Do you need insurance for your camping trailer?

If you're one of the many Canadians who take camping trips each year, you should know that having the right kind of insurance is necessary to make the most of your road trip. Consider the different types of trailers and insurance policies available, and choose the combination that best suits your needs.

Trailers come in varying types, including mounted truck campers, fifth-wheel trailers, pop-up tent trailers and conventional trailers. Generally, there are two ways in which you can insure your trailer: you can add the insurance as an extension to your home and auto insurance policies, or purchase separate specialty travel trailer insurance.

Adding your travel trailer to your home and auto policy provides basic coverage for your trailer and its contents. For an additional premium, your auto policy will satisfy the standards for legally required insurance coverage. The policy extends the coverage of the towing vehicle to the trailer and provides the basics, such as comprehensive and collision coverage. Your home policy provides coverage for your personal items and can be extended to provide coverage for those items hauled in the trailer.

Although home and auto policy extensions can provide the basic insurance for trailers, travel trailer specialty insurance offers coverage beyond the minimum. A travel trailer is a huge investment, so it makes sense for owners to purchase a policy that eliminates any potential stress during a vacation.

This type of policy typically provides coverage for the trailer, all of its built-in accessories, temporary attachments, personal items inside the trailer and emergency road service expenses.

Depending on the type of policy you purchase, your insurance company will provide one or more of the following replacement types in case of loss:

• Guaranteed replacement cost - You get a brand-new unit similar to the one you lost.
• Standard replacement cost - You get a new unit up to the insured value of the trailer you lost.
• Actual cash value - You get an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of the unit you lost.

Your want your trailer to be readily available for all your future family vacations. So make sure your insurance policy has the best coverage to protect your investment. Plus, you'll have peace of mind so you can actually enjoy your vacation.