If you routinely tow an RV, boat, or trailer, how would insurance cover those assets if you got in an accident on the road? If you can’t answer that question with 100% confidence, this blog is for you. Some Florida drivers assume that anything attached to their car is covered, but that is rarely the case. Let’s take a closer look at Florida auto insurance laws and towing policies – and see if you can get stronger protections for your property.
Florida Car Insurance and Towed Property
Florida requires certain minimum car insurance policies for all drivers: $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP)and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability (PDL). No matter what you currently haul or transport, you already have PIP and PDL insurance if you legally drive a registered vehicle in Florida. PIP insurance generally covers medical expenses, while PDL pays for any of the damage the accident causes to other involved cars or property owned by others. Yes, others’ property, not your own. If you want to protect your own vehicle and property, most Florida drivers opt for one of two optional physical damage policies:
- Collision Insurance: assists with repairs to your vehicle or offers replacement value.
- Comprehensive Insurance: assists after any form of non-collision damage, such as theft, vandalism, fire, or weather-related incidents.
While adding collision/comprehensive to your auto policy protects your vehicle, Florida insurers typically exclude coverage for physical damage to trailers, RVs, or boats being towed. Insurers won’t pay out if your policy doesn’t specifically cover an incident. Always review your policy to see your insurance deficiencies, especially when other high-value assets beyond your vehicle are involved.
Since PDL coverage covers damage to other’s property, it may extend to damage caused by your trailer, RV, or boat while towing. For instance, if your trailer detaches and crashes into another vehicle, your PDL would cover the other driver’s repair bills. However, your PDL limit applies to the total damage caused in an accident—it doesn’t increase just because a trailer is involved.
Towing Coverage for Trailers
Utility, boat, and cargo trailers are rarely covered under standard auto policies for physical damage. To protect them, you can consider adding the trailer to your auto policy as a “scheduled item” if it’s new or high-value. For older trailers, standalone trailer insurance is often cheaper and covers theft, accidents, or vandalism.
Coverage for Towable RVs
Travel trailers and campers fall into a gray area. Typically, physical damage to the RV itself is seldom included in a standard auto policy, even though they almost always travel while attached to a vehicle.
The best way to keep them safe is by purchasing a specialized RV insurance policy, covering collisions, theft, and even interior features like appliances or furniture. You should also check how your RV is classified, as trailers, motorhomes, and other classifications have different insurance requirements.
Coverage for Towing Boats and Personal Watercraft
Florida car insurance does not include baseline coverage for physical damage to a boat, its motor, or the trailer. Most people don’t tow boats, so including these protections would lead to over-insurance for most drivers and increase rates. Instead, you should invest in boat insurance. While the primary purpose of boat insurance is to protect against incidents happening on the water, whether collisions or environmental damage, you can also include protections when you transport it on land.
Kayaks, Canoes, and Small Watercraft
Small items like kayaks strapped to your car’s roof rack are usually covered. Most often, they would be considered personal property and receive coverage under an auto’s comprehensive coverage.
Since standard policies often suffice, most owners don’t have additional coverage. However, additional policies exist if you need to insure a high-value, small item.
Towing a trailer, RV, or boat in Florida? Sometimes, your insurance might already extend protections. However, the moral of the story is not to make assumptions. Anderson & Associates Insurance can help you review your policy, identify shortcomings, and protect your most valuable assets like RVs and boats.
