Leaving a Rest Stop Without Your Significant Other and Driving Off With the Steps Extended — Survey Finds RV Owners Admit to a Mistake or Two on the Open Road
Progressive, the largest writer of Recreational Vehicle Insurance through independent agents, reveals some common RV mishaps
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio — May 7, 2007 — The morning starts out like most do in your RV — traveling down a quiet highway with a hearty breakfast under your belt and a good cup of coffee within reach when you realize that blowing white thing behind you is your now-shredded awning, the bang you heard earlier was your toad coming unhooked, and the spider crack from the rock that hit your windshield is growing, a lot. You signed up for adventure, but not this much! Don't worry. You're not alone according to an online survey recently conducted by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies that found that life on the open road can sometimes get bumpy.
Progressive, a leading RV insurer and the number one seller of RV insurance through independent agents, surveyed more than 1,000 RVers countrywide to find the amusing and at times embarrassing mishaps they've experienced while traveling. The survey also asked RVers about their insurance because, when blunders do happen, it's important to have the right coverage and service that gets them back on the road, fast.
"RVs can be a fun and relaxing way to travel but, as our survey shows, it's not unusual for a few mishaps to happen along the way," said Eric Westphal, RV product manager, Progressive. "Although some of them can be pretty funny, they can also lead to costly damages. We want RVers to know that not all insurance policies are the same — it's important for them to know what coverages are available that can protect them and their vehicles."
The survey found that the most common mistakes RVers say they make while RVing are: driving off with the steps extended, backing up into a post or other stationary object, misjudging the amount of overhead and/or side clearance space, not connecting the tail lights correctly, and running out of fuel.
But it's not just operating your RV that some people have trouble with: Two (2) percent of RVers surveyed actually admitted to mistakenly leaving a passenger behind at a campground, rest area or other stop while traveling in their RV. The person left behind most often? A spouse or significant other; pets and grandparents are least likely to be left behind.
Even though no insurance policy can make your loved one forgive you for leaving them stranded, by having a specialized RV policy you can make sure you have the protection you need. But, while the majority of RVers surveyed (53 percent) spend a month or more RVing each year and 42 percent travel more than 500 miles per trip, affording them plenty of time to make a mistake or two, less than one-third (28 percent) bought a stand-alone insurance policy with specialized RV coverages. In fact, the majority (54 percent) just added their RV to their private passenger auto policy and 14 percent didn't buy any RV insurance!
"Insurance decisions can be hard to make," said Westphal. "We've been insuring RVs for more than 25 years and offer a variety of specialized, competitively priced coverages that have been designed with today's RVer in mind. They can choose the coverage options that fit their needs and be reassured that should they experience a mishap, our superior claims service will have them back on the road quickly."
Progressive's specialized RV coverages include:
- Total Loss Replacement — Progressive will buy you a brand new motor home or travel trailer of similar make and quality if your RV is totaled within the first five model years;
- Emergency Expense Coverage — provides up to $2,000 for lodging and transportation if your RV is damaged while traveling more than 50 miles away from your primary residence;
- Full-Timer's Package — offers extra coverage if you use your RV as your home or primary residence;
- Replacement Cost Personal Effects Coverage — covers the loss of or damage to the contents of your RV; and
- Roadside Assistance Coverage — provides towing to the nearest qualified repair facility and is a "Sign and Drive" coverage, meaning no out-of-pocket expenses for customers.
Knowing RVers crave comfort and convenience beyond their insurance, the survey also asked them about the items they find most useful in their RV. Small kitchen appliances and entertainment equipment top the list but sometimes safety can outweigh the creature comforts: RVers say a fire extinguisher is slightly more useful than a cooler. After all, a cold drink can come in handy, but only after that pesky fire is put out.
For more information on Progressive RV insurance please visit http://rv.progressive.com.
About Progressive
The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, now celebrating its 70th year in business, is the country's 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 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.driveinsurance.com. The Direct Business sells Progressive Direct private passenger auto insurance online at www.progressive.com and by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE. Each business makes independent decisions about private passenger auto insurance product design and pricing, and both offer Progressive's other products, including Progressive RV, Progressive Motorcycle, Progressive Commercial, etc. Progressive and Drive are registered trademarks.
The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at NYSE:PGR. For more information, please visit www.progressive.com.
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Eric Westphal is available for interview.
Editor's note: Additional survey data available upon request.
