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RV PODCAST 219: What you need to know about RV Insurance

| Updated Nov 21, 2018

One of the topics that we are asked about a lot has to do with insurance. How do you select the right insurance for your RV? If you make a mistake, you can overpay, or be under insured. There are so many variables that when it comes to choosing RV insurance, you need to know as much as possible, to make sure you're getting the best deal and the best coverage.

This week in our interview of the week, we're going to dig into just that.

Plus, as always, your RV questions, RV News of the week, Jennifer’s Tip, Traveling Technology suggestions and an off the beaten path report.

Show Notes for Episode #219 Nov. 21, 2018 of Roadtreking – The RV Podcast:

WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK

We’re back home in Michigan for the holidays.

Next event is our winter campout in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We are taking Bo up camping at Tahquamenon January 11-13th. We have a tradition of five years of doing this and Bo insists on a snow vacation before we head south. Anyway, we have reserved site 177. Openings are filling up fast for that weekend. We can't make later dates because of other official commitments later that month. But if you also want to head up there, you need to reserve your own spot with the Michigan DNR at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, at the Lower Falls Hemlock campground. Here's the website:
https://www.midnrreservations.com/TAHQUAMENONFALLSSTATEPARK
If you do, let us know you're coming and request to join our special Facebook Grpup that we have set up for this event at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1697339513886451/

We’re celebrating the RV Podcast being the Number One Podcast in the list of the Top 15 podcasts released by by Feedspot, a respected web service that rates logs, news websites, Youtube Channels, podcasts, magazines, RSS feeds and Social Sites accounts worldwide. We were chosen, said Feedspot, “from thousands of RV Podcasts on the web using search and social metrics…because they are actively working to educate, inspire, and empower their readers with frequent updates and high-quality information.” The judging was by Feedspot's editorial team and expert reviewers and based on, among other things, our influence, popularity, quality and consistency of posts. That's pretty exciting and we wanted to share that with you, who, after all, make it possible by listening and reading us! See https://blog.feedspot.com/rv_podcasts/ 

The second exciting announcement is that we have released a new book called RV Buying Secrets, that demystifies the RV buying experience  in a 70-plus page guide that will give you a step-by-step process to buy a new or used RV at a fair price. If you've spent any amount of time researching RVs, you'll know that the RV buying process can be completely overwhelming and confusing.There are so many different models and manufacturers to choose from, floor plans, amenities and everything in between. That's why we wrote the guide, to give prospective buyers an exact plan to follow, a plan that lays out the exact steps to take from an idea of the RV Lifestyle to you driving home in the perfect RV for you. You can learn more about it at https://rvlifestyle.com/buy

RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK

MIKE
More states are urging residents to make Black Friday a Green Friday by going outside 
This week many of us will enjoy spending Thanksgiving with friends and families, but what to do on Friday? Why not head outdoors? Many state parks across the country are urging everyone to make Black Friday a Green Friday, by offering free or discounted admission and offering special outdoor-related activities. Oregon has even renamed the day Green Friday, and in Washington state they are calling it Autumn Day. (click here for more info). South Carolina is offering deep discounts (click here), and many, many other states have similar plans. The whole #OptOutside movement was started by the retailer REI several years ago and has really caught on. Click here for more info. 

JENNIFER
Story profiles four couples who sold their sticks and brick houses to live on the road 
About a million people at all stages of life are living full-time in their RVs, traveling the country as modern day nomads, according to a story I read last week. Most of us in the RV community know full-well the appeal of living in an RV, traveling the country, and enjoying a new adventure each day. It was fun, however, to see how the lifestyle was portrayed in the paper, complete with a profile of four couples. To see for yourself, click here.

MIKE
Drones in news again after illegal footage of Yellowstone National Park becomes public
Last week we shared about a drone controversy surrounding footage out of Russia, of a mother bear and her cub trying to get away from the buzzing device. This week drones were in the news at Yellowstone National Park. Apparently a man was in the park the last day it was open, and brought in a drone – which is illegal- and shot footage that he put on Instagram. Officials found it, and are now searching for him to charge him with a misdemeanor crime. Apparently the drone operator is not apologetic – but Yellowstone officials stressed the harm drones cause animals – and unique environments. To see the story, click here.

