverage: Roamly’s insurance acts like homeowners insurance for those living in their campervan for over six months a year, covering personal liability and medical payments.

4. Emergency Expense Coverage: In case of an emergency, Roamly covers lodging, transportation, and meal expenses if you're more than 50 miles from home and your campervan is inoperable due to a covered loss.

5. Personal Effect Coverage: We'll cover the full replacement cost of personal belongings in your campervan, providing peace of mind for items like laptops and hiking gear up to $3,000.

6. Customer Service: Roamly offers excellent customer service. A dedicated insurance agent (who's probably an RVer like you) will guide you through the process. They'll be there for you anytime you have questions.

Final Thoughts

Roamly's customer service, comprehensive and affordable policies, and specialized coverage for campervans make us a top pick for anyone looking to insure their RV or self-built campervan. Click the button below to get a free quote today.