Did You Know…
According to a survey of RVers conducted by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies
Live and Learn on the Open Road
Top Five Blunders Made While RVing
- Driving off with the steps extended (14 percent)
- Backing up into a post or other stationary object
(8 percent)
- Misjudging the amount of overhead and/or side clearance space (7 percent)
- Not connecting the tail lights correctly (5 percent)
- Running out of fuel (3 percent)
Oops He Did it Again …
Female RVers are slightly more likely than male RVers to not connect the tail lights correctly. However, the opposite is true when it comes to other blunders: Men are more likely than women to drive off with the steps extended, back up into a post or other stationary object, and misjudge the amount of overhead and/or side clearance space.
Three Things RVers Forget to Routinely Check Before Taking a Trip
- Tire pressure (10 percent)
- Propane supply (9 percent)
- Water supply (7 percent)
Objects in Mirror May Appear Closer than They Are
Motor home owners are two times more likely than travel trailer owners to forget to check the rear- and side-view mirrors before using their RV (8 percent versus 4 percent, respectively).
Top Three Personal Items Lost or Damaged While RVing
- Camping supplies (19 percent)
- Clothing (15 percent)
- Cooler (12 percent)
The number one personal item travel trailer owners lose or damage is camping equipment; for motor home owners, it's clothing.
Love 'Em and Leave 'Em
Two (2) percent of RVers surveyed have blundered by leaving a passenger behind at a campground, rest area or other stop while traveling in their RV. The person left behind most often? A spouse or significant other; pets and grandparents are least likely to be left behind.
Insure Your Passion for RVing
Lotsa Miles, Little Coverage
The majority of RVers surveyed (53 percent) spend a month or more RVing each year and 42 percent travel more than 500 miles per trip. But, less than one-third (28 percent) bought a stand-alone insurance policy with specialized RV coverages; the majority (54 percent) just added their RV to their private passenger auto policy and 14 percent didn't buy any RV insurance.
Travel trailer owners are three times more likely than motor home owners to say they didn't buy any RV insurance
(19 percent versus 6 percent).
Home Sweet RV
Seven (7) percent of RVers surveyed are "full-timers," meaning they use their RV as a primary residence. Of these respondents, the majority only added their RV to their private passenger auto policy (31 percent) or didn't buy any RV insurance at all (20 percent).
Motor Home Owners Want More from Their RV Insurance
Motor home owners are nearly two times more likely than travel trailer owners to buy specialized RV insurance
(40 percent versus 22 percent, respectively).
They are also nearly three times more likely to shop because they want specialized coverages that are generally not available as an endorsement on their private passenger auto insurance policy (14 percent versus 5 percent).
Shop 'Til You Drop … Not
RVers shop for RV insurance when they buy a new RV
(39 percent) or when their insurance premium increases
(11 percent). They're least likely to shop when adding another driver to their policy (2 percent).
"Prompt" Shoppers
RVers shop for RV insurance when they buy a new RV (39 percent) or when their insurance premium increases (11 percent). They’re least likely to shop when adding another driver to their policy (2 percent).
"Breaking and Entering"
Sixteen (16) percent of RVers say a rodent or animal that didn't belong to them entered their RV and caused damage. The most common animals to "break and enter?" A rat or mouse (81 percent) and a squirrel (12 percent).
One RVer wrote in that a horse came in to the RV and caused damage!
RV Livin' is the Life for Me
Favorite RV-Related Activities
- Camping (31 percent)
- Enjoying nature (20 percent)
- Visiting family and friends (13 percent)
- Visiting tourist spots (12 percent)
- Hunting or fishing (11 percent)
Top Five Most Useful RV Items
- Small kitchen appliance (coffee maker, blender, toaster) (32 percent)
- Entertainment equipment (TV, VCR, DVD player, etc.) (19 percent)
- Grill (12 percent)
- Fire extinguisher (8 percent)
- Cooler (7 percent)
The least useful item? A compass.
Forgotten Flashlight
The number one safety-related item RVers who were surveyed say they mistakenly leave behind before taking a trip? A flashlight (27 percent).
No Need to Ask for Directions
Motor home owners are eight times more likely than travel trailer owners to say a Global Positioning System (GPS) is the most useful item in their RV (8 percent versus 1 percent), while travel trailer owners are nearly twice as likely as motor home owners to say a grill is most useful.
Price Tops the List, Safety Ranks Last
The top three factors that affected the type of RV respondents chose to buy or lease: purchase/lease price
(25 percent), size of the RV (24 percent), and the amenities included in the RV (20 percent). The least likely factor? Safety features (7 percent).
Priorities Change …
When deciding which type of RV to buy or lease, motor home and travel trailer owners who have been RVing for less than five years say the number one factor is purchase/lease price while those who have been RVing for more than 15 years say size is the most important factor.
Size Factors In, Too
Female RVers say purchase/lease price is most important when deciding which type of RV to buy or lease (70 percent), while male RVers say it's purchase/lease price and the size of the RV that are of equal importance (64 percent tie).
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