JENNIFER
About 90 percent of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area affected by fire
Much of the country has been captivated by the heartbreaking stories coming out of California and this latest round of wildfires. The loss of life, loss of property, loss of entire communities is devastating. We are now also hearing about the destruction of public lands. One story stated nearly 90 percent of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area was blackened by the Woolsey fire in California. Historic structures, including Western Town at the Paramount Ranch, was destroyed. Much of the wildlife, including mountain lions and bobcats who lived there, are alive, according to tracking collars, but their habitat is gone. To read more, click here. Another story (click here) lists some of the other popular camping or trails destroyed.

MIKE
Camping in a Colorado state park next year is going to be more costly
Another state is raising its camping fees to better maintain its campgrounds. This time it is Colorado which was in the news, with costs for a full-hook up site in one of its beautiful state run campgrounds costing ​$32-$41 per night next year, up from $28-$30 per night currently. Primitive camping sites will cost $14-$18 per night, up from $10-$12 per night in 2018. Some of the increase is off set by the elimination of a $10 registration fee. The new funding is needed to upgrade pads, keep more camp hosts and improve connectivity, according to the Colorado Parks & Wildlife site (click here to see.) A story out last week explains more here.

 JENNIFER'S RV TIP OF THE WEEK

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I enjoy gathering with loved ones, sitting around the table, eating the traditional foods, and sharing memories.

But inevitably, as soon as the dinner is done and the dishes washed and put away, the topic that starts to occupy my mind is holiday gift giving. Do any of you ever feel this way?

Well, this year I have a few campers on my list, and I am getting a head start looking for that perfect, sometimes practical, sometimes whimsical gift. I found items that were just perfect last weekend on the site Etsy, and was so excited, I decided to share some of those finds with you.

For instance, everyone needs something to wipe their feet on before entering their RV. One site I found sells personalized door mats with camping themes. The mats are 30 inches long and 18 inches wide and sell for $43. You can put a personalized message on them such as “Home Sweet Camper”  or “Grandchildren spoiled here,” or “Home is where you park it.” The items appear to be well made, based on reviews, and would be perfect for that practical camping friend. 

Another gift idea is a beautiful garden flag that could be placed on the campsite to welcome others, or to hold the spot for us in campervans when we are away exploring. The garden flags are personalized, and have sayings like, “Living the Good Life,” or “Always at Home, Wherever we Roam.” There are also various options available with pictures of the type of camper your friend uses, and places to add last names.  The personalized garden flags sell for about $26.

A gift that might be perfect for the campfire enthusiast in your group are personalized, homemade firestarters made with pine cones, pine needles, and various other recycled materials covered with soy wax .The fire starters are to be placed in your campfire with kindling surrounding them. Then simply light the starter, and the fire should start that easily. The site I found makes a variety of cute designs selling for $10-$15 for a set of 10. 

Or, if you are looking for something a little less practical, I found some socks that made me grin. Have any of you ever tried to park a long camping trailer in a tiny spot at a busy RV park? Or, have you ever watched anyone who tried to do it? One site was selling socks that addressed this. One sock said: “Sorry for what I said” and the other sock said “When we were parking the camper” The socks are available in both men and women's sizing, in a variety of colors, with cotton or cotton and wool blends for just under $8.

I sure had fun looking at all the whimsical and practical ideas out there and only have space to mention a few of my finds. I will include links to each in the show notes in case it could help you.

And be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox.

I love hearing from you!

 Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes ,an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping  Use promomcode Roadtreking at checkout for $75 off Rad Power Bikes' great deal just got better! This Cyber Monday, Nov 26th, at RADPOWERBIKES.COM you can save up to $400 on their full product lineup! Go to their website for additional details and buy at RADPOWERBIKES.COM on Cyber Monday the 26th to save big. Supplies will be limited, so act fast!”

