Leaving a Rest Stop Without Your Significant Other and Driving Off With the Steps Extended - Survey Finds RV Owners Admit to a Mistake or Two on the Open Road

The morning starts out like most do in your RV – traveling down a quiet highway with a hearty breakfast under your belt and a good cup of coffee within reach when you realize that blowing white thing behind you is your now-shredded awning, the bang you heard earlier was your toad coming unhooked, and the spider crack from the rock that hit your windshield is growing, a lot. You signed up for adventure, but not this much! Don’t worry. You’re not alone according to an online survey recently conducted by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies that found that life on the open road can sometimes get bumpy. 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. "Although some of them can be pretty funny, they can also lead to costly damages. We want RVers to know that not all insurance policies are the same – it’s important for them to know what coverages are available that can protect them and their vehicles.” The survey found that the most common mistakes RVers say they make while RVing are: driving off with the steps extended, backing up into a post or other stationary object, misjudging the amount of overhead and/or side clearance space, not connecting the tail lights correctly, and running out of fuel. But it’s not just operating your RV that some people have trouble with: Two (2) percent of RVers surveyed actually admitted to mistakenly 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. Even though no insurance policy can make your loved one forgive you for leaving them stranded, by having a specialized RV policy you can make sure you have the protection you need. But, while 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, affording them plenty of time to make a mistake or two, less than one-third (28 percent) bought a stand-alone insurance policy with specialized RV coverages. In fact, the majority (54 percent) just added their RV to their private passenger auto policy and 14 percent didn’t buy any RV insurance! "Insurance decisions can be hard to make,” said Westphal. "We’ve been insuring RVs for more than 25 years and offer a variety of specialized, competitively priced coverages that have been designed with today’s RVer in mind. They can choose the coverage options that fit their needs and be reassured that should they experience a mishap, our superior claims service will have them back on the road quickly.” Progressive’s specialized RV coverages include: Total Loss Replacement – Progressive will buy you a brand new motor home or travel trailer of similar make and quality if your RV is totaled within the first five model years; Emergency Expense Coverage – provides up to $2,000 for lodging and transportation if your RV is damaged while traveling more than 50 miles away from your primary residence; Full-Timer’s Package – offers extra coverage if you use your RV as your home or primary residence; Replacement Cost Personal Effects Coverage – covers the loss of or damage to the contents of your RV; and Roadside Assistance Coverage – provides towing to the nearest qualified repair facility and is a "Sign and Drive” coverage, meaning no out-of-pocket expenses for customers. Knowing RVers crave comfort and convenience beyond their insurance, the survey also asked them about the items they find most useful in their RV. Small kitchen appliances and entertainment equipment top the list but sometimes safety can outweigh the creature comforts: RVers say a fire extinguisher is slightly more useful than a cooler. After all, a cold drink can come in handy, but only after that pesky fire is put out. For more information on Progressive RV insurance please visit http://rv.progressive.com. About Progressive The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, now celebrating its 70th year in business, is the country’s third largest auto insurance group and largest seller of motorcycle and personal watercraft policies based on premiums written, and is a market leader in commercial auto insurance. Progressive is committed to becoming consumers’ #1 choice for auto insurance by providing competitive products and rates that meet drivers’ needs throughout their lifetimes, superior online and in-person customer service, and best-in-class, 24-hour claims service, including its concierge level of claims service available at service centers throughout the United States. Progressive companies offer consumers choices in how to shop for, buy and manage their auto insurance policies. The Agency Business sells Progressive Drive Insurance private passenger auto insurance through more than 30,000 independent agencies. To find an agent, go to www.driveinsurance.com. The Direct Business sells Progressive Direct private passenger auto insurance online at www.progressive.com and by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE. Each business makes independent decisions about private passenger auto insurance product design and pricing, and both offer Progressive’s other products, including Progressive RV, Progressive Motorcycle, Progressive Commercial, etc. Progressive and Drive are registered trademarks. The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at (NYSE:PGR). For more information, visit www.progressive.com. Eric Westphal is available for interview. Editor’s note: Additional survey data available upon request.