Your RV is damaged. Now what? Here is how we navigated our RV insurance claim after a wreck and some tips we learned along the way.
First, always carry full coverage insurance for all your vehicles. We chose GEICO as our insurance carrier for the RV and tow vehicle, both of which were totaled. Some insurance companies will not cover a RV if it is lived in full time. We disclosed our full time status to GEICO, and they were fine with it. However, that topic never came up during the claim process.
If anyone was hurt during the incident, send them to the hospital in an ambulance. We learned that lesson the hard way from a previous wreck. My husband’s back was injured after being rear-ended. He hurt enough to go to the doctor the next day, which led to multiple chiropractor visits.
Because he didn’t go to the hospital immediately following the wreck in an ambulance, it was difficult to prove that his injuries were caused bytheaccident. (Also, the man who rear-ended the vehicle denied causing the wreck altogether.) Eventually a lawyer won that case for us, but it was an inconvenience that could have been avoided. If there is any chance that you are hurt, go to the hospital in an ambulance.
Initial Report
After damage is caused to the RV and all people involved are taken care of, call your insurance provider to open a claim. GEICO offers this service in their app, but they still call to confirm all the information submitted. It is easier and faster to call directly.
In the initial report, informationwill be collected about the location of the incident, who was driving (if applicable), any passengers, inflicted injuries,and general damage to the RV. Answer the questions succinctly and honestly.
Next they will offer to tow the vehicle and make arrangements for a rental car or emergency cash assistance if they are included in your plan. If the RV is in a safe place, you can take the time to research repair shops within the area, select one and callto schedule the tow at a later time. Considering that everything we owned was inside the RV and there was a chance it could be repaired, we chose to schedule the tow for the following day. That gave us time to get the rental vehicle and a U-Haul trailer to move all of our belongings into.
If your plan includes emergency cash assistance, keep your receipts for emergency expenses to submit for reimbursem*nt. We were provided $1,000 which covered the cost of the U-Haul, a storage unit, and several nights in a hotel.
Inspection
Once the RV is relocated to the repair shop, an adjuster is assigned to the claim. The adjusterconducts a damage inspection and generates an estimate for repairs. This typically takes a couple of days unless there is high demand due to a recent natural disaster in the area. The adjuster called when the repair estimate report was available online to review. Each repair was detailed in the report along with the parts and labor needed to make the repair.
Repairs/Loss
After receiving the repair estimate, a RV can either be repaired or deemed a total loss. If the estimate is at least 75% of the cost of the RV, it is considered a total loss. In our case, the estimate was thousands of dollars more than the cost of the RV. The adjuster said GEICO would make a settlement offer within 48 hours. During that time, he advised us to do our own research on the value of the RV so that we can make a counteroffer if appropriate. We did as told but felt the initial settlement offer was fair.
Settlement
A loss department handles all total loss claims. They provide instructions on how to receive the settlement payment. We held the title to our RV free and clear, so all we had to do was sign it and mail the title to the loss department. Payment was issued when the title was received and the signature was verified.
The total RV insurance claim process from wreck to payment took approximately two weeks. I checked our claim status and called for updates each day of those two weeks. Don’t be afraid to be proactive, especially with the loss department. They did not process our title until I called and asked if they received it.
You can also ask to set up direct deposit to receive your payment faster. I did that for the emergency fund, so we were ready to go when the settlement was made. However, the loss department wanted to mail a check until I asked about direct deposit as an option.
You are the customer. It’s OK to ask questions and expect reasonable answers. Do you have any for me? I’m not an expert, but I’m happy to tell you more about my experience with our RV insurance claim.
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FAQs
Make sure to write down the names, license plate numbers and insurance information of everyone involved. If the police are there, get the officer's name and the police department's location if possible. Write down cross streets or landmarks of the location where the accident happened.
What is the most common RV insurance claim? ›
Tire failure is the cause of 60% to 70% of all Good Sam Insurance claims. Tires usually blow out as a result of an overloaded RV, improper inflation or excessively worn tread. Follow these simple tire safety tips to stay safe on the road: Check your tire pressure monthly, and before starting any trip.
