RV Blog

Welcome TEXAS!!

2012-01-11T09:02:00.000-08:00

We have added the great state of Texas to our corral. If you are a full timer with a Texas residency, you need to call me for a no obligation quote on your RV and or Auto insurance. Just to recap, we write business for full timer's with residency in the following states:

Arizona
Idaho
Iowa
Minnesota
Montana
North Dakota
South Dakota
Texas

Insurance Agencies vs Insurance Companies

2011-10-27T13:07:00.000-07:00

When I get a chance I like to check out the various RV forums online just to get an idea of what you RV'rs are discussing when it comes to your insurance. Today as I was reading through some of these it became quite apparent that there is alot of confusion about insurance agencies vs insurance companies. Let's see if we can clear this up a bit.

In terms of Full Timer RV Insurance, there a handful of insurance companies that offer the correct type of coverage. They are:

Blue Sky also known as Companion Insurance Company
GMAC also known as the Good Sam Insurance Company
Foremost now owned by Farmers Insurance Company
Progressive
National Interstate also known as Great American and Triumphe Casualty
Allied

Now I have come across some others who claim to insure full timers but in my opinion don't offer the right coverage options. Those include Geico, State Farm, Hartford and a couple of others. To be fair I don't represent these carriers but I have seen some of their policies and they appear to be lacking in comparison on what you get from the companies listed above.

Insurance Agencies are independent insurance agents who represent one or all of these companies and when you call them they will likely quote all of the companies they offer and give you the best price for coverage. At least that is what they should do. Most of the big agencies are licensed in all states so it doesn't matter where you domicile, they can write the policy for you. Some of the bigger agencies are:

Explorer RV
AON/Poliseek
Miller Insurance
Gilbert RV

When you buy a policy from these agencies you are actually buying your policy from one of the insurance companies listed above and using one of the agencies as your representative. Yes, these agencies get a commission for selling you a policy but to be fair if you buy directly, you pay the same or more generally because they have to pay the employees and for advertising etc.

When purchasing insurance you should consider whether or not you are comfortable working with the insurance company directly and talking to whoever answers the phone to make changes or file claims and if you are not, then you should use an insurance agency to obtain your policy.

When I started out, I just wrote insurance for Full Timers domiciling in South Dakota and that was great for the first 10 years or so. Then my customers started moving to other states for various reasons and since I can't bear to lose anyone, I started licensing in those states so I could remain their agent. Now I have taken on several states and it has been great. My service is very personal. My clients call me with changes, questions, payments etc. I work directly with the insurance companies so they don't have to. I've been involved in many claims directly because sometimes I just don't like what the insurance company is doing. My clients have my cell phone and we do business via phone, email and even texting is getting popular. All of it works because I don't keep regular 9-5 business hours. Also, traveling in different time zones creates issues for some clients. They call my cell. If I am unavailable, I will always call them back. I have taken many clients away from the big agencies simply because they didn't feel they were getting good personal service and never talk to the same person twice. If you are OK with that then by all means buy from a big agency or from the company direct but if you are looking for an insurance AGENT then call me. I will take care of you. Check my prior post for the states I do business in now.

PS. TEXAS was added to my list today!!

Welcome Blue Sky!

2011-10-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy 2011 for us. I've been so lucky to get to meet several of my full timers who came through South Dakota this year. I haven't posted much lately because frankly South Dakota insurance rates have been very stable and not much new to report.

The good news is that I have aquired another insurance company that has some really great rates. Many of you may have heard of Blue Sky but for those who haven't they are an RV specialty company. They do several things that I like alot like insuring medium/heavy duty tow vehicles, scheduling valuable personal property and offering consignment coverage. I am looking forward to working with them.

I also have licensed in some new states so if you are domiciled in any one of these, then give me a call for some great insurance rates:

South Dakota
North Dakota
Iowa
Minnesota
Montana
Arizona
Idaho

and......TEXAS you are next!! Working getting that finished up by the end of the year!

It's Spring!!

2011-04-08T12:36:00.000-07:00

This is the time of year that my RV clients are on the move. Before you

move on to your next destination it’s time to make sure that you have your insurance check up.

1. Do you have current Insurance ID Cards in your vehicles?

2. Have you checked your policy to see if the values need to be adjusted?
Remember that RV insurance rates are based upon the value.
If the RV or Medium Duty Tow vehicle is over 5 years, you should do
this annually.