LISTENER RV QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK

Ed asks for our recommendation of the best Pet Camera for RVers that works wirelessly and with a smartphone app. We refer him to our Bo on the Road video – https://youtu.be/GWzR9icgBX8

In it we show the temperature monitor we use that's connected to an app on our phone. It is a huge relief if we have to leave Bo in the rig for a short time period. Even with fans going and the AC on, we all know that those things can heat up FAST. The RV Pet Safety Temperature Monitor uses cell service and can notify you by text and email alert if the internal temp of your RV starts to get dangerously high. While on the spendy side at $279, this device delivers on consistency with battery backup and real-time temp reporting. All-in-all, the peace of mind that Bo will be alright if we leave him for a bit is what really makes this for us. You can get it at https://amzn.to/2Qhs8RD

Listener Marc offers up several suggestions on what we can name our RV. In the podcast, we reveal the name we have chosen. 

And by email we have this question from Debra: Any news about whether Hymer/Roadtrek  will begin using the new 2019 gas-powered MB Sprinter vans (manufactured in North Charleston) rather than/in addition to the diesel Sprinters?

RV INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK

One of the topics that we are asked about a lot has to do with insurance. How do you select the right insurance for your RV? ‘Cause, if you make a mistake, you can overpay, or be undercovered. And, there are so many variables, that when it comes to choosing RV insurance, you need to know as much as possible, to make sure you're getting the best deal and the best coverage.

This week in our interview of the week, we're going to dig into just that.

Joining us right now to help sort through these RV insurance questions is Theresa Cogar. She is with Recreation Insurance Specialists, also known as RIS. To learn more and get the best coverage for you, go to  https://rvlifestyle.com/insurance

Here’s a video version of the interview:

Here’s a full transcript:

Mike Wendland:              First, Theresa, thank you so much for being with us today.

Theresa Cogar:            You're welcome, thank you.

Mike Wendland:         Now, let me ask a couple of questions. Most RVers sign up for insurance right at the dealer, or they just call their home insurance provider, or they perhaps call whoever they normally do their car insurance with. How do people avoid making the mistakes that cost them a lot of money, and get them not less than adequate insurance for their RVs.

                                    Give us some scenarios, the mistakes that people make.

Theresa Cogar:            Well, first of all, when someone's purchasing an RV, everyone is very anxious to get the sale done and over with. And often, at the dealership, they want there to be proof of insurance before they take the RV. So, the pressure is a little high to go out and get the insurance from where they recommend or who they filter their referrals to.

                                    And sometimes, they haven't had a chance to really cover RV specialty coverages. And, sometimes, they're not even a carrier that has RV specialty coverage.

Mike Wendland:         So, what exactly does RV specialty coverage cover? Why do we need to have special coverage for this? Why wouldn't a car insurance policy do it, or a home policy? What are some of the pitfalls that choosing the wrong insurance can cause us?

Theresa Cogar:            Well, one thing, without a specialty coverage carrier, you're not looking at people who can adjust claims the same way that … They are not experienced enough with what to expect with RV damage, and that, and water leakage, and those types of things. So, that's one thing.

                                    The other thing is, the value of your vehicle is a lot different than your auto. We are all accustomed to a car loses its value as soon as you pull it off the dealership thought, but RVs are a little bit different, and with RV specialty coverages, you can kind of protect yourself from losing too much on your vehicle.

Mike Wendland:         So, what are the things that can be done, that you guys do? One of the reasons we speak very highly of your guys is that you kind of custom make a policy based on the RV owner's needs. Rather than kind of just this blanket coverage that we often can just sign up for when we get insurance on our cars. Is that kind of how it works? And explain what an RV insurance specialty just does.

                                    When I fill out that little form … And we'll put a link to you guys on the show notes for this, and in the description. But, when I fill out that little form, what happens then?

Theresa Cogar:            Well, we take into consideration if it's a brand new unit or a used unit. That's one of the very most important things. You can qualify for total loss replacement, as opposed to an actual cash value policy. Which means, if you have a total loss to your unit, they will actually replace the vehicle with a new one. The same make and model, to the closest they can get it.

