Know your insurance coverage !!

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I wanted to share a recent experience so everyone can be aware. We were recently in a tornado in Orange, Texas. Our Flagstaff MicroLite 21DS was total destroyed. All contents flew off to OZ. Now the insurance battle. Your roadside assistance (Flagstaff 1 yr nor Good Sams) will not cover anything including any hotel charges. Their roadside assistance is for breakdown, not acts of nature. A tornado wiping out your RV is not considered "trip interruption. If you have RV insurance, and hopefully you have Comprehensive, it will cover the RV itself and maybe bolted on equipment and "common use" items. You need to get a definition of what those items are. Generally RV contents are not covered under your RV insurance. Those would need to be claimed on your homeowners policy and that deductible applies. If you incur clean-up expenses ( ours involved a skid steer and dumpsters and chasiss haul off) be sure to talk to your insurance before you engage a contractor to do that work. Our insurance, State Farm, says they have their own team and baulked at paying our charges. Keep your receipts for everything you buy for your RV and take pictures of everything. You will need it all for the ensuing battle with your insurance company.

 

[CedarCreekWoody]

Was your camper at your home when the tornado struck or were you traveling?

 

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Traveling. We were parked at our son's home after a trip up into Arkansas. Stopped there for a birthday celebration before heading home.

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

Glad everyone is ok and you obviously weren't in the camper at the time.

Our homeowners deductible is more than the contents of our rig. Your advice about contacting the insurance before having any work done is spot on. Hopefully if something ever happens we'll remember your advice.

 

[inciter]

State Farm

Did State Farm give you a hard time? I just ensured my Geo Pro with them so I could pick it up at the dealer. I have 4 cars a horse trailer my house and a slid in camper with them and have not had problems.

Only a cracked windshield and a rat the ate my injector wires in the f250. Those damages were 100% coverage.

I will do as you said taking photos and receipts the 2 battle Born batteries and the 30amp cable and gray water hose upgrades and the 2500 generator and easy start that stuff starts adding up..

Glad your safe....

 

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Thank you. We are all safe. My husband had been in the RV just 5 minutes before to roll in in awning because the wind had kicked up. By the time he walked from the RV to our son's house, the tornado was upon us and seconds later the RV was on its way to Oz. State Farm seems confused about what department handles what. So far this claim has been to 4 different departments, each compartmentalized so one does not know what the other is doing or what they cover. Each time we communicate with them we get a different person who then has to read through the claim notes and hope they are complete, contain what was previously communicated and accurately reflect what was said. So far we have gotten varying answers to the same questions. We have asked for the definition of "bolt ons" and "common equipment" and they have yet to produce it. Apparently the RV insurance only covers those sort of content items. I think you would be surprised at how much you have invested in contents especially while traveling- small appliances, household goods, clothes, food, cleaning supplies, camping equipment, electronics. It adds up quickly. We also have had State Farm insurance for years- house and vehicles. The knowledge of RV coverage for a total loss, not collision related, seems to be a whole new frontier for everyone we have spoken to at SF.

 

[Qwkynuf]

Thank you. We are all safe. My husband had been in the RV just 5 minutes before to roll in in awning because the wind had kicked up. By the time he walked from the RV to our son's house, the tornado was upon us and seconds later the RV was on its way to Oz. State Farm seems confused about what department handles what. So far this claim has been to 4 different departments, each compartmentalized so one does not know what the other is doing or what they cover. Each time we communicate with them we get a different person who then has to read through the claim notes and hope they are complete, contain what was previously communicated and accurately reflect what was said. So far we have gotten varying answers to the same questions. We have asked for the definition of "bolt ons" and "common equipment" and they have yet to produce it. Apparently the RV insurance only covers those sort of content items. I think you would be surprised at how much you have invested in contents especially while traveling- small appliances, household goods, clothes, food, cleaning supplies, camping equipment, electronics. It adds up quickly. We also have had State Farm insurance for years- house and vehicles. The knowledge of RV coverage for a total loss, not collision related, seems to be a whole new frontier for everyone we have spoken to at SF.

