Hail Damage Mulling

[PharmGeek]

Thanks everyone for all the great replies and some of the PM's - truly helpful!

I won't make an un informed decision for sure

[BAB]

Having had JC do repairs for me, I can tell you they will put it back the way you want it. While bucked rivets have some serious advantages when it comes to strength, there is NO earthly way I would opt for this due to the necessity of removing all the interior panels (which for your damage also means cabinetry (and perhaps your fridge since you have damage directly above it). If there is someone who can remove the dimples completely from the exterior, that would be an obvious best choice -- but I wonder if that's possible with Airstream aluminum. If you did opt to trade/sell, you can be sure the damage will affect the sale or trade-in value. Given that this damage is completely and totally cosmetic, and from the photos you posted -- not all that awful -- the bigger question might be whether or not this is something you can just live with...use the trailer and enjoy it. I second your idea of building a shelter for it. Trust me, it really does save enormous wear and tear on the exterior.

[Air Apparent]

We own an rv lot where we keep our 2008 Airstream Classic 34.
Two years ago we had a tornado hit our rv park. The tornado topped off trees by our lot and fell on the rear and curb side of our Airstream. There was no interior damage.

Our insurance carrier is Nationwide. I told them that this was not like a white box that could be repaired at almost any rv repair facility. I told them that I would take it to the Airstream factory (a 7 hour drive) for the estimate and repairs. Airstream gave Nationwide the initial estimate and it was approved. On two more occassions Airstream Jackson Center came up with additional work required that they had overlooked in the initial estimate. Nationwide also approved this work. Thus, Nationwide issued three checks to the bank and myself. The bank signed the checks and forwarded them on to Airstream for my signature upon satisfactory completion of the work. Jackson Center had our Airstream from early July until the end of October. We also had upgrades done at the same time. Our trailer, at Jackson Center, was known as the tornado trailer. The cost of repairs covered by Nationwide was approximately $40,000.

My insurance premium is about $600 per year and has not increased.
I was very pleased with how Nationwide worked with me.

[djarrett]

Originally Posted by PharmGeek

I would certainly be interested!

From Airstream Addicts on Facebook:
Jeff Fetzer
March 28
Hail damage repair.
I wanted to share this with other Airstream owners that may have had hail damage or other reasons for dents in their Airstream. I am not affiliated in any way with the company or the personnel. Brent came to the house, repaired the Airstream and two cars that had
damage. The quality of work was amazing. The dings are gone! His contact information is Brent's Dents 763-337-2851. He is based in Minnesota but has contacts for people that do similar work around the United States.

[LiLNomad]

I also have Progressive. A claim is a claim no matter if it was "at fault" or not. I had a small panel repair..decided to run it through the insurance. Will never do that again. I could have paid out of pocket. When it came time for my renewal on my other cars with Mercury the rates jumped due to the "claim"...of course Progressive also raised my trailer insurance!
LilNomad

[paiceman]

We had similar hail damage this past summer on a 30' FC, but no broken items, dings in the Aluminum which appeared to be the same as yours.

We did nothing to that Airstream, traded it into a dealer on a new Classic which we wanted anyway. Not a problem and we got way over book on our trade and a discount on the Classic.

[lsbrodsky]

So what does a dealer do with a hail-pocked Airstream? Repair it or sell it as is?

Larry

[paiceman]

I actually think they sold it while we were still at the dealership as is. Small marble sized hail marks on front, rear and top did not bother the guy looking at it at all.

[lsbrodsky]

Conventional wisdom would suggest that a dealer would discount the trade-in value for a damaged trailer, even if the pocks are just cosmetic. But I suppose a dealer would be so motivated to sell a new trailer that anything is possible. I wonder if the buyer of the damaged trailer got a real deal or whether the guy had to pay near book? Certainly pocks in the aluminum should not affect the trailer functionality.
It would seem that the low cost alternative for PharmGeek is to live with the damage. If he sells or trades, someday, it may not be a real issue.

Larry

[MWBishop]

I grew up in Vestavia and live in Huntsville now.
Actually, hail is not all that uncommon in these parts in spring and fall.
For that reason and the brutal summer sun I found covered storage for our AS
(well, our 26U when we get it - it rolled off the line yesterday - woohoo!).
So maybe get bad spots fixed and use rest of $$ for covered storage?

[paiceman]

Our damage was cosmetic only. The potential buyer asked me questions about the trailer, fixes and warranty work and told me hail did not bother him as he was alone going full time.

[cwf]

Observation:
Our AS has the "Airstream dimples"... aren't they cute???!!

Over the past 4 years those "character" flaws have totally disappeared... of course that was 4 years in the Texas sun!!!

It is my comprehension that with "insurance", if there is a Lein holder, the payout is to the "owners" and Lein holder.. kinda makes sense.. if the "loss" decreases the value, the Lein holder has to sign off for repairs to be completed. After all, this is all about being fair.... choke, gasp...

Don't forget, there is no "emotion" allowed... it is just a bitter pill.... and after all it is "only a trailer".

Assessment:
You now own a damaged Airstream. Repairs...?? Always questionable... for you and possible future owner. So, in reality, you lose.. the Trailer will forever be listed as being damaged... (I do not know if they mention "properly repaired"). After all, it is about being fair. As we know, "fair" is defined by the one who doesn't lose.

It is up to you...if no functionality affected or leaking seams... then live with it.

Treatment protocols:
An option...if you are open, ask The Mothership to recommend a couple "delivery provider" they use. It may be possible that one of them could be near you and haul the AS back to the Mothership for a good price... after all, they deliver from AS to dealers.. they may be bonded..and will be cheaper than you making the trip. Once the Mothership receives the AS they can quote you. Then the "insurance" company can send a "local" representative to the Mothership so they can "educate" them rather than you trying.

