Educational only · not insurance advice. PickRV is not an insurance broker, agent, producer, or carrier. Coverage varies by carrier and policy. Verify any decision with a licensed insurance professional in your state.
Host + vendor insurance
Transit Insurance — Coverage When Delivering an RV
Moving a rig is its own insurance category. Here is what transit insurance covers.
TL;DR
RVs in transit — between owners, dealer deliveries, marketplace concierge moves, fleet relocations — need transit insurance. Standard commercial RV insurance may exclude transit if the vehicle is being moved for sale or commercial transfer. Specialty transit insurance is available for one-time moves and ongoing dealer / fleet operations.
What this covers
What it does NOT cover
Real-world examples
Anonymized composite scenarios illustrating typical outcomes.
Transit damage on dealer transport — transit insurance paid $7,200
A host purchased a used Class A from a dealer 500 miles away; the dealer arranged transit on a flat-bed transporter. During transit, the rig sustained $7,200 in slide-out damage from improper securement. The dealer's transit insurance paid the host's repair cost.
Outcome: Host out-of-pocket: zero. Lesson: confirm transit insurance is in force during any RV transport you do not personally drive.
Cost ranges
Industry-typical pricing from published carrier and industry sources. Actual quotes vary by state, vehicle, and driver history.
One-time cost for non-recurring transit.
For dealers and ongoing fleet relocations.
What insurance companies don't say
Industry insider knowledge surfaced for educational transparency.
Transit is a separate exposure
Standard commercial RV insurance covers the vehicle in normal use. Transit by third parties (transporters, transport companies, deliveries) is sometimes excluded or requires separate coverage. Always verify before authorizing transit.
Marine transit has its own rules
Transit to Alaska or Hawaii commonly involves marine transport. Marine transit insurance is governed by separate maritime law and is more specialized than over-the-road transit. Most general agents do not handle marine transit; specialty brokers are needed.
Transit company liability is limited
Transport companies' liability is typically capped at the state's freight liability limits (commonly $0.60 per pound for general freight). For a 12,000-lb RV, that is $7,200 — usually well below actual value. Transit insurance bridges this gap.
FAQ
Do I need transit insurance for my own driving?
No — your commercial RV insurance covers your driving. Transit insurance is for third parties moving the rig.
What about concierge delivery?
Depends on the concierge arrangement. If the host's own policy extends to delivery, separate transit insurance may not be needed. Confirm in writing. PickRV does not provide coverage.
Is transit insurance expensive?
Per-move costs vary; for typical RV transport across a few states, $200-$500 is common. Annual fleet endorsements are more cost-effective for dealers and ongoing operations.
What if my transporter has insurance?
Confirm the liability limit. Most transport companies carry only state-minimum freight liability, which is well below RV values. Separate transit insurance protects against the gap.
Are roadside-assistance tows covered by transit insurance?
Roadside-assistance tows are normally covered under the roadside plan's own service contract and the underlying vehicle insurance. Transit insurance is for commercial transport arrangements specifically.
When to consult a broker
Talk to a licensed insurance professional and a commercial-use specialist before you arrange any third-party transit for your rig. Commercial-use insurance for vehicles listed on peer-to-peer marketplaces is its own underwriting category; many personal-policy gaps surface only at claim time.
Sources
- [1]FMCSA — Insurance Filing Requirements — Commercial motor vehicle insurance
- [2]U.S. DOT — Transportation Department — Federal transportation oversight
- [3]III — Facts + Statistics — RV / recreational vehicle industry stats
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration — Business Insurance — Small business + commercial insurance
- [5]NAIC — Consumer Insurance Search — Consumer regulator + complaint portal