Seeking recommendations: INSURANCE agent /co

[Sereniti]

Hello,

I'd like to get a new policy for an RV.

Can anyone recommend agent or company that will take the time to explain things and make sure that you have the best coverage for the situation.

i.e. Someone that actually reads the contracts!! AND makes recommendations.

[H. Miller]

We use Farm & City Ins. (located near the Winnie factory). They represent several companies. 1-800-331-1520

[sdennislee]

I have been impressed with GMAC.

Had a claim last year when a wind gust took out my awning while driving through SD. No hassels & quick payment. $4300.00 in damage.

My premium actually dropped this year and they gave me the option of paying in full to receive an additional discount.

[George Z]

rv insurance motorhomes travel trailer motorcycles home This agency writes several RV insurance companies and live agents are on the phone.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I think Sereniti is asking about the agency, not the insurer and claims processing. If you don't know much about insurance terms and coverages, you need an honest and knowledgeable agent to help find your way through the maze.

Sereniti: perhaps you could elaborate a bit on what you want to know and some of us could help. You need:

1) Liability for harm you may cause to others. If a motorhome, that includes vehicle liability for accident damage as well a personal liability if somebody gets injured while visiting your RV or your campsite. But you may already have personal liability coverage if you have a homeowners or renter policy.
2) Coverage for damage to your RV, whether in a highway accident or due to fire, weather, etc. This usually comes in two parts: collision for damage caused by a highway accident and comprehensive (other than collision) for all other causes for damage
3) Personal Property coverage for loss to the contents of the RV and any accessories you have installed. This include things like your computer, camera, clothing, and perhaps thigs attached to the RV, e.g. awnings and such. Ask the agent for specifics about the coverage for those things and adjust the amount of Personal Property coverage accordingly. The default amount is often far too low.
4) Vacation/trip interruption: pays for motels and expenses if you cannot complete your trip due to accident or???
5) Towing: covers towing due to breakdowns (other than highway accident, which is covered above). Not needed if you have a separate Roadside Assist such as Coach-net or Good Sam.

Some agencies/companies try to bundle in other good-sounding packages at extra cost. Make sure you understand what they provide that is not already covered elsewhere, either in the RV policy or other insurance you may have. A typical homeowners policy has fairly broad coverage for personal liability and personal property loss while away from home, so that may make other special RV coverages unnecessary.

[Sereniti]

Good morning Gary

You are absolutely right. I'm looking for someone who knows how a company writes exclusions. How many of you have ACTUALLY read your policies? I know it sucks, but of all things, this is a must. It is silly when they add nice sounding stuff like Pet Policies because they care about your pet. LOL!

Realize that emergency expenses are typically inadequate (towing and lodging), that replacement cost may exceed exceed ACV, that your contents coverage has lots of categorical limitations, etc.

Just because someone is nice and pays something on small claims (ie $4300) doesn't say much.

Who does a great job when s*** REALLY hits the fan?

That is what I am looking for and willing to pay for!

Thanks!
Sereniti

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

I think Sereniti is asking about the agency, not the insurer and claims processing. If you don't know much about insurance terms and coverages, you need an honest and knowledgeable agent to help find your way through the maze.

Sereniti: perhaps you could elaborate a bit on what you want to know and some of us could help. You need:

1) Liability for harm you may cause to others. If a motorhome, that includes vehicle liability for accident damage as well a personal liability if somebody gets injured while visiting your RV or your campsite. But you may already have personal liability coverage if you have a homeowners or renter policy.
2) Coverage for damage to your RV, whether in a highway accident or due to fire, weather, etc. This usually comes in two parts: collision for damage caused by a highway accident and comprehensive (other than collision) for all other causes for damage
3) Personal Property coverage for loss to the contents of the RV and any accessories you have installed. This include things like your computer, camera, clothing, and perhaps thigs attached to the RV, e.g. awnings and such. Ask the agent for specifics about the coverage for those things and adjust the amount of Personal Property coverage accordingly. The default amount is often far too low.
4) Vacation/trip interruption: pays for motels and expenses if you cannot complete your trip due to accident or???
5) Towing: covers towing due to breakdowns (other than highway accident, which is covered above). Not needed if you have a separate Roadside Assist such as Coach-net or Good Sam.

Some agencies/companies try to bundle in other good-sounding packages at extra cost. Make sure you understand what they provide that is not already covered elsewhere, either in the RV policy or other insurance you may have. A typical homeowners policy has fairly broad coverage for personal liability and personal property loss while away from home, so that may make other special RV coverages unnecessary.

[Sereniti]

FOR EXAMPLE:

I'm willing to bet that 70% of the people here are UNDER-INSURED on contents coverage. There is on most policies (I'm betting): A $3000 categorical limit on electronics. 1 computer alone could blow out that category after adding costs for software.

Do you really want your a** hanging in the wind on that and the rest of your electronics?

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

I think Sereniti is asking about the agency, not the insurer and claims processing. If you don't know much about insurance terms and coverages, you need an honest and knowledgeable agent to help find your way through the maze.

Sereniti: perhaps you could elaborate a bit on what you want to know and some of us could help. You need:....

[clubmed98]

I think Gary gave you a good over view but unless you do not have a home/apt and insure it you all ready have an agent..start with him or her...you have read some of the policy verbage and seem to understand it so have the agent answer specific q's like i have X in personal property value is it covered, by which policy, what for, and how is it settled ACV or replacement cost. If you have an agent tell him all the facts about the rv, contents and usage and then ask if you are insured properly and for what. Do it in writing and the agent will respond, if not find another agent. If you don't have an agent at present almost all rv clubs have some sort of a sponsored insurance plan so call on and stat a conversation...move on to another if un happy. As a company I like Progressive. I have always found them knowledgeable about RV's and fair, but they have specific exclusions like any company. Remember the big print giveth and the small print taketh away..

[Sereniti]

Haha.... yeah all 50 pages of it!!

Never been in a disaster before. Auto wrecks and losing awnings are nothing..... Loosing your whole coach is a big deal!

As you said, all companies have nice sounding additions and lots of limitations/exclusions.

I'm willing to bet there's of agents following company scripts and computer prompts when selling a policy.

I want someone who is willing to get into the small print quickly so no one has wasted time because the agent hasn't read the company's default policy exclusions / limitations. Who has read them and is willing to ask, "What about x?" "Does that sound ok to you?" "In my experience, I recommend considering x.."

Any one dealt with an AGENT who's knowledge and thoroughness really impressed them?