Summer will be here before you know it! If you own an RV, this is the perfect time to start preparing for the season. You can clean out your RV, re-pack your travel items, and start mapping out your travel plans.
As you go about this planning, you should also take time to look over your RV insurance policy and be sure you have the proper coverage. RV insurance is essential to protect yourself against financial risk, whether you have a Class A motor home, a fifth wheel, or even a small pop-up. While you hope to never be in an accident with your RV, accidents do happen. Having the right insurance will reduce the headaches and financial burden associated with such events.
When you look over your policy, make sure it offers the following coverage.
Property Damage Liability
If you have RV insurance in your policy, then it absolutely includes property damage liability coverage. The State of Florida requires proof of this coverage before you register any 4-wheel vehicle. As such, it forms the base of your RV insurance policy. This type of insurance will pay for any damage that you cause to others’ property while driving your RV. For example, if you get into a collision that is your fault, PDL insurance will pay for the damage.
Check the limit on your PDL coverage, too. Florida requires drivers to carry a minimum of $10,000 in PDL, but in many cases, it’s worth paying for higher coverage. You could easily cause more than $10,000 in property damage, so insurers often recommend a higher limit.
Personal Injury Protection
This is the other type of insurance that Florida requires RV owners to hold. PIP pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs if someone is injured by your RV. For instance, if you get into a collision, this coverage will pay for medical costs incurred by your passengers, pedestrians, and those in other vehicles.
Again, Florida only requires $10,000 of PIP coverage, but it’s often wise to carry a lot more. Insurance agents often recommend $50,000 or even $100,000 of PIP, especially if you tend to have multiple passengers in your RV.
Collision
If you are still making payments on your RV, collision coverage is required. Even if you own the RV outright, collision coverage is highly recommended. This coverage will pay for damage to your RV if you’re involved in a crash. Since RV repairs can add up quickly, you never want to risk getting in a crash without adequate collision coverage.
Comprehensive
Also, check whether your RV insurance policy includes comprehensive protection. This type of coverage pays for damage to your RV when it’s not being driven. For example, if you are parked in a grocery store parking lot and someone scrapes and dents your RV, comprehensive insurance will pay for the repairs.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
As mentioned above, all drivers in Florida are required to carry PDL and PIP insurance. But unfortunately, not everyone follows the rules. If someone drives without insurance and happens to cause a collision with your RV, they’re unlikely to pay for the damage. This is where uninsured motorist coverage comes in handy. This coverage will pay for your accident costs if the other driver does not have the required insurance.
Vacation Liability Insurance
If you park your RV at campgrounds and RV parks, then you should definitely make sure your policy includes vacation liability coverage. This type of insurance goes into effect when you are living, temporarily, out of your RV. If someone is injured in or around your RV, this coverage will pay for their medical bills and other associated costs. Having this coverage can make you far more comfortable inviting friends and relatives along on your RV trips.
Roadside Assistance
Having your RV break down on the side of the road is certainly a nightmare, but it will be a lot less of a nightmare if you have roadside assistance coverage. This coverage pays for you to call a mechanic, have your RV towed, have a tire changed, or even have the RV jump-started by a professional. If you ever take your RV to remote areas, roadside assistance coverage is highly recommended.
Windshield Replacement
Some insurance companies do not include windshield replacement in their normal comprehensive and collision policies for RVs. Read through the summary of your collision and comprehensive policies, and if windshield glass is excluded, make sure you have supplemental windshield replacement coverage in your plan.
Looking over your RV insurance policy will ensure you have the coverage you need to hit the road safely this summer. If you’re not sure what coverage you should have for your RV, contact Flagler County Insurance Agency. Our friendly brokers can guide you in the right direction.