Every year, a growing number of us take our RVs out of storage and hit the road. One of the most important and often overlooked issues in trip preparation is insurance. RV insurance is more complicated than just car insurance. Too many people think they can just add their RV to their auto insurance policy.

Adding an RV to your regular auto policy will not give you the full protection that a specialized RV insurance policy can. After all, there are many differences between any RV and a car. Your RV is a house on wheels; it contains much more personal property and represents a significantly larger investment than your car. It also has a kitchen, bathroom, heating and air conditioning system and electrical panel, in other words it is more like a house than a car.

Many RVs cost as much as a luxury home and present other unique challenges for an insurance policy; vacation/trip interruption issues, towing, breakdown, generators and appliances, awnings, slideouts, specialty repair requirements, and liability issues.

Just think of the situations an RV faces on the road; Hurricane-force winds, water exposure equal to a flood, and widespread vibrations worse than most earthquakes. You drive this house down the interstate at speeds of 75 mph (category 1 hurricane force) in a heavy rain storm on some of our older highways (shaking and vibration). How many of our royal houses could withstand this kind of abuse?

You also need to consider the specialized equipment and costs of some of the RV’s features; awnings, generators, slider rooms, skylights, satellite domes, TV antennas, roof mounted air conditioning units, leveling feet and steps.

Most RV dealers offer specialty RV insurance through the dealership, and there are many companies that specialize in this type of insurance as well. You can get an insurance policy for every type and age of RV out there.

One of the most common claims associated with recreational vehicles is body damage from overhangs and gas station canopies; RVs are generally 11′ to 13’+ tall. We’re always careful with that extra width, but it’s all too easy to forget our height requirements – no mirror for that! Find out the total headroom clearance needed for your dolly and keep it visible and close at hand in the driver’s seat of your RV or tow vehicle. A related type of these claims come from forgetting to lower the TV antenna. Replacing the antenna itself may not cost much, but if you poke a hole in the roof, you’re in for a real problem and a much more expensive repair.

Another common cause of RV loss is fire. The refrigerator, water heater, oven, stove, and generator are all potential sources of propane (or other fuel) leaks and fires. The propane system should be checked and maintained periodically.

A third common reason for insurance claims on our RVs is tire damage. A blowout, tread separation, or even a standard puncture will almost always cause damage to the exterior of the body, but can also throw chunks of tires across the vehicle, causing extensive interior damage and even physical damage to the wheels. occupants. The most important precaution you can take with an RV is to check your tires regularly. Keep the pressure at the recommended level for the tire specifications and the weight it supports, and watch for signs of wear. RV tires are rarely replaced due to tread wear, instead they are typically replaced due to age, dry rot, cracking, and ozone or UV deterioration.

An RV is even susceptible to damage when it’s in storage. There are several possible hazards to anticipate and take precautions during storage periods. You have to consider the climate in your area of ​​the country. The most obvious problem is freezing of the water supply, waste lines, and holding tanks. It’s not so obvious that exposure to heat or sun causes stress on tires, propane, and other fuel components. You should have your deck properly winterized or protected from the elements appropriate for your area.

Another storage problem is rodent infestation. Mice, squirrels, and other pests can do a lot of damage to an RV’s interior and mechanical components. You can do a lot to protect yourself by thoroughly cleaning all food and storage areas before storage. As with the weather, the precautions you should take will vary depending on where you store it.

It is very important to get good insurance coverage for your RV. Talk to a qualified specialty insurance professional or full-service RV dealer to explore your options. Compare prices, do some research online, and you may be able to find a company and policy that suits your needs. We’ll cover some of the coverage you may need in our next article.