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Escape the Coronavirus Craze This Summer on an RV Trip
The cancellation of concerts, sporting events, and large gatherings in 2020 has created a lot of time to kill, and with kids being out of school and many parents working from home, most of us have been filling the hours with Netflix binges. While the large-scale closures and limited plane travel this year may have thrown a wrench in your vacation plans, there are still ways to get out and enjoy some time away this summer.
Getting out in nature is a great way to take a break from all the stress and anxiety surrounding the coronavirus disruptions while maintaining safe social distancing practices—and it’s good for you! According to LifeInTents, “Nature has all the essential elements to boost our happiness and immune systems. Not only do the outdoors support mental and physical strength; open space is a great escape from potential airborne and surface droplet infections from Covid-19.” In this blog post, we’ll give you tips for escaping the coronavirus craze and safely exploring the natural beauty America has to offer by hitting the road in an RV.
Staying Safe on the Road
If you plan on taking your RV on the road for the first time, make sure you practice safe driving. Operating a large vehicle like an RV or hauling a travel trailer takes some getting used it, so make sure that you’re comfortable behind the wheel. Take your RV for a practice run, and ensure that you’re able to accelerate, brake, park, back up, stay in your lane, and use your mirrors for guidance before you load the family in and set off on the road.
Check Your Itinerary for Road and Weather Conditions
Before you head off for adventure, be sure to check your itinerary for road conditions, construction, and closures. There is nothing worse than setting off on a road trip, only to get stuck in traffic! You can find a map of current road conditions by state here.
Being aware of weather conditions can also help you stay safe and avoid hassle. You can find up-to-date weather information at any of the following sites:
Reserve an RV Spot That Suits Your Needs
According to the KOA, “Campsites with full RV hookups can be tough to come by in U.S. national parks, and especially challenging to reserve once the season gets into full swing. As soon as you know your travel dates, start looking for campsites with RV hookups and be sure to note size limitations at different locations. Keep in mind that some places have generator restrictions depending on the time of day.”
Pre-Trip Checklist
You’ll want to run through all of your RV’s operating and maintenance systems before hitting the road. Many seasoned RV travelers rely on pre-trip checklists to make sure their vehicles are fully operational before setting off. According to TripSavvy, “There are as many different checklists as there are reasons to check your RV. Some help you do a walkthrough before you take possession of your RV from the dealer or rental agent. Pre-trip checklists help you get off to a safe and well-prepared start. Others are specific to 5th wheels, travel trailers, pop up trailers, motorhomes, or leaving a campsite, or preparing your RV for storage.”
Recreational Vehicle (RV) Insurance
If you like to travel the open road and have or would like to purchase an RV in the near future, you want to make sure you take out an insurance policy to protect it, yourself, and your passengers. If you finance your RV, your lender is going to require you to carry full insurance coverage for the life of the loan. As you shop around for insurance coverage, look for a Recreational Vehicle Insurance policy that covers:
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Bodily injury and property damage liability
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Medical payments
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Comprehensive and collision
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Towing and roadside assistance
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Replacement cost for personal items kept inside the RV and for the cost of your RV
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Vacation liability to cover any injuries while your RV is parked at a temporary residence
Having these types of coverages may vary from insurance companies and may cost on average up to $550 annually within the market, but you'll be thankful you purchased a separate RV Insurance policy to protect your investment.
We hope these recommendations help you stay safe while enjoying time outside this year. Wherever your travel plans take you, make sure your RV is well protected. Since recreational vehicles and campers come in all shapes and sizes, we will make sure you’re properly covered with the insurance that’s right for you.
Get a quote for your RV or other recreational vehicle today.
Tyreo Harrison
As Executive Vice President, Lending & Insurance Solutions, Ty Harrison leads teams of lending and insurance professionals that are dedicated to delivering value-added programs, services and technology tailored to address the needs of lenders, loan servicers, portfolio managers, mortgage brokers, insurance agents and insurance brokers.
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