PR Newswire | Jun 29, 2021 12:44PM EDT

First-Time RVers

06/29 11:43 CDT

With RV Ownership at an All-Time High, Erie Insurance Offers Tips for First-Time RVersInsurer also breaks down car versus RV road trips and what RV newbies need to know ERIE, Pa., June 29, 2021

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 * Spend some time practicing driving your RV in a safe place away from Driving a car is second-nature for traffic, such as in an empty parkingpeople who do it all the time, but lot. maneuvering an RV is different, * Leave a lot of room for wide turns. especially if you're doing it for * Maintain a proper distance from the first time and it's not other vehicles knowing that it may something you do very often. take longer than usual to slow down or speed up.

Visibility * Be extra cautious knowing that if a car is following too closely behind Anyone who drives a car is familiar your RV, you may not see it. with blind spots, but those can seem * Motorcycles can be especially hard even more pronounced for new RVers. to see depending on where and how close they are to your vehicle.

Maintenance * Put your RV on a monthly, seasonal and yearly maintenance schedule to Both cars and RVs require regular lessen the chance of a breakdown, maintenance like oil changes and equipment failure or other tire rotations, but RVs have many malfunction happening while you're additional features to attend to, on a trip. like water, sewer and electrical * Know that it may be more difficult lines, awnings, slide outs and to access specialized RV roadside seals. assistance if you're in a more remote location.

Getting around & gassing up * Consider towing a vehicle behind the RV so you can park the RV at a When you're on a car trip you use campsite and use the car to get your car for sight-seeing and you around. don't think twice about hitting a * Plot out your trip on a map so you drive-through for dinner or pulling know the locations not only of into any service station to gas up. campgrounds that accommodate RVs, Depending on the size of your RV, but also of rest stops big enough however, those things may not be for you to get into to fuel up your practical. RV.

Insurance * Many people choose Umbrella coverage as an extra layer of protection on Whether for a car or an RV, you'll top of their existing Auto, RV or need Liability insurance, which Home insurance. Umbrella may be covers injuries to others or damage especially helpful for RVers given to others' property if you are the different risks. Talk to your responsible for an accident, and you insurance agent to help you choose will also likely want Comprehensive the coverage that's best for you and Collision to cover your own based on your specific needs. vehicle.

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.

View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/with-rv-ownership-at-an-all-time-high-erie-insurance-offers-tips-for-first-time-rvers-301322312.html

SOURCE Erie Insurance Group