3. Are you planning on staying in the RV more or less than last year?
This could affect the coverage you need.

4. Did you pay off a loan on a car or RV?

5. Did you put your RV into a Trust or LLC?

6. Did you build or buy a home or park model last year?

7. Are you planning a trip to or through Canada this year? If so,
you need to order your Canadian ID cards now.

If you need a check up call me for a no obiligation review of your policies and if you are already a client and any of these apply to you, call me ASAP!!

Happy Travels

"Who Owns It"?

2011-04-02T17:06:00.000-07:00

Insurance companies have a special and very important term for ownership. It's called "insurable interest". If you don't have an "insurable interest" in your RV or auto, you might be in some hot water in the event of a claim.

Let me explain.....Let's say your RV/Auto insurance policy is in the name of John and Jane Smith and you have full coverage and good liability coverage and you have an accident. Now let's say your RV/Auto is titled to someone other than you like a Trust or an LLC. The insurance company has the right to deny you coverage for your accident because John and Jane Smith own the policy but John and Jane do not own the RV. Therefore, they have no "insurable interest". If the RV/Auto is titled to a Trust, LLC or someone other than you then that is the name that policy should be in.

It is very important that your insurance agent be informed of who is the titled owner of your vehicles

. It is easy to forget to mention that you have put your RV into a trust or LLC but this information is crucial to setting up your policy correctly. Be sure to let your agent know Who Owns It!!

Great News!!

2011-03-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

Epic Insurance is now licensed to do business in the following states:

South Dakota
North Dakota
Montana
Minnesota
Iowa
Arizona

Those of you with auto's, RV's or homes in any of these states are now eligible for coverage with us. Please contact me for a no obligation quote!

RV Replacement Cost

2010-10-26T14:39:00.000-07:00

I wanted to quickly post some information regarding Total Loss Replacement Cost and Purchase Price Guarantee coverage. This mostly is going to refer to National Interstate/Triumphe and GMAC clients.

The common explanation for Total Loss Replacement Cost coverage is that if you have a total loss during the first 5 model years, the company will replace the RV with a new one of like kind and quality. OK, that seems simple enough. However, one of my clients who always keeps me on my toes pointed out that if they elect not to replace the RV, then the settlement is based upon Actual Cash Value of the RV at the time of the claim. She is correct and I think this is important to understand.

Likewise, Purchase Price Guarantee coverage which takes over after the 5 model years states that if you have a total loss and replace your RV with one that cost equal to or more than the one you lost then they will give you back the purchase price of the RV that was lost. If you elect not to replace the RV, then once again the settlement is Actual Cash Value.

Finally, let's be sure to understand that 5 model years means current year plus the next 4 model years. For example a 2008 model would have the Total Replacement Coverage for the current model year of 2008, then 2009, 2010, 2011 and through the end of 2012.

Expanding My Horizons.......

2010-10-19T12:18:00.000-07:00

Those of you who are my clients or follow the blog understand my committment to the RV business. When we started this agency, my focus was on transferring my existing clients over from the old agency and to continue to develop new clients.

Now we are coming up to our 2 year anniversary!! I have transferred most of my clients and have met many absolutely fantastic new clients. I was so lucky to have many of them stop by for a face to face meeting which is just so much fun!

However, with the national exposure that I have attained through this blog and several other wonderful people passing on my name through different forums, I have also had to turn away some nice full-timers who aren't domiciling in SD at this time. Also, I have had several long-time clients settle down in AZ, TX, and FL and that forced them to change agents since we do not have a license to write insurance in those states.

It's not a difficult process for us to get licensed in other states. All of my companies are willing to jump on board with me to do this. Most of the big RV insurance agencies have licenses in all 50 states. Obviously, if I do start working with other states, I would have to do some heavy national advertising otherwise who would know I even did it??

So in the interest of working smarter and not harder, I want your opinions on this matter. Are you currently a full-timer residing in another state? Do you buy through one of the big RV agencies? Do you feel like a number and would you rather have a genuine business relationship with an agent that you know is going to make sure you are taken care of? In your opinion, what states would be the best option to move into? Do you care where your agent is located as long as you can reach them anytime? Shoot me a comment to help me decide where to go from here.

That's A Discount!!!