It's pretty common (probably more common than not) for vehicle coverage to extend to "intstalled" items, but not items contained. In your car, for example, they would cover your stereo head unit being stolen, but not a boom box in the back seat.

Normally, the definition includes "permanently mounted", which is understood to mean that tools would be required to remove it, or that it wouldn't fall out if someone turned the vehicle upside down and shook it.

So that part is not unique to State Farm.

 

[D W]

It's no big secret that reputable insurance companies have their own contracted clean-up, salvage and mitigation teams. When you report the loss, and there is something that needs immediate attention, you always let the claims rep know about it right away. If you arbitrarily take it upon yourself to pay out huge sums without approval, you're asking for heartaches.

 

[TeachTexas]

We have always added a "covered contents" rider which covers anything in or on the trailer for replacement value. It does not matter if attached or not and by including it on the declarations page it has the deductible waived.



On another note what insurance companies will include or exempt varies by state. Each states' regulations require insurance companies to adhere to that sates regulations on coverage requirements and rules.

 

[SacRV]

Our policy is through Foremost. If I remember correctly the base coverage only included $1,000 for contents, which I thought was woefully low so we had that increased to $5,000. The other thing we did that most don't think about, is have our policy re-priced after we installed a $20,000 solar system. I think our premium is around $1,100 a year now but we're fully covered.

 

[TeachTexas]

The other thing we did that most don't think about, is have our policy re-priced after we installed a $20,000 solar system..

This is a good idea even when you don't change anything. I have all my policies reviewed every year. I have saved money on renewals and even changed some coverage to take advantage of new offerings and rules.

 

[campers302]

I wanted to share a recent experience so everyone can be aware. We were recently in a tornado in Orange, Texas. Our Flagstaff MicroLite 21DS was total destroyed. All contents flew off to OZ. Now the insurance battle. Your roadside assistance (Flagstaff 1 yr nor Good Sams) will not cover anything including any hotel charges. Their roadside assistance is for breakdown, not acts of nature. A tornado wiping out your RV is not considered "trip interruption. If you have RV insurance, and hopefully you have Comprehensive, it will cover the RV itself and maybe bolted on equipment and "common use" items. You need to get a definition of what those items are. Generally RV contents are not covered under your RV insurance. Those would need to be claimed on your homeowners policy and that deductible applies. If you incur clean-up expenses ( ours involved a skid steer and dumpsters and chasiss haul off) be sure to talk to your insurance before you engage a contractor to do that work. Our insurance, State Farm, says they have their own team and baulked at paying our charges. Keep your receipts for everything you buy for your RV and take pictures of everything. You will need it all for the ensuing battle with your insurance company.

Just talking about this yesterday.

Freaking insurance company's are there to take your money and will always have an excuse as to why they will not pay out.
BIGGEST F-ING RACKET NEXT TO RV SERVICE SALES & CENTERS HOLDING GOOD ON THEIR WARRANTIES.
Whew I feel better. Thanks for listening.

 

[ACE110]

Thank you. We are all safe. My husband had been in the RV just 5 minutes before to roll in in awning because the wind had kicked up. By the time he walked from the RV to our son's house, the tornado was upon us and seconds later the RV was on its way to Oz. State Farm seems confused about what department handles what. So far this claim has been to 4 different departments, each compartmentalized so one does not know what the other is doing or what they cover. Each time we communicate with them we get a different person who then has to read through the claim notes and hope they are complete, contain what was previously communicated and accurately reflect what was said. So far we have gotten varying answers to the same questions. We have asked for the definition of "bolt ons" and "common equipment" and they have yet to produce it. Apparently the RV insurance only covers those sort of content items. I think you would be surprised at how much you have invested in contents especially while traveling- small appliances, household goods, clothes, food, cleaning supplies, camping equipment, electronics. It adds up quickly. We also have had State Farm insurance for years- house and vehicles. The knowledge of RV coverage for a total loss, not collision related, seems to be a whole new frontier for everyone we have spoken to at SF.

