Progressive, a leading RV insurer and the number one seller of RV insurance through independent agents, surveyed more than 1,000 RVers countrywide to find the amusing and at times embarrassing mishaps they've experienced while traveling. The survey also asked RVers about their insurance because, when blunders do happen, it's important to have the right coverage and service that gets them back on the road, fast.

"RVs can be a fun and relaxing way to travel but, as our survey shows, it's not unusual for a few mishaps to happen along the way," said Eric Westphal, RV product manager, Progressive.

Top Five Blunders Made While RVing

1. Driving off with the steps extended (14 percent)
2. Backing up into a post or other stationary object
   (8 percent)
3. Misjudging the amount of overhead and/or side clearance space (7 percent)
4. Not connecting the tail lights correctly (5 percent)
5. Running out of fuel (3 percent)

Oops He Did it Again 
Female RVers are slightly more likely than male RVers to not connect the tail lights correctly. However, the opposite is true when it comes to other blunders: Men are more likely than women to drive off with the steps extended, back up into a post or other stationary object, and misjudge the amount of overhead and/or side clearance space.

Three Things RVers Forget to Routinely Check Before Taking a Trip

1. Tire pressure (10 percent)
2. Propane supply (9 percent)
3. Water supply (7 percent)

Love 'Em and Leave 'Em

Two (2) percent of RVers surveyed have blundered by leaving a passenger behind at a campground, rest area or other stop while traveling in their RV. The person left behind most often? A spouse or significant other; pets and grandparents are least likely to be left behind.

Lotsa Miles, Little Coverage

The majority of RVers surveyed (53 percent) spend a month or more RVing each year and 42 percent travel more than 500 miles per trip. But, less than one-third (28 percent) bought a stand-alone insurance policy with specialized RV coverages; the majority (54 percent) just added their RV to their private passenger auto policy and 14 percent didn't buy any RV insurance.

Travel trailer owners are three times more likely than motor home owners to say they didn't buy any RV insurance (19 percent versus 6 percent).

"Breaking and Entering"
Sixteen (16) percent of RVers say a rodent or animal that didn't belong to them entered their RV and caused damage. The most common animals to "break and enter?" A rat or mouse (81 percent) and a squirrel (12 percent).

One RVer wrote in that a horse came in to the RV and caused damage!

Read the full survey press release here 
RoTi RV insurance section 
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