Community Forums

escambia406 · 04-25-2012, 11:20 AM

We just bought a new Forest River 5th wheel and was wanting to know about insurance and also those extended warranties that they want you to buy. Does anyone know anything about good sam club insurance.

H. Miller · 04-25-2012, 02:17 PM

NO insurance covers "everything". Suggest you google "insurance" here on iRV2 which should keep a person busy for several days including the question about Good Sam.
Why would "extended warranty" coverage be desired on a new vehicle? If it turns to a lemon the additional coverage could be considered as the factory warranty is expiring. Dealer mark-up (commission) for this coverage is tremendous!!

Roll · 04-25-2012, 04:10 PM

Extended warranties and insurance coverage are two different things.

Not knowing what to expect as a first time coach owner, I did buy an extended warranty for our new motorcoach. House-on-truck-chassis is a complicated bit of engineering so I thought it made sense. Some folks may say that was not a wise choice but I am more confortable for having it and the cost was within my financial tolerance margin, in spite of the high markup.

Insurance is for your liability to others arising out of the use of your 5th wheel and also to make you whole again if it is damaged or totaled through a covered event, such as an auto accident while you are towing it, or a tornado while it's parked.

In the case of insurance watch for "ACV" coverage which is actual cash value. That means you will only get the depreciated value of the unit in the event of a total loss. Typically not enough to go out and replace it. You want "RC" or replacement cost which will buy you a new replacement if it's totaled. Either policy will pay for repairs in the event it is damaged but not totaled.

Ask your agent about this when you arrange for a policy.

Gary

Mr_D · 04-25-2012, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roll

Extended warranties and insurance coverage are two different things.

Not knowing what to expect as a first time coach owner, I did buy an extended warranty for our new motorcoach. House-on-truck-chassis is a complicated bit of engineering so I thought it made sense. Some folks may say that was not a wise choice but I am more confortable for having it and the cost was within my financial tolerance margin, in spite of the high markup.

Insurance is for your liability to others arising out of the use of your 5th wheel and also to make you whole again if it is damaged or totaled through a covered event, such as an auto accident while you are towing it, or a tornado while it's parked.

In the case of insurance watch for "ACV" coverage which is actual cash value. That means you will only get the depreciated value of the unit in the event of a total loss. Typically not enough to go out and replace it. You want "RC" or replacement cost which will buy you a new replacement if it's totaled. Either policy will pay for repairs in the event it is damaged but not totaled.

Ask your agent about this when you arrange for a policy.

Gary

We don't buy the service policies, they're simply a contract and cover only what is or isn't stated. Most don't cover items damaged by a non-covered part (should a covered part be damaged by a non-covered part, neither part will be covered). Owner had a trans go out, the insurance company asked for his maintenance records and found he missed an ENGINE oil change by 750 miles. The cancelled the policy, he did get his money back, but no coverage.
We had full replacement coverage,m but it was only good for the first 6 years so now we have the actual new cost so we would at least get what we paid. Not enough to replace the unit now though as prices have gone up 50% or so since 2002.

Gary G. · 04-25-2012, 04:43 PM

I just joined Good Sam Club and bought the annual emergency road service. I just basically wanted the towing and road-side assistance coverage. The basis plan also covers all vehicles that I own. My RV; 1985 winnie is too old for an extended warranty - Sam Club has a 12 year age limit on their RV extended warranty coverage policies. I did not expect any extended warranties to take on that old of a vehicle. The Sam Club offers discounts at sam club RV parks and at camping world purchases. It also offers a small gasoline/diesel discount for Pilot and Flying W service centers if you have their credit card. Check out Good Sam Club...I figure for $80 it gives me some peace of mind in the event of a breakdown.

Here is their link: https://www.goodsamers.com

escambia406 · 04-25-2012, 05:28 PM

Thanks so much for the information on the extended warranty. It was very helpful. as for the insurance what I was wanting to know was there anybody out there that has good sam insurance. They send me information all the time about how much better it is than insurance that you carry on your vehicle.

wirelessenab · 04-25-2012, 06:47 PM

Good Sam is always sending me "notices" about how they can save me "$419 per year" or some such amount on my insurance.

It is going to be pretty hard for Good Sam since I only pay Geico $280 per year for my RV insurance and that includes towing

DriVer · 04-25-2012, 07:26 PM

Try these guys, I got an excellent quote.

wirelessenab · 04-25-2012, 09:46 PM

Sorry I mispoke

I just go my Geico bill in the mail today. It is not really $280 per year.

It is $189.80

Roll · 04-26-2012, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wirelessenab

Good Sam is always sending me "notices" about how they can save me "$419 per year" or some such amount on my insurance.

It is going to be pretty hard for Good Sam since I only pay Geico $280 per year for my RV insurance and that includes towing

Good Sam does not sell insurance; they have an agreement with an insurance carrier who actually provides the coverage. Good Sam advertises and then refers club members to the carrier probably for a fee.

I had a quote from that carrier. I wish I could remember the carrier but can't recall it at the moment; I thought it was GMAC but I'm not certain.

Nonetheless, it was a good quote and they would tolerate policyholders, like us, who tend to cancel liability coverages during periods of non use like during the winter. Also, it was a replacement cost policy. I will probably move over since my current carrier covers the coach only because they write the rest of my risk. I don't think they are really comfortable with underwriting a coach which is not a good thing for me.

FYI They (GMAC?) wanted $1200 for a year on my 2011 Encounter class A. I backed into a tree out near our field and dented in the back door ($1400) with a SUV and then last year rubbed up against a pole with the coach and redesigned the low front of a couple of basement doors, ($4600). With that information they increased the quote to $1800 for the year; I am still tempted to move to them.

Roll

cannon man · 05-02-2012, 01:59 PM

have had GS and AARP. never had a claim. after first year they slowly raised my rates till they were doubled. dumped em. have progressive now n it looks like they are following the same pattern. so, good luck. if you find a good one let us know.
dave

DriVer · 05-02-2012, 02:15 PM

I have USAA on my car and the rate from them is pretty good. I can't complain. Now when I went to see if they could write my RV, they referred me to their associate that writes RV insurance, Progressive, and the quote they gave me was awful. Like $1,200.00 a year or something I was tissed!

If you write with an agency like Explorer RV, it's their job to go and find you the best rate. If anybody else gives them a try please let us know how you made out.

escambia406 · 05-10-2012, 07:20 PM

Well, I called GMAC today to get a quote on our new 5th wheel that we have on order. It wasn't too bad. They wanted $388.oo a year. We were paying State Farm $312.00 for a 2004 Rockwood T/T Now this price is with our 2 vehicles included together. ( multi-car discount )I would be saving about $160.00 on my husbands truck and over $417.00 a year on my truck as compared to what we are now paying State Farm.I can't remember what she told me the camper would be by itself.We have been with State Farm for about 20 years and it is a little scary walking away.We have had good service from them.Decisions, Decisions

capsfloyd · 05-19-2012, 01:00 PM

We're still with state farm on house dw jeep and dd car . My truck and new TT are with geico now .
My Harley was with progressive , now it is with geico

I had state farm for over 20 yrs, they could not meet geico. Price

Go with a hood company and don't look back

I paid through the nose when my 2 kids started driving , 4 autos. 650.00 a month

I'll always shop around now on rates