Post by SusieQ on Jan 14, 2014 21:07:08 GMT -8
A few months ago, I had a tree fall on my teardrop trailer, not vintage but not new, either, a 2005. Here's some things from my experience that hopefully you never need to know but might be useful if you do.
The tree fell on my trailer and it was attached to my tow vehicle, loaded and ready to head out. The tree missed my car but majorly damaged my husband's which was sitting next to my trailer. The damage looked insignificant. I didn't even notice it at first so when I did notice it, I was worried about how an adjuster would estimate the damage. In the end it was agreed upon by the adjuster and estimator that I had a cracked rafter.
We called immediately to file a claim. When we got a call back the next business day, the claim had been filed on our homeowners insurance. I guess, since it happened in our driveway that would have worked but we had a much higher deductible on our homeowners insurance so we had them filed separately. My husband's car was not drivable so a tow truck, covered by insurance towed it to the body shop of our choice, they sent in an estimate and then the adjuster went to the site.*
The Insurance Policy
1. My trailer was insured with comprehensive coverage; liability is not necessary or available in this state on towed trailers because that would be covered by the tow vehicle's insurance. Liability on all motor vehicles is mandatory in this state. This could vary from state to state so check with your DMV.
2. When I secured insurance, I was asked how much I wanted to insure it for and it ended up being less than what I ask but was still a fair value. Not sure how they calculated that, but my guess is they looked for similar trailers on the internet. Nothing else was taken into consideration.
The Claim Assistance
1. I received a prompt call back in response to my claim. *Unlike the claim with the car, it was little more difficult to explain the damage, even more so as to what was damaged. "No, I can't drive it, it's a trailer, it can be towed." Maybe she was confused because the policy says "RV."
2. I was instructed to get an estimate, turn it in and then and adjuster would come look at.
The Estimate
1. No RV repair shops within 60 miles of here.
2. Called the huge RV Dealer/ Repair center 60 miles from here and they offered to give me an estimate for $125 and said they would repair it if they could get the parts. It was obvious from talking with the repair shop that they had no clue what a teardrop was much less a clue as to the model I had.
3. Acquired an estimate from the factory by corresponding on the phone and e-mail with pics of damage. My state only requires one written estimate.
4. Faxed estimate to insurance company and they sent an adjuster to my home.
The Adjuster
1. He was a great guy who had never seen a teardrop up close. I was a little worried.
2. He was great. He assessed the damage, asked questions, pointed out damage I didn't notice.
3. Agreed there was probably a cracked rafter and had no problem with the quoted estimate. Looked at my previous repairs. He did ask me what they charged for doing that and I was honest. I had it repaired at the factory to fix a problem and prevent future problems and they had only charged me for labor.
3. Then he noted everything, my wiring, my rims, measured the tread on my tires, asked what my cargo rack was made of, commented on my new spare tire. Called me 10 minutes after he left and asked what size TV I had in it. And he told me it could possibly be totaled. He said he would have to search the internet and find the value. I gave him the name and number of the factory.
The Final Outcome
1.Two days later I called because I had not heard from them. The insurance company offered me the price quoted in the estimate, I accepted.
2.Two days later I had a check in the mail.
Two more important things to note.
1. I know he had done his research and I believe he had read my posts on the teardrop forum that I belong to because I saw him look at something I had specifically discussed. Also, my whole saga of my factory repairs was posted there. SO, keep that in mind when posting things about your trailer. Mine helped me, actually, I think.
2. The condition of my trailer and that fact that it had been maintained, was functional and in excellent condition before the tree tragedy, was a HUGE factor.
OK, one more... #3. I had no water damage in my trailer. Insurance adjusters do NOT like water damage (hurricane aftermath experience here) A friend was in a wreck with his TD, new, expensive model but same brand as mine and he had a leak that he had not been able to repair while on the road. The wheel and whole side of his trailer was knocked off in the accident and all of his stuff spilled out on the road plus the water trapped in his wall and it was not totaled! They gave him grief over the water damage, even though it was recent damage. FIX your leaks properly, because your trailer ain't worth squat if it leaks! And yes, proof that it was repaired can be beneficial.
* Lastly, my bicycle was on my bike rack and the tree took out my handle bars and gear shift. Claims girl told me to file it on homeowners. I think that with it attached to my trailer, I could have disputed that but I'm not much of a fighter.
