Insurance Denial

rockies59 · 02-09-2020, 11:56 AM

Need advise, I had a tire blow-out after running over some 4 x 4 lumber dropped off a back of a utility trailer. The tire blow-out and took the entire back bottom half of my skirt off of the fifth wheel including the wheel faring. The fifth wheel is in the shop and they have been trying to find diamond plate style skirt placement and a matching wheel faring, and they can't.

Here's where I need your guidance. Camping world contacted the insurance company (National General) and explained the issues with matching the repairs and ask for authorization to replace both sides so they match. The insurance company denial the request. I'm going to contact them tomorrow to let them know it's undetectable to get my camper repaired with non matching skirts. However, before I call them I wanted to hear about others experiences with insurance issues and how I could approached this tactfully and not loose my cool with them. Thanks for your help!

babock · 02-09-2020, 12:21 PM

So, let me see if I have this right. The insurance company will make the repair on the side that was damaged but won't do the other side so that it matches? If so, I am on the side of the insurance company here.

rockies59 · 02-09-2020, 12:38 PM

Thanks for the reply! So you're saying you would except repairs that both sides didn't match each other? It wouldn't even match the skirt in front of the finder wheel that wasn't damaged. What would that do for resale value down the road?

babock · 02-09-2020, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockies59

Thanks for the reply! So you're saying you would except repairs that both sides didn't match each other? It wouldn't even match the skirt in front of the finder wheel that wasn't damaged. What would that do for resale value down the road?

I guess that is up to you. They are responsible for the side that is damaged. If you want the other side to match, pay for it to get replaced.

BehindBars · 02-09-2020, 12:47 PM

Perhaps the main problem is that Camping World is not capable of making a proper repair to the damaged side. Perhaps a different repair shop can properly obtain a new skirt to match the original equipment, and the insurance company would be fine with that.

RY3 · 02-09-2020, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babock

I guess that is up to you. They are responsible for the side that is damaged. If you want the other side to match, pay for it to get replaced.

That would be like you wrecking on a door on your truck. But the mirror that was damaged is no longer made so they put one on that they had. It is up to you to install a matched set. Your logic makes no sense to me. As the collision was repaired. I would think the insurance company should do it correctly and match both sides.

rockies59 · 02-09-2020, 12:57 PM

I'm not sure I agree. Let's say you take your Ford in to repair damage to the door and they do find a replacement door, but the handles don't match the other side and they can't find ones that match. Are you going to be willing to pay for a new door for the other side so they match? Probably not.

14apex · 02-09-2020, 12:59 PM

The physical damage insurance contract will have some wording to the effect that "we'll repair, replace or rebuild" covered damage. You won't find any coverage for "matching" or to make you whole on reselling value. Now, with that said, it's often different when it's someone's negligence that has damaged your property -- with that situation you can demand to be totally "restored". No doubt whoever "left" the lumber on the roadway was long gone & unidentifiable...so, it looks like you're stuck with an insurance-paid repair to the specific damage & you'll either have to bear the non-matching or pay for the replacement to the other side.

GoneSouth10 · 02-09-2020, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BehindBars

Perhaps the main problem is that Camping World is not capable of making a proper repair to the damaged side. Perhaps a different repair shop can properly obtain a new skirt to match the original equipment, and the insurance company would be fine with that.

Invaluable advice - before coming up with a solution, figure out what the real problem is!
Not sure WHY they can't locate a matching skirt, but that seems to be the problem that needs to be fixed. I think you're perfectly within your rights to insist that the repair to the damaged portion be the appropriate replacement part - beyond that, I think you're overreaching . . .

dward51 · 02-09-2020, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BehindBars

Perhaps the main problem is that Camping World is not capable of making a proper repair to the damaged side. Perhaps a different repair shop can properly obtain a new skirt to match the original equipment, and the insurance company would be fine with that.

X2 on another shop taking a look at it. You may be able to get the info you need just by sending them the CW estimate of repairs and photos of the current skirt and not have to take the unit to 2 or 3 different shops. Search this and other RV forums and you will find plenty of posts about CW not being the most reliable place for any repairs.

To me not matching will diminish value (is the insurance company going to pay you for diminished value, most do) and not matching is sort of like a truck with a damaged fender that they paint another color because it was less expensive. It should all be covered under the uninsured motorist portion of the policy anyway unless you got the tag of the person who dropped the 4x4.

bubbles · 02-09-2020, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockies59

Thanks for the reply! So you're saying you would except repairs that both sides didn't match each other? It wouldn't even match the skirt in front of the finder wheel that wasn't damaged. What would that do for resale value down the road?

Don't think he said he would accept it just saying the insurance co is not responsible for non damage. I would make the repair facility repair as required like it didn't happen or move on to another facility.

rockies59 · 02-09-2020, 03:15 PM

Thanks for all your great input!

cavie · 02-09-2020, 03:29 PM

As long as you can match the damage on one side, you can't see both sides at the same time and I dough anybody will notice. Lots of RV bone yards that I'm sure will have matching parts.

walaby · 02-09-2020, 04:24 PM

That looks like an older trailer, so probably why they can't find matching parts.

If the skirts themselves aren't that expensive, just buy the other matching side and have them install, or install yourself.

Mike

rmac04401 · 02-09-2020, 04:49 PM

People may be if more help if they saw what the good side looks like?

rmac04401 · 02-09-2020, 04:55 PM

Amazon a pair cost $119.

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So if it is just the wheel fender trim. 1/2 of 119 is $60?? I may have not even put in claim my deductible would swallow up that and probably the cost of the rear sheet metal.

rockies59 · 02-09-2020, 05:11 PM

This is the only picture I currently have of the good side:

ba964 · 02-09-2020, 05:46 PM

I would not have separated each side on the repair bill. Insurance company wouldn't have known the difference unless an adjuster came out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockies59

This is the only picture I currently have of the good side:

kirk37r · 02-09-2020, 06:13 PM

Just speaking from owning many campers over many years. The missing skirt is most likely a piece of Sheetmetal with a light roll to it. I guarantee if Camping World cant source the exact piece (which they cant) that that's why they want to go the way you explain in your post. Most any metal shop could bend you a replacement, have it painted and your good to go. But that may not be a large enough billable for CW to deal with. Might be a good idea to seek a real body shop. You might find its a lot easier than its being made out to be.

rockies59 · 02-09-2020, 06:16 PM

They also need to replace the water tank. A piece of the lumber went right through the water tank.

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