Hassle Free RV Insurance Claims

5 Golden Tips For Hassle-Free RV Insurance Claims
By Paul Bender

Some RVers go their whole RV careers without ever having a mishap costly enough to warrant an insurance claim. In the unfortunate event that you do have to file a claim, your life will be easier - and you'll be more likely to receive the full extent of your financial compensation - if you follow these five simple tips for hassle-free claims.

1) Take Photos and Retain Receipts

Your best friend when filing a claim will be your adjustor - the person who checks up on your claim to make sure that it's legitimate. Your adjustor's best friends are the receipts and photos of your RV and the items in it that sustained damage. This need for documentation is a great reason to spring for that digital camera you've been eyeing.

The documentation habit is easy to get into - simply photocopy receipts for your RV along with receipts for significant upgrades and costly bring-alongs such as bicycles, fishing poles, binoculars, video cameras, etc. Photocopying is important - most people don't realize how quickly the ink on receipts fades. Put these photocopies into a file and keep them safe at your house. If you're a full-timer consider a safe-deposit box at your bank.

Then, in the two minutes before you leave for each trip, take your digital camera and snap photos of the outside and inside of your rig. Once you've gotten into the documentation habit for yourself, you're well on your way to hassle-free claims.

2) Take Post-Damage Photos and Retain Post-Damage Receipts

Once you're sure that everyone involved in the mishap is safe, healthy, and accounted for, it's time to get that digital camera back out and start snapping photos of the damage and the overall situation. Depending on the severity of your claim, your photos could well be what tips the scales in your favor. Be as thorough as possible without being annoying or overly insensitive to other parties involved.

On claims involving major damage to your rig, you'll have estimates and receipts for work done. Obviously you'll be saving all of these. At that point your claims adjustor will help walk you through the proper steps.

Photo documentation is especially crucial for mishaps that don't restrict your rig's mobility. Let's say, God forbid, your TV wrenches loose, flies through the air and smashes your new kitchen cabinets. Your RV's still fine to drive but if you clean up the mess and get back on the road, you're cleaning up evidence vital to your claim adjustor's work.

3) Determine the Damage Cost That Pays You to Make a Claim

Let's say your RV insurance policy has a $500 deductible. You just had a mishap that you documented with receipts and photos (good job!) for a total of $750 in damages. Does it pay you to file a claim for that $250 you’d get after the $500 deductible?

Here's where things get tricky, because in some cases making a claim for that $250 means that your rate may go up. Talk with your agent and fellow RVers to get an idea of how much and when your rates go up to determine when it really pays you to file a claim. Once you know that amount, set that much aside for potential mishaps on the road. You could end up really thanking yourself in the future.

There's another important reason to set that limit for yourself. Insurance companies of all shapes and sizes use a service called CLUE which tells them how often individuals file claims against insurance. Think of it like a credit rating for insurance. The more claims you file, the more likely your insurance is to go up. Ultimately, you could stand to be rejected for insurance on other possessions in your life.

Save yourself the hassle by knowing when you'll file a claim and when you'll pay out of pocket expense.

4) Be Honest in the Application Process

Being honest sounds simple, right? We were all taught that lesson by out parents as little kids. You'd be amazed how often people "fudge" the truth in order to save a little bit on their yearly insurance costs. If you really want to have hassle-free claims, then do yourself the favor of being completely honest about things such as how you plan to use your rig, how many days per year you'll be using it, and whether or not you'll be lending it out and for how long.

Usually you make these statements on the phone with a sales rep and you're thinking about saving as much money as possible. Take some time to really think about these questions so that you can answer with complete honesty. If you keep yourself honest, your claims adjustor won't have to. Save yourself the major hassle of a claims adjustor denying your $25,000 claim because of a lie that saved you $25.

5) Keep Your Insurance Phone Number and Policy Number Handy

Once you've purchased your insurance policy, you're likely to receive a handy packet with your insurance policy number and the phone number you call in the case of making a claim. The problem is that there will be loads of other information in the packet and it may be bigger and bulkier than necessary for your RV. Write those two numbers on a single piece of paper. Photo copy this piece of paper and put one in your glove box and one in your wallet or purse. Keep them handy in the unfortunate event of a mishap and you'll save yourself the agony of needing the numbers and not having them.

6) Your Hassle-Free Insurance Claim Recap

Documentation, knowing your claim threshold, honesty, and preparedness - these are the hallmarks of hassle-free RV insurance claims. If you follow the five golden rules in this article, you'll make your life as hassle-free as possible and ensure that your dream vacations don't turn into nightmares.

As always, if you have questions about keeping your RV insurance claims hassle free - or any RV insurance question - please feel free to call us at RV America Insurance.

