With RV Ownership at an All-Time High, Erie Insurance Offers Tips for First-Time RVers

Rhea-AI Summary

Erie Insurance announced essential tips for new RV owners as RV ownership reaches record levels, with 11.2 million households owning RVs, 31% of which are first-time owners. Vice President Jon Bloom highlights the importance of preparation for new RVers, detailing key differences between driving a car and an RV. The tips cover drivability, visibility, maintenance, navigation, and insurance. Erie Insurance emphasizes the significance of comprehensive insurance coverage for RVs and encourages new owners to take necessary precautions for safer and more enjoyable trips.

Positive

• Record RV ownership at 11.2 million households, indicating a growing market.
• 31% of RV owners are first-time buyers, representing potential future customers.
• Erie Insurance offers valuable tips that can enhance customer relationships.

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• None.

ERIE, Pa., June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Erie Insurance is sharing tips for new RVers in light of industry data showing RV ownership is at a record high and almost a third of owners are new. According to a study by the RV Industry Association, RV ownership rose more than 62% over the past 20 years. A record 11.2 million households own RVs, and almost a third (31%) are first-time owners.

"With so many people hitting the road in RVs for the first time, we want to make sure they're prepared," said Jon Bloom, vice president of personal auto, Erie Insurance. "I know from personal experience that an RV is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and connect with friends and family, but it's a lot different than taking a road trip in a car. We want to help people enjoy their trip and protect the investment they've made in their RV."

Being an RVer himself, Bloom said he's learned some important lessons about the differences between taking a road trip in a car vs. in an RV. Below are some of his top tips to ensure a safe ride. 

Car Trip Vs. RV Trip

The Difference	The Tips
Drivability Driving a car is second-nature for people who do it all the time, but maneuvering an RV is different, especially if you're doing it for the first time and it's not something you do very often.	Spend some time practicing driving your RV in a safe place away from traffic, such as in an empty parking lot. Leave a lot of room for wide turns. Maintain a proper distance from other vehicles knowing that it may take longer than usual to slow down or speed up.
Visibility Anyone who drives a car is familiar with blind spots, but those can seem even more pronounced for new RVers.	Be extra cautious knowing that if a car is following too closely behind your RV, you may not see it. Motorcycles can be especially hard to see depending on where and how close they are to your vehicle.
Maintenance Both cars and RVs require regular maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations, but RVs have many additional features to attend to, like water, sewer and electrical lines, awnings, slide outs and seals.	Put your RV on a monthly, seasonal and yearly maintenance schedule to lessen the chance of a breakdown, equipment failure or other malfunction happening while you're on a trip. Know that it may be more difficult to access specialized RV roadside assistance if you're in a more remote location.
Getting around & gassing up When you're on a car trip you use your car for sight-seeing and you don't think twice about hitting a drive-through for dinner or pulling into any service station to gas up. Depending on the size of your RV, however, those things may not be practical.	Consider towing a vehicle behind the RV so you can park the RV at a campsite and use the car to get around. Plot out your trip on a map so you know the locations not only of campgrounds that accommodate RVs, but also of rest stops big enough for you to get into to fuel up your RV.
Insurance Whether for a car or an RV, you'll need Liability insurance, which covers injuries to others or damage to others' property if you are responsible for an accident, and you will also likely want Comprehensive and Collision to cover your own vehicle.	Many people choose Umbrella coverage as an extra layer of protection on top of their existing Auto, RV or Home insurance. Umbrella may be especially helpful for RVers given the different risks. Talk to your insurance agent to help you choose the coverage that's best for you based on your specific needs.

While the above tips will help new RVers, this Erie Insurance blog post, So You Want to Buy an RV, has helpful information for those who haven't bought an RV yet but are considering it.

About Erie Insurance

According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 12th largest homeowners insurer, 13th largest automobile insurer and 13th largest commercial lines insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written. Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance is a Fortune 500 company and the 15th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, ERIE has more than 6 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia.

News releases and more information are available on ERIE's website at www.erieinsurance.com.

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SOURCE Erie Insurance Group

FAQ

What is the current RV ownership rate according to Erie Insurance?

RV ownership has reached a record high of 11.2 million households.

What percentage of RV owners are first-time buyers?

31% of RV owners are first-time buyers.

What tips does Erie Insurance provide for new RV owners?

Erie Insurance provides driving, maintenance, and insurance tips tailored for new RV owners.

When was the announcement made by Erie Insurance regarding RV ownership?

The announcement was made on June 29, 2021.

How does Erie Insurance suggest new RV owners ensure a safe trip?

Erie Insurance suggests practicing driving, checking visibility, and maintaining the RV properly.