Summer time fun for many people includes hauling a trailer to transport an ATV, boat, a second car, a camper, horses, or camping gear. Before you hit the road, make sure your trailer is properly insured so you are protected if something goes wrong.
Why do you Need Trailer Insurance?
Many states accept your auto insurance coverage when you haul a trailer behind your insured vehicle, and your homeowners or renters policy may cover some items you haul. That coverage is typically limited, often to liability only, and it may not protect your trailer or its contents fully.
- If you're not used to hauling a trailer, your risk of causing an accident increases.
- You may turn too sharply and damage someone's property.
- You could hit a slippery stretch of road that causes your trailer to slide into another vehicle or off the road.
- While loading or unloading, you might damage the trailer or the items you're hauling.
Trailer insurance adds valuable protection and peace of mind by filling gaps in other policies and covering losses that can occur on the road or during use.
What Type of Coverage is Available?
The type and amount of trailer insurance you need depends on the trailer's size and type and on the value of the items you haul. Typical trailer insurance provides several coverages tailored to different risks.
- Liability — Pays for bodily injury or property damage your trailer causes to others.
- Comprehensive — Pays to repair or replace your trailer if it's damaged by theft, vandalism, fire, or weather.
- Collision — Pays to repair your trailer if it's damaged in a traffic collision.
- Contents coverage — Pays to replace damaged items stored on or hauled in the trailer.
How do you Purchase Trailer Insurance?
Start by talking with your auto insurance agent about the coverage on your policy and whether it extends to the trailer and its contents. If you need specialized options, see Travel Trailer Dealer Insurance for dealer-related needs.
Have your agent review your homeowners or renters policy as well to see what, if any, contents coverage applies when items are being hauled. If your current policies are not adequate, you can increase limits, add coverages, or purchase a separate trailer policy; if your agent does not offer suitable options, you may need to shop around for a carrier that does, for example Travel Trailer Service and Repair Insurance.
Document the trailer and its contents with receipts and photos, and keep an inventory list to speed any claims process. With the right coverages in place, you can travel with more confidence.
If you want to get a formal review or a quote, talk to your agent before your next trip to confirm you’re properly covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my auto insurance cover a trailer?
Some auto policies extend liability to a towed trailer, but coverage varies by insurer and state, and may not include damage to the trailer itself.
Will my homeowners or renters policy cover items I haul?
Homeowners or renters policies may cover personal property when transported, but limits and exclusions often apply, so a separate contents endorsement can be useful.
Does insurance cover theft or storm damage to a trailer?
Comprehensive coverage typically covers theft, vandalism, and weather-related damage, while collision coverage handles accident damage.