Thirteen thousand. That’s roughly how many vehicles struck a fixed bridge or overhead structure on U.S. highways in a single recent year, according to federal transportation data. A fair share of those were RVs and motorhomes, since height, not width, is the dimension drivers most often misjudge.

Why This Happens So Often

A car doesn’t have this problem. A motorhome does, and the math is unforgiving: add roof-mounted air conditioners, a satellite dish, exhaust vents, and maybe a recently installed solar panel, and the vehicle’s actual height can run well past the number on the manufacturer spec sheet. Gas station canopies, parking garages, drive-throughs, and older bridges all become genuine hazards once a rig crosses roughly 11 or 12 feet.

The Detail Most Owners Miss

Posted clearance signs aren’t guarantees. Resurfaced roads, structural sagging, and simple sign inaccuracy mean the real clearance can be a few inches less than advertised. And when a strike happens, the driver is typically held at fault regardless of what the sign said.

What Motor Home Insurance Actually Does Here

An overhead strike is generally treated as a collision claim, since it involves the vehicle hitting a fixed object. Collision coverage would apply to damage to your own rig, while liability coverage addresses damage to the bridge, canopy, or structure itself, and that second part can get expensive fast if a public bridge or business awning is involved.

Damage Type	Typically Falls Under
Damage to your motorhome’s roof or roofline	Collision coverage
Damage to a bridge, canopy, or third-party structure	Liability coverage
Injuries to occupants from the impact	Medical payments or personal injury protection

Reducing the Odds Before It Happens

Measure your actual overall height, roof accessories included, add a safety margin, and keep that number visible on the dashboard. Use a spotter at gas stations, drive-throughs, and unfamiliar campgrounds. Route-planning apps built for oversized vehicles can flag known low-clearance points along a trip.

This ties into the broader conversation we’ve had with Nashville owners about protecting a motor home the way it’s actually used, including our post on why older motorhomes need a different kind of insurance conversation. Knowing your coverage matters. Knowing your height matters just as much.

BAM Insurance, Inc. helps Nashville motor home owners confirm their liability and collision limits are set up for exactly this kind of claim. Visit BAM Insurance today to talk through your policy.