What is not covered by RV insurance? ›
What does RV insurance not cover? RV insurance will not cover general wear and tear or damage from mold, delamination repairs, fungi, or rot. Damage from earthquakes or floods may also be excluded, depending on how frequently the RV is used.
How does a camper insurance claim work? ›
Your rep will schedule a time for an estimator to inspect your RV/travel trailer anywhere you'd like (repair shop, campground, home, etc.). Your claims rep will then review the estimate with you and explain how much repairs cost and what you may have to pay.
How do insurance companies determine RV value? ›
Actual Cash Value (ACV)
Actual Cash Value or the ACV of your RV is the actual market value of your RV. This number should come from a third party source such as the National Automobile Dealer's Association (NADA), or other similar source.
How much damage does it take to total an RV? ›
Typically, if the repair estimate is at least 75% of the RV cost, most insurance companies will total the RV meaning they will deem it a “total loss.” In the case of repairing the RV, the claimant will submit repair estimates to their accredited claims adjuster for review if they have not done so already.
What does full coverage insurance cover on a RV? ›
Comprehensive coverage can safeguard your motorhome or trailer from events beyond your control, including hail, high winds, lightning, fire, vandalism, theft, hitting an animal, and broken glass that isn't the result of a collision.
Does insurance cover RV roof leaks? ›
Comprehensive coverage may pay for water damage that's out of your control. For example, if a tree falls and puts a hole in the roof of your RV and it rains inside your RV, comprehensive coverage may pay to repair the damage, minus your insurance deductible.
Who has the best RV insurance? ›
Progressive is our top choice for RV insurance based on analysis of its offerings and the competition. Progressive insures a wide range of RVs including Class A, Class B, and Class C motorhomes. It also ensures conventional trailers and fifth-wheel trailers.
Does RV warranty cover water leaks? ›
Keep in mind that warranty companies will always look at the root cause of the failure to determine whether or not an item will be covered. Take a leak for example. A leak is the result of something else failing. If something like a water heater or water pump caused the leak, that would be covered.
Yes, water damage is covered by RV insurance provided you have comprehensive coverage and your insurer regards it as a covered peril. Your insurer will only pay for water damage that happened unexpectedly. For instance, flash floods will probably be covered.
Is RV insurance worth it? ›
If you take vacations in a motorhome or live in an RV as your full-time residence, having RV insurance is a must. RV insurance covers your financial responsibility if you cause an accident, and another driver suffers losses.
How is RV insurance determined? ›
When you buy RV insurance, your insurer or agent will ask simple questions about you, your RV, and how often you use it. You'll then select coverages to best protect you and your vehicle. Options include liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and even RV towing insurance.
What does actual cash value mean in RV insurance? ›
Actual Cash Value: This is the most basic level of protection and pays out a fair market value based on what the RV was deemed worth immediately before the event, so depreciation is taken into account. All else being equal, ACV offers the least amount of coverage, with the lowest premiums.
Which is better, actual cash value or agreed value? ›
An actual cash value policy provides less coverage than an agreed value policy, but generally at a lower cost. An ACV policy provides coverage up to the current market value of the vessel in the event of a total loss, taking into account depreciation and the condition of the boat at the time of the loss.
What is the most common travel insurance claim? ›
By far, the most common and often most significant travel insurance claim is for medical emergencies. A sudden illness or injury during your trip can not only ruin your plans but also cause a severe financial strain.
How can I lower my RV insurance? ›
Pay in full: When you pay your annual RV insurance premium upfront and in full, many insurers will give you an automatic discount. Get multiple quotes: Shopping around and getting multiple RV insurance quotes can help you find the cheapest rate.
What is the average depreciation of an RV? ›
A quick overview of how RVs depreciate by type; class A RVs have an average depreciation of 36% after 5 years, class B (trailers and fifth wheels) RVs have an average depreciation of 37% after 5 years, while class c RVs have an average depreciation of 38% after 5 years.
