Total Loss Replacement Insurance for Vintage Airstream

[Bexar]

Hi all, looking for some guidance to buy Total Loss Replacement Insurance for my restored 1960 Tradewind. I've spent an embarrassing amount of time and money on this wonderful machine over the last 5 years and am having difficulty obtaining this form of policy. For you folks with one of these old Airstreams how did you properly insure it and with whom?
Thank`s .. Richard

[richard5933]

Not exactly similar, but we have a 1974 coach which is fully insured. We bought it a few years ago with only 41,000 miles and it was virtually new.

The way we did it was by working with our insurance agent and not directly with any particular company. We use an independent agent who writes policies for multiple lines, and this gives them the ability to shop policies around for the best balance between coverage and cost.

Our policy is a 'declared value' policy. This means that we pay for coverage based on the declared valuation we put on the coach when we insured it. In our case, the policy is for $60,000 declared value meaning that should there be a total loss they will pay UP TO a maximum of $60,000 for the loss of the coach.

Before they wrote the policy, we had to get a professional appraisal to support the valuation we were putting on it. And now, a few years later, should we have a total loss they will still only write up to the $60,000 but now it will be minus depreciation, use, wear & tear, etc. At the time of a loss there will inevitably be a disagreement as to the actual value. They will want to reduce it from the $60K point and we of course will want every penny.

The best way we can maintain the full coverage is to continue to update the appraisal every few years. But like most things, we know the value is dropping over time as we make use of the coach. Some things might appreciate over time, perhaps an Airstream is in that category. But if you'll be making use of the trailer while you own it likely the insurance company will not agree with that unless supported by updated appraisals.

Hope this helps. The process for insuring any vintage vehicle not listed in things like the Blue Book often is done in a similar process, although what they call such a policy will likely vary between the states and between the various insurers. Getting a professional appraisal would likely be a good first step.

[Bubba L]

Originally Posted by Bexar

Hi all, looking for some guidance to buy Total Loss Replacement Insurance for my restored 1960 Tradewind. I've spent an embarrassing amount of time and money on this wonderful machine over the last 5 years and am having difficulty obtaining this form of policy. For you folks with one of these old Airstreams how did you properly insure it and with whom?
Thank`s .. Richard

We have replacement value, as an agreed value from Hagerty Insurance of Michigan on our 55 and 66. We had Jim Polk do the appraisals and sent that to the Hagerty agent. They insure Classic vehicles and started last year insuring vintage RVs. Too much work goes into these Airstream renovations not to have some sort of protection. Good luck.

[57Vintage]

I also did the appraisal process thru Jim Polk (he's in Ojai, CA). At first I used FCIS Insurance to get an agreed value policy, which they placed with Safeco. I believe you will find all insurance companies will require an appraisal to insure a vintage trailer. FCIS specializes in this field and is easy to work with over the phone.

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f35...ce-160286.html

Eventually I transferred the policy to my local Safeco agent.

[dbj216]

Way back when we used Farm and City Insurance in Forest City, Iowa, to insure our 86 Limited 34' and our 66 Trade Wind 24'. The policy is under written by Allied Insurance. A professional appraisal is required and Farm and City gave us names of local appraisers. I also provide a summary of my material receipts of money I spent on the trailers to the appraiser. We had an agreed value for the trailers in case they were stolen, burned, or crashed. I have had no claims so I don't know how that works.

David

[azflycaster]

I also went with Farm and City Insurance when I purchased my current Airstream. They set me up with a local appraiser and the process went very smoothly.

[damonbeals]

Here are some details


https://vintageairstreamclub.com/vin...eam-insurance/


Damon
#4827

[SilverPal2]

Happy to help out, just send me an email and we can get the process started
jamespolk@polkvaluations.com

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Keep in mind that insurance is done on a state by state basis. What you can get in one state (or even in one region of a state) may not be what you can get elsewhere. A company that has great rates and Wonderfull Policies in one state may not give you the time of day in the next state over.

No, that's not entirely the companies doing. Each state has it's regulations regarding insurance. What one will permit, another may not. This or that may "fit" a company or it may not.

Yes, it's confusing ....

Bob

[BeemerPilot2]

Progressive allowed me to set the replacement cost on our 1975 Ambassador. We suggested $30K - 35K and I got 2 quotes and went for the 35K. Very nice conversation and I had the policy emailed the same day. USAA only allowed blue book $3k. Hopefully we’ll never know how that turns out.

[Hikingsolo]

Progressive would not insure my 1991 34’ Limited because it is parked in a recreational Airstream Park most of the year. I too am looking for ways to get agreed-upon value insurance. USAA wasn’t much help.

[Tom_T]

Originally Posted by 57Vintage

I also did the appraisal process thru Jim Polk (he's in Ojai, CA). At first I used FCIS Insurance to get an agreed value policy, which they placed with Safeco. I believe you will find all insurance companies will require an appraisal to insure a vintage trailer. FCIS specializes in this field and is easy to work with over the phone.

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f35...ce-160286.html

Eventually I transferred the policy to my local Safeco agent.

Richard -

Ditto on Jim Polk for an appraisal, & he can advise which insurers here in CA are doing proper "Agreed Value" policies with strong reputations.

In addition to not all insurers doing policies in all states - & CA where Richard is located is more stringent on insurers - plus Not all Stated Value, Agreed Value, etc. policies are actually full value - so see the Jim Polk video at the link below.

PS - However, for the most part they must all cover you in the lower 48 at the least, & usually all 50 - & it may be with whatever restrictions or riders etc. for Canada, Mexico, in transit on ferry or rail or truck transport (e.g.: to Canada or Alaska, Hawaii).

I'm not sure if FCIS & Safeco are writing policies here in CA, since all insurers have to be approved by the Insurance Commission here.

I'm pretty sure that Hagerty are still approved here & now doing trailers, & they have long history here doing classic cars too.

Vintage Camper Trailers magazine has a lot of good info & Jim Polk's ads & his presentation video from one of their Resto Events.

https://www.vintagecampertrailers.com/#/

https://www.vintagecampertrailers.co...raisals.html#/

You can take a weekend/week jaunt to Ojai, or go on the way to one of the Central Coast Vintage Rallies - or he does them remotely with pix by email.

Good Luck!
Tom
///////

[DebTaylor]

Unfortunately we totaled our 22' Sport Bambi but we had it insured with Progressive Insurance and recieved full purchase price for our 5 year old trailer.
Good luck!

Originally Posted by Bexar

Hi all, looking for some guidance to buy Total Loss Replacement Insurance for my restored 1960 Tradewind. I've spent an embarrassing amount of time and money on this wonderful machine over the last 5 years and am having difficulty obtaining this form of policy. For you folks with one of these old Airstreams how did you properly insure it and with whom?
Thank`s .. Richard

[UglyPugly]

Originally Posted by Bexar

Hi all, looking for some guidance to buy Total Loss Replacement Insurance for my restored 1960 Tradewind. I've spent an embarrassing amount of time and money on this wonderful machine over the last 5 years and am having difficulty obtaining this form of policy. For you folks with one of these old Airstreams how did you properly insure it and with whom?
Thank`s .. Richard

Philadelphia ins. (Grundy) will insure it for the agree replacement cost. They insure vintage cars and trailers.