What is the least expensive insurance

[ctdair]

Had my Airstream with Farmers and it seemed resonable although I worried I might find out the hard way I was under covered. I switched all my insurance to Nationwide due to my displeasure at the way Farmers handled a claim when My daughter was hit by another Farmers insurance client.But Naionwide is quite expensive on the Airstream , tried various online quotes and they are also expensive. Who can point me in a better direction. I know the newer Airstream I have is a larger finacial risk to the companies but I can insure a equivalent priced Jaguar for less money and it sees more use than the Airstream.

[Sugarfoot]

The Jaguar comparison is interesting. It doesn't seem right that your AS premiums are more in the scheme of things. Insuring a 2004 probably isn't comparing apples to apples to a 1960. I have State Farm currently. They base premiums on the original cost of the trailer in 1960, which was around $5000. Consequently, my premiums are only about $96 per year. The AS liability is covered under the TV policy and contents under my homeowners. According to State Farm (and this was confirmed by the main office) if the AS was totaled, my payout would equal the replacement value of the same year trailer, same options, same condition, on the current market. Who makes the final determination on "current market" value is what scares me.

If they stand behind this, the policyholder is at benefit in my case. Maybe not a benefit with a recent model rig. I hope I never have to test it. My agent told me to take LOTS of pictures and store them in a safe place.

[Condoluminum]

Before launching, I'd suggest you search some of the older threads on the subject of "insurance" and insurance + cost...

All that said, this is a topic to bring out a LOT of opinions, which I will try to summarize in advance...

1. Adding the Airstream to a comprehensive policy with cars, house, liability etc will often be cheaper than stand-alone insurance. Claim treatment will vary widely, as many car and house insurance companies don't know how to value a used Airstream, or will look for ways to cut corners. Some will use declared value, others will cap replacement value, and still others will use appraisal guides like NADA gold book or others.
2. RV Specialist policies (from Good Sam to Camping World to Foremeost to whomever..) may offer better service and claims coverage, but are often more expensive, unless they get cars and tow vehicles as well...
3. If the insurance company is large enough, almost every one has former customers with horror stories and some happy customers.. Read carefully and make your own judgments.
4. Insurance companies change underwriting policies frequently, based on loss histories, and your quote will depend on location, history, driving and credit record and a bunch of other mystical factors. Get several quotes, ask to read the language in the policy regarding loss payment amounts and valuation, and pick one with fewer negative ratings and complaints...
5. Whoever you choose, try to get a digital camera and take lots of pictures of the trailer to show internal and external condition, and bookmark a couple Airstream classified websites, so you can "help" the appraiser understand the real value of your trailer in the event of a loss...

Good luck!

John McG

p.s. That said, ours is with AARP/Hartford as "Add On" and pretty inexpensive with capped market value..

[William Ales]

When you insure your AS with your homeowners and auto insurance the carrier will give you a great premium.

My carrier insures my 2006 28' Classic for $277.19

$500,000 Liability
Comprehensive and collision actual cash value not to exceed $71,000
$1000 deductible.

[fr8tshaker]

I switched from State Farm after being with them about 20 yrs. They depreciate the trailer. I went with Good Sam's. I also moved two vehicles over to them as the multi vehicle coverage reduced the rate and they came within $50/yr of what State farm charged on the autos. The RV coverage seems expensive, but I have 100% replacement coverage for 1st 5yrs, then it goes to the amount I paid. It seems spendy, but it will replace my AS. Hope this helps.

[Fyrzowt]

I just went through this last month. I got rear-ended by a bob-tail truck, totaling my '98 Safari.(At least we were on the way home!)
Allstate offered me $12K for it. They used NADA and called 2 dealers to come up with that price. I got them up to $13,400 and settled, but am not happy about it.
I also am wondering if there are any insurance options out there for older trailers. I purchased a '72 Globetrotter which has been restored, and am sure that insurance won't come even close if something happened to it.
Any ideas out there?

