Does car insurance cover trailers?
The answer to does car insurance cover trailers is that it depends on the situation and the type of coverage. Liability car coverage usually extends to a towed trailer and is an average of $44/mo, but it doesn't cover everything. Instead, trailer owners should purchase trailer insurance.
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Justin Wright
Licensed Insurance Agent
Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Liability coverage typically extends to trailers towed by your insured vehicle, meaning any damage you cause to others’ property is covered
- Collision and comprehensive coverage (“full coverage”) does not extend to your trailer under most policies, meaning you’ll need to purchase separate trailer car insurance to protect your trailer
- If you’re towing a rental trailer, we recommend purchasing the coverage option the rental company offers you
Wondering does car insurance cover trailers? The answer can get a bit complicated, but we’re here to help. Read on to find out how different types of car insurance can protect your trailers, as well as how your insurance options can differ based on the type of trailer you’re towing.
We’ll also help you find and compare car insurance companies that cover trailers so you can choose a plan that’s right for you.
Once you feel confident about seeking car insurance for your trailer, enter your ZIP code to compare rates using our free online quote tool.
Car Insurance Coverage on Towed Trailers
Generally, liability coverage extends to any trailers that are towed by your vehicle, but for comprehensive coverage and collision coverage (sometimes called “full coverage” when bundled), you’ll often need to purchase a separate policy specifically for your trailer.
In other words, if your trailer is involved in an accident with someone else’s vehicle or property, liability coverage will likely help pay for any damage you’re responsible for. But when it comes to any damage done to your trailer (whether due to a collision or other source), most standard car insurance won’t cover you.
Read more: Does my car insurance cover towing and roadside assistance?
Requirements and availability for separate trailer insurance vary from state to state. For example, in Nevada, insurance is available but not required for utility and travel trailers. Check with your insurance agent if you want to be sure your trailer is covered.
Car Insurance Companies That Cover Trailers
Most major car insurance companies offer some kind of coverage for trailers. That said, it’s unlikely that your car insurance will cover the cost of repairing or replacing your trailer as part of a standard collision and/or comprehensive policy, so you’ll want to be sure to look at trailer insurance specifically when comparing car insurance options.
Learn more: Collision vs. Comprehensive Coverage
Fortunately, most car insurance companies make it easy to add comprehensive and collision coverage to your trailer. Simply contact an agent at your insurance company of choice and they’ll either help you add your trailer to your existing policy or set you up with separate trailer insurance.
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Types of Trailers Covered by Car Insurance
Liability coverage generally extends to any trailer being towed for personal use, including utility trailers, campers, and RVs. Comprehensive and collision coverage will need to be purchased separately for your trailer.
For some drivers, purchasing full coverage for a trailer can be as simple as adding it to an existing policy for a discounted rate. Other types of personal trailers may cost slightly less or more, depending on your policy.
Car Insurance For Rental Trailers
While your liability coverage may cover any damage caused by a rental trailer that you’re towing with an insured vehicle, it’s unlikely that the trailer itself is covered under your collision or comprehensive insurance policy.
Trailer rental companies typically offer some sort of coverage for your rental, often in the form of a waiver. We recommend purchasing this protection to ensure you’re not personally liable for any damage to the rental equipment.
What to Consider Before Buying Car Insurance That Covers Trailers
Ask yourself the following questions when considering if trailer car insurance is worth it or not.
- Do you travel with your trailer frequently? If not, is the cost of insuring it worth the peace of mind?
- Is the cost of your trailer greater than the cost of insuring it for several years? If you’re able to pay for repairs or a replacement out of pocket, you may not need more coverage than your liability insurance already provides
- Does your car insurance company offer any discounts for adding a trailer to a policy alongside your other insured vehicle(s)?
In most cases, insuring your trailer beyond liability insurance is a smart move.
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Case Studies: Understanding Trailer Coverage in Car Insurance
Case Study 1: Liability Coverage for Towed Trailers
John owns a utility trailer that he frequently tows with his car. One day, while driving on the highway, the trailer becomes detached and collides with another vehicle, causing significant damage. Fortunately, John has liability coverage as part of his car insurance policy.
The liability coverage extends to the towed trailer, and his insurance company covers the damage caused by his trailer. This case illustrates the importance of liability coverage when towing trailers.
Case Study 2: Separate Trailer Insurance for Comprehensive and Collision Coverage
Sarah owns a camper trailer that she uses for family vacations. She wants to ensure that her trailer is fully protected, so she contacts her car insurance company to inquire about comprehensive and collision coverage. However, she learns that comprehensive and collision coverage for trailers requires a separate insurance policy.
Sarah decides to purchase separate trailer insurance to adequately cover any damage to her camper trailer. This case highlights the need for separate insurance policies to fully protect trailers.
Case Study 3: Rental Trailer Coverage
Mark rents a trailer from a rental company for a weekend move. While towing the rental trailer with his insured vehicle, he accidentally damages the trailer when backing up. Mark’s car insurance liability coverage extends to the damage caused by the rental trailer.
However, the collision or comprehensive coverage of his car insurance policy does not cover the rental trailer itself. To avoid personal liability, Mark had opted for the rental company’s coverage option when renting the trailer. This case emphasizes the importance of considering rental trailer coverage options when renting trailers.
The Final Word on Car Insurance for Trailers
Now that you know the answer to does car insurance cover trailers, you can get started on finding the right trailer coverage for your needs to make sure your trailer is full protected.
Before you buy car insurance for your trailer, use our free online quote tool to find affordable trailer insurance that’s right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does car insurance cover trailers?
It depends on the situation and the type of coverage you have. Liability coverage extends to a towed trailer, so you will be covered for any damage your trailer causes, but other types of coverage are more complicated. Compare multiple companies to find the right coverage at the right price.
Which car insurance companies cover trailers?
Most major car insurance companies offer some kind of coverage for trailers. However, comprehensive and collision coverage for trailers often requires a separate policy specifically for your trailer. Contact your insurance company to add coverage or inquire about separate trailer insurance options.
What types of trailers are covered by car insurance?
Liability coverage generally extends to any trailer being towed for personal use, including utility trailers, campers, and RVs. However, comprehensive and collision coverage for your trailer will need to be purchased separately.
Will car insurance cover a rental trailer?
While your liability coverage may cover any damage caused by a rental trailer that you’re towing with an insured vehicle, it’s unlikely that the trailer itself is covered under your collision or comprehensive insurance policy. Rental trailer companies typically offer their own coverage options.
What should I consider before buying car insurance that covers trailers?
Before purchasing car insurance for your trailer, consider factors such as the cost of insuring different types of trailers, coverage requirements in your state, and the availability of separate trailer insurance. Use our free online quote tool to find affordable insurance options.
What is non-owned trailer coverage?
Non-owned trailer insurance covers you if you are renting a trailer.
What kind of insurance do you put on a trailer?
You put the same types of insurance coverage on trailers as you would a car, such a liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
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Justin Wright
Licensed Insurance Agent
Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.