How to Avoid the Most Common RV Insurance Claims

The most common claim on an RV insurance policy is body damage of varying types. These are almost always preventable, yet they can increase your premiums. Especially if you only take your RV out a few times a year, it's hard to get used to driving something that large.

One of the first considerations is the height of your RV. Often, people damage their roof or scrape off their air conditioning units on low bridges or overhangs. The height should be in the owner's manual but if you added any extras, like a satellite receiver, it's better to verify for yourself.

If you like to use a paper atlas for your planning, you can stop in at any truck stop and buy the trucker's version. The trucker's version lists low clearance bridges by state. As long as you stick to the major routes, you should be safe. Once you leave the highway to find your campground or get fuel, watch carefully for clearance signs and listen to them. If you only think you'll have a couple of inches, go somewhere else. The road may have changed since the sign was put up. If you have any doubt, it's better to find a way around the dangerous area.

Do not trust your GPS. Even if you get one specifically for RVers, it might not have all of the newest changes. Often, roads get repaved, reducing clearances and the GPS does not get updated. Especially don't trust your GPS if the campground's website warns you to only use their printed directions. Many campgrounds are accessible multiple ways by car but only one way by a tall RV.

Other than low overhangs, the next danger to the RV is scraping the sides or backing into things because of reduced visibility as you try to get settled into the campsite. To help your vacation go smoothly, you should practice driving and parking in large parking lots if possible beforehand. Even if you have had practice, go slowly and be patient.

It helps to know the width of your RV and you turning radius. Often you can park the RV right near the office, go check out the site on foot to be sure you can make it into the site you are assigned or choose an easier site if you don't think that one is a good choice for your rig. You and your spouse should work out how you'll communicate to help steer into the site. If you're traveling solo, someone from the campground office is probably able and willing to assist you if you ask.

Backup cameras come installed in some newer rigs as factory standard. You could also buy one to go on an older RV if you find them helpful, but remember that a camera can't substitute for going slowly and getting out to take a look for yourself. Once you're safely in the site, you should walk around the rig and verify that there is room to put out your slides without hitting anything.

If you do have an incident at any point in your journey, it's not the end of the world, or even your vacation. That's what your RV insurance policy is intended to cover. Check your policy to see if it covers a hotel stay while your RV is being repaired away from home.

Get the coverage you need. Call Raymond Longoria Insurance at (956) 581-1034 for more information on Laredo RV insurance.

How to Avoid the Most Common RV Insurance Claims

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