Road trip: RV Insurance can help you survive
camping trips, long hauls

SEATTLE -RV owners across the Northwest are gearing up for a fun-filled summer on the road. That fun, however, could be short-lived if you experience a loss and do not have the proper RV Insurance.

If you own an RV, NW Insurance Council urges you to take a minute to talk with your agent or company and make sure you are adequately insured before hitting the road. This simple step could save you from a summer's worth of headaches and financial burdens.

"The point of a vacation is to get away from it all," said Karl Newman, NW Insurance Council president. "The last thing you want is the double whammy of having an accident and then finding out you don't have the right insurance on your RV."

Your RV is more than a car and insurance for your RV should reflect that. Consider insuring your RV on its own policy rather than adding it to your auto policy. Usually, RV Insurance will cover more than what your Auto Insurance covers.

Here are some of the differences that may help you decide if you need RV Insurance:

• RV Insurance can provide coverage for many items in your RV that you wouldn't normally keep in your car such as furnishings, jewelry, laptops, video recorders and clothing. Auto Insurance typically only covers items permanenly installed in the vehicle.
• Coverage is available in the event of loss or damage to some items outside the RV up to 25 percent of the replacement cost. This coverage is not available through your Auto Insurance policy.
• You may be liable if someone is injured inside your RV or at your campsite. RV Insurance can provide additional liability coverage.
• If your RV is damaged while you're traveling, you'll need a place to stay and a way to get there. A standard auto policy may not cover these losses or RV towing, which could cost you thousands of dollars.
• The high value of many RVs and the potential for extensive physical damage from an accident may mean you will need additional coverage.

Contact your auto insurance company or agent to ask about special RV coverage. If needed, explore coverage with a company or agent who writes policies specifically designed for RVs.

For more information about insurance visit www.nwinsurance.org or call (800) 664-4942.

NW Insurance Council is a nonprofit, public-education organization funded by member insurance companies serving Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

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