Campsite and Vacation Liability

[Dp26]

I have a normal concern to be covered for my mistakes, but a large concern to be covered for defense, Defense is expensive, and unless the suit is proven fraudulent, you have to pay for your defense even if you win...

[formerFR]

'Vacation Liability' is simply an additional coverage, sometimes included at no charge, to protect you from the event that you cannot attend a vacation, lose money from upfront 'non-cancel' fees at rv parks or campgrounds, etc, or otherwise cannot get to your vacation location in the RV because it has been involved in coveraged damages, either through your Collision or Comprehensive policy limits...

$10,000 seems plenty enough for most folks, if not too much...

[Dp26]

Originally Posted by formerFR

'Vacation Liability' is simply an additional coverage, sometimes included at no charge, to protect you from the event that you cannot attend a vacation, lose money from upfront 'non-cancel' fees at rv parks or campgrounds, etc, or otherwise cannot get to your vacation location in the RV because it has been involved in coveraged damages, either through your Collision or Comprehensive policy limits...

$10,000 seems plenty enough for most folks, if not too much...

You are incorrect in this context. Google the term to discover what rv vacation (sometimes called campsite) insurance is.

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by Dp26

You are incorrect in this context. Google the term to discover what rv vacation (sometimes called campsite) insurance is.

I guess we need to get coverage for when we get sued for looking at somebody the wrong way...

[Dp26]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

I guess we need to get coverage for when we get sued for looking at somebody the wrong way...

Not a bad idea. Had a neighbor (felon) who was not a fan of mine. Legally, because of their legal history, I was within my rights to use an audio and video device which captured the sounds going into my yard, as well as covering the public areas in front of our properties. (In my state, audio recording is not normally allowed without two party consent.) Yes indeed, I made sure I was covered should the person decide I was breaking the law by "looking" and listening (recording audio and video) in their front yard, as well as to all sounds the devices on my property could pick up.


The person threatened to sue me and called the local PD to complain, as well as complained to everyone passing by. Even though I knew my rights, I could have still been brought to court to prove my rights, and would have been forced to pay for my defense for "looking" and listening.

[Artspe]

We have a complete package, including liability, with progressive. For the minimal added cost it gives us added peace of mind.

[Iowa City Fix It]

If you are using your RV for a temporary residence the vacation liability clause provides you with liability coverage for your temporary rv residence. I have $10K coverage which is included at "no charge" with my policy. I also have a rider for the awning which waives the $1000 deductible if the awning is damaged. The awning rider costs $15 per year. I have full replacement coverage for up to $23K for $320 from Nationwide Insurance.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Sounds like that insurance liability is the responsibility of the campground.

If you spend a lot of time camping on private property, then maybe but even then it would be the property owners responsibility to have coverage.

Wondering whom/why this was a recommended need?

It is required by the campground where our Cherokee 38P sits on a year-round site. You have to file a copy of the insurance policy with the office. It also has to indemnify the campground. Progressive had no problem at all writing that coverage, nor was it expensive.

Name of the campground available upon request by private message.

Larry

[JohnD10]

For regular camping...not living in our RV or seasonal spaces...this is NOT required.

Of course, that is just an opinion, but when that day comes that it is...

I'm gonna buy a boat!

[FrankMor]

That is what my umbrella liability policy is for, anywhere everywhere.

Frank

[CedarCreekWoody]

I think that most of you that have RV insurance will find this includes liability insurance. It is such low cost, if any, that you're not even aware of it.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

I think that most of you that have RV insurance will find this includes liability insurance. It is such low cost, if any, that you're not even aware of it.

Yup! That's what Progressive told me. The only thing I had to do to satisfy the campground owner, was to make sure he was also indemnified. Progressive told me that (in Virginia) the easiest thing to do was for them to write the policy as if he had a lien on the trailer, which they did. Didn't cost an extra penny.

Larry

[quicky06]

I have 50k that is included with my foremost plan standard.

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

Yup! That's what Progressive told me. The only thing I had to do to satisfy the campground owner, was to make sure he was also indemnified. Progressive told me that (in Virginia) the easiest thing to do was for them to write the policy as if he had a lien on the trailer, which they did. Didn't cost an extra penny.

Larry

Progressive is unique in providing this coverage (I had them for two years but switched this year). Most other VEHICLE policies do not cover campsite liability. They provide MOTOR VEHICLE coverage, just like an auto policy.

Yes, someone coming onto your campsite or into your MH can sue you for negligence. It’s easy to sue for negligence. The wood block at the base of your step slipped out of place and they tripped and fell. You had an unseen rope tied across the space such as for laundry and they got knocked over hitting their head on a rock. Your cinders landed on their roof and started a fire in their MH. You didn’t tell them the BBQ grill was burning hot when you gave them permission to borrow it and they severely burned both hands. Etc. etc. etc.

Do not make the mistake of assuming the plaintiff is a liar, a cheat, a thief, or a trespasser (as if that matters anyway...). It could be someone you invited over for a drink or marshmallow roasting. It could be someone who offered to help you with a jack and you said sure. It could be a relative staying with you or in the next campsite who was seriously injured and they urgently need the money more than your friendship, or the insurance company that pays their medical expenses takes subrogation rights against you. It could be someone such as a neighbor damaged by campfire cinders or a campfire gone out of control, or a fire or explosion in your MH.

Are these incidents rare? Yes, that’s why the premium is $10 not $450. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be quite costly. The cost of defense, which is separate and in addition to the limits of liability, can be very, very significant event if you are found not negligent. Legs fees could easily range from $50K to $350K or more depending on the state and the injury.

