Progressive RV Insurance Review: Van Conversion Coverage, Costs, and Limitations
Progressive began covering DIY van conversions in late 2023. How the RV product works, what it costs, and where it falls short for van owners.
Progressive is the largest auto insurer in the US and one of the biggest writers of RV insurance in the country. For most of its history, that RV product did not extend to DIY or custom van conversions — only factory-built Class A, B, and C motorhomes qualified. That changed in late 2023, when Progressive began covering DIY camper van conversions under its existing RV product, opening one of the largest insurance carriers in the market to a segment that had previously been limited to specialty agencies.
That change made Progressive relevant to a large share of the van conversion market overnight. But Progressive’s product was designed around factory RVs, and the fit for a converted Sprinter or Transit is different from the fit for a Winnebago Revel. This review covers what Progressive’s RV product actually looks like for van conversion owners, what it costs, where it works well, and where the alternatives may be a better match.
What Progressive Covers
Progressive’s RV insurance product covers Class A, B, and C motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, pop-up campers, and — since the 2023 policy change — DIY and custom-built camper vans.
For a converted van to qualify as a Class B RV under Progressive’s underwriting, the conversion must include all six of the following permanently installed habitation features (per Progressive’s DIY camper van insurance page):
- Cooking facilities
- Refrigeration
- Sleeping facilities
- Self-contained heating and/or air conditioning (wood-burning stoves are excluded)
- Drinkable water supply system
- 110–125 volt electrical power system (including solar-powered systems)
Notably, Progressive does not require a toilet or bathroom — a meaningful difference from Good Sam / National General, which requires indoor plumbing and a bathroom. A build with a bed, cooktop, fridge, heater, water system, and electrical but no toilet qualifies at Progressive but not at Good Sam.
The van also needs to be titled as a motorhome, housecar, or camper van — not as a commercial cargo van. Progressive’s underwriting follows the vehicle’s title classification. If your van is still on commercial plates, see the registration overview for state-by-state retitling requirements.
Coverage Features
Progressive’s RV product for converted vans includes the standard coverage tiers plus RV-specific features:
Liability, collision, and comprehensive. Standard structure. Liability limits are selected by the policyholder. Collision and comprehensive cover both the base vehicle and the conversion.
Total loss coverage. Progressive offers replacement cost coverage on qualifying RVs — typically newer units within the first few model years. For older or higher-mileage units, coverage is actual cash value (ACV), which depreciates over time. The specifics of how Progressive handles replacement cost on DIY conversions — where there is no MSRP to reference — are worth confirming at quoting. Agreed value, where available, lets the policyholder and carrier set the insured value at binding.
Personal belongings coverage. Covers personal property stored in the RV, up to a stated limit. Progressive’s standard limit is modest; higher limits may be available as a rider.
Full-timer’s coverage. Progressive defines full-time use as living in the RV more than six months per year. The full-timer’s endorsement adds three coverages that recreational policies do not include: full-timer’s liability (functions like homeowner’s liability for injuries in or around the parked RV), medical payments for visitors, and loss assessment coverage (up to $5,000 in fees from an RV park or association for damage to common areas). Emergency expense coverage also increases to up to $7,500. See the full-time van insurance guide for what full-timer’s coverage includes and why it matters.
Roadside assistance. Available as an add-on. Includes towing, lockout service, flat tire, and battery jump. RV-specific roadside is worth having because standard auto roadside programs often have weight limits that exclude loaded conversion vans.
Emergency expense coverage. Covers lodging and transportation when the RV is disabled away from home. The base amount is $750, with recreational users able to purchase up to $2,000. The coverage triggers when the RV is disabled more than 50 miles from home. Full-timers can purchase up to $7,500 in emergency expense coverage — a meaningful upgrade. Does not cover food, dining, or entertainment.
Vacation liability. Liability coverage while the van is parked and being used as temporary housing. Starts at $10,000 and can be upgraded to $500,000 with minimal premium increase. In 2024, Progressive expanded this to also cover RVs in storage facilities, not just campgrounds.
