IS RV Insurance Required?

Unlike what's required in many other states, ALL types of recreational vehicles driven or towed on public roads in North Carolina are required by state law to be covered by a minimum amount of RV insurance. This includes motorized RVs such as Class A, Class B and Class C RVs as well as bus conversions. It also includes the following non-motorized RVs:

• Fifth-wheel trailers
• Tent trailers (pop-ups)
• Toy haulers
• Travel trailers
• Truck trailers

What's the Minimum Coverage?

Just as with regular auto insurance coverage requirements in the state, liability RV insurance is required in an amount that at least meets the state minimums, which are:

• $30,000 bodily injury/person per accident
• $60,000 bodily injury total for all persons per accident
• $25,000 property damage per accident

Bear in mind that the above described liability coverage only pays benefits to third parties suffering losses in accidents that have been proven to be your responsibility. This coverage pays no benefits toward compensation for your own personal injuries or property damage.
RVs are also required to carry uninsured motorist coverage, which protects you from losses deemed the responsibility of a motorist who is uninsured or underinsured.

What's Not Required (But Probably a Good Idea)

Just as with auto insurance, there are plenty of insurance options to consider when buying your RV insurance policy. First off, it should be mentioned that the state minimum requirements for liability coverage are typically woefully inadequate in the real world of medical costs for injuries or property damage arising from a vehicle collision. Keep in mind that any costs incurred over and above what your liability coverage pays must come out of your own pocket, so think seriously about increasing your liability protection to a more adequate level.
Once your liability coverage is decided, there are other add-on coverage options to consider. These include:

• Collision
• Comprehensive
• Medical payments
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
• Roadside assistance, towing or rental reimbursement

Besides the above listed policy options, which are also available on any standard auto insurance policy, RV insurance can include some specialty option add-ons such as:

• Emergency expenses - pays for temporary living and travel expenses if your RV is damaged and you can't use it
• Equipment protection – pays for damage or loss of equipment stored outside your RV such as a satellite dish or trail bike
• Personal belongings protection – pays for damage or loss of personal items within your RV

What to Do After a Car Accident

Thousands of people are involved in car accidents every year and, for most, this is an experience that they neither expected nor planned for. What you do after a car accident can be extremely important in preventing further injuries, in reducing costs and in streamlining the process of fair settlements and expedient repairs.
The first step in effectively dealing with a vehicle accident in which you're involved is to have a comprehensive plan beforehand. This takes into account the reality of the potential of falling victim to an auto accident and having a number of items on hand in your vehicle, including:

• A charged cellphone with built-in camera or phone and separate disposable camera
• Pen and paper for taking notes
• Medical card indicating allergies and info on any important medical conditions
• Contact numbers for your insurance agent, insurance company and lawyer
• Flashlight
• Traffic cones, reflective triangles and/or emergency flares

Important Steps to Take

• Don't leave the accident scene. Think safety first. Check to see the extent of injuries of those involved and call 9-1-1 if needed. Don't move anyone suffering from back or neck injuries unless absolutely necessary.
• If possible, move vehicles off the road. If not, put on hazard lights and display flares or other warning devices.
• Notify the police. When they arrive note their names and badge numbers and later ask for a copy of their accident report.
• Obtain personal information from others involved, including: names, addresses, telephone numbers, insurance company name and policy number, driver's license and license plate numbers.
• Talk to passengers of other involved cars and any witnesses who saw the accident. Get their names and contact information.
• If a driver is different than the insured, note the name and address of both and their relationship.
• Note applicable vehicle information such as make, model, year, color, position of all cars at the time of the accident and a written note of what caused the accident. Take photos from all angles.
• Don't admit to anyone at the scene that the accident was your fault, even if you believe it was.
• Call your insurance company as soon as possible. The sooner they know, the sooner they can send someone out to investigate.
• Notify your lawyer.

Knowing what to do after a car accident and doing it can make a big difference as to how it all settles out. Always protect yourself and consider your own best interests.