That said, except where this kind of insurance is specifically required, check with your HOMEOWNERS insurance company or agent. Generally speaking, your homeowners policy covers you for personal liability such as negligence wherever you are, but does not provide motor vehicle liability, boat liability, and so forth. But do check to be sure. Don’t take my word for it.

Anyone who owns a motor home should carry an UMBRELLA policy that provides $1 million or more of coverage on top of your homeowners, auto, RV, boat and other coverages. $1 million plus verdicts used to be rare but not any longer.

Protect yourself and your family. Contact your insurance agent and talk through these issues.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by MNtraveler

Progressive is unique in providing this coverage (I had them for two years but switched this year). Most other VEHICLE policies do not cover campsite liability. They provide MOTOR VEHICLE coverage, just like an auto policy.

Yes, someone coming onto your campsite or into your MH can sue you for negligence. It’s easy to sue for negligence. The wood block at the base of your step slipped out of place and they tripped and fell. You had an unseen rope tied across the space such as for laundry and they got knocked over hitting their head on a rock. Your cinders landed on their roof and started a fire in their MH. You didn’t tell them the BBQ grill was burning hot when you gave them permission to borrow it and they severely burned both hands. Etc. etc. etc.

Do not make the mistake of assuming the plaintiff is a liar, a cheat, a thief, or a trespasser (as if that matters anyway...). It could be someone you invited over for a drink or marshmallow roasting. It could be someone who offered to help you with a jack and you said sure. It could be a relative staying with you or in the next campsite who was seriously injured and they urgently need the money more than your friendship, or the insurance company that pays their medical expenses takes subrogation rights against you. It could be someone such as a neighbor damaged by campfire cinders or a campfire gone out of control, or a fire or explosion in your MH.

Are these incidents rare? Yes, that’s why the premium is $10 not $450. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be quite costly. The cost of defense, which is separate and in addition to the limits of liability, can be very, very significant event if you are found not negligent. Legs fees could easily range from $50K to $350K or more depending on the state and the injury.

That said, except where this kind of insurance is specifically required, check with your HOMEOWNERS insurance company or agent. Generally speaking, your homeowners policy covers you for personal liability such as negligence wherever you are, but does not provide motor vehicle liability, boat liability, and so forth. But do check to be sure. Don’t take my word for it.

Anyone who owns a motor home should carry an UMBRELLA policy that provides $1 million or more of coverage on top of your homeowners, auto, RV, boat and other coverages. $1 million plus verdicts used to be rare but not any longer.

Protect yourself and your family. Contact your insurance agent and talk through these issues.

Good advice! DW (a recovering (retired) criminal trial attorney) regularly reminds me that anyone can sue anyone for anything.

Yes, I have a big umbrella policy (not that expensive, since I could cut back on my automobile liability limit), but the campground owner wanted the other and Progressive was willing to provide it.

What he wanted was NOT proof that I had liability coverage. What he wanted was for me to provide liability coverage for him/the campground.

Larry

[tyler811]

See once again I learned something from this site, thanks people. Did know about Liability, which I do not have, but will look into. The awning rider I had no idea either and will look into that.



Thanks to all the contributors for sharing their knowledge

[JohnD10]

I've had several RV parks ask for me to provide proof that I had insurance on my RV, but have not had them require me to add them to my policy.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

I've had several RV parks ask for me to provide proof that I had insurance on my RV, but have not had them require me to add them to my policy.

These are mostly permanent sites. I don't even have a vehicle big enough to pull the 38 foot destination trailer. I bought it on the site, and if I ever decide to sell it, I will sell it on the site. (Some folks do pull their units out to travel, or go further south for the winter.)

This particular campground is so popular that there's a five-year waiting list to get in. It has indoor and outdoor pools, weight room, steam room, recreation (pool, pinball) room, meeting hall, chapel (!), mini-golf, kids playground, hiking trail, restaurant, petanque, horseshoes, sand volleyball, water volleyball (in the indoor pool), paddleball, and tennis courts. Free cable and water, electricity is metered. Site rental is $100 a month, discount for early payment.

The only way to jump the waiting list is to buy someone else's on-site trailer at a premium. You can recover the premium when you sell.

There's probably some historic reason why the owner wants liability coverage proof that specific way, as I'm sure he also has direct coverage for incidents occurring in the public areas.

Larry

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

These are mostly permanent sites. I don't even have a vehicle big enough to pull the 38 foot destination trailer. I bought it on the site, and if I ever decide to sell it, I will sell it on the site. (Some folks do pull their units out to travel, or go further south for the winter.)

This particular campground is so popular that there's a five-year waiting list to get in. It has indoor and outdoor pools, weight room, steam room, recreation (pool, pinball) room, meeting hall, chapel (!), mini-golf, kids playground, hiking trail, restaurant, petanque, horseshoes, sand volleyball, water volleyball (in the indoor pool), paddleball, and tennis courts. Free cable and water, electricity is metered. Site rental is $100 a month, discount for early payment.

The only way to jump the waiting list is to buy someone else's on-site trailer at a premium. You can recover the premium when you sell.

There's probably some historic reason why the owner wants liability coverage proof that specific way, as I'm sure he also has direct coverage for incidents occurring in the public areas.

Larry

You get all that for $100/month? No wonder there's such a long waiting list. That's unbelievably cheap.

Our seasonal rate is $2000 for the entire year and we thought we were getting a bargain. The place we just left a couple of years ago is now up to $3,900/year.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

You get all that for $100/month? No wonder there's such a long waiting list. That's unbelievably cheap.

Our seasonal rate is $2000 for the entire year and we thought we were getting a bargain. The place we just left a couple of years ago is now up to $3,900/year.

Well, I just checked and the annual rate is up to $1240, although paying early drops it to 11-something. And I forgot to mention that an annual "membership fee" of $605 per couple is also required. Still pretty reasonable.

Larry