ISO: Schwinn mountain bike handle bars and a Shimono shifter
The tree fell on my trailer and it was attached to my tow vehicle, loaded and ready to head out. The tree missed my car but majorly damaged my husband's which was sitting next to my trailer. The damage looked insignificant. I didn't even notice it at first so when I did notice it, I was worried about how an adjuster would estimate the damage. In the end it was agreed upon by the adjuster and estimator that I had a cracked rafter.
We called immediately to file a claim. When we got a call back the next business day, the claim had been filed on our homeowners insurance. I guess, since it happened in our driveway that would have worked but we had a much higher deductible on our homeowners insurance so we had them filed separately. My husband's car was not drivable so a tow truck, covered by insurance towed it to the body shop of our choice, they sent in an estimate and then the adjuster went to the site.*
The Insurance Policy
1. My trailer was insured with comprehensive coverage; liability is not necessary or available in this state on towed trailers because that would be covered by the tow vehicle's insurance. Liability on all motor vehicles is mandatory in this state. This could vary from state to state so check with your DMV.
2. When I secured insurance, I was asked how much I wanted to insure it for and it ended up being less than what I ask but was still a fair value. Not sure how they calculated that, but my guess is they looked for similar trailers on the internet. Nothing else was taken into consideration.
The Claim Assistance
1. I received a prompt call back in response to my claim. *Unlike the claim with the car, it was little more difficult to explain the damage, even more so as to what was damaged. "No, I can't drive it, it's a trailer, it can be towed." Maybe she was confused because the policy says "RV."
2. I was instructed to get an estimate, turn it in and then and adjuster would come look at.
The Estimate
1. No RV repair shops within 60 miles of here.
2. Called the huge RV Dealer/ Repair center 60 miles from here and they offered to give me an estimate for $125 and said they would repair it if they could get the parts. It was obvious from talking with the repair shop that they had no clue what a teardrop was much less a clue as to the model I had.
3. Acquired an estimate from the factory by corresponding on the phone and e-mail with pics of damage. My state only requires one written estimate.
4. Faxed estimate to insurance company and they sent an adjuster to my home.
The Adjuster
1. He was a great guy who had never seen a teardrop up close. I was a little worried.
2. He was great. He assessed the damage, asked questions, pointed out damage I didn't notice.
3. Agreed there was probably a cracked rafter and had no problem with the quoted estimate. Looked at my previous repairs. He did ask me what they charged for doing that and I was honest. I had it repaired at the factory to fix a problem and prevent future problems and they had only charged me for labor.
3. Then he noted everything, my wiring, my rims, measured the tread on my tires, asked what my cargo rack was made of, commented on my new spare tire. Called me 10 minutes after he left and asked what size TV I had in it. And he told me it could possibly be totaled. He said he would have to search the internet and find the value. I gave him the name and number of the factory.
The Final Outcome
1.Two days later I called because I had not heard from them. The insurance company offered me the price quoted in the estimate, I accepted.
2.Two days later I had a check in the mail.
Two more important things to note.
1. I know he had done his research and I believe he had read my posts on the teardrop forum that I belong to because I saw him look at something I had specifically discussed. Also, my whole saga of my factory repairs was posted there. SO, keep that in mind when posting things about your trailer. Mine helped me, actually, I think.
2. The condition of my trailer and that fact that it had been maintained, was functional and in excellent condition before the tree tragedy, was a HUGE factor.
OK, one more... #3. I had no water damage in my trailer. Insurance adjusters do NOT like water damage (hurricane aftermath experience here) A friend was in a wreck with his TD, new, expensive model but same brand as mine and he had a leak that he had not been able to repair while on the road. The wheel and whole side of his trailer was knocked off in the accident and all of his stuff spilled out on the road plus the water trapped in his wall and it was not totaled! They gave him grief over the water damage, even though it was recent damage. FIX your leaks properly, because your trailer ain't worth squat if it leaks! And yes, proof that it was repaired can be beneficial.
* Lastly, my bicycle was on my bike rack and the tree took out my handle bars and gear shift. Claims girl told me to file it on homeowners. I think that with it attached to my trailer, I could have disputed that but I'm not much of a fighter.
ISO: Schwinn mountain bike handle bars and a Shimono shifter
