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RustyB · 08-20-2017, 11:05 AM

That's what we heard. Followed by a slight sway.
We were slowing down on highway 64 in Virginia when the traffic in the left lane swerved into our front corner. Does anyone have advice on how to proceed in repairing/replacing exterior interior skins from a traffic accident?
The troopers filed a report, but we live in SE Michigan. Getting an insurance claim and associated paperwork from out of state seems like it might be a futile attempt.
Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks.
Rusty
'86 31' Sovereign

Countryboy59 · 08-20-2017, 11:14 AM

Did you get a case number or accident report? Other driver cited? If not at fault, turn it in and get the damage fixed. Should Have no effect on your rate.

GMFL · 08-20-2017, 11:22 AM

If it was not your fault. Should be cut and dry. Let Jackson Center with buck rivets. If you have problems get an attorney

uncle_bob · 08-20-2017, 11:31 AM

Hi

This is *not* going to be a cheap / quick fix in a couple hours at a dealer. It will take enough time and money that the insurance claim is well worth your time. You would have to have a pretty crazy deductible for that not to be the case.

To answer your question:

The outer skin plates get pulled off
New plates are fabricated at JC to match the old ones
Inner skin plates may be involved and replaced
Ribs may be involved and replaced
The lower part of the window may be involved and replaced

That's. a quick list.

Bob

OTRA15 · 08-20-2017, 11:34 AM

Action Plan for today . . . yes even on a Sunday . . .

You should call all of your insurance companies (if more than one) and report the accident ASAP, as in now. [Yes on Sunday]. There is an 800 number on your insurance ID card probably. They will tell you what to do.

Do you have a hard copy of the trooper's accident report, or do you have to access it online? Ask your insurance company to email you the report ASAP. Make sure the info is all correct in a hard copy in your hands.

I would recommend establishing email contact with your insurance agent(s) and companies, and having good computer back-up of all data. Get everything in writing in email format. Ask every person with whom you have contact to confirm all understandings and agreements in writing, and have a time frame, i. e., "by the close of business today." If you do not hear from someone on schedule, call and email them right away, and request a timely response.

We were rear-ended last year, and spent months resolving the claim, which was not our fault, and you have to stand up for your rights all the time.

If you have any loans on the AS, advise the lender ASAP.

I would call Jackson Center and schedule an inspection ASAP, and an estimate of repairs. You can stop there on the way home, and maybe leave the coach.

If the above advice sounds hard-nosed and battle-like, good . . . you have a valuable investment, and your good driving record, to protect. Only you can make everyone stay in line to support you.

Good luck!

Peter

GMFL · 08-20-2017, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

This is *not* going to be a cheap / quick fix in a couple hours at a dealer. It will take enough time and money that the insurance claim is well worth your time. You would have to have a pretty crazy deductible for that not to be the case.

To answer your question:

The outer skin plates get pulled off
New plates are fabricated at JC to match the old ones
Inner skin plates may be involved and replaced
Ribs may be involved and replaced
The lower part of the window may be involved and replaced

That's. a quick list.
Bob

Yep I bet 10000.00 to 15000.00 to fix it fight. In fact insurance may try to total the rig if any damage is done to frame

CharlieSK · 08-20-2017, 11:39 AM

We were in an accident (rear ended) in Georgia in March. Called our insurance company and filed a claim. We sent photos to Jackson Center and our insurance company. Jackson Center provided an initial estimate based on our photos. We dropped the trailer off about three weeks a later, Jackson Center found additional damage and we filed a supplement with our insurance company. It took Jackson Center about 3 weeks to repair, so we had to return to pick up the trailer. The that was done was excellent. All repair costs were covered by insurance. The other drivers insurance company covered our deductible.

The repairs were about 2-3X my initial estimate.

vswingfield · 08-20-2017, 11:59 AM

And remember, you travel costs to have it repaired are part of your expenses.

Fuel, lodging, meals...

Document everything starting immediately.

Best of luck.

RustyB · 08-21-2017, 08:33 AM

Thanks for all the advice guys. Since Virginia is a fault state, is it safe to assume their insurance company will cover the cost? Would it be better for me to personally hold the other insurance co. feet to the fire?
Rusty

OTRA15 · 08-21-2017, 08:47 AM

I would follow the lead of your insurance agent. In all these matters, things are quite unpredictable, and you have to hold everyone's feet to the fire IMO, as appropriate. Please see my earlier post for details. In general, if you were not at fault, you will not have to pay anything over your deductible, but I can't over-emphasize the need for daily supervision of this entire process. Document document document . . .

Cheers,

Peter

Mollysdad · 08-21-2017, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyB

is it safe to assume their insurance company will cover the cost?

Never assume. Insurance companies never want to pay.
(They only want to collect.)

Quote:

Would it be better for me to personally hold the other insurance co. feet to the fire?

I've learned through frustration that everyone would rather stand by and do nothing. Keep after them.

