Most West Hartford, CT recreational vehicle owners understand the need for insurance to cover events that may occur while operating their vehicle during travel and vacations. Accidents, natural events such as fire or theft, and liability all seem like perfect reasons to have coverage when you and your family are on the road. But, what about when your recreational vehicle (RV) is in storage? Do you still need insurance then? 

RV Storage 

RV storage is increasingly popular in recent years, mostly due to the fact that many cities and homeowners associations have restrictions on what types of vehicles property owners can park on their property, as well as the fact that in many areas there’s very little available parking for recreational vehicles. With an RV storage option, you can often protect yourself against fire, storm damage, or theft, while cutting your premiums during the time your RV is not in use. Look for an ALLConnecticut Insurance policy that suspends collision and liability coverage, but keeps comprehensive coverage, and you can save significantly as long as your RV is stored.  

What If My RV Is Parked, But I Live In It? 

Depending on where you live in CT, you may have zoning that allows full-time living in recreational vehicles. Even if you are not hitting the highway, you still need protection! Look for a specialty “Full-Timers” RV coverage package designed especially for those who live in their RVs. They generally provide coverage similar a homeowners policy but are specifically designed by RV experts to meet your unique live-in needs. 

Leased or Financed Vehicles 

If you are purchasing a new or used RV that is leased or financed, you may not have a choice concerning insurance coverage. You are most likely to be required to carry insurance that protects you and your lender from risks of damage to the vehicle even if it is not being driven. Once your RV financing has been paid off, you may be able to lower your insurance premiums. 
 

How is West Hartford, CT, different from Florida? For starters, you experience real seasons up north. That means that some of your favorite toys might regularly see multi-month spans of disuse. Those are the times that have you wondering if you really need to keep them insured throughout the year. That’s a great question, so let the experience of AllConnecticut Insurance shed some light on the situation.

How Off Is the Off Season?

There are plenty of instances where seasonal coverage will save you money on your annual premiums, but you need to be sure that the off season is reliably filled with down time. Here’s the question: how often are you tempted to take the boat out during the cold months? If the answer isn’t a resounding zero, then seasonal coverage might not be your best option. Conversely, there are situations where the off season is reliable. You aren’t going to be taking the snowmobile for a spin in the middle of the summer, right?

The other simple consideration for seasonal coverage is how long the off season actually lasts. Since these things usually revolve around weather, you want to have some wiggle room in your policy to extend coverage for an abnormally long cold or hot session.

Does it Go in Storage?

This is another important consideration. If your boat stays on a dock all winter but is still exposed to the elements, you don’t want to completely kill your storage. The same can be said for a toy that sits outside under a tarp. There are still elements of risk there. If your toy has a clear off season but doesn’t get put in protective custody, there’s a third option to try and save a little money.

Most people overlook it, but many toy policies include room for you to toggle your deductible. A higher deductible in the off season can lower your overall premiums without leaving you completely uninsured against the unthinkable.

In the end, your toy coverage necessities boil down to personal preference and lifestyle choices. That’s why your best bet is to go ahead and have a nice conversation with your AllConnecticut Insurance representative. They’ll help you plan around all of the West Hartford, CT, seasons to get a good deal.

 

Residents of West Hartford, CT love going camping and taking off on trips with an RV. At ALLConnecticut Insurance, we find that getting a policy before a trip is usually a wise decision. That’s because it can help to protect your investment, even in situations where a policy is not mandatory.

RV Insurance is Often Optional

While RV insurance is usually a good choice, it is often optional. For example, people who own their motorhome without any financing are not required to get insurance. However, motorhomes that are being financed usually require policies because the lender will make it part of your loan deal. That said, towable vehicles, such as pop-up and fifth wheels, usually don’t require insurance to own and use. That said, just because a policy is not mandatory doesn’t mean it isn’t a good idea to have one, particularly if you are going on a trip.