                                    As opposed to an actual cash value policy, that would, at the time of the loss, they would decide then, well, what was the value of the vehicle.

                                    So, those are sometimes … That's the biggest thing that hits ‘ya is that, boy, I thought this was worth $60,000, and I had a total loss and I'm only getting $45,000.

                                    The other thing you want to look for is how does the person use the vehicle. Are they full time, using it as their home and have no home. Do they use it some times of the year, but they are snowbirds and live in Ohio to get away from the snow, they are gone.

                                    Are they using it for things other than personal use. There's a lot of different questions that go in their. So, you would figure out, well, what carriers are available that can insure them for these usages.

                                    And, there are also specialty coverages that may be important. You know, do you pull a trailer behind your motor home? Personal effects that you may have, because you live in it, you have a lot. So, you want to take into consideration those things.

                                    They also offer valuable personal property for people, so that you can schedule it on the policy, much like a homeowner's policy. So, a lot of those things go into figuring out what carrier's best for you.

Mike Wendland:         Now, how many carriers are there out there that you guys typically will typically survey in coming up with a recommended policy?

Theresa Cogar:            Well, we have four carriers that we're using right now. There are probably five or six out there that do an RV specialty coverage. Some of the bigger companies are getting a little more involved, as they learn, well, this is a good category to go to.

                                    They look at RVers as being responsible people who care about their property. They're going to take care of it. So, it's kind of a good risk for them. But, I would say right now, there's about four to six carriers that you can really get some RV coverage, that can be tailored to your needs.

Mike Wendland:         From your experience, do most RVers overpay or get inadequate insurance, when they just do it on their own, or go through whatever the dealer recommends? What's your experience on that, your advice to RVers?

Theresa Cogar:            I don't know that people overpay, necessarily, by not shopping around. But, you do take a risk of not getting coverage that you need. I think the industry itself, you may have one carrier that's much more competitive to another one, but sooner or later they kind of equal out, because after they've reviewed their losses each year, they have to do, “Hey, are we even making any profit here.”

                                    So, that's one of the factors that go into that. So, it's always important to shop around, be people's rates do change. So, it's a good idea to keep in touch, at least, if not every year, every other year, to see if you're in the ballpark.

                                    And obviously, when rate changes happen, as your renewals, you'll know, well, I definitely want to shop around. It's $400 more this year.

                                    But, what you're missing out on is making sure you have good coverage with a carrier that understands RV claims and how to expedite them. That you have all the coverages that you could have available to you.

Mike Wendland:         Talk about those coverages. What are some of the specialty items that most RVers should have with insuring their RV? What are some of the things we might miss that we don't know? You talked a minute ago about total loss repair, or loss versus actual cash value, and I'm not sure I quite understood that.

                                    Actual cash value has to do with after depreciation and mileage, but total loss, what is that and what's the advantage of choosing that over the other?

Theresa Cogar:            Well, total loss replacement is offered to those who are the original owner of a vehicle that is five years or newer. So, let's say you're purchasing a brand new unit, you purchase the total loss replacement. What it does is it guarantees that you will have your RV replaced with a new vehicle if you have a total loss.

                                    So, those things, if you do an actual cash value, and it's two or three years down the road, they do a value check on the vehicle, and you get less than what you actually purchased it for. With total loss replacement, there's really not a set figure, except for them to base their rate on.

                                    But, you know that, if, well, I have a 2018 Allegro Bus, I'm going to get something very similar if I have a total loss, at the end of the claim.

Mike Wendland:         So, that's something that we would recommend obviously, for people buying a new unit. What are some of the other specialty things that we should have, or at least consider when we're choosing an RV insurance?

Theresa Cogar:            The other coverages are, there's vacation liability, that it's kind of like a homeowner's policy for your campsite. So, if you have visitors that you're not related to, somehow get related in or around your campsite, it can cover for injuries and property damage that you might do at a campsite. That thing of thing.

