Common RV Insurance Claims and How to Avoid Them

Tire Failure
The top cause of tire failures in RVs is the tires being overloaded or underinflated. Damaged tires can cause massive damage, so some tips on how to avoid tire failure are the following:

● Check that your tires are properly inflated: The tires on your RV differ from car tires, as they are manufactured to carry different load weights at various inflation pressures. To know the correct inflation pressure for your tires, you can check the tire chart from the manufacturer for your particular tire size. Always inflate them to the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid your tires wearing down more quickly.

● Always check your tires pressure before driving: You can test the pressure by using a Tire Pressure Monitoring system. It’s important that you check the pressure before driving, as it needs to be checked when tires have not been utilized for a while.

● Drive slowly: Your RV tires are rated for low speeds, usually up to 65 mph. The capacity of your tires lowers when you are going fast, so a bigger safety margin happens when you drive more slowly.

● Know when your tires were made, and make sure you change them when needed: The DOT code on your tires will let you know the week and year the tire was manufactured. A properly maintained tire can last you ten years, but most of us don’t maintain them as well as we should. Therefore, have your tires inspected by a professional every five years.
● Visually inspect your tires: Before going on any trip, walk around your RV and inspect your tires. There’s no need to be an expert; you’re just looking for obvious damage. If you notice any cracking or strange bulges, make sure to get your tires inspected by a professional.

Hitting Low Overhangs and Bridges

It takes some time to get used to the height of your RV. It’s important that you know the exact measure of the ground to the top of the highest point in your RV, and pay attention to all the clearance signs. You want to be extra careful, and make sure that you have a few extra inches on what the clearance sign says. If you are going to a campground, you can contact them ahead of time and check for any overhead clearances such as trees, so you are confident that your RV will not encounter any obstacles.
Knowing the height of your RV will go a long way in helping you avoid an insurance claim because you hit an overhang.
Vandalism and Theft
While there are few issues with vandalism and thefts in RV parks and campgrounds, it often happens that while in storage, a criminal may break in and steal your TV or other contents inside the vehicle.
If possible, store your RV far away from high crime areas, as this will lead to better premiums. Invest in storage facilities that have added security, and do monthly checks on your RV to make sure it’s stored in good condition, and check your generators, mechanical functions and tires.
Installing a security system of your alarm may also help, and can give you a discount on your insurance. Remember that the amount of coverage for your RV will increase when you take into account the location you store it in and how long it remains not in use.

from Ed Cuellar Insurance Agency http://edcuellar.com/common-rv-insurance-claims-avoid/
via http://edcuellar.com