Every year growing numbers of us pull our RV's out of storage and hit the road. One of the most important and frequently overlooked issues in preparing for the trip is insurance. RV insurance is more complicated than simple auto insurance. Too many people think they can just add their Recreational Vehicle to their car insurance policy.

Adding an RV to your regular auto policy will not give you the complete protection that a specialized RV insurance policy can give you. After all there are many differences between any RV and an automobile. Your RV is a home on wheels; it contains a great deal more personal property and represents a significantly greater investment than your car. Also it has a kitchen, a bathroom, heating and cooling systems and an electric panel, in other words it's more like a house than it is an automobile.

Many RV's cost as much as a luxury home and present other unique challenges to an insurance policy; vacation/trip interruption issues, towing, breakdown, generators and appliances, awnings, slide-outs, specialized 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 extended vibrations worse than most Earthquakes. You drive this home on the interstate at speeds of 75 mph (Category 1 hurricane force) in a heavy rain storm on some of our aging freeways (jolting and vibrations). How many of our real houses could stand up to this kind of abuse?

Also you have to consider the specialized equipment and costs of some of the RV features; awnings, generators, slide-out rooms, skylights, satellite domes, TV antennas, roof mounted air conditioner units, leveling legs and steps.

Most RV dealerships offer specialized 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 recreational vehicle out there.

One of the most common claims associated with RV's is body damage from overhangs and gas station canopies; RV's are generally 11' to 13'+ high. We are always careful about that additional width but it's so easy to forget our height requirements, there's no mirror for that! Find out the overall height clearance needed for your rig and keep it posted prominently and handy to the drivers' seat of your RV or tow vehicle. A related type of these claims comes from forgetting to lower the TV antenna. The antenna itself may not cost much to replace but if it punches a hole in the roof you're in for a real problem and a much more expensive repair.

Another common cause of loss for RV's is fire. The refrigerator, water heater, furnace, stove and generator are all sources of potential propane (or other fuel) leaks and fires. The propane system needs to be checked and maintained on a regular basis.

A third common reason for insurance claims on our RV's is damage from tires. A blowout, tread separation or even a standard flat will almost always cause exterior body damage but can also throw pieces of tire up through the vehicle causing extensive interior damage and even physical harm to occupants. The single most important precaution you can take with an RV is to check your tires regularly. Keep the pressure at the recommend level for the tire specifications and weight it carries and watch for signs of wear. RV tires are seldom replaced due to tread wear instead they are normally replaced due to age, dry rot, cracking and ozone or UV deterioration.

An RV is even susceptible to damage when it's stored. There are several possible perils to anticipate and take precautions against during storage periods. You have to consider the weather in your area of the country. The most obvious problem is freezing of water supply, waste lines and holding tanks. Not as obvious are heat or sun exposure causing stress to tires, propane and other fuel components. You should have your rig properly winterized or otherwise protected from the elements appropriate to your area.

Another storage issue is rodent infestation. Mice, squirrels and other pests can do a lot of damage to the interior and mechanical components of an RV. You can do a lot to protect yourself by thoroughly cleaning all food items and storage areas prior to storage. As with the weather the precautions you need to take will vary with your storage location.

It is very important to get good insurance coverage for your RV. Talk to a qualified specialty insurance professional or a full service RV dealer to explore your options. Shop around, do some online research and you can find a company and policy that will suit your needs. We will cover some of the coverage's you may need in our next article.

G Scott Lawrence is a 30 year licensed insurance adjuster and partner in Storm Survivor, LLC.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=G._Scott_Lawrence

RV insurance can easily save your family vacation. RV insurance provides RVers with peace of mind whether the RV is parked in front of your home or at a campsite in Yosemite National Park. RV insurance provides you with coverage for a variety of different events including:

• Accident

• Theft

• Vandalism

• Collision

• Smoke

• Fire

• Hail

• Windstorms

• Landslides

RV insurance can also provide you with coverage for your personal property should your RV be broken into or vandalized. This is important because many people keep belongings in their RV that they wouldn't consider keeping in their car. This includes camping equipment, camcorders, laptops, VCRs, DVD players, clothing and jewelry. This insurance can provide you with emergency assistance in the form of lodging, a rental car and the replacement of your belongings. You are also covered from liability should a campsite visitor slip or fall.

This insurance is essential for many RVers. For some an RV is more than their vehicle for traveling, it may very well be their full-time home. Because of this, you need special insurance coverage to ensure that your travels are safe no matter where you are. Many RVers place their RV on their regular car insurance policy. This is not necessarily a good idea. By placing your RV on your auto policy, you will not be able to take advantage of the liability insurance if someone should injure himself or herself on the RV or your campsite. Your car policy will also not cover emergency assistance should you be involved in an accident that renders your RV undriveable.

Many RV insurance policies will also cover:

• Bodily injury or property damage liability

• Uninsured motorists

• Medical payments

• Comprehensive and Collision Options

• Roadside assistance

• Emergency expenses

• Vacation liability

• Mexico physical damage

• Trailer

• Fire Department Service Charge

If you are a full-timer, you may want to consider what your options are when it comes to living on the road full-time. These packages are similar to a homeowner's policy and provide similar coverage. They will include personal liability, medical payments to others, loss assessment and storage shed contents.

The road can be a dangerous place and you want to ensure that you are adequately covered when traveling. No matter what type of RV you have you can insure it with an RV policy. You can opt to not carry the insurance in the winter, but if your RV was broken into, vandalized or damaged you may not be covered. RV insurance covers you no matter where you are parked, so it's better safe than sorry.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Doane