[IndyAnne]

Just ran a quote through RV America, got a strange comparison. One was for a 1993 valued at $50,000, Progressive cost was about $650.00; the other was my actual 1968 Tradewind information, $500 deductibles, Foremost, $117, that's insuring it for $3500. Good idea to estimate on the original value, though, and that would add a few dollars. I'll call my agent tomorrow and compare. Progressive includes towing as well as roadside, Foremost did not specify towing. Better check with AAA.

My scooter is with Progressive. They seem to do a lot of recreation business. Scooter is a Yamaha Vino 125, 2006, cost is about $160 for the year. Not bad.

[Dawgfan]

I've got Nationwide for our 2006 19' CCD. It is around $190 for a year. I think the liability is covered by the TV. I've got three vehicles with them.

[Condoluminum]

Fyrzout-

Keep asking agents and insurance companies "How do you establish value in the event of a loss or theft or catastrophe?" Deal with companies that will commit in writing or terms of policy that they use "actual retail value" or "Market value" rather than cost formula..

From there, take a lot of digital pictures, inside and out, keep all receipts in magic envelope and watch classifieds for similar trailers, and copy and paste and print any that look close to yours.. At least then you have "evidence" to pursue claim for actual value rather than low cost formula.. As noted in some of other posts here and on other insurance-related threads, there is still potential for disappointment at claims time...

It is worth reminding that in Trailer insurance, company is only betting on replacement and repair costs, not liability, since liability is going to be covered by primary insurance on tow vehicle... Might be case where if rate seems too good to be true, it is... Reputation and references are worth a lot.. Company that you think is going to replace a "$10,000 classic trailer" for a $120 annual premium is at least going to want to try and fight for a while... A look at Katrina litigation should remind all that insurance companies can and will find creative ways to sit on their wallets if they're having a bad time... They know you'll think twice or more about hiring separate lawyer to sue them over valuations, when cost of pursuing case will exceed insured value...

John McG

[ibgl6]

I have a 81 (other than A/S ) motor home insured with Progressive Ins. with liability only and a max 5000 miles per year 100000/300000 limits for 125.00 per year.. as of yet I dont have a policy on my A/S trailer I have a Good Sams tow service as they will tow both vehicles and rv's

[Fyrzowt]

Thanks John McG,
I got a payout by my insurance that did not cover a '98 safari, although I did get them to come up some. I think I'll try to make up the difference with the insurance company of the party that hit me. It was a commercial truck. Anyone with any informed suggestions please post. Did I shoot myself in the foot by accepting MY insurance's check?

Dave

[Condoluminum]

Dave-

Can't engage in legal practice, but general rule would be to look at statement on back of the ckeck you signed, or accompanying it.. If you settled with your company, and the other truck's company wasn't a party, you might call your company and ask THEM if you could pursue the balance in either Small Claims Court or Big Court..

There is usually a subrogation in settlement "agreements" wherein your insurance company has the right to recover from the other party (assuming fault is determined and it was them). Under Tort law theories, an injured party can usually seek to recover damages over any partial recovery from the party with liability, unless that right has been given up. This gets much trickier in states with shared liability or proportional fault.

If your insurance company hasn't settled or released other truck and their insurance company (and they might not even have pursued recovery..) then you may have the option to try for difference between value you can prove to a Judge and amount you received from your company. If releases have gone back and forth, then it's "Game Over" and your options are to work prospectively on insurance coverage for replacement trailer...

John McG

[Fyrzowt]

Thanks John, we'll see how it plays out. In the meantime I found a real nice, refurbished '72 that we love so far - so we'll be fine either way, I just hate to get taken by my own insurance Co.

[Condoluminum]

I'm reminded of classic Seinfeld, discussing rental car vacations.. "You're pretty good at taking reservations, just not so good at honoring them..."

Insurance companies are designed and "optimized" to take in your money, and not all are so swift or efficient at giving it back when you need it for a claim... Some are better than others, but sometimes you have to be more aggrssive than you'd like (or are emotionally prepared for in times of loss..) to get fair treatment.. Some are pretty calculating in factoring in how much you'd have to spend to get last 10 or 20% from them, and assuming you won't keep fighting... I suspect they'd claim "everyone's rates would rise.." if they didn't fight so hard...

John McG