List on Airstream classifieds... see if you can sell for enough $ to replace, minus your depreciation.. choose. In fact, this gives you a chance to consider a different AS...for nominal uplift $$$...

Anticipated outcome:
This is gonna hurt... good luck

[dmac]

If you can get a high enough repair estimate that the insurance company will total it, find out what they will sell the "wreck" for. You might be able to keep the trailer for a very le cost. Those dents appear to be so few and so minor!

[PharmGeek]

A total appears unlikely - even on the high end of say 35-45K they probably would pay to repair it - they will pay up to like 75-80% on the cost I've heard

Shipping to JC sounds like a fascinating option - I'm gonna have to mull on that and other things

I have not decided what to do

Unless my dealer is blowing smoke up my butt - it seems a trade is quite possible with minimal loss on my end - but I'm skeptical

What I am leaning towards doing now is just perhaps a partial repair and putting up a shelter and rolling with it.

If I can get a good enough trade in value I may trade up but I would need to run many numbers on that once things settle in....

[crispyboy]

Random thoughts.
Contact Verndiesel here on the forum, he delivers trailers for Airstream.
This could also be a great time to trade on a newer trailer with ducted air.......
Pocket the money on the minor dents and put up a shelter. A shelter would protect from the elements, hail, uv rays and leaking......

[PharmGeek]

Just sent the email back to progressive with the JC estimates.

I am foggy about how this all proceeds.

If I were to decide that it would go to JC for further inspection and repairs, that would be straight forward...JC would be working out supplementals as needed.

But if I decide to take the money only, then I would want a revised check from my original much lower amount paid out...with that amount of money, I could possibly decide what I wanted to do.

I am foggy about how they will potentially change the pay out amount to me...just have been reading my policy, and it has all sorts of bits in it about what happens if/when I disagree with their numbers...both parties assign "competent appraisers" for the damage...and if those two cannot agree it then goes to a "qualified umpire"...then if it does not go well, it must go before a judge...

Being that there are so few "qualified" to do this kind of work and appraise it, I can see why most do not argue with JC...

Still no idea what I am going to do mind you, but I plan to gather up what will perhaps be a final agreed upon check amount, finalize that, then run some numbers.

The new ducted trailers are about 15K more expensive I believe, but it may be a good option if I end up with more equity in a new trailer.

Either way, I will be building a shelter no matter what....thankfully I am about to finalize my VW settlement from all that emissions business and will get 13.5K for that in a few weeks, so no matter what a structure will go up!

[PharmGeek]

It seems that after I sent Progressive the JC estimate (which was approximately 7K more than the adjuster's original amount), I am awaiting something formal back from them.

I spoke to a rep for Progressive today, they ultimately deferred my question to a "specialty line" as I pelted him with several questions he was uncomfortable answering.

From that conversation, it seems they are not going to be keen on changing the amount of payout from that initial estimate by the progressive aduster...but that once it got to JC shop, they seem to expect a dialogue then to develop.

It seems there is little you can do if you contest that original appraisal and want to use the funds vs. pursue the repair. It seems there is a process to make "sausage" with the shops, but little or no way for me.

My policy says this however, and I plan to speak with the specialist a bit further:

"
If we cannot agree with you on the amount of a loss, then we and you may mutually agree to an appraisal of the loss. Within 30 days of any mutual agreement for an appraisal, each party shall appoint a competent appraiser and shall notify the other party of that appraiser’s identity. The appraisers will determine the amount of loss. If they fail to agree, the disagreement will be submitted to a qualified umpire chosen by the appraisers. If the two appraisers are unable to agree upon an umpire within 15 days, we or you may request that a judge of a court of record, in the county where you reside, select an umpire. The appraisers and umpire will determine the amount of loss. The amount of loss agreed to by both appraisers, or by one appraiser and the umpire, will 13
be binding. You will pay your appraiser’s fees and expenses. We will pay our appraiser’s fees and expenses. All other expenses of the appraisal, including payment of the umpire if one is selected, will be shared equally between us and you. Neither we nor you waive any rights under this policy by agreeing to an appraisal."

It seems fairly expected that the shops would argue or negotiate about costs of repairs, but it is entirely unexpected that owners do something comparable.

I am told that I should trust their sophisticated cost calculations. Also re-assured that while a shop may give me a higher estimate, this is often a "retail cost" cited, and that ultimately what they get into is a "discounted rate".

Alls I know is that my dealer and JC, seem to indicate that my initial estimate is not accurate.

If I trust the individual at JC or my dealer, the numbers could work out pretty "ok" for a trade. If I trust the progressive estimate as is, I am more likely to pursue JC repairing some or all of the affected areas, and while there do a few other updates I would want done.

Ive reached out to the delivery service mentioned that JC uses, and got an estimate for that cost, and likely would go that route.

[streaminwild]

Pharm, Thanks for the pictures. The damage is minimal. I wonder if dry ice would speed up the natural healing process. You have nothing to lose since your replacing the panels anyway. Worth a try. I wonder if you can put the ''Genie'' back in the bottle if it did work. Wear cotton gloves, inside rubber gloves if you do try it.

[mojo]

Windish Rv in Denver just got pelted with major hail storm... many, many brand new Airstreams damaged. I wonder what happens to those units?

[xrvr]

I'd trade it if you can get a good enough deal. Those dents would not bother me, my last AS had stone marks all over. But this bothers you and it will always be in the back of your mind, so trade. Good luck