Paul Bender is the founder and Co-owner of RV America Insurance, the largest RV insurance agency in the nation. RV America finds you the lowest rates for your RV insurance by comparing coverage from six major rv insurance companies so contact RV America today by visiting http://www.rv-insurance-coverage.com or calling 1 800-400-0186.

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13 Factors That Determine Your RV Insurance Rate

The 13 Factors That Determine Your RV Insurance Rate
By Paul Bender

The factors that determine your RV insurance rates often go undisclosed, leaving insurance buyers in the dark and making decisions about prices that don’t seem to add up. This article illustrates the key factors that determine your RV insurance rate and offers suggestions for saving as much money as possible when you purchase coverage.

1) Storage Location - by State and by Zip Code

If you store your RV in Florida during hurricane season, there's a higher potential for wind and flood damage than if you store it in Arkansas. In certain states and zip codes, crimes are more likely to occur. Your decision on where to store your RV when it's not in use affects your overall insurance rate. Talk to your RV insurance agent to determine if it could pay you to store it in a zip code - or state - away from your current location. Your RV may need to be registered in the state where you store it though, so be sure to discuss this factor with your agent.

2) Type of Use – Full-Timer vs. Recreational

If you plan to live in your RV full-time, you need an insurance policy that works like a floating home-owners policy that follows you everywhere you go. If you're a weekend warrior, you can get different coverage that won't cost you as much. Be honest when you're signing up for your policy though - saving a little money can end up costing you thousands if your claims adjustor thinks you've fudged the truth during your application.

3) Membership with RV Association

In addition to a number of perks such as reduced rates at RV parks, your membership at the RV association of your choice could earn you a discount on your insurance rates. This is likely something that's mentioned in the brochures or on the website of your selected RV association. Be sure to mention any memberships when you're talking with your RV insurance sales rep.

4) Discount for Multiple Policies with a Company

Mention your current insurance companies when talking with your insurance agent, as you may be eligible for a multiple-policy discount. Be prepared on your call by gathering the names of your current insurance providers beforehand.

5) Deductible Options - a Higher Deductible Equals Lower Rates

This one's obvious, but it's something people often agonize over when they're discussing options with an agent. Make sure you know what your out-of-pocket-expense tolerance is before you start discussing this factor. Knowing what you can afford will save you the agony of having to make a snap decision that could have a big affect on your future financial situation. If you have a small fund set aside and collecting interest for damages, you could well save a little chunk on your insurance costs.

6) Type of Unit

For some insurance companies, a class A motor home is more expensive than a class C to insure. If insurance price is of no concern to you, don't worry about this factor; however, if you're looking to keep your fixed costs as low as possible, you might do some advance research to make sure you're getting the cheapest-to-insure RV possible.

7) Previous RV Ownership

Do you have any previous RV driving experience? Your insurance agent will likely ask you about your past RV driving history, but if not be sure to let them know how long you've been an RVer as you may be eligible for discounts.

8) Age

There are some perks that come with growing older - one of them is lower RV insurance rates. Check with your agent to see if there are any discounts you've earned through the sheer virtue of the duration of your life's experience.

9) Driving History

RV insurance companies look at your driving history in non-RV vehicles. They have to start somewhere. If your record is relatively clear of accidents and claims that were your fault, then you could be looking at a decent-sized discount.

10) Insurance Claims History

If you have a long history of opening insurance accounts and soon after filing a claim, your new RV agency is going to see you as a risk. Your history is likely to be a strong factor in your final insurance rate. Be sure to minimize the number of claims you're making - insurance companies pay an independent agency that tracks an individual's claims and protects them much the way credit ratings protect credit companies.

11) Home Ownership Discounts

Owning a home can affect your RV insurance costs too - it shows insurance companies that you're likely not a full-timer, and displays your level of responsibility. If you're curious about your savings on this, just ask your agent while you're on the phone.

12) Marital Status

Insurance companies believe your marital status affects how safely you drive, and the likelihood that you'll make a claim. You may feel differently when you're lost and arguing with your beloved about missed turns in the middle of a windstorm. Either way, your status does affect your insurance rates.

13) Your Credit Rating

Finally, your RV insurance company believes that the manner in which you treat your credit could be a strong indicator of how you're going to treat your RV. If you've got good credit, you're likely to see a small decrease in your insurance rates. If you're curious about the size of the decrease, be sure to check with your insurance agent.

Paul Bender is the founder and Co-owner of RV America Insurance, the largest RV insurance agency in the nation. RV America finds you the lowest rates for your RV insurance by comparing coverage from six major rv insurance companies so contact RV America today by visiting http://www.rv-insurance-coverage.com or calling 1 800-400-0186.

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