Full-Time RV Guide: Preparation Tips For Collisions
If you live full-time in your RV, there are a few important things you should do to prepare yourself in case you lose your home, such as in a collision. It's important to be prepared for the possibility, just as you would if you were living in a home or rental unit. Here are a few suggestions to prepare yourself in case a collision leaves you temporarily homeless.
Have enough insurance coverage
You'll need to have insurance coverage for full-time living in your RV, which is generally a bit more detailed than a regular-use RV owner would need. Most insurance companies have an established set of parameters that are recommended for full-time RVers like you.
Typically, this includes personal liability, medical coverage, and loss of the property of an RV park. Sometimes, the insurance also covers items you may have in a self-storage facility. Other coverage you may want to consider that may help if you need to temporarily relocate while RV collision repairs are being made includes temporary housing and the use of a rental vehicle.
Check out a site like http://www.chehaliscollisioncenter.com/ for more information on RV collision repairs.
Keep important documents in a fire safe box
It's important to keep all your documents and financial records in a fire safe box. A collision in your RV could cause an explosion or a fire to erupt, especially if your propane tank and/or lines are ruptured.
Your important documents can be protected in case there is a fire that consumes your RV. In this box, you'll want to have copies of your insurance and registration documents so there will be no delays to get your RV repaired at a collision shop.
Keep this box in a storage compartment that is easily accessible from the outdoors so you have a better chance of reaching it in case of a fire or there is a risk of fire and you need to evacuate the RV as quickly as possible. Alternatively, you can keep this immediately inside an entrance door of your RV.
Keep a backpack of essentials readily available
Keep essentials in a backpack so you can grab it when you need to evacuate your RV. This can also be kept in the same storage compartment or area as your fire safe box. In this bag, it's a good idea to keep a supply of medication that will last several days until you can get a refill filled at a nearby pharmacy.
Other essentials you should consider putting into this bag include:
- at least one or two changes of underwear and socks for each person in your family
- some bottled water and protein bars
- a charged cell phone battery or a solar-powered cell phone charger
- cash to pay for immediate expenses, particularly roadside assistance
It's important to keep in mind that you may not be able to access your personal belongings while the RV is in the repair shop, at least not in the first day or so until the mechanics are able to make sure it's safe for you to enter the RV to retrieve necessary items. Therefore, it may be a good idea to keep enough clothing for several days in this bug-out bag.
Pre-program important numbers & information into your cell phone
Since you may need to call for emergency and towing services following a collision, it's a good idea to make sure these numbers are programmed in your cell phone. When you call for towing services, you may be asked specifics regarding your RV, such as size and weight. It's a good idea to have this information stored in your cell phone in case the stress of a collision causes you to forget.