2010-09-24T09:51:00.001-07:00

We have all seen Progressive's "FLO" screaming "That's a Discount" on TV. Well in conjunction with rate changes in South Dakota, it appears that the companies are also adding discounts. This means that if you have been a long time client of Progressive or many other companies for that matter, you may not even know that you are eligible for additional discounts on your policy. After all, they aren't going to tell you that. So I am. Here are a few of the discounts available:

Educational Discount: Everyone is going to default to a High School Graduate Education level. If you have a attended college, completed college, have a trade school or vocational school degree, or completed Masters or Graduate Degrees those are all a higher discount. However, I have noticed that the discount is small, but why not take advantage if you can. (Progressive Only)

Paperless Discount: Many of you have this already, but those who don't and are willing to use email to receive your billing notices, add this discount as it can be significant. (Progressive Only)

Homeowner Discount: You don't have to actually live in it. This discount does not include mobilehomes or park models with Progressive however, GMAC is letting me apply this discount to park models. (Progressive and GMAC)

EFT: If you don't pay in full and receive billing notices, just go on EFT and save yourself a bunch of money. Call me to sign up. (Progressive and GMAC)

Driver's Safety Courses: 55 Alive, RVAA RV Safety Course, AAA has a course and also if you have a CDL "That's a Discount" with some companies (Progressive, GMAC and National Interstate/Triumphe all have some type of discount for this)

RV Club Membership: Lot's of discounts available here with GMAC and National Interstate. Progressive does not offer this. Good Sam, Camping World, FMCA etc (National Interstate/Triumphe and GMAC)

Manufacturers Club Discount: Winnebago, Newmar, Georgie Boy, Holiday Rambler, Gulf Stream, Freightliners RV Club, and many many more!! (National Interstate/Triumphe)

Alarm Discount: Audible alarm system your RV?? That's a Discount! (National Interstate/Triumphe)

Original Owner Discount: If you are the original owner of your RV, this is a 10% discount! I have to add this manually so if you don't see it on your RV renewal, and you are the original owner, call me to get it added. (New with Progressive Only. I have been adding this to my qualifying renewals and it has been significant)

Looking Forward to Fall!!

2010-08-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

Wow, I just noticed that I haven't posted on the blog since June!! Totally unacceptable. My only excuse is that I have been absolutely crazy with weather related claims. Never is my years in Sioux Falls, have I seen the weather we have experienced this summer. Now, we did get through without too much hail which was nice but the rain and wind made up for it.

South Dakotan's like their summer weekends. We work hard and we play hard. Most of us have a summer property or have family or friends with places at the lake or on the river. I don't think we had one weekend without some type of storm all summer! My family did manage to make a few trips to the river this year. Our wonderful neighbors, Tom and Joy Garrison built a place in Pickstown and we get to invade it once in awhile. Both times we were there we watched storms roll in from Nebraska. The first time in June, I was absolutely amazed but the intensity of the storms that go through Wagner, Pickstown, Yankton. One minute I was sitting on the porch in my lawn chair gabbing it up and the next we were tossing the lawn furniture, grills, toys etc into the garage to keep them from blowing away. Paid a few awning replacement claims from that storm. The second time we were there, the entire campground was closed because it was under water!

I do want to thank all of my Full Timers who took the time to stop by my office while traveling through South Dakota this summer. It is always so nice to finally put a face with the name and voice that I do business with all the time. I promise that I will get back to work on the blog and try to get out more RV insurance information to you!

New South Dakota Driver's License Requirements

2010-06-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

As of December 31st, South Dakota joined several other states to comply with a federal mandate to tighten up some rules to obtain a South Dakota driver's license or even to renew your current one.

Some of my clients are having some difficulty renewing their licenses so I want to just post the new regulations. Since I am doing a copy paste here, you will probably need to refer to my sidebar on the blog to link up the Driver's License Bureau to print out some of the specific forms.

I noticed they have a Residency Affidavit out there now specifically for full timers which should cut down on some red tape hopefully. Please review these guidelines before making the trip to SD to get your license or renew it

Effective December 31, 2009 federal regulations require anyone applying for a new, renewal, or duplicate driver license or identification card will have to provide the following documents listed below (photo copies are not acceptable).

I . You will need one Identity Document. NOTE: If your name is different than the name on your identity document, you will need to bring additional proof of your legal name. Acceptable documents for proof of a legal name change are a certified marriage certificate (issued by a state vital records agency), a certified adoption document, or a certified court order authorizing a name change (such as a divorce decree). If you have had multiple marriages, you will need to bring similar documents providing legal proof of each name change. If you have any questions please call our office at 1-800-952-3696.

