Top Five RV Claims and How to Avoid Them

Well, time to start cleaning out the old Komfort trailer. Either got to get it ready for the anual family reunion trip to the Long Beach Peninsula (Ocean Park) or buy a new one :) I ran across this list of the top 5 RV claims according to GMAC RV Insurance and most importantly - how to avoid them. The site also includes some checklists for getting your RV ready for the travel season.

GMAC Insurance top five RV claims:

1. Refrigerator fires and propane tanks. GMAC Insurance receives at least 400 claims per year due to refrigerator fires caused by leaking propane tanks. A rig can burn up in as fast as six minutes as a result of leaks in the propane tank system. Another problem: Tailgating sports fans wanting to show their support have even painted their tanks the teams’ colors. Dark colors more readily absorb the sun’s rays and can cause the tank to overheat and explode.

How to avoid a problem? First, don’t paint your propane tank. Second, have propane tank lines and connections checked by a certified RV dealer each year.

2. Hitting gas station overhangs and bridges. Forgetting an RV’s height and getting lodged under the gas station overhang has ruined more than one vacation.

How to avoid a problem? Create a constant reminder by posting a sticky note with your RV’s height on your dashboard.

3. Forgetting to retract steps and awnings. Just as some of us forget to take our gas caps off the top of our cars, RVers often forget to retract the steps and awnings on their RVs. Open attachments can be torn off the side of an RV, leaving gaping holes.

How to avoid a problem? Use a pre-trip checklist that includes a reminder to retract the awnings and steps.

4. Tire blowouts. Two major causes of tire blow-outs are over or under inflating tires and old tires wearing out.

How to avoid a problem? Clean your tires and keep them blocked from the sun’s damaging rays whenever possible. Also, check your tire pressure regularly and purchase new tires every seven years, regardless of mileage or visible wear.

5. Animal infestation. When RVs sit over the winter months, mice and squirrels like to make an RV their home. They chomp through wires and lines, debilitating the entire vehicle.

How to avoid a problem? Start your RV every week to scare the animal guests away.