When most people think of RVs, pleasant thoughts of leisure and travel generally come to mind. What is usually never at the first of the list of thoughts regarding RVs is a tragic accident. RV insurance is one of those things in life that you are happy to have and hope you never use. Almost all states require that you have some form of insurance for your RV; it just makes good sense, regardless of the law requiring it. If you plan on buying RV insurance soon, here are a few tips to consider:

• If you don't plan on living in your RV, and you only use it for short, small trips, you may actually want to consult your current homeowners insurance and see if it is covered by that policy. If not, you may want to call your insurance agent and ask if there is a rider that can be purchased to include your RV on your homeowner's policy. If so, what is the coverage and for how much? Be certain to get a complete picture of exactly what is covered and what the limitations of the coverage are before proceeding.

Often you can save money by adding your RV onto to your homeowners policy, but certain restrictions apply. A common restriction is the the RV must not be registered for road use. If this is a restriction, be certain not to violate it. The financial damage of having an uninsured accident could be catastrophic.

• If you do live in your RV, you should clearly state that fact when getting the insurance quote. Some people think that telling the insurance company that you only use the RV for short trips occasionally will save them money if they live in it instead, and perhaps it will. But if you actually do have to file a claim at any point, the insurer has the right to deny the claim based upon false information, if the coverage is written for occasional use and you are actually living in the RV. Why put your entire insurance policy at risk just to save a few dollars? The risk simply isn't worth it. State what your exact usage will be and you should be fine.

• For those that spend a good deal of time in their RV, or possibly even live full-time in it, getting an insurance policy from an insurer that specializes in RV insurance would be a wise move. Most auto insurance companies don't really understand the special needs of the RV lifestyle. You can easily wind up with a policy that is not appropriate for a person who resides in an RV. Many special aspects of RV liability are not included in standard auto insurance. The coverage limits themselves can be very inadequate as well, so it is not advisable to simply go to your auto insurance company and accept what they offer. It would be wise to shop around and get some quotes from RV insurance specialists. Study these proposals to see how they differ from auto insurance and what extra coverage is included.

• It would be prudent to shy away from any insurance companies that are relatively new, and haven't had enough time to build up a track record of customer service. Unfortunately, con artists operate in nearly every field, and insurance is included in this group. The insurance industry has had some less than honest people set up a company, sell policies, collect the premiums, and then either just deny most claims or disappear altogether. Most states have an insurance commissioner to prevent this kind of activity as much as possible. Before you buy a policy, check to see how long the company has been in business and check with the insurance commissioner in your state as well, if you do not recognize the name of the insurance company. Be sure that the company is in good standing with them before you decide to buy. Using insurance companies endorsed by major RV groups like The Good Sam Club is usually a wise move for peace of mind as well.

Getting adequate RV insurance is much easier today than it has ever been in the past, and there are more choices than ever too, in large part thanks to the internet. If you are looking for RV insurance, shop wisely. If you use the suggestions given above, you will most likely make a wise and successful choice.