An Identity Document to prove identity, date of birth, and lawful status is considered to be one of the following:

Certified U.S. birth certificate issued by State or County (hospital birth certificates are not acceptable)
Valid unexpired U.S. passport
Certificate of Naturalization
Certificate of Citizenship
Valid unexpired permanent resident card
Valid unexpired employment authorization document
Foreign passport with valid unexpired U.S. Visa with I-94
(For phone numbers and addresses to write for Vital Records, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm.)

II . You will need one document to prove Social Security number. Only the documents listed below can serve as proof of Social Security number (document must include your full social security number):

Social Security card
W-2 Form
SSA 1099 Form
Non-SSA 1099 Form
Pay stub (must include name and social security number)
(For information on how to apply for a social security number or replacement card, please visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/. )

III . You will need two documents to prove your residential address. A parent's proof of address is acceptable for a minor child. Please bring two of the documents listed below (each must contain your current address):

Utility bill
Credit card statement
Pay stub or earnings statement
Rent receipt
Phone bill
Transcript or report card from an accredited school
Bank statement
Mortgage document
Tax document
Homeowners/renter's insurance policy
Other items will be reviewed by licensing personnel
If you are unable to provide proof of residency please call for exceptions 1-800-952-3696
PO Box addresses are acceptable in areas not assigned a street or 911 addresses
Address Exceptions:

Minors - If a minor does not have two documents proving residency the parent may provide two forms for them.

Living with someone else - An individual residing with another person may have the other person sign a "Consent for Use of South Dakota Address" form and present two residency documents belonging to the person they reside with.

Living within an Organization or facility - A letter from the organization or facility (on their letterhead) stating the individual resides there...

People who travel full time - If you are using a mail forwarding address the applicant must complete the "Residency Affidavit" and provide one document proving their temporary address (campground or RV park receipt). If they have friends or family in South Dakota and will be using their address they can complete and follow the instructions on the Consent for Use of Address Form.

Military and Military Dependents - Can use out-of-state address on their license and provide two documents proving residency that include the out-of-state address.

Our examiners have the right to question any documents and request additional information prior to Drivers License or ID Card issuance. These new rules will help to establish a more secure driver license and will help address our shared concern about national security, identity theft, and highway safety.

If you have any questions, please call the central Driver Licensing Program office at 1-800-952-3696.

Medium Duty Tow Vehicles

2010-04-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

I've had several calls lately regarding insurance on Freightliner and other Medium Duty Tow vehicles used to primarily tow fifth wheels. Apparently, there are some "issues" with insurance companies on these vehicles.

I have insured Medium Duty tow vehicles for several years and I can tell you that there are only a handful of companies that can insure these correctly. When insured correctly, you should have no limitations on when coverage will or won't apply. One client said their policy would only pay if the RV was hitched to the truck at the time of the accident. Well, we got rid of that policy immediately. If you are going to spend the dough to get one of these bad boys, you do not want to be limited on how you can use it.

Another client had Progressive auto insurance and called his agent to add his new Ford 550 to his auto policy. The agent took the VIN number and added it to the policy. The client started receiving lots of mail from Progressive telling him that his VIN number was invalid and that they were not able to locate his vehicle. They wanted him to send photos etc. After dealing with this for about 3 months, he called me and I figured out what had happened. Progressive does insure Medium Duty tow vehicles BUT, they are insured under a Motorhome policy not an auto policy. That agent should not have added it to the auto policy in the first place, they should have started a new Motorhome Policy. Also Progressive will require the Fifth Wheel be insured with them in order to insure the Medium Duty.

GMAC and National Interstate both insure Medium Duty Tow's no problems. No restrictions. Most of mine are with National Interstate right now, but GMAC has been quite competitive on them. Now, I am a National RV agent for GMAC and there are only a handful of us out there. National RV agents have a different pricing structure since we do virtually all RV policies and Medium Duty's are a part of that.

My clients that have made the move to the Medium Duty tow vehicles have never looked back. I had the opportunity to jump in one of these last summer and I was impressed with how comfortable it was. So, if you have a Medium Duty tow or are considering one, please make sure that you have it insured properly. There should be no restrictions on how you use it as long as you are not using it for business use. The cost of insurance is based on the current value and I would say that the average annual premium for a newer model is somewhere between $800 and $1000 per year in South Dakota so not much different than a 1 ton dually.

