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Progressive Group Survey Says: More Than Half of All RV Owners May Not Have the Right Insurance Coverage


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MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--If you bought a tractor-trailer or an airplane, you probably wouldnt put either on your car insurance policy, since both are specialty vehicles and require specialized coverages and claims handling, right?

Then why, when asked, do more than half of RVers surveyed report having added their RV to their car insurance policy?

We dont know why, but we do know why they shouldnt, said Cathy Pelfrey, RV product manager, The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, a leading seller of RV insurance in the U.S. There are vast differences in coverage and services available from companies that specialize in recreational vehicle insurance that owners need to be aware of we recommend they check with a local independent insurance agent or do research online to find out whats available so they can make the decisions that are right for them.

For example, what if

Your RV breaks down on a trip?

While a lot of car insurance policies offer Roadside Assistance, your policy may not offer it for your RV. And, even if it covers some roadside expenses for RVs, it may not cover them all. For instance, it may pay for towing but only up to the amount it would typically cost to tow a car; RV tows can cost three times more, which means out-of-pocket expenses youll be responsible for paying.

Specialty insurers will generally also offer emergency expense coverage that will pay for temporary living quarters if the RV breaks down far from home. This kind of coverage will also generally cover the cost to return an RV home from a wreck or breakdown that happens more than 50 miles from home.

Your RV is stolen or totaled?

Your auto policy will likely pay Actual Cash Value (ACV) for your RVthats the market value as determined by third-party sources. However, most specialty insurers will offer you a choice of how youd like this kind of claim handled. Some will offer you the choice of an agreed value settlement, that is, you and the insurance company agree, up front, what the RV is worth. If the RV is stolen or totaled, thats the amount youll receive, less whatever deductible you chose when you bought the policy. Specialty insurers may also offer you Total Loss Replacement coverage that will provide you with a new RV in the event your RV thats five years old or less is stolen or totaled.

Your RV is involved in a crash?

Your auto insurance company will typically have someone who normally handles car insurance claims come look at your RV. But, if you insure your RV with a specialty insurer, your claims rep will be trained in how to look for damage and estimate what it will cost to repair. Specialty RV insurers also work with repair facilities that know how to repair an RV and guarantee their work.

The stuff in your RV is stolen?

You may keep things inside your RV that you never would in your car, like jewelry, binoculars, VCRs, laptops, camcorders or outdoor gear. Your auto policy wont pay to replace these items if theyre lost, stolen or damaged but specialty insurers offer personal effects coverage that will pay to replace them if theyre used in conjunction with your RV.

Someone gets injured at your campsite?

When you park your RV at a campsite, you may be liable for the area around your RV. This means that if someone trips and falls you could be responsible for their injuries, which generally wont be covered by your car insurance policy. If you insure your RV with a specialty insurer, injuries can be paid for under Vacation Liability coverage, which pays up to the limits that you selected when you bought the policy for injuries youre legally responsible for as a result of an accident that occurs while the RV is being used as a temporary vacation residence.

For more information on Progressive RV insurance visit http://rv.progressive.com.

About Progressive

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, now celebrating its 70th year in business, is the countrys third largest auto insurance group and largest seller of motorcycle and personal watercraft policies based on premiums written, and is a market leader in commercial auto insurance.

Progressive is committed to becoming consumers #1 choice for auto insurance by providing competitive products and rates that meet drivers needs throughout their lifetimes, superior online and in-person customer service, and best-in-class, 24-hour claims service, including its concierge level of claims service available at service centers located in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States.

Progressive companies offer consumers choices in how to shop for, buy and manage their auto insurance policies. The Agency Business sells Progressive Drive Insurance private passenger auto insurance through more than 30,000 independent agencies. To find an agent, go to www.progressive.com. The Direct Business sells Progressive Direct® private passenger auto insurance online at www.progressive.com and by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE. Both businesses offer Progressives other insurance products, including Progressive Commercial, Progressive Motorcycle, Progressive Boat, etc. Each business makes independent decisions about private passenger car insurance product design and pricing. Progressive and Drive are registered trademarks.

The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at . For more information, visit www.progressive.com.