Tips to Planning the Best RV Adventure of All Time: 

Check and Re-check the List: Wait, what list? No matter how many times you have been RVing, it would be best to have a checklist. Since you will be confined to a smaller space, you need to be sure you have every little thing you need and that you’re taking advantage of the small space you do have. For example, there’s no sense packing up the RV with toothpicks if you don’t have toilet paper. Start with the essentials and go from there. This checklist will also help you when it’s time to leave. Run through your list to check inventory, and make sure you didn’t leave your picnic table cloth blowing in the breeze at the campsite. 

Take a Long Way There:  Once you’ve decided exactly where to go, see what alternate routes you can take so you can soak up the best natural views. Of course, the shortest distance isn’t always the best route since the point of your trip is to take a break from the daily grind. Just be sure to plan out a path that is RV-friendly, with wide roadways and smooth pavement. It’s also helpful to know the height and weight of your RV just in case you travel through restricted areas meant for smaller vehicles. 

Keep It All Down: If you haven’t invested in a bulk pack of 3M Command Hooks, you’re missing out. While you wind down roads, your possessions are likely to shift around and could even become dangerous if not strapped down. (No one wants the kitchen knife block to come flying at them.) Instead, use adhesive strips with varying degrees of “stickiness,” depending on the item. You can even use hooks as makeshift curtain rods and pulley holders in a pinch. Keep extra adhesive strips in the RV if anything loses its tack or if you purchase a new find for your RV while road-trippin’. 

Invest in Efficient Tools:  Your kitchen is an excellent example of a space that you can keep organized and valuable using efficient tools. For instance, you probably don’t have enough pots and pans to create a 10-course meal. Instead, you should use one-pot options like a Crock-Pot or Instant Pot. Pack thin metal skewers so that you can use your outdoor fire space as a cooking area without taking up too much drawer real estate. Finally, pack a first aid kid that has your basic needs (Band-Aids, gauze, antiseptic cream, etc.) and don’t pack enough to do open-heart surgery.

Wherever you may go, don’t forget your RV is more than just a car, but it’s not exactly a house. This makes it a little more difficult to find the appropriate coverage for your home on wheels at an affordable rate. You can customize your policy with various types of coverage, including:

• Medical payments: in case you or one of your passengers get hurt in an accident
• Collision damage: this helps pay for repair costs in case your RV gets damaged in an accident
• Bodily injury: this coverage helps pay for medical expenses in case you were to get into an accident and someone else is injured by your RV
• Property damage: this can help pay for repairs in case your RV or trailer damages another person’s property

 Be sure to coordinate with SOGO Insurance for your RV Insurance needs. Above all, safe travels and enjoy the road!

In case you missed it: Check out “Go Big or Go Home: Partying 101 and Special Event Insurance” to read more about how SOGO Insurance can help you have a safe and fun summer. 

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In the State of Texas, when you operate a vehicle, you are required by law to have a liability insurance policy for said vehicle. But when it comes to owning and operating a boat, no such legal requirement exists. That’s lucky, huh? Before you clip that life vest on, listen up. Even if you have a homeowners insurance policy that will cover your boat, you need to know that your policy will only cover a limited portion up to a certain dollar amount of your boat in the event of a loss. If the unfortunate event of an injury or even death occurred on your watercraft, the homeowner’s policy would not cover medical bills or legal expenses brought forth. You could be financially responsible for the repairs to the boat or any court costs associated with the boat, and that’s a summer vibe killer. 

Many people take a spin around the lake while enjoying an ice-cold beverage to help stay cool, but sometimes folks can drink a little too much alcohol while on the boat, causing a dangerous problem for boat passengers and others on the lake. If you opt to drink and operate your watercraft, a specialized watercraft insurance policy will help pay for any medical bills incurred if an injury were to happen to you, to passengers, or other patrons of the body of water you’re in. One wrong move can mean thousands upon thousands in medical bills that you would be personally responsible for if not covered properly. 

You can customize and enhance different watercraft insurance policies to ensure you are properly covered this summer. SOGO Insurance agents are qualified to walk you through types of policies and any variances you would want to know about. For example, what about insurance for jet skis? Does that policy look the same as a policy for your larger fishing boat? What about the boat trailer or hauling equipment? Are those covered as well? Your questions can be answered by our professional agents who have been around the block (or lake) for a time or two. Give us a call so we can list out your watercraft and equipment and ensure we have the right policy for your exact needs. 

In case you missed it: Check out “4 Perfect Last-Minute Spring Break Getaways” to read more about how SOGO Insurance can help you when it comes to traveling this summer. 

