With the weather getting warmer, people everywhere are pulling out their favorite summer “toys,” including recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Unfortunately, you cannot assume that your part-time vehicles are properly insured under an existing auto or home insurance policy. And rather than just moving these substantial investments to another policy, it’s better to look for policies specifically designed for each one.

RV insurance

Insurance coverage for recreational vehicles, such as travel trailers, motor homes, fifth wheels, and motorhomes offers protection that ordinary auto insurance does not. Here are some reasons to consider RV insurance in addition to your auto insurance policy:

• Roadside assistance: Even if your auto policy covers some expenses down the road, it may not cover towing that big, heavy RV, leaving you to pay the bill.
• Financial protection: Insurers that offer coverage for recreational vehicles often have claims representatives who know how to look for specific damages on recreational vehicles, including specialized RV parts such as awnings, sliding ladders, and appliances.
• Personal Property Protection: Your “home away from home” probably houses things that you wouldn’t keep in your car, such as camcorders, laptops, and jewelry, which may not be covered by a car policy.
• Protect your investment – RVs are expensive! It is better to have “full replacement cost coverage” to guarantee full payment if the vehicle is irreparable, rather than a refund based on current market value.

Boat insurance

Don’t assume your shiny new boat is covered by your owner’s policy. A ship is, for all intents and purposes, a moving vehicle. As such, you need coverage similar to a car policy, including protection for:

• Bodily harm that your ship inflicts on others.
• Damage to property your ship inflicts on the docks and other ships.
• Physical damage to your ship, in case you hit something or run aground.

You’ll also want to consider comprehensive coverage against theft, vandalism, fire, and flood; personal property coverage for fishing gear and other items; uninsured boater insurance (like uninsured motorist insurance) and even “boat assistance” in case you need a trailer.

Motorcycle insurance

Motorcycle insurance is essential and, like car insurance, it can vary in price depending on the type of bike you use. In other words, insuring a high-performance sports bike generally costs more than covering a lower-powered bike, scooter, or moped.

The components of a comprehensive motorcycle policy are also similar to automobile coverage, including collision insurance (to cover damage to your bike as a result of an accident), comprehensive coverage, bodily injury liability coverage, liability coverage for property damage, uninsured motorist insurance and roadside assistance.