X2
Having similar issues right now. With repairs started, hoping I have gotten to the correct Dept.

 

[lbrjet]

Homeowners insurance wouldn't cover replacing the trailer even if it was at home. That is what an RV policy with comp insurance is for. No different than a car. If a tornado struck your property (and damaged your car) your auto policy would cover it, not homeowners.

 

[kittlecat]

I have suffered two total losses on two separate RVs and know all too well the lack of cooperation, understanding, coordination, etc. that happens when one submits an insurance claim of that magnitude. One learns very quickly that what one thought would be covered (contents, for example), is not unless one has renters or homeowners insurance with adequate coverage/reasonable deductibles.

I'm glad you are safe. I feel for your loss and the huge hassle it will be to get things taken care of through your insurance. Be persistent. Keep asking for information so you can understand things, especially when you are told either no, or I don't know. I think there were 5 different claims adjusters assigned at various times on one of my claims. Talk about the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing. Consider getting future RV insurance with an insurance company that focuses more on RVs and less on cars if you think it will be worth it.

Good luck.

 

[rracer5]

Glad everyone is OK & healthy.
That's why it's better to deal with an insurance company that understands RV's that spend a majority of their time NOT connected to the TV & NOT on your own property when being used AND NOT connected to your TV when being used (at campgrounds). The insurance company must understand that the RV needs its' own coverage much like a home. Only a few insurance companies understand this and offer such coverage; GEICO, Progressive & National General through Good Sam (that's what we have) to name a few. Since we went full time in 2014 & switched through GS, I have had 2 claims. One on the TV & the latest where a 5" tree branch pierced the roof at 5am! Both were paid with no hassles (detailed pics were taken by me & sent) and an adjuster never had to come out.
Since we no longer own a sticks & bricks home, we had to insure our RV as if it is our home and as mentioned, only a few companies understand that.

 

[MNtraveler]

I am sorry for your loss and hassles! Sure glad it was property damage only.

We have State Farm now but when we had Progressive we had a theft loss of contents from inside our RV and all outside compartments. Progressive paid for everything less the deductible, even reminding us we had not added sales tax to each of our claimed items. I don’t remember buying any separate “contents” coverage, but will definitely check that with State Farm now.

Good luck with all this!

 

[MNtraveler]

It's no big secret that reputable insurance companies have their own contracted clean-up, salvage and mitigation teams. When you report the loss, and there is something that needs immediate attention, you always let the claims rep know about it right away. If you arbitrarily take it upon yourself to pay out huge sums without approval, you're asking for heartaches.

You are probably right, but the insurance MUST cover the loss and may not insist on using their vendor. Complain all they want, but the policy requires them to pay for the loss. Also the burden is on the insurance company to notify the insured that they have preferred vendors with whom the claim will go faster and easier. Policyholders can’t be expected to all know that out of the box.

 

[BRC]

What a terrible experience you have to deal with. Our single axle trailer had to left overnight on shoulder of interstate in CO a few weeks back because a wheel bearing burnt up. No coverage for that repair or our overnight in hotel because it wasn't collision damage. I understood that. BUT that night a thief stole the generator off a rack on the back using bolt cutters. Dumb on my part for not taking it with us to the hotel. And somehow got into the trailer and took the TV and 30 A cords, but nothing else. Grab and run I guess. Foremost covered all stolen items and priced using reputable suppliers. They also allowed for minor repairs to the door but applied a deductible but fair assessment I thought. Foremost was v good. State Patrol officer said to keep receipts, record any serial numbers, and etch your name on more expensive items. I am now using the free App - ENCIRCLE for our RV and two houses we own. Super easy to use, take photos and put in any info you have. Permanent record that is available 24/7 over the internet.

 

[desuhu]

I just have a flat amount on our 2005 RDQS. If it were destroyed, it would pay that amount. We don't have very much in the way of contents, just few clothes when traveling, an office chair, ottoman, floor lamp and table lamp. That's it besides the furniture that came with the RV. We have ours through Farmer's Alliance in Kansas.