Ignore This Common RV Disaster and You Could Lose Everything

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There’s one part of RV life that most people don’t plan for. In fact, they would rather not even think about it! Worse yet, if you’re not prepared for it, it can turn a bad dream into an absolute nightmare.

I’m talking about what you do if you crash your RV.

Accidents can happen, and when they do, it helps to have a plan in place. Knowing what steps to take right after a crash can make a hard situation a little easier. And getting prepared ahead of time can make a huge difference in how well you handle it.

This guide is broken into two parts: what you must do before a crash to make sure you’re not caught off guard, and a step-by-step plan for what to do after a crash, so you can stay calm and take care of what matters.

How to Best Prepare Before a Crash Happens

Planning ahead can make things way less stressful if your RV ever gets in an accident. Here’s a list of things you can do now to make things smoother later.

Review Your Insurance Coverage

Take a good look at your RV insurance policy. Find out what it actually covers. Some policies include roadside assistance, towing, and even temporary lodging. Others might not. You’ll also want to know how your personal belongings are handled, what your deductible is, and what the claims process looks like.

Not every roadside plan covers towing for large rigs. Check the weight limit on your roadside assistance to see if it includes motorhomes, fifth-wheels, or heavy trailers. Joining an RV-specific roadside membership, like Coach-Net, FMCA Assist, or Good Sam, can help since they understand larger vehicles and often include extra trip-interruption perks like pet-boarding coverage.

If you’re full-time in your RV, make sure your coverage matches your lifestyle. For part-time RVers, home insurance might cover some items in the RV, but most HO-3 policies limit coverage for property damaged or stolen from a motor vehicle to around $1,500. Many also exclude coverage for full-timers. It’s worth confirming these limits with your insurance carrier.

Replacement cost or gap coverage may also be worth looking into, especially if your RV is newer or still financed. Standard payouts based on actual cash value can leave you short when it’s time to buy another rig.

Create a Video Inventory of Your RV

Walk through your RV with your phone and record everything inside. Talk through the items as you go. If something gets damaged or stolen, this can really help when filing a claim. Upload the video to cloud storage so you don’t lose it. If you use a dash cam, back up those videos to the cloud as well. They can be a big help in sorting out fault after a crash.

Organize Critical Documents

Keep both physical and digital copies of your key documents. This includes your insurance card, RV registration, health insurance, campground reservations, pet vaccination records, and copies of driver’s licenses, passports, prescriptions, and pet microchip numbers. A good setup is a hard-copy “go envelope” near the RV door with everything you might need to grab quickly.

Consider adding a laminated card to the envelope that lists blood types, allergies, and daily medications. If you’re hurt and can’t speak for yourself, this can help first responders.

Set Aside Emergency Money

Even a small emergency fund can make a big difference. Aim to have enough to cover about three to five nights of hotel stays, plus your deductible. A credit card with available balance, some cash tucked away, or easy access to your bank account can help you get through the early out-of-pocket costs.

Make an Emergency Contact Plan

Share your general travel plans with someone you trust. Let them know where your medical info is, who to call if something happens, and any special needs your pets might have. It helps to have someone ready to help coordinate things if you’re in a tough spot.

Carry a Roadside Safety Kit

Carry a roadside emergency kit that meets recognized safety standards (this kit is a solid choice). That means three reflective triangles, a high-visibility vest, and you’ll also want some wheel chocks. If you ever break down on a shoulder or in a traffic lane, this gear will help keep you and other drivers safer.

The 7-Step Action Plan After a Crash

If you ever crash your RV, the first few hours can be overwhelming. Having a plan helps tremendously. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what to do after the crash.

Step 1: Make Sure Everyone Is Safe

Check yourself and everyone else in the RV. If anyone’s hurt, call 911 right away. Try to move to a safe spot if you’re still in the road or in a dangerous location.

Shut off all ignition sources if you can get to them safely. That includes the engine, generator, inverter, and house batteries. Close the propane valves if you can reach them without risk. If you see or smell a fuel or propane leak, tell 911 right away.

And don’t forget to keep pets secured and calm.

💡Tip: Even if you feel fine, it’s a good idea to get checked by a medical professional. Sometimes soft-tissue injuries or concussions don’t show up right away because adrenaline can mask the pain.

If it’s safe to do so, set out reflective triangles or flares. On two-lane roads, the general recommendation is to place them at 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet behind the RV to increase visibility for oncoming traffic.

Step 2: Contact Authorities and Your Insurance

Call the police and your insurance provider as soon as you can. Most states require you to report crashes that cause injury or property damage above a certain amount. In many cases, you also need to notify the DMV within a set number of days. Reporting rules vary by state, so check the local requirements for where you’re traveling.

Let your insurance company know what happened and ask what to do next. If your policy includes roadside help, now’s the time to use it. Ask about towing, repairs, and whether your policy covers a rental car or hotel while your RV is out of commission.

If you have a loan on the RV, you’ll need to notify your lienholder as well.

Step 3: Document the Crash

Take photos of the RV, any other vehicles, road conditions, and damage from different angles. If another driver is involved, exchange contact and insurance information. If police respond, get a copy of the accident report or write down the report number.

Collect names and phone numbers of any witnesses while people are still on the scene. It can also help to write down a short summary of what happened while it’s still fresh in your mind.

Set out reflective triangles or flares if you can do it safely. On two-lane roads, place them at about 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet behind the RV. This is the recommended pattern for large vehicles that are disabled on the road.

Step 4: Figure Out Where You’ll Stay

If your RV isn’t livable, you’ll need a place to stay. This could be a hotel, cabin rental, friend’s house, or family member’s place. Check if your insurance helps with temporary lodging. Keep all receipts for possible reimbursement, including meals, towing, storage, and pet boarding.

Step 5: Secure a Way to Get Around

If your RV were your only vehicle, you might need a rental car. Check if your insurance includes rental coverage. If not, you may need to borrow a vehicle or use public transportation or rideshare apps until things are sorted out.

Step 6: Protect Your Belongings

If your RV is being towed, get out anything valuable or essential before it leaves. This includes medications, electronics, documents, and personal items. Secure the coach once it reaches a storage yard by locking all compartments and taking fresh photos before leaving.

If you’ve made a video inventory of your RV’s contents, that will help with your claim if anything is lost or damaged.

Step 7: Update Your Plans and Let People Know

Cancel or adjust any campground reservations. If you booked online, log in to your account to cancel or reschedule. Contact the RV park or campground where future reservations might need to be canceled.

Let your emergency contacts know what’s going on. If you’re traveling with pets, make sure any vet or boarding plans are updated, too.