Insurance World

Avoid becoming a statistic for RV insurance companies.
By Paul Bender
President, RV America Insurance
1-800-400-0186

As co-owner of the largest RV insurance agency in the nation, I’ve slogged through my share of claims data and anecdotal claims evidence. So, what can you do to avoid becoming statistical data for insurance companies? For starters, you can take a closer look at what RV claims adjusters tell me are their most common claims events.

RV Hazard #1

We’ll begin with what I believe to be the most dangerous—yet hidden—danger that lurks behind that innocuous-looking refrigerator in your RV. Did you know that fires behind refrigerators account for countless claims each year? One of our insurance companies recently reported that they dealt with more than 450 cases of this type of claim last year.

Have propane lines checked, or do it yourself.

Avoid this life-threatening hazard by having all your propane lines checked by an authorized RV repair establishment each year. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, then you can perform this simple check on your own with an LP gas detector kit. Simply apply the solution to the fittings and you’ll know if you have a leak.

RV Hazard #2

Have you ever felt like ducking as you approach a low bridge? It should come as no surprise to you that another common type of claim is collision with overhangs, including tree branches and service station overhangs. Do you know the height of your RV to the highest point, which includes the air conditioning unit? You should. Additionally, many times RVers tend to back up their units without an additional pair of eyes to guide them.

Measure your RV and know its height.

I have a suggestion: Measure your RV or peruse the product specifications included with your RV to establish the total height of the RV. Next, write this number on a card or sticky note and post it somewhere within reach. Whenever you back up, have another pair of eyes guiding you so you don’t collide with a low-hanging branch.

RV Hazard #3

Did you remember to retract the stuff? Let’s talk about retractable steps, TV antennas, awnings and the like. Most of our time spent on the road is in a typical car, and every day we hop in and drive away without thinking. Your RV is a complex piece of machinery, so treat it as such.

Do a walk-around before turning the key.

Most private pilots will do a final trip around the airplane just before getting in and closing the door. I recommend that you take one final lap around your RV or trailer before leaving the campsite. Furthermore, most pilots use a checklist to ensure they don’t miss a thing. Be an excellent RV pilot and use a checklist; it will help you remember things you could forget, especially when you’re in a hurry.

Follow these guidelines and you can decrease the chances that you’ll become a statistic for your RV insurance company, and you’ll avoid forking over money for your deductible. Please feel free to contact RV America Insurance with any questions you have regarding your RV insurance policy.

Paul Bender
RV America Insurance Mktg., Inc.
1-800-400-0186
www.RVAinsurance.com

Paul Bender is the founder and Co-owner of RV America Insurance Marketing, Inc. in Simi Valley, CA. RV America Insurance is the largest RV insurance agency in the nation, and has long been recognized as the leading provider of specialty RV insurance through RV dealerships nationwide. RV buyers rely on RV America’s licensed agents to provide outstanding value and superior knowledge of RVs and RV specific insurance coverage.

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Life is precious to every creature (big or small) on earth. From a tiny ant to big rational agents every living being loves life and wants to protect it. For a human being the most prudent way to shield his life from all the forthcoming perils is to get life insurance. Life insurance not just guard the life of the policyholder but it is also a great help to other family members.

Life insurance pays for almost all the major misshapenness in an individual’s life. If the person is suffering from a chronic illness, it bears the medical expense. Life insurance money can be used in cases of a severe accident. After the death of the policyholder, the insurance pays for his funeral and other related ceremonies. Thus life insurance is a big financial assistance not only when a person is alive but also even after it.

However the extent to which a policy will be active or beneficial depends on the kind of life insurance policy taken by an individual. For instance, the term life insurance policy is all about protecting a person for a term before he dies. But if the individual dies during the policy term, the beneficiaries receive the benefits. Term life insurance is ideal for those who want that specific needs such college tuition; mortgage payments and car payments should be cared for at their death. This insurance is also favorable for the families who cannot afford to pay large monthly premiums. It is also good for senior citizens who know that they will kick the bucket soon. Many companies associate different terms and conditions with the term life insurance policy and so offer several types of it. The term life insurance an also be converted to any other form of insurance such as whole life insurance.

The people who seek to insure their entire life and are ready to pay big premiums throughout should go for a Whole Life insurance policy. This policy is good for young but not meant for the old. The whole life insurance has a distinguished “cash surrender value” feature. The cash value (composed of cash value and dividends) keeps on incrementing annually according to a specific schedule in your whole life insurance policy. Many whole life policies reward the policyholders with dividends that can augment the entire cash value.

Besides these kinds of life insurance policies are also health insurance policies. These policies are devised for those suffering with chronic illnesses particularly cancer. Such policies are difficult to acquire (for very few agencies offer them) and are usually offered at high premiums. The health insurance may pay for some of the patient’s treatments but it does not pay for everything.

Prior to purchasing a life insurance policy, a person should make a prudent assessment of his current situation and needs. Accordingly he should look up Internet, consult friends and relatives to find either a reliable insurance company or an agent. Choosing from where (insurance company and agent) and what kind of policy to adopt is a challenging task that requires lot of consideration and discussion.