What should you do if you’re in an accident while driving a rental RV? Check on everyone involved; move to safety if it’s possible and safe to do so; call 911, even for a minor accident; exchange information; document everything with photos; then contact the RV owner and RVshare’s 24/7 roadside assistance. RV rental accidents are rare, and RVshare’s Protection Plan and roadside assistance exist specifically to help you through it if one happens.
Key Takeaways
- Careful driving habits, including slower highway speeds, wide turns, daytime driving, and buckling everyone, prevent the vast majority of RV rental accidents.
- If an accident happens, safety and 911 come first, followed by documentation and exchanging information.
- Contact both the RV owner and RVshare’s 24/7 roadside assistance (through Quest) as soon as it’s safe to do so.
- RVshare’s Protection Plan provides up to $1M in owner liability coverage and up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage, but renters are automatically covered only at their state’s minimum liability limit unless they purchase more.
- The Protection Plan does not include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which is worth knowing before you’re in a situation where it matters.
How Can I Avoid Having an Accident in My RV Rental?
It’s best to avoid having an RV rental accident entirely. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to help prevent accidents as you enjoy the open road.
- Know your height and weight: RVs don’t fit everywhere cars do, and low clearances and weight-restricted bridges can catch first-timers off guard. Know your rig’s dimensions before you’re on the road.
- Slow down and leave space: RVs are heavy and don’t stop quickly. Around 55 mph is a reasonable highway speed for most RVs, and extra following distance gives you more room to react.
- Make wide turns: RVs are longer than cars, making it easy to scrape a side against something mid-turn. Use a spotter when leaving gas stations, campsites, or other tight spaces.
- Avoid driving at night: Reduced visibility raises the odds of hitting an animal or clipping something while turning — daytime driving is safer, especially for first-time RV drivers.
- Buckle everyone up: Letting kids or pets roam while driving isn’t just risky if an accident happens. It’s also a distraction that can help cause one.
What Should I Do Immediately After an RV Rental Accident?
Let’s say that despite employing all of the tips above, you still find yourself in an RV accident. What do you do next? Here’s a quick rundown of the steps you should take immediately following such an incident.
Check on everyone
Start with your own vehicle, then check on anyone in other vehicles involved in an accident. Offer assistance to anyone who is injured, but only move an injured person if it’s absolutely necessary.
Move to safety, if it’s safe to do so
Move involved vehicles to the side of the road, away from traffic, and turn on your emergency lights. If you’re towing a trailer, leave it attached and in place. Hitch damage isn’t always visible, and unhooking it could make things worse.
Call 911
Call 911 even for a minor accident, and let the dispatcher know if anyone was injured.
Exchange information
Once things are safe, gather from every other party involved:
- Full name and contact information
- Insurance company and policy number
- Driver’s license and license plate numbers
- Vehicle type, color, and model
- Location of the accident
Document everything
If you’re able to, gather:
- Names and badge numbers of responding officers
- A copy of the accident report
- Photos of damage to all involved vehicles, from multiple angles
- Contact information for everyone involved, including witnesses
Contact the RV owner
Reach out as soon as you reasonably can, and share the photos and information you’ve gathered. This is what allows the owner to file an insurance claim.
Call roadside assistance
RVshare’s 24/7 roadside assistance can help determine next steps, often including having the RV towed for assessment and repairs.
What Does RVshare’s Protection Plan Cover in an Accident?
RVshare’s Protection Plan provides comprehensive nationwide coverage through Crum & Forster, a long-established RV rental insurance provider:
- Up to $1M in owner liability insurance coverage
- Up to $300,000 in comprehensive and collision coverage, based on the RV’s value
- State statutory minimum liability coverage for renters, with the option to purchase higher limits
Am I personally covered up to $1M if I’m in an accident? No, you’re not automatically covered for $1 million; that amount applies to the owner’s liability coverage. As the renter, you’re covered at your state’s minimum liability limit by default — if you want higher personal liability protection, you can purchase it during checkout.
What the Protection Plan doesn’t cover: it does not include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. If the other driver in an accident doesn’t have insurance, or doesn’t have enough, that gap isn’t automatically covered by RVshare’s plan. This is worth keeping in mind, especially on longer trips through areas with lower rates of driver insurance coverage.
What Does RVshare’s 24/7 Roadside Assistance Cover?
Roadside assistance through Quest (Questx Tow Network) is included with every RVshare rental at no additional cost:
| Service | What It Covers |
| Towing | Transport to the nearest qualified location |
| Tire Service | Replacement or re-inflation |
| Battery Service | Jump-starts and minor repairs |
| Lockout Service | Locksmith dispatch |
| Extraction & Winching | Recovery for stuck or off-road RVs |
| Supply Delivery | Gas, oil, water, or other essentials |
| Tele-Tech Support | Phone guidance from certified RV technicians |
| Mobile Mechanic | Local technician for minor repairs |
Reaching Roadside Assistance: To get roadside assistance, call Quest directly at (855) 229-9696 and have your RVshare reservation number ready.
Common Mistakes First-Time Renters Make
- Skipping the 911 call for a minor accident, which can complicate insurance and claims later
- Unhooking a towed trailer at the scene before its hitch has been checked for damage
- Assuming $1M in liability coverage applies to them personally rather than the owner
- Not knowing the Protection Plan doesn’t cover uninsured/underinsured motorists
Frequently Asked Questions About Accidents in an RV Rental
The first thing to do if you get into an accident is to check that everyone is okay. Then, move to safety if it’s safe to do so, and call 911, even for a minor accident.
The $1M liability figure applies to the RV owner’s coverage only. Renters are automatically covered at their state’s minimum liability limit, with the option to purchase higher limits at checkout.
No, the Protection Plan does not include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
To get RVshare roadside assistance, call Quest at (855) 229-9696 with your RVshare reservation number ready. It’s available 24/7 at no additional cost.
No, you should not move your RV after an accident when towing a trailer. Leave the trailer attached and in place, since hitch damage isn’t always visible right after a collision.
No, RV rental accidents are rare. Most trips go off without incident when renters follow basic precautions like slower speeds, wide turns, and daytime driving.
Ready to book with confidence? You can browse RV rentals on RVshare and review insurance and protection options before you go.
