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I am thinking that getting coverage for your Airstream through your auto policy may actually be for a small trailer for towing an ATV, a load of lumber, etc. It could be a rider on the auto policy and thus probably be only be an extension of auto liability coverage. The agent may not understand the policy. Years ago insurance agents made a middle class living from commissions (my father-in-law was an agent; he retired around 1990 as things were starting to get bad), but commissions have been cut and cut some more and the quality of agents naturally suffers.
Insurance is regulated by the states and depending on the state, specific coverages may or may not be mandated or offered in all sorts of ways. Some states regulate premiums, others don't. Colorado, for example, has generally let the insurance companies do whatever they want. Coverages change all the time, often giving you less and less. Over the years there has been a change in the attitude of the insurance industry—they, generally, try not to pay claims figuring on wearing you out so you'll give up. Sometimes it costs more to fight you than they save, but they don't care.
Some companies have worse records than others. State Farm has been sued many times for not paying claims and I believe there have been some major class actions against them. We have Progressive and have only had one claim. It was handled professionally and promptly. It was not on our trailer. Because I want to stay married, I won't tell you who was at fault. There's no way real insurance on an expensive trailer is going to be less than $100. Most states have mandatory liability coverage and that is for a self propelled vehicle—maybe that's what the agent quoted 6 years ago meant. Of course, a trailer could become self propelled due to gravity and foolishness.
It's important to read the policy to know what is covered. Unfortunately, you never see the policy until after you pay the binder. The companies try to hold you to a contract which is often vaguely written that you never actually agreed to. Question the agent carefully. Check company websites, and, of course, lots of information is available on the Forum. GStephens post #27 is very helpful for example.
The consumer is pretty much on our own. Years ago agents were independent agents who represented us and guided us to the best policy (we hoped, but maybe the policy with the best commission for them) and if we had a claim, they guided us through that. In the 1980's the companies started tying the agents to them and tried to eliminate the independent agents. Those company dedicated agents work for the company, not us. If we have a claim, we are directed to someone in the company bureaucracy who doesn't know us and simply does what he or she is told to do. I used to have one agent for all insurance. Now I have 3, 2 independent—one for auto and trailer, one for homeowners, one for health insurance. We bought road service for the trailer from Good Sam, no agent necessary.
I have experience challenging the industry, so we almost always get what we are claiming, but not everyone wants to go to law school, get a law license, and then fight for full payment. It's just not cost effective. It's a much more confusing world now—we have 2 phone companies (cell and landline), an ISP, satellite TV, but I used to pay $8/month for a phone (that's when I made $70/week).
Gene
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