RV Insurance - 5 Common Mishaps and Why You Need RV Insurance

Tire blowout or failure can result in 50-70% of all RV insurance claims! An overloaded RV, improper inflation, or worn tire tread can contribute to a tire blowout.

Here are a few tire safety tips to prevent an insurance call that can ruin part of your vacation trip.

1. Always check the air pressure before starting out on a trip. Tires should be checked when they are cold. In between trips, check tires on a monthly basis. (don't remove air from a hot tire or when it cools, it will be under inflated) Know the weight of your RV when its loaded and inflate your tires accordingly.

2. When not in use for more than a few days, your RV should be placed so it is level. The wheels should always be chocked so there is no chance of the RV rolling unexpectedly.

3. A punctured tire should always be removed by professionals. The repair needs to be done from the inside of the wheel.

4. Petroleum or alcohol based products can accelerate tire wear and tear. Use mild detergent and warm water to wash tires and scrub with a soft bristled brush.

5. Seven years is the standard for RV tires. Even if your tires look like new, replace them at the seven year mark.

6. Tires should be covered when not in use to prevent excessive drying from sun and the elements. Tire covers are very inexpensive.

Yes, as obvious as it seems to everyone else, it's VERY easy to forget how high an RV camper can be when you are used to driving a normal car or truck. This type of accident happens frequently enough that it is the top 3rd insurance claim type for RV owners.

Keeping a reminder like a sign or a sticky note with your RV's height written on it on your visor or dashboard to constantly remind you how high your RV is may be a good idea. It's a good visual as you come up to a seemingly low bridge and you look down to reassure yourself your RV will fit. Parking garages and gas station overhangs are other common spots where you can get in trouble with RV height.

When moving your RV from one spot to another, don't forget to crank down your antennas, awnings, fans, lights, or anything up there that sticks up and make your RV even higher! Rooftop attachments can add a LOT of height to your camper if you forget them.

If your RV stays unoccupied for any length of time, it is very easy for an infestation of some kind to occur. They can chew or claw their way through lines and screens, climb through a cracked window, and generally just make a mess if you don't check your RV every so often.

Periodically, make it a point to start up your RV, maybe drive it around the neighborhood or around the parking lot, tap or knock on walls, ensure windows are not left open and generally remind critters that the RV is yours, not theirs.

Just a bit of prevention in this category can save you lots of aggravation later on down the road. Literally!