Full Timer Liability vs. Vacation Liability

2010-03-22T06:53:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was contacted by a client who was solicited by GEICO for her insurance. Being that she is a full timer, she was a bit cautious about switching even though the cost was about $100 less per year. As far as I knew, GEICO was not a player in full timer insurance so I asked her to question the rep pretty good about what coverage they were providing.

The GEICO rep was very quick to say "yes, GEICO insures full timers".

Well that really got me going! What they are really saying is that they don't have a problem with a mail fowarding address as most other mainstream insurance companies do.

I asked my client to specifically inquire about the liability coverage GEICO is providing under their "full timer policy". She reported back that the rep very nicely explained that GEICO provided Vacation Liability coverage on their RV policies and that it covers liability claims THAT HAPPEN WITHIN 25 FEET OF YOUR RV!

I then asked my client to ask the GEICO rep what coverage she would have if she hit a bad shot on the golf course and took out a window or worse yet another golfer!! GEICO's response was NO COVERAGE. What about walking your pooch around the campground and it bites a fellow camper?? If not within 25 feet of your RV, NO COVERAGE. How about someone getting hurt on a piece of property you own elsewhere? NO COVERAGE!!

These are just a few of the many things that FULL TIMER COMPREHENSIVE PERSONAL LIABILITY COVERAGE does cover. This coverage follows the person named on the policy and his or her spouse wherever they may be.

If you are a full timer, then you must be sure that you have purchased the Full Timer Comprehensive Liability. I had another gentleman call for a quote last week. He and his wife have been full timing for 3 years and he had Vacation Liability on his policy which we quickly removed and replaced with the Full Timer Liability Coverage.

I get angry when companies like GEICO come out to the rally's and tout RV policies enticing people to switch for less money because they insure full timers. Even though they don't insure them correctly. I have a feeling lots of folks are going to get sucked into purchasing these policies.

Also, it's important to remember that even if you own a home somewhere, if you are in the RV more than 5 months per year, most companies still consider you a full timer which means you need to purchase the Full Timer Liability.

Insuring RV's on Consignment

2010-02-22T17:44:00.000-08:00

Did you know that if you put your RV on a consignment lot, you have likely just voided your insurance coverage?

Most RV policies will not cover an RV on consignment. Up until recently, Foremost was the only company that would still cover your RV in this situation.

Now National Interstate has added an endorsement that you can purchase that will cover the RV while on consignment for liability and physical damage.

Both Progressive and GMAC have exclusions for RV's on consignment. The RV lots do not cover your RV while on consignment. If potential buyers are allowed to test drive your RV, you could have a huge liability exposure. What would happen if the test driver hit someone while driving your RV? Who would pay for the damage? What if there is a fire, hail, tornado or a break in? Don't take the chance, call your agent and make sure you have coverage before you sign that consignment contract.

Power Surge in your RV

2010-02-16T08:54:00.000-08:00

I was asked the question by one of my clients, Kathy A, if Power Surge is covered on the RV policy. After researching this with the companies I represent, I found that no one addresses this specifically because a Full Timer RV package basically just modifies a traditional Auto Policy to include some contents coverage and personal liability. Power Surge is not normally something associated with Auto Insurance. It's more of a Homeowners coverage.

Every policy covers lightning under Comprehensive Coverage and since the majority of claims that I have seen have been lightning related, Power Surge has really never come up. Kathy's husband Lou is an electrician and they are Work Campers so they travel to many different parks. She informed me that they have seen all kinds of electrical "issues" in the RV parks they travel through. Since we all travel with some sort of electronics whether it be computers, cell phones, camera's etc, we need to be aware if the outlet we are plugging our RV into is in good working order without power fluctuation.

I asked Kathy what they do to make sure they aren't hooking up to an unstable power source and she told me about this gizmo called a Circut Tester. This is a very inexpensive item and it looks like even I could figure it out. Kathy also mentioned that they keep it plugged into an outlet near the door to their RV and so she is used to glancing at it as she goes in and out and if the wrong light is lit up she knows she has a power issue right away.

If you don't have one of these, get one and use it!