What a miserable situation, sorry. Through no fault of your own, you now will spend a year fighting to get made whole.

I see
1. corner panel
2. panel behind that.
3. trim strip at bottom
4. Probably window frame.

GMFL · 08-21-2017, 09:05 AM

Lower side panel also. That's a big one

HiJoeSilver · 08-21-2017, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyB

Thanks for all the advice guys. Since Virginia is a fault state, is it safe to assume their insurance company will cover the cost? Would it be better for me to personally hold the other insurance co. feet to the fire?
Rusty

Heck yeah go after the insurance company to get it fixed. Hopefully you got other driver's info, call yours and theirs to get the ball rolling. I would expect nothing less than being restored to 100% especially if it was their fault.

OTRA15 · 08-21-2017, 02:08 PM

Based on your photo, I would guess that the price range from GMFL is low:

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMFL

Yep I bet 10000.00 to 15000.00 to fix it fight. In fact insurance may try to total the rig if any damage is done to frame

In addition to the various items already listed by everyone, it looks to these eyes like the main vertical frame at the rear of the damaged area, the one which supports the awning arm, is also bent, which means the panel aft of that is probably damaged too.

If that main vertical frame has to be replaced in full, lots of interior rivets and panels will have to come off, plus all the visible exterior damaged pieces.

As I mentioned, our tow vehicle was rear-ended last year, and the damage visible from the outside was relatively minor. The insurance company still decided to "total" it, because the interior damage would have cost more to repair than the value of the two-year old van.

Have you sent photos to Jackson Center yet, and gotten a rough estimate? Guessing that they say more like $30,000, which may be close to or even over the value of your 1986 Airstream. FWIW we had a 1988 25' AS, which we bought and sold used.

Good luck,

Peter

PS -- You might want to prepare yourself to answer the following question, as one way of framing your thinking. If your insurance company wants to cut you a check for the market value of your Airstream, would you keep her as-is?

RustyB · 08-21-2017, 05:21 PM

Thanks for all your help guys.
So far, the drivers ins company is going through the procedure to receive the estimate from JC in the morning, then have it approved in a day or so. JC service center says they can get a very good estimate from pictures.
Everything is being documented and copies made.
I have already been contacted by my ins company by mistake because of misleading statements. That took over an hour of phone tree work to fix.
I am also driving down to red neck trailers in columbus soon to pick up axles that i was planning on installing myself. Everything is now up in the air because of this wreck. Hopefully we can avoid the conversation of totaling the unit but if so its hard to decide what to do with the new axles.
Thanks again
Rusty

OTRA15 · 08-21-2017, 06:02 PM

Thanks for the update, hoping it all works out in your favor.

Peter

uncle_bob · 08-21-2017, 06:15 PM

Hi

Over the years, I've been run into by a variety of insurance companies. In some cases they have been up front and done the right thing. In a few cases they have been horrible to deal with. In a "simple" two vehicle incident, where the "other guy" got cited (I'm guessing here) things go better than in a five or eight car mixup where you are at the front of the line of cars in the one rear ends the other chain reaction.

In addition to the numbers from JC, I'd see if you can get an independent appraisal of the pre-wreck value of the trailer. You do not want to go with any sort of "book value" on a trailer that has been fixed up. The problem is not unique to AS. You run into it any time the vehicle (car, truck, whatever) is over 7 to 10 years old.

Bob

OTRA15 · 08-22-2017, 04:17 AM

Good post Bob, especially about actual value vs. book value. Persistence is the key in dealing with the insurance company.

Boxite · 08-26-2017, 05:35 PM

The other party is at fault. The other party has a liability policy good for $25K or more (most states). If your repair costs $20K, One of the first dirty tricks they'll try is to "total" the trailer and tell you it's only worth $15K. (or something similar) and try to get you to agree to total it, and pay you some amount less than $25K.

YOU, on the other hand, have done nothing wrong and deserve to be made "whole". The party's insurance should cover that guilty party up to $25K at which point the other party should be on the hook in court for any additional necessary to make you whole.

I'll guess your trailer can be repaired for $12K. If they don't belly-up for the repairs then get a lawyer to write them a letter threatening to sue plus costs with a very convincing letter. They'll see the writing on the wall (which your lawyer will estimate at $40-$50K) and they'll pay to fix your trailer.

Avoid handing this claim thru YOUR insurance unless you're willing to pay the deductible and take a chance that YOUR ins co will total it (in which case you're screwed.)

cwf · 08-26-2017, 10:10 PM

NDH is a biggee when selling... your AS has lost value above the damage. Sorta like when you let them "total" it then buy back the "salvage" title.. the value will become a huge discount leverage for a future buyer.... and perhaps an issue getting insurance in the future.

For us, our carrier pays for repair then they deal with the other guys insurance.. I did not pay my deductible. But that was about 10 years ago... things change I suppose..

Anyway, hope you and your AS heal up..