A Full-Time RVers Guide to Mail, Healthcare, and Domicile
Dreaming of hitting the open road and living a life of adventure on your own terms? Full-time RV living may be just the thing for you! With the freedom to travel wherever and whenever you want, RVing offers an unparalleled sense of independence and excitement. But with great freedom comes great responsibility, and there are important logistical considerations to keep in mind when choosing this lifestyle. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the key aspects of full-time RV living, including choosing a domicile, receiving mail on the road, and healthcare options for nomads. Whether you're a seasoned RVer or just starting out, our guide will give you the insights you need to make the most of your full-time RV lifestyle.
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Mail on the Road
Let’s talk about mail on the road by jumping straight into the option we went with, Escapees. One awesome thing about Escapees is that they have multiple options when it comes to sorting and receiving mail so you can choose the best fit for you. They receive your mail and hold it for you until you are ready to receive it wherever you are in the country! You can sign up for this program in person as they are located in Livingston, Texas, or you can do it all online. You can also read more about how this program works and it’s many add-on options on the Escapees website!
A couple of other options for receiving mail are the USPS general delivery and Amazon lockers! The campground you’re staying in may also receive packages for you- but not all of them will! We recommend calling beforehand and asking to ensure there are no special instructions for delivery. These latter options are fantastic for those Christmas shopping or RV repair packages!
Need to go hands-free? We cover it all here on our YouTube channel. Listen here!Healthcare Options
When it comes to healthcare coverage, there is no one-size-fits-all. Let’s say your employer is allowing you to go remote and work while on the road- definitely opt to stay with your current insurance, but just be certain that they will cover you nationwide!
Now, what if this is not your circumstances? No worries! We came across RV Insurance Benefits and got connected with Bob. He was able to break down everything insurance-related and hook us up with a plan that was right for us.
Full-time travel can be tricky if you have medication needs or controlled substances, but these bumps in the road can be smoothed out by receiving clarification from your insurance company and doctors! One thing we really liked about our plan is that it included telemedicine visits and preventative services. Don’t let this factor keep you from getting out here on the road, there are a lot of options out there and all of them can be tailored to fit your needs!
Escapees
Escapees is a total support network for all RVers. They offer mailing service, roadside assistance, job offerings for RVers, and much more!
Domicile Options
We did our entire Domicile process through Escapees. Basically, your domicile is where your license and registration are filed and where you pay taxes. There are only a few states in the United States that RVers tend to choose and are offered through the Escapees program.
Each state has pros and cons to making it your domicile so do your research to determine what will be best for you and your specific situation. We opted for South Dakota to be our domicile state. Texas was another option given to us but one thing to note is you have to return each year for vehicle inspections including your RV! Florida was the last option given, except car insurance rates are higher. However, we heard this is a fantastic option for healthcare.
We aren’t experts here, so be sure to do your research. Escapees has some incredible blogs covering what domicile to choose, pros and cons, and much more to help you make the best decision!
South Dakota Domicile Process
Establish an address through Escapees.
Switch our vehicle registrations/license plates over for the truck and RV. We were able to do this over the phone and mail, but you can also knock this out in one day in the county your address is in!
Next up, our Driver’s licenses. You have to stay a full 24 hours in South Dakota and present a receipt for your stay as proof to the DMV (RV parks and hotels both count.) You can do this anywhere in South Dakota, it doesn’t need to be in the specific county of your address. We got a paper from Escapees with our name and physical address. If you don’t go through Escapees, make sure that you have some type of document with your South Dakota address!
The actual process was incredibly smooth and didn’t require appointments for much of it. We showed up, filled out the paperwork, took our eye exams, and walked out that same day with our licenses in hand. The best part of all is we only have to renew our licenses every five years.