RV Contents Coverage

2010-02-08T19:06:00.000-08:00

If there is one area of the Full Timer RV policy that needs special attention, it is coverage for Personal Effects or Contents Coverage.

This coverage pays Replacement Cost for your belongings located in your RV. Items that came with the RV like TV's, Microwaves etc are considered part of the RV and are covered under your collision and comprehensive coverages.

Examples of RV contents would be clothing, dishes, computers, dvd's and cd's, jewelry, lawn chairs, grills, hoses etc. Since the coverage is Replacement Cost, when deciding how much coverage to buy, you should consider the cost to replace the items and not their current worth.

The biggest misconception of this coverage is that the coverage applies no matter where your items are, but that is not always the case. If you purchase $5,000 of contents coverage, that is the most the insurance coverage will pay for items damaged while they are inside the RV.

Once you take your items out of the RV, your coverage can be reduced to 25% of the total you purchased. If you purchased $5,000 then you would have $1,250 of coverage for items out of the RV.

An example of a typical coverage limit I would write for a full timer would be $10,000 of Personal Effects coverage giving $2500 for items outside the RV. The average cost of this would be around $80 per year.

Canadian Non-Resident ID Cards

2010-02-01T14:43:00.000-08:00

It's February 1st! Some of you will be starting to finalize your plans for moving North during the summer months. Many of you will be heading to Canada or Alaska.

In the past we have provided Canadian Non-Resident ID cards for your RV's, motorcycles or autos that will be going through Canada. This helps speed the process along when going across the boarder. Many of my clients say that when they have presented these cards, they have flown right threw while their friends who did not have them were stopped and searched. Whether the cards had anything to do with that or not, I can't say for sure, but why not, they are free!

If you have a policy with me and plan to travel to Canada this year, please give me plenty of advance warning. After 9-11, the companies have put a crack down on handing out these cards for us agents to print up and give out. Now we have to call the companies, order the cards and they print and mail them to you (usually to the address on the policy ie: mail forwarding) and that can take a couple of weeks not to mention then has to be forwarded to you wherever you may be.

Last summer, I had a heck of a time getting cards to one of my clients going on a 5 week motorcycle trip through Canada. I thought I was going to have to go to Ohio and pick up the card from Progressive's home office and fly it to him in North Dakota. Not that he couldn't have crossed the boarder without it, he could have, but didn't want to. He too had heard that he would have a much easier time of it if he had the card. Anyway, we got it done and he got there and back without any problems. Just remember to give plenty of advance notice. Even if you are just contemplating going at this point, why not get the cards anyway? They are good for your full policy term. Just give me a call or shoot me an email.

Towing and Roadside Coverage for your RV

2010-01-29T14:52:00.000-08:00

This is an area that I want to touch on because it seems that alot of my RV clients are either unsure if they have a Towing and Roadside plan, or if they do, are unsure if it will actually tow their RV, or think they have some coverage on their policy and don't.

I will explain what is offered by some of the companies that I represent.

Progressive has a nice towing and roadside plan. I get very few complaints, if any, about their service. If you have some stories to share, I would love to hear them because if I don't get complaints, I generally don't hear any of the good stuff either. The cost is about $40 per year and is available as a "sign and drive" service. It is available on auto, motorcycle, RV and Travel Trailer policies. The company provides a separate Towing and Roadside phone number for you to call.

National Interstate contracted with Continental Car Club for many years at a cost of $50 per year. I had more complaints than good comments on this service, but it varied from year to year depending on who the got the contract to service these clients as I believe Continental Car Club contracted with several independent services over the years. I am excited to report that National Interstate has chosen to contract with CoachNet now. Any exisisting Continental Car Club clients will automatically renew with the new CoachNet program at a cost of $65 per year. There is a Premier program available for $109 per year that provides the RV Technical Assistance Hotline with ASE, RVIA/RVDA and Master Certified Technicians on staff to help you over the phone or in person if necessary. Since this is a new program to National Interstate, I will be interested to see how it does.

GMAC offers towing on their auto and RV policies. I always found it confusing that the limit of coverage is $75 and the company was charging sometimes as high as $22 per year for it. I called my GMAC rep to question why so high for so little coverage? I was informed that GMAC will pay unlimited Towing and Roadside FOR THE RV ONLY on the policy. Any auto's will have the $75 maximum. This would be a reimbursement type of claim where you pay the bill and GMAC reimburses you with a copy of the receipt. You use their standard claims phone number to report the claim.