                                    You have emergency expense. That also pays for hotel stays and travel if you have a loss to your vehicle and you're far away from home, and it's something … You can't stay in it for the night. They'll reimburse your hotel stays, and even help pay for a rental car after the fact. That's a good one.

                                    There's also, as I mentioned, the personal effects, for people who carry things that are valuable, that want to keep things on. You can schedule it on the policy. Those are things that are not necessarily available if you just add it to your auto policy. And, there's things where people add a satellite dish to their vehicle, those things are considered in the value of the vehicle, the upgrades.

                                    If you've been on a regular auto policy, they're not going to be concerned. Not that they're not concerned, but they don't have the extra coverage for those types of things.

Mike Wendland:         All right, now let's walk through finding the right policy for us. So, we send somebody to your RIS site, and what happens? They fill out a form. Walk us through how a recreation vehicle insurance specialist will help to find the right price for them, and how long does that normally take?

Theresa Cogar:            Once we have the information, we're basically going to run the information with all our carriers that we have available. We will determine whether the vehicle is eligible for coverage, such as toter homes, and medium-duty trucks and fifth wheels. Fifth wheel trailers that go together. The medium duty tow and a toter home is harder to place, so we would determine, okay, we have this carrier for that.

                                    So, that's another thing, you have to consider eligibility. At that point, we try the carriers. We don't do an automated quote that puts it into five or six carriers to see who gets the best price. We actually do put it in physically, because there's information that's really important, with discounts, are they shopping ahead of time. All that kind of stuff goes into the works when you're going it.

                                    But, we definitely would have it within the same day.

Mike Wendland:         So, people will typically buy and RV, and they got a shop to sign the final papers tomorrow or the day after. That's when they need the insurance, and there's still time for them to go through that process and find the policy that's right for them and their RV? By just filling out that form and talking to your specialists, is that correct?

Theresa Cogar:            Yes, it is. There are times when we may have to ask an underwriter a question. Very few times where it would take less than the same day that you have asked for it, to get the quote, and even to issue the policy. So, it's basically, if you made a rush decision to buy something, or all of a sudden they say, hey, it's delivered and it's here waiting for you. Maybe you didn't do your homework quick enough, we can put it out within a day, for sure.

Mike Wendland:         All right. Now, some general safeguards for people who have insurance, and keeping track, so they're not disappointed when it comes to claims time, if they have to file a claim. What's some advice that all RVers can follow, to make sure that the insurance procedure works real well, when they actually have to call the underwriter and make a claim?

Theresa Cogar:            Yeah, that's a really good question because when you're on the other end of it, when you're going through a claim, you don't want to be surprised by things. It actually helps, in terms of how long it takes the claim to go through. But, if you keep very good records, photos of your vehicle, receipts when you've done upgrades or added something to your vehicle that adds value to it.

                                    Keeping that all at finger … You know, you know where it is at all times would be really helpful during a claims process. Like, the title and registration, that kind of thing.

                                    But, the better you keep records on the condition on your vehicle, what it looked like, because a total loss can mean that an adjuster can even … There's nothing for them to look at. So, they know what they're looking at by the proof that you have. So, that's the very number one thing that will safeguard you from being surprised, or a claim not reaching your expectations.

Mike Wendland:         All right. Well, Theresa Cogar from Recreation Insurance Specialists. You have given us some great information today, and the point, I think, of this whole message for people is RV insurance, it's insurance on probably the second most costly purchase anybody will ever make, which is a recreation vehicle.

                                    So, having adequate insurance is pretty essential. Of course, finding the best policy that's tailored for you is something that we recommend, and we will put a link to RIS, Recreation Insurance Specialists, on the description here below the video and in the show notes for the podcast.

                                    Theresa, I want to thank you for spending time with us, and we'll have you back as we get more questions from our viewers and our listeners, all about recreation insurance. So, we're glad we've connected to you.

Theresa Cogar:            Thank you, thank you very much.

