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

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!