I know many RV clients use Good Sam RV Towing and Roadside and have good things to say about it. Several have AAA, but I have also heard that AAA will not tow an RV unless you have purchased a special higher priced program.

Hope that gives some useful info on what is available for Towing and Roadside. If you have comments about these programs or any that I may have missed, let me know!

GPS and Cell Phones

2010-01-27T06:59:00.000-08:00

My sister-in-law in Alburquerque NM recently had her car stolen with her purse in it. The thiefs wasted no time attempting to rob her home. She happened to be home when they simply walked in her front door. She chased them off by yelling at them to get out of her house! She's a brave (or crazy) girl!

Thanks to my client Judy Harding for sending me this post and giving us something to think about today:

GPS
A couple of weeks ago a friend told me that someone she knew had
their car broken into while they were at a football game. Their car was
parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and
specially allotted to football fans. Things stolen from the car included
a garage door remote control, some money and a GPS which had been
prominently mounted on the dashboard.

When the victims got home, they found that their house had been
ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen.

The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then
used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain
entry to the house. The thieves knew the owners were at the football
game, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish and so
they knew how much time they had to clean out the house. It would
appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its contents.

Something to consider if you have a GPS - don't put your home
address in it.. Put a nearby address (like a store or gas station) so you
can still find your way home if you need to, but no one else would know
where you live if your GPS were stolen.

MOBILE PHONES
I never thought of this...

This lady has now changed her habit of how she lists her names on
her mobile phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag, which
contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet.. Etc....was stolen.

20 minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling
him what had happened, hubby says 'I received your text asking
about our Pin number and I've replied a little while ago.'

When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the
money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen
cell phone to text 'hubby' in the contact list and got hold of the pin
number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their
bank account.

Moral of the lesson:
Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in
your contact list.

Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad,
Mom, etc...

And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts,
CONFIRM by calling back.

Also, when you're being text by friends or family to meet them
somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm that the message came
from them. If you don't reach them, be very careful about going places
to meet 'family and friends' who text you.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON
I never thought about the above!
As of now, I no longer have 'home' listed on my GPS or cell phone.

RV Replacement Cost Settlement

2010-01-26T13:07:00.001-08:00

There can be quite alot of confusion among the RV community about this subject so I want to just do a review on what your options are when purchasing RV insurance.

I am going to base this information on how the big 3 companies (Progressive, GMAC and National Interstate) describe this coverage.

Total Replacement Cost:

This coverage is available on new RV's with all 3 companies. (Some will allow the RV to be a couple years old). In the event of a total loss, this coverage replaces the current RV with a brand new untitled RV that is as close as possible to the same make and model you had with comparable equipment. Even if it cost more than you paid for yours. This is a no-brainer and is inexpensive. If you buy a new RV make sure you have this coverage!!

Purchase Price Guarantee:

Once the RV you purchased new is 5 model years old, the 3 companies will revert your Total Replacement Cost coverage to Purchase Price Guarantee automatically. This means that in the event of a total loss, you will receive your purchase price back. Therefore, I cannot stress how important it is for you to always keep your original purchase invoice. I always try to have my clients send me a copy for safekeeping.
I have asked all 3 companies how long this coverage will remain. All three said either 20 years or forever and since no one seems to keep their RV's for that long, we have never had to put that to the test.

Agreed Value:

Progressive is the only one that offers this coverage and I think it's also a no-brainer if you have purchased your RV within the last 2 years. They will insure the RV based upon your purchase price and agree to pay you that amount in the event of a total loss. It doesn't matter if the RV is not brand new at the time of purchase. Again a copy of your purchase invoice is required. In South Dakota, they have allowed this coverage to be added even if you purchased your RV over 2 years ago as long as you provide a current NADA print out showing the value. www.nada.com. National Interstate offers this coverage on bus conversions but will require a qualified appraisal.

Actual Cash Value:

If you do not see any of the above three coverages listed on your policy, then most likely you have an Actual Cash Value loss settlement. This means that the company will depriciate the RV and take into account the condition, mileage, existing damage etc. I'm not a fan if you can get one of the above. Especially on your higher valued RV's

I want to make mention that if you have an RV that has had Total Replacement Cost and it is now 5 years old, you may want to consider dropping the Replacement Cost/Purchase Price Guarantee and just insure the RV for it's current value. This amount will need to be adjusted based upon market conditions and should be reviewed at renewal time to make sure it is accurate. The plus side to this is that insurance premiums are based upon the value of the RV. So, if you have an RV that has depriciated significantly, you could reduce the value on the policy, insure it for Actual Cash Value and pay less for your policy. Personally, I am OK with this if your RV is under $50,000 in value AND if you do not owe money on it.

