RV Insurance for Fulltimers?

One of the big question that folks making the jump from "sticks and bricks" to a "life on the road" is a good, solid, important one: What about insurance on the RV?

Sticks and bricks insurance protects you from loss: The house burns, the burglars burgle, the unexpected (and probably) uninvited trips over your rake and breaks a leg. These losses can be real--and hugely expensive. Not just "any" insurance company will be able to handle your new circumstances on the road. Really, it's best to talk to companies that are completely literate and often specialize in RV insurance.

A few things to keep in mind: The first at the top of the list is simply--ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS. Never take anything for granted. Can you assume "RV replacement insurance" will completely replace your "totaled" RV? Yes? No? Maybe? The latter is probably the most likely answer. Replacement insurance should replace your rig, but there may be limitations like, "For the first five years after manufacture." Or possibly, "Yes, but not for 'add ons' like awnings, solar panels, etc.'

What about liability? While it's true you don't own "real estate," what happens around your rig when it's parked somewhere can run you up a big bill. Somebody walks around the corner of your rig while it's parked in an RV park and bonks their head on your slide out. Seems like they ought to be smart enough to keep their eyes open, but in this litiginous society, lots of dummies like to sue. Can you afford a lawsuit?

Contents? Ah, the glories of contents. Some insurance companies base how much they'll pay your for "loss of contents" based on a percentage of the value of the rig. If you're a big gadget geek, a percentage of how much your rig is worth may not even come close to replacing your fancy treasures.

Not all fulltimers have insurance. Some are "self-insured" because they figure they have enough in the bank to cover any contingency. Some are "self-insured" because they don't have enough money in the bank to cover the cost of the premiums. It's a gamble any way you look at it. Nevertheless, when shopping for coverage, always ask questions.

Dialysis on Road Could Be In Your Own RV

For folks who face a regular regimen of kidney dialysis, trips to the dialysis center can really kill the dream of any sort of RV lifestyle. One woman has shown that the lifestyle may be more in reach of RVers than they'd dreamed.

Diane Rachey has been on regular, three-times-a-week dialysis treatments since the end of 2005. Needless to say, while both she and her husband are retired, getting to use an RV seemed out of reach. But not long ago, Diane and hubby hopped in their RV for a two-week trip--and never stepped in a dialysis center. What happened?

Diane is now working with a new portable dialysis system called NxStage that takes dialysis out of the clinic and into the home--even if that home is on wheels. Says Diane, “Once I started using NxStage, I felt great! I am 100% better both mentally and physically. Going to the center was extremely restrictive. My whole outlook on life now is much more positive, especially because I am able to spend more time enjoying life!”

As opposed to 3-a-week treatments, the NxStage system calls for 6-a-week at home treatments lasting around two and a half hours each. The firm that produces the system has equipment and supplies available throughout the US. Learn more about Diane's story here. Or for more information about the NxStage system, visit their website here.

Backpacker "Doesn't Get It"

"If you drive a motor home, you’re insulated from the rain. Your hips will never lay down to rest on a rock that’s sharp enough to poke through your sleeping pad. You won’t wake up covered in condensation, you won’t drool on the down jacket that doubles as a pillow, and you won’t have to pump your stove 45 times."

Ah, the idylic life of the backpacker. These are the comments of Evelyn Spence, an editor with Backpacker Magazine. She and a friend took a road trip through the west and were amazed at the curious names RV manufacturers choose to adorn their rigs with.

Writes Spence,"As we bee-lined across the Bonneville Salt Flats the next morning, we had numerous wildlife sightings. Dolphin. Coyote. Mallard. The Eagle. Road Bear. We had cute, nonsensical re-spellings that would make Lynne Truss want to kill herself. Carri-Lite. Komfort. Magestic. We even had mythical heroes (Midas). Heroic descriptors, or slightly exploitative First Nations references (Brave, Chieftain). Classic rock stars (Santana). Possible cartoon superheroes (The Road Ranger). Some of the names I just didn’t get. Layton. (Was that someone’s dad?) Prowler (um, creepy). Concourse. (Aren’t you driving an RV to get away from airports?)"