 

RIS (Recreation Insurance Specialists), formerly Blue Sky RV Insurance, has many years of experience with RV specialty coverage. We have partnered with them to tailor RV specialty insurance solutions to meet your specific needs. They have access to comprehensive RV insurance options with specialized coverages like Total Loss Replacement, Agreed Value, Scheduled Personal Property and Secured Storage. They can offer solutions for vehicles registered to a LLC or Trust and can provide specialized coverage for harder to place insurance such as full-timers, motorhomes, or medium duty tow vehicle and 5th wheel combinations. To get that special quote go to https://rvlifestyle.com/insurance 

The interview of the week is brought to you by SunshinestateRVs.com, where every new or used Roadtrek motorhome is delivered to the customer free, anywhere in the country

TRAVELING TECH TIP:

By Andy Choi
Verizon Wireless

Want to take this week’s tech segment to talk about how we could all use a little extra space, especially during the holidays. So whether it’s a holiday party or a big family gathering around the turkey, you may want to leave your big phone behind and take the new Palm device instead.

The Palm is a companion to your smartphone. It’s a Verizon exclusive connected device that syncs with Android and iPhone devices. The Palm uses the same number as your primary phone but in a much smaller package. You know that tiny change pocket on the front of your jeans? The Palm fits perfectly in there. Ladies, you can throw the Palm with a clutch and leave the big purse at home.

RV PODCAST 219: What you need to know about RV Insurance 1So how small are we talking here? The thin, portable design is about the size of a credit card, with a 3.3 inch touch screen. The Palm can receive calls and texts on your primary number without having that phone nearby. It can also stream music from apps or download for offline playback with 32 GB of storage. And yes, it’s got a camera — two cameras. A 12 megapixel rear facing camera and an 8 megapixel selfie cam to capture photos and access to social media apps to share right from the Palm.

Aside from the fact that the Palm’s diminutive size is just stinkin’ cute and makes a nice conversation starter at any gathering, the Palm lets you live in the moment — stay in the present. Rather than carrying a device that dominates your every waking moment, the Palm’s size is all about enhancing connectivity without blocking the world and those loved ones in front of you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. With this week’s traveling technology tip, I’m Andy Choi with Verizon.

This part of the podcast is brought to you by Verizon, which operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with more than 112 million retail connections nationwide.

 

OFF THE BEATEN PATH REPORT –  

By Tom & Patti Burkett

Rupe Sherwood was a prospector in the hardscrabble mines above Fairplay Colorado.  It was hard, dangerous work, and Rupe made a living but never hit the motherlode.  He came through, just west of the Continental Divide, as a teenager, driving a large herd of horses to the Pacific.  The lure of this country was too much, and he quit the drive and began work as a fur trapper.  After a good few years trapping, he decided to try his hand at prospecting and,  later, ranching.  In his final years he returned to South Park and the solitary miner’s life.  Most of his days were spent in the company of his faithful burro, Prunes.

Prunes is really the reason for this story.  Just off the square in Fairplay is a monument to his memory, unveiled by Rupe himself shortly after the burro passed away in 1930.  They’d been friends and partners for more than sixty years.  The old miner said, on that day, “Lord I hate to see him go. I would trust him ahead of any man.”  He wore and published a poem in Prunes’ memory.  A much less noble (but still beloved) burro lived here about the same time, wandering the town, begging for handouts.  You can find his small gravestone on the nearby courthouse lawn.

Fairplay is home to South Park City, a restored mining camp from the town’s boom days.  It includes well-furnished examples of a hotel, saloon, stores, doctors office, dentist office, post office and more.  It’s not hard to stand in the street flanked by these buildings and imagine what it might have been like as you look up toward Mosquito Pass.  At over 13,000 feet, it’s one of the highest passable roads in Colorado, and suitable only for skilled drivers in 4WD vehicles.  At the top is a monument to John Dyer.  “Father” Dyer crossed the pass several times a week as a circuit riding preacher visiting the miners at their camps.