Making Life More Fun!!!

2010-01-22T09:53:00.001-08:00

Eight Tips For Getting Ready For RV Season

(NAPS)—If you enjoy roaming the road with your recreational vehicle (RV), you have lots of company. Millions enjoy that freedom, too. Here are some general tips that will help to steer you towards a stress-free season on the road:

Clean it up and air it out. Open all roof vents and windows and then remove any pest control items you may have placed during winter storage. It is also a good idea to clean or replace air conditioner filters.
Check for damage.

 Look for deterioration of seals around doors, roof vents and windows and reseal as necessary.
 Check awnings for damage, mildew and insects.
 Examine the hitch system for wear, loose bolts and cracks.
Change the engine oil and spark plugs. Many manufacturers recommend changing the oil and filter prior to storage and again in the spring. During storage, oil can separate and cause condensation buildup that may harm the engine. While replacing spark plugs, be sure to set the gaps to the recommended manufacturer’s setting.
Inspect the engine.
 Check the battery.
 Check the cooling and fuel systems.
 Drain and flush the entire system of the nontoxic antifreeze you used before placing the RV into storage and replace with the proper coolant.
 Check for cracks in hoses and fan belts and replace if necessary.
 Replace fuel filter, and examine the fuel lines and fittings for cracks and leaks.
 Change the transmission fluid and filter.
 Flush the water system.

Inspect the tires. Check for cracks, worn treads and correct tire pressure.
Check all lights. Make sure headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals are all functioning properly.

Prepare for a safe season. After checking all mechanical components, it’s always a good idea to inspect your safety equipment. This means installing new batteries in flashlights and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and restocking the first-aid kit.

Check your coverage. After making these routine checks, don’t forget to review your insurance policy to make sure it meets your current needs. Progressive, for example, has been insuring RVers for more than 25 years and understands their needs and wants, so it has developed specialized coverages that offer true protection.
It covers more than other companies that simply add RVs onto an existing auto policy.

For more information about specialized RV insurance coverages, visit progressiveagent.com.

Did You Know?
After RVers make routine checks, they should review their insurance policy to make sure it meets current needs. Progressive, for example, has developed specialized coverages that offer true protection, much more than other companies that simply add RVs onto an existing auto policy.

A trip in an RV shouldn’t ruin your marriage … or your day

2010-01-22T09:51:00.000-08:00

Mistakes happen, especially when you’re somewhere unfamiliar, but the results of a recent survey may still surprise you.

The survey found that among RVers, a spouse is more likely to be accidentally left behind than the dog.

A leading RV insurer, The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, surveyed more than 1,000 RVers countrywide to uncover amusing mishaps they’ve experienced while traveling.

The survey found that the most common blunders made while traveling are:
•driving away with the steps extended;
•backing into something;
•misjudging overhead or side clearance space;
•not connecting taillights correctly; and
•running out of gas.

The survey found that 53 percent of RVers spend a month or more each year traveling the open road, and 42 percent travel more than 500 miles per trip.

Traveling the open road in an RV can be a great adventure, but sometimes it gets a little bumpy. That’s why RVers were also asked about their insurance. When mishaps happen, you want to get back on the road fast—ideally with all of your passengers on board.

Only 28 percent bought a stand-alone insurance policy with specialized RV coverages. In fact, 54 percent simply added their RV to their auto policy, and 14 percent didn’t buy any RV insurance.

Although mishaps can sometimes be funny, they can also lead to costly damages. Simply adding your RV to your auto policy can leave you woefully underprotected. It’s important to know what coverages are available to adequately protect yourself and your vehicle.

“There are huge differences in coverage and services from companies that specialize in RV insurance,” says Cathy Pelfrey, RV product manager at Progressive. “Check with your local independent insurance agent or do research online so that you buy the policy and coverages that are right for you.”

To find an independent agent, visit www.progressiveagent.com. For more information on specialized RV coverages, visit http://rv.progressive.com.