Radiator failure coverage

[Langord]

Has anyone had radiator leak problems who have a U S Warranty policy?
We have an 06 Alpine with major radiator failure and are having heated discussions with insurance coverage. Cummins NW in Pendleton is doing the work with their radiator supplier doing the repair or replace portion. US Warranty is claiming that dealer recommendations are to drain radiator every two years. Without proof of that, NO Coverage! Anyone have any similar tales or suggestion? Leak is NOT due to coolant.
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[ottffss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Langord ...US Warranty is claiming that dealer recommendations are to drain radiator every two years. Without proof of that, NO Coverage! ...

Seems your defense is going to be some Alpine (not a dealer) or your chassis manufacturer documentation that says what the coolant maintenance spec really is. Anyone got a pdf?????

FWIW - Spartan has a 6year replacement spec on my coolant and it is well published by them.

It seems these are the games these extended policy guys always play...

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottffss It seems these are the games these extended policy guys always play...

Exactly why lots of people don't by the service policies.

In one case a guy had a transmission failure, the insurance co asked for his maintenance records and found that he had missed an engine oil change by 750 miles. They denied coverage for the transmission because of it.

The coverage is specifically written to exclude what will likely fail during the period you paid for.

Another one is "if a covered part fails due to a noncovered part failure then neither part is covered."

So if seals/gaskets are not covered and one fails which leads to a destroyed engine then none of it is covered.

Another case: wire in engine compartment caught fire, the insurance covered the one wire but not any of the other damage to the rig.

[kraig]

I would follow Cummins recommended service intervals. Look in your Cummins owners manual. Also you can call Cummins Tech support @ 1- 800- DIESELS. I read somewhere they are 24-7 now. Also I would look Fleetguard antifreeze and see what they say.

[ottffss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraig I would follow Cummins recomended service intervals. Look in your Cummins owners manual. Also you can call Cummins Tech support @ 1- 800- DIESELS. I read somewhere they 24-7 now.

The OP's original question is about the radiator. The chassis maker is the installer of the radiator, not the engine maker. It is also the chassis maker (in most cases) who installs the coolant, and the type of coolant drives the service intervals. Typically, the engine manufacturer manual for an RV will point you to the chassis manuals for coolant/radiator service intervals.

[Paul "Sully" Sullivan]

I got us warranty to cover my radiator, but i had proof that the coolant met specs from cummins. Another apliner got them to pay a portion of his costs but it took a lot of talk and threats.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO GET CUMMINS TO CHECK THE COOLANT THEY DRAINED, OR SOME LEFT IN LINES, FOR QUALITY. IF YOU CAN SHOW THAT THE COOLANT MEETS SPEC THEY SHOULD HAVE NO LEG TO STAND ON.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul "Sully" Sullivan YOU MIGHT WANT TO GET CUMMINS TO CHECK THE COOLANT THEY DRAINED, OR SOME LEFT IN LINES, FOR QUALITY. IF YOU CAN SHOW THAT THE COOLANT MEETS SPEC THEY SHOULD HAVE NO LEG TO STAND ON.

Which doesn't mean that they still won't deny coverage!

[Paul "Sully" Sullivan]

No it doesn't, but it seems a better alternative than not trying. Also they covered mine and one other, so not all claims are denied.

[Old Rv'er]

The Service Intervals from Cummins is 60K miles or 2 years, however, if Cummins does the annual oil service you can ask them to test the coolant. They then will tell you if it needs to be changed, regardless, I would change it every 4 years at the maximum and make sure the DCA is within specifications annualy. The insurance company (extended warranty company) will do anything/everything to get out of paying one red cent, so if they refuse, ask for you money back from the original purchase, you might or might not get it. We took the money we would have paid and put it into the bank, most of it is still sitting there.

[Dave and Jaime]

Insurance = the business of collecting premiums and denying claims.

[fireguy-42]

I just had to replace the radiator on my '05 Alpine, and sadly, I found my Good Sam ESP excludes (my $4000) radiator. The word is basically, they did at one time cover them, but successive claims cost them too much, so it was excluded. I was informed by radiator folks that the aluminum radiators used in the Alpine's (in ? years) can't be repaired and the copper/brass replacements have to be special built. Anyway, I am seeking a different more comprehensive service policy, any recommendations?

[Langord]

The radiator in our '06 Alpine failed by "splitting at seams"...definitely aluminum manufacturer's defect. We are still "negotiating" with U S Warranty in their coverage. They are searching for anything to "give them an out" and have been difficult thus far. Do want to give recommendation to Cummins NW in Pendleton, OR for servicing our needs in a timely manner. Eric and staff were excellent in their attempt to facilitate repair, replacement, and getting us back on the road within a week. Will let you know if U S Warranty comes through as they should.

[swansnest]

Gerry - When our CSP extended warranty expired I researched who would cover radiators. We went with "Go RV Warranty" Toll Free 1-877-848-8287 Agent - Jason in Texas.

They not only covered our Radiator that went out this summer after FMCA in WI, they also covered our Inverter that went out after FMCA in Bend Oregon last year.

In 1 year they paid out more than we paid them for a 3 year policy. Our original policy with Good Sams CSP also paid out more than the cost of our 4 year policy on our 07 Apex - however they DO NOT cover radiators so we switched.

[fireguy-42]

Thanks to "The Swans" for the information. I filed an appeal to Good Sam's ESP Review Board, but doubt they will allow reimbursement on the radiator. However I did recover most of my first year premium due to reimbursement on several leaking seals and air system related items as a result of a safety inspection while my rig was in for an oil change and generator servicing. What an expensive surprise.
I also have found some other service plans that are more comprehensive than the Good Sam, and am awaiting premium quotes before I renew my GS ESP.
Now that everything has hopefully been fixed, I have to figure out how to rid my rig of the gear oil stench. It seems after driving my rig the 25 miles back home from the shop, the pinion seal they replaced improperly, failed, coating the underside of my rig with gear oil. Even after they steam cleaned it we will live with the stink. Hopefully, I hope, the gears were not damaged.