After mentioning how tough the life of an RVer must be, after all, we'll never hear the howl of the coyotes, nor be able to drink in the fresh scents of the wilderness, readers are presented with an opportunity to make their own comments. Not surprisingly, one of the first ones came from a Washington state woman, Elaine W. Perhaps echoing the comments of many of us 'old duffers,' Elaine writes (in part), "After 24 years growing herbs for the wholesale business, bending, weeding, planting, and constantly working so hard that most people, including you, probably can't even imagine, I want to SEE this great country of ours and sleep in my own bed at night. We are taking the plunge to 'fulltimers"... So...get over yourself! And add this to your list... "Yipee-ti-yi-yae!"

For the full story, and your own opportunity to comment, visit the High Country News.

28-year old Pitches Fulltiming, Biodiesel at RV Show

While dozens of RV dealers promote hundreds of RVs at Washington State's Tacoma Dome, a young man with a plan promotes not sales--but lifestyle changes. Ty Adams, a former employee of Monaco Motorcoach, decided to sell his home and instead of mortgage payment, took out an RV payment. Monaco gave Adams a huge discount on a new motorhome, and Ty took the offer and ran with it.

Adams believes in the RV lifestyle, but he thinks that it could be a lot more eco-friendly. To that end, Ty Adams promotes the use of biodiesel wherever he goes, and he walks the talk. The younger RV-buying set is listening: When Adams appeared at the Tacoma Dome show he had plenty of questions, and had plenty of answers to give. Handing out information on where to buy biodiesel, Adams talks about his experiences as a fulltimer motohoming around the country.

You can learn more about his story by reading an article in the Seattle Times or visit Adam's website.

Photo: The Seattle Times

Loonies Making Florida Resurgence

Fulltimers and snowbirds of every stripe are beginning to make their way to their winter RV havens. The favorable Canada-US currency exchange rate is helping to bring Canadian "birds" to Florida already. It's all because the Loonie (the Canadian dollar coin with its memorable reproduction of the Loon) is so close to parity with Old George that plenty of Canadians are finding the winter trip a whole lot easier to take--financially--than in the past.

While we can't say we've seen a huge influx of Maple Leaf Flag Fliers cruising into Arizona just yet, according to Florida's Herald Tribune, the south-bound influx is already on. With the strength of the Loonie as good as it is, some Canucks are planning on buying big dollar items. Check out the whole story in the Tribune's piece, "Early Birds Get the Deal."

Photo courtesy bgilliard on Flickr

UPDATE on TV Makeover Show Needs RVers

Earlier this week we posted an item about a TV makeover show that was looking for fulltimer RVers interested in having their rigs renovated. At the time we mentioned we'd try and get more information.

The staff of the show contacted us today--don't get out your hammer yet: The show has been scuttled, at least for the time being. We've killed the e-mail address in the original post but left the post in place as it was linked out to other sites. If the show is resurrected, we'll let you know.

TV "Makeover" Show Needs Fulltime RVers

This post recently appeared on the Escapee's fulltimer forum:

"Hi,I work for a popular home makeover show on TLC. We would love to makeover an RV (the bigger the better)Candidates get their own designer, a carpenter and a $2,000 budget. If anyone is interested feel free to respond to this post or e-mail me directly at: xxxxxxxx and I will send you more info and answer any questions."

We're trying to find out how legitimate the issue is, but for now, here's a shot at it for you all.

EDITORS NOTE: We just received an update from the makeover show--apparently the show has been scuttled for the time being. If it rises from the ashes, we'll let you know. 10/5/07

Looking for Fall Color? How About Alberta?

One of the blessings we as RV fulltimers often have is the ability to change plans. That flexibility allows us to change plans and do the unexpected.

Here's what might be an unexpected beauty to take in: This fall's color in the Canadian Rockies is spectacular. If you're in the neighborhood of Alberta, check out our fall color in the Canadian Rockies entry in our sister blog, RVing Canada.

Photo courtesy Travel Alberta