What to Do If You Break Something on Your RV Rental

What should you do if something breaks on your RV rental? Tell the owner as soon as it happens, use RVshare’s 24/7 roadside assistance if it affects your ability to drive or camp safely, and document everything with photos. Most damage is covered by your security deposit or insurance deductible, and owners are far more understanding when renters are upfront right away rather than when they discover damage during an inspection.

Key Takeaways

• A handful of RV components — glass stovetop covers, plastic sinks, wallpaper, faucets — are more fragile than what you’d find in a house, so extra care goes a long way.
• RVshare’s 24/7 roadside assistance (through Quest) covers towing, tire replacement, battery service, lockouts, mobile mechanic visits, and phone-based technical support.
• You’re responsible for damage during your rental period — deductibles range from $500 to $4,000 per occurrence depending on RV type and coverage.
• Reporting damage immediately, rather than waiting for the owner’s inspection, consistently leads to a better outcome.
• Photos at pickup and drop-off protect you just as much as they protect the owner.

Which Parts of an RV Are Most Likely to Break?

RVs aren’t built for the same wear and tear as a house — many components are lighter-duty than their equivalents in a sticks-and-bricks home. Items that commonly break or get damaged:

• Glass stovetop covers
• Wallpaper and faux wood covering
• Plastic sinks (they melt easily)
• Faucets (plastic handles and/or faucets can break more easily than metal ones)
• RV refrigerators — specifically absorption-style units, which can’t be safely operated at an incline for extended periods
• Bed frames (these are not made for jumping or roughhousing on)

If the owner flags a specific item as especially fragile during your walkthrough, take that seriously — they know their RV’s weak points better than anyone.

What Should I Do If Something Breaks During My Trip?

Your next step depends on how serious the issue is:

• Minor, non-trip-affecting damage: Let the owner know, and continue your trip as planned.
• Damage that affects your trip: You’ll need a fix or a workaround — sometimes on your own, sometimes with the owner’s help, and sometimes through RVshare’s roadside assistance.

Do I need to stop my trip if something breaks? Not necessarily. Whether you continue your trip depends on whether the issue affects your safety or your ability to use the RV. A broken glass stovetop cover is an inconvenience, but a failed slide-out or a flat tire needs to be fixed before you keep driving.

What Does RVshare Roadside Assistance Cover?

Every RVshare reservation includes 24/7 roadside assistance through Quest, available nationwide at no additional cost:

What Fees Am I Responsible for If I Damage the RV?

You’re responsible for any damage that occurs during your rental period. How it’s handled depends on the severity of the damage:

• Minor damage is typically covered by your security deposit.
• More significant damage generally goes through an insurance claim, with your security deposit applied toward the deductible.
• Deductibles range from $500 to $4,000, depending on the RV type and the coverage package you selected at checkout.
• Damage claims must be filed within 48 hours of your reservation ending, and reimbursement requests require completed Departure and Return Forms with photos.

What’s the Security Deposit Waiver? Some owners offer renters the option to pay a small, non-refundable fee at checkout (instead of a refundable security deposit) that provides coverage toward the insurance deductible — up to $4,000 for eligible Class A RVs and $1,500 for other RV types. It won’t be available on every listing, but it’s worth checking if you’d rather avoid a large hold on your card.

In the rare case that damage costs exceed your deposit or waiver coverage, you may be asked to approve an additional charge to your card.

Should I Document the RV’s Condition Before My Trip?

Yes, you should document the RV’s condition. Take photos at pickup, before you start using the RV. This protects you the same way it protects the owner: if a pre-existing scratch, stain, or mechanical issue gets flagged later, timestamped photos are your best evidence that it wasn’t something you caused.

Common Mistakes First-Time Renters Make

• Waiting until drop-off to mention damage instead of reporting it as soon as it happens
• Skipping pickup photos so there is no record of the RV’s starting condition
• Assuming all damage automatically comes out of the security deposit rather than checking the deductible tied to their coverage package
• Not asking the owner if any components of their specific RV are most fragile during the walkthrough

How Do I Report Damage When I Return the RV?

The owner documents any damage on a return form after your trip. But don’t wait until then – let the owner know as soon as damage occurs. Owners consistently respond better to renters who are upfront early rather than leaving them to find issues during their post-trip inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions About RV Rental Damage

Ready to book your next trip with confidence? Browse RVshare’s RV rentals and review each listing’s insurance and protection options before you book.