Policies Are Wise if You Are Traveling

Even if RV insurance isn’t required in your instance, it is still a good idea to get it before going on a trip. Imagine driving your motorhome up a mountain and suffering from brake failure. The damage you cause before you finally stop could be catastrophic. And without liability or collision coverage, you are going to be left in a strange area with a huge repair bill and potential lawsuits on your hands. These situations could be easily handled with liability and collision insurance but not so much if you don’t have these policies to protect you. 

Let Us Know if You Need Help

Residents of West Hartford, CT who plan on going on a trip with their RV should contact us at ALLConnecticut Insurance to learn more about their policy options. We can help you sort through the confusion and get the right coverage for your trip and your travel needs.

Nobody wants to think about having a boat accident; however, knowing what to say and do if you happen to have one is an important consideration for all boat owners. There are certain steps to take in case there are people injured or killed. There are things to do to help those in need. There are things not to do and things that should not be said. This is a helpful guide from the agents at ALLConnecticut Insurance, serving West Hartford, CT and the surrounding area.

Safety First

After a boat accident, if you are still onboard and the boat is afloat, determine if anyone is injured and needs medical assistance. At the same time, evaluate the safety of remaining on the boat. Stay calm and do not panic. Focus on making good decisions and taking the appropriate actions depending on what is happening.

In some boat accidents, the fuel explodes into flames. If there is any risk of this occurring or if the boat is already on fire, help everyone out of the boat and get into the water. Move as far away from the burning boat as possible.

If the boat is sinking, make sure everyone has a floatation device and get into the water. Move away from the boat to avoid the boat pulling you down under water from the vacuum caused by its sinking.

If there is no risk of the boat sinking, or from fire, or explosion, do the opposite and stay on the boat. Help anyone that fell overboard to get back into the boat. Help the injured by giving first aid. Use any available communication system to send a “May Day” distress call for help to the Coast Guard.

Gather Information

Once you are sure everyone is OK and out of danger, gather information about the accident, such as the contact information for everyone involved including the boat owners, passengers, witnesses, and insurance companies/policy numbers (if available) for the involved parties. Take photographs of the scene and the damage.

Report the Accident

Federal law requires the boat accident to be reported if anyone is injured enough to need medical care or killed. Moreover, if the damage exceeds $2,000 a report must be filed with the U.S. Coast Guard. Do not admit the accident was your fault or say you are sorry about it to anyone.

Contact Your Insurance Agent and an Attorney

As soon as possible contact your insurance agent to inform them of the accident. It is also usually a good idea to contact an attorney that specializes in boat accidents regardless of who is at fault for causing the accident.

For peace of mind, ask your agent at ALLConnecticut Insurance in West Hartford, CT to review your boat insurance to make sure the coverage is adequate.

Residents of West Hartford, CT have many fun places to take their RV camping. However, a failing air conditioner is always an issue because it can make it impossible to enjoy your camping experience. If you are worried about whether or not your policy will pay for repairs, contact us at ALLConnecticut Insurance to learn more.

Appliance Coverage Is Typical In RV Insurance

When you buy RV insurance, you are typically not only insuring the vehicle but the appliances inside. That’s because these vehicles are unique because they allow you to live in them either temporarily or permanently. Therefore, they are also considered a home unit.

So items such as the refrigerator, television, plumbing systems, and your air conditioner can be covered. It all depends on the scope of your policy and how you set it up with your insurance provider. As a result, it is critical to know when your policy may fail you.

When Your Policy May Not Cover Air Conditioner Repair

If you did anything to cause damage to your unit, such as faulty personal repairs, you may void your coverage on your air conditioner. That’s because insurance companies won’t cover damage that you directly caused through incompetence or malice.

However, they will often cover issues that occur when somebody else performs poor repairs. That’s because you hired them in good faith and they failed to provide you with high-quality service. Talk to your provider about this issue to learn more about how it affects you.

Getting The RV Insurance You Need

Make sure that you talk to us at ALLConnecticut Insurance if you own an RV with an air conditioner. We can help West Hartford, CT residents get the coverage they need for their recreational vehicles and avoid the kinds of common issues that make air conditioners fail.