The historic Hand Hotel had a dining room for many years and is now a bed & breakfast. but definitely worth a stop to enjoy the decor.  Head east.  As you pass through South Park you’ll see mountains on every side.  The little town of Como, just off US 285 to the north, was once the largest town in the county.  Here you’ll find a roundhouse that served the mining trains and a road that climbs over Boreas Pass.  Summiting at over eleven thousand feet, the road is suitable for a Roadtrek, and has several interesting historic stops along the way.

Up the slopes from Como you can find the ghost town that was Buckskin Joe.  Five thousand people lived here around the time of the Civil War.  A raucous mining town, it was best known for the dance hall girls at Bill Buck’s saloon.  One of these was a petite, reserved beauty from Denver who charmed all the miners and wore silver shoes whenever she went dancing.  Small in stature but great in spirit, she stayed behind to tend the sick and dying when smallpox hit the settlement and most of the population fled.  Mount Silverheels, to the northwest and snowcapped year round, is named in her memory.

If you choose not to turn off at Como, a bit farther along is the small ranching town of Jefferson.  Open for more than a century, the Jefferson Store offers home-cooked food and a wide array of travel, camping, and outdoor supplies.  There’s gas here, and 24-hour porta potties.  Turn north and you’ll soon enter the Jefferson National Forest.  The road climbs to one of our favorites spots of all time, Jefferson Lake.  There are a variety of camping options nearby.  Fishing here is first-rate, as it is at the nearby Tarryall Reservoir.

The small roads that crisscross South Park are rich in sights for the leisurely traveler.  Keep your eyes open for mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and the occasional elk.  We’ve seen many golden eagles out here.  There are abandoned cabins and mine entrances aplenty.  Be aware that these may be dangerous to enter and are frequently on private land.  Even from a distance though, and from the outside, they’re great photo subjects.  The aspen groves are lovely at any time of year, but especially majestic in the fall when they turn bright gold.  We’ll look for you out here, among the rocks and sage, off the beaten path.

Off the Beaten Path is brought to you by Harvest Hosts http://rvlifestyle.com/harvesthosts, a membership site that provides truly unique overnight stops at wineries, farms and attractions. 

 If you haven’t joined Harvest Hosts now is the time. January 1st the price will increase to $79 per year (up from the current $49), but only for new members. So anyone who is signed up before Jan 1 gets locked into the current rate, which is only $49/year. But as a listener to this podcast, you can beat even that price. Get yourself Grandfathered into the lower price!!! If you want a 10% discount, sign up through https://rvlifestyle.com/harvesthosts . Harvest Hosts gives our followers a very special price. But you have to use that link. Please share. Again, to get that 10% discount you must use the special address roadtreking.com/harvesthosts. 

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Thanks to all for the kind reviews we’ve received so far. That got us noticed by Apple/iTunes as “New and Noteworthy.” I appreciate every review!

And remember, you can appear in future episodes. Ask a question or voice your comments about RV topics by clicking the Leave Voicemail tab on the right side of this page here at Roadtreking.com. You can then use the microphone on your computer to record your words.

Mike Wendland

Published on 2018-11-21

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

2 Responses to “RV PODCAST 219: What you need to know about RV Insurance”

November 26, 2018at11:00 am, Jean Boyle said:

I went to the RV insurance link to get a quote and about halfway through it notified me that they don’t insure anyone over 75 :(. I am not there yet but my husband is.

November 24, 2018at8:04 pm, Sam Moss said:

You mention this week, the Nimble RV pet temperature monitor. I need to warn those considering the Nimble to be aware that the US only version does not work well near the borders of Texas and Mexico. I had no Nimble service in Lajitas, Texas, near Big Bend national Park and when I contacted the service reps, I was told that I was in Mexico and therefore my Nimble would not work. I pointed out that I was in Texas and that my Nimble had a good Verizon cell signal. I was then told that the Nimble does not work “exactly” with the cell phone towers and uses “IOT”. I was able to get a refund for the service but not for the device, even though I purchased it specifically for the trip to Big Bend. The people at customer service were very polite and sent me a new device, in case my first one was defective.
Just a warning: if you plan to be anywhere near the border of Texas/Mexico ( and maybe US/Canada) you should purchase the Nimble that has Mexico and Canada service.

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