Storage discount / suspendable coverage. Progressive allows policyholders to reduce coverage during storage periods — removing collision and liability while keeping comprehensive active. This can meaningfully reduce annual cost for seasonal users.
Pet injury coverage. Pays up to $1,000 in vet bills with no deductible if a dog or cat is injured in an RV accident. A niche feature, but relevant for the significant number of van owners who travel with dogs.
Pest damage protection. Covers repairs from damage by non-domesticated animals (rodents, birds, mice). Available for vehicles less than 6 years old, with a $250 deductible. Added as a coverage option in 2024.
Roof Protection Plus. Covers repair or replacement of a damaged roof, including wear-and-tear — unusual in the industry, where wear-and-tear is typically excluded. Available for motorhomes less than 6 years old, with a $250 deductible.
No Agreed Value Option
Progressive does not offer agreed value on its RV product. The two valuation options are:
- Total Loss Replacement: Available for RVs less than 5 years old that were new and never-titled at purchase. Pays for a new replacement of the same model year or later and same or better trim level. Most DIY conversions do not qualify, since the base vehicle is typically used.
- Actual Cash Value (ACV): The default. Pays market value at the time of loss, with depreciation applied.
For a DIY conversion, this is a significant gap. If you spent $50,000 on the build and Progressive settles at ACV, the payout reflects what the market says the van is worth with depreciation — not what you spent building it. There is no published methodology on progressive.com for how Progressive values a custom conversion at total loss.
Roamly and Good Sam / National General both offer agreed value, which locks in the insured amount at binding. That difference matters most at claim time. See What Happens If Your Van Is Totaled for a full comparison.
What It Costs
Progressive publishes more pricing data than most RV insurers. Their published figures as of 2024:
- Liability-only policies start at $125/year
- Average motorhome policy (all classes): $1,052/year
- Average travel trailer policy: $594/year
For converted vans specifically, expect ranges in line with the Class B segment:
| Scenario | Typical Annual Range |
|---|---|
| Converted van, recreational use, average-cost state | $500–$1,400 |
| Converted van, full-time use | $700–$1,800 |
| Factory Class B (Winnebago, Airstream, etc.) | $600–$2,000+ |
Progressive’s competitive advantage is scale. As the largest auto insurer in the US, Progressive’s pricing algorithms draw on a massive data set, and in many states Progressive produces competitive quotes — especially when the van conversion policy is bundled with other Progressive products (auto, home, umbrella). The multi-policy discount can be significant.
Progressive advertises nine named RV insurance discounts: multi-policy bundle, safe driver (no accidents/violations in 3 years), original owner, claim-free renewal, pay in full, continuous insurance (switching from another carrier), homeowner, paperless billing, and early quote. Stacking multiple discounts can meaningfully reduce the premium.
The competitive disadvantage is that Progressive’s RV product was built for factory RVs. The underwriting process for a DIY build may involve more documentation requests and longer processing than a specialty agency like Roamly, which was designed for exactly this scenario.
Where Progressive Fits Best
Existing Progressive customers. If your auto insurance, home insurance, or both are already with Progressive, the multi-policy discount on adding an RV policy can make Progressive the cheapest option by a meaningful margin. The convenience of a single carrier for all policies is also a factor.
Factory Class B owners. Progressive’s RV product is optimized for factory-built RVs. A Winnebago Solis, an Airstream Interstate, or a Thor Sequence will quote and bind quickly through Progressive with minimal friction.
Mid-range and premium DIY builds. A well-documented DIY conversion that meets all of Progressive’s habitation requirements will qualify. The quoting process may take longer than Roamly, but the premium may be lower depending on state and bundling.
Recreational-use owners in low-cost states. Progressive’s scale advantage shows up most in states with competitive insurance markets and moderate base rates. Full-time coverage is available but is not Progressive’s strongest segment.
Where Progressive Falls Short
Minimal builds. If your conversion does not have all six of Progressive’s required habitation features — particularly a dedicated heating/AC system and a drinkable water supply — you will not qualify. Wood-burning stoves are excluded. Roamly and State Farm are more flexible on what constitutes a qualifying conversion.
No agreed value. Progressive offers Total Loss Replacement (units under 5 years, new at purchase) or ACV. No agreed value option. For a DIY build with $50,000+ in conversion costs, ACV settlement can significantly undervalue the vehicle. Roamly and National General both offer agreed value.
Rental income. Progressive’s RV policy does not cover peer-to-peer rental income through platforms like Outdoorsy or RVshare. If you plan to rent your van when you’re not using it, Roamly is the only major option that explicitly supports rental use.
DIY underwriting speed. Progressive can process a factory Class B quote in minutes. A DIY conversion quote may require photos, build documentation, and appraisal — a process that can take days or weeks. Roamly’s product was designed for this workflow and typically processes DIY applications faster.
Progressive vs. Roamly
This is the comparison most van conversion owners are making in 2026.
| Factor | Progressive | Roamly |
|---|---|---|
| DIY coverage | Yes (since Nov 2023) | Yes (core product) |
| Rental income (Outdoorsy) | No | Yes |
| Multi-policy discount | Yes (significant) | No |
| Full-timer’s | Yes | Yes |
| Underwriting speed (DIY) | Slower | Faster |
| Carrier stability | Top-3 US insurer | Agency placing through multiple carriers |
| Build requirements | All 6 habitation features required | More flexible |
Neither is universally better. Progressive wins on price for existing customers in competitive states. Roamly wins on product fit for DIY builds, rental use, and underwriting speed. Get quotes from both.
Compare Progressive
- Roamly vs Progressive — the DIY-focused comparison
- Progressive vs Good Sam — the two largest traditional carriers
- Progressive vs State Farm — documented product vs agent-dependent coverage
How to Get a Quote
Progressive RV quotes are available through progressive.com, by phone (1-800-776-4737), and through independent agents. For a DIY conversion, be prepared to provide:
- VIN and vehicle registration showing housecar/motorhome/camper title
- Photos of the completed conversion interior
- Build value estimate (base vehicle + conversion cost)
- Receipts for major conversion components
- Intended use (recreational or full-time)
- Garaging address and annual mileage
Where to Go From Here
- Comparing all carriers? Best Insurance for Van Conversions
- Evaluating Roamly instead? Roamly Insurance Review
- Looking at Good Sam? Good Sam Insurance Review
- Full-time coverage? Full-Time Van Insurance Guide
- Platform-specific? Sprinter · ProMaster · Transit
Sources and Verification
- Progressive — DIY Camper Van Insurance — DIY conversion coverage requirements, habitation feature checklist, documentation, and eligibility
- Progressive — Motorhome Insurance Coverages — Coverage features including Roof Protection Plus and standard coverages
- Progressive — Full-Time RV Insurance — Full-timer definition (6+ months), added coverages (liability, loss assessment up to $5,000, emergency expense up to $7,500)
- Progressive — RV Liability Coverage — Vacation liability ($10K base, up to $500K), liability structure
- Progressive — RV Personal Property Coverage — Personal effects coverage details
- Progressive — Washington State RV Insurance — Most detailed state page: Total Loss Replacement eligibility (less than 5 years, new/never-titled), pet injury ($1,000, no deductible), emergency expense tiers
- Progressive — Oregon RV Insurance — Pest damage protection and Roof Protection Plus details (both under 6 years, $250 deductible)
- RVBusiness — Progressive Adds Coverage for DIY Camper Van Conversions — November 2023 policy change announcement, vacation liability storage expansion, Matt Jacobs quotes
Coverage details cited reflect published Progressive materials as of April 2026. Individual quotes, coverage availability, and terms vary by state, vehicle, and driver profile. Confirm specific coverage language with Progressive before binding.