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Kalahari Resort & Convention Center – Round Rock, TX  – Who needs sunshine and rainbows? The African-safari-themed resort has several indoor waterparks, just in case the weather decides to be as unsteady as 2020 was. The “Lost Lagoon” has several loopy slides, and basketball hoops dotted along the pool area so you can enjoy hoops while splashing in the perfectly-warmed pool. If you aren’t toting kids around and are looking for a more adult-friendly experience, enjoy the Grotto Outdoor Swim-Up Bar where you can freestyle your way on over to the cocktails and mixed-drink oasis both indoors and outdoors. No need to lug around snacks. Kalahari has dining experiences everywhere you turn. If you are having too much fun, make it a whole weekend and stay at their hotel for some luxurious rest. 

Morgan’s Wonderland – San Antonio, TX – Designed to be “ultra-accessible,” Morgan’s Wonderland is the park built for anyone with or without disabilities wanting to experience all the thrills of a theme park with accessibility at the top of its priorities. Morgan’s Wonderland has more than 25 wheelchair-accessible attractions, including rides, playgrounds, and interactive exhibits, such as Sensory Village. This park has made it possible for San Antonio families of all kinds to have a fun day at the theme park while having an open heart for any situation that can come your way when you have a special needs child or adult. Regardless of abilities, Morgan’s Wonderland is here to show you a good time! Don’t forget to take a change of clothes for the waterpark area and snacks for the Picnic Place.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch – San Antonio, TX – What do a donkey, a giraffe, and a bison have in common? They all make their home at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch! Load up the car and get ready for a four-mile drive along the path to view animals that are being protected and conserved at this expansive and beautiful ranch. When entering the ranch, you can purchase bags of food to feed some of the animals along the trail, including antelope, rams, ostriches and Zebras. When you’ve completed the trail, you can take a pit stop at the Walk-a-Bout area of the ranch to see Lemur Island, baby goats, monkeys, and giraffes up close and personal. The gift shop is full of animal-themed goodies to remember the trip by, and if anyone gets hungry, the Safari Camp Grill is a perfect place to dine and cool off after your walk. 

Hopscotch Art Gallery – Craving an indoor experience for Spring Break? Go to the newest and coolest art gallery located adjacent to Travis Park. Get your iPhone ready because it’s time for #cocktailsofig at their gallery lounge with drinks, access to a gourmet food truck, and the patio of your dreams. Art, food, and San Antonio lifestyle? What more could you want? 

No matter what you decide to do for your last-minute Spring Break plans, remember to trust SOGO with your travel insurance needs. You never know what inconvenience could ruin your plans, so having a backup plan is the best way to go. Call us (even during Spring Break!) and we’ll get you covered. Be safe and send us your pictures! 

In case you missed it: Check out “Battling Disability with Long-term Health Insurance” to find out what kind of coverage you need for your future. Did you know long-term healthcare facilities aren’t covered by medical insurance? Don’t risk spending your savings and putting your family out because you didn’t prepare.

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The purpose of travel insurance is to protect yourself from unfortunate circumstances that can affect your travel plans. What does that mean? Well, if you fully intend to catch a flight somewhere, and you check in 24 hours in advance assuming everything is hunky dory, you may bump into an unforeseen event, such as a serious accident on the highway on your way to the airport that causes you to miss your flight. According to the airline carrier, you’re just a regular old no-show. It’s difficult to get a credit or refund in these circumstances, and you can understand why because the airlines would never be able to financially operate if they didn’t charge for seats that ended up empty because of you. But it wasn’t your fault, so how can you protect your wallet from being out hundreds of dollars? Travel insurance. 

What about, say, a worldwide pandemic? Think of the thousands upon thousands of Americans and people around the world that had trips years in advance. Family vacations, weddings, business trips and more were canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak, and many went unprotected because no one anticipated a worldwide pandemic. But that goes to show that you can’t always expect what’s headed your way. We’re not saying everything is as serious as a national crisis, but basic travel insurance can save you a huge headache if something does happen. 

During these uncertain times, we can thank coronavirus for at least making us figure out what’s really important to us. One day, things will get back to normal and all will be well again. If you were ever to finally be in a trip and something should happen to a loved one back home, you’d drop whatever you were doing and come home as quickly as possible. Having travel insurance can even help you when you’ve had to change your plans due to a medical emergency or even death. You’d never want anything like that to happen, or stop you from getting home if it did. Travel insurance can help you get home safely to your loved ones. 

You’ve likely spent a lot of time coordinating all of your future travels. Don’t add confusion or frustration to your life if those plans go astray. Secure a travel insurance policy with SOGO and protect your wallet, time, and peace of mind for your future travels. Bon voyage! 

In case you missed it: Check out “Tips & Tricks to Setting Up a Home Gym” to read some sound advice on how to set up a home gym if you’re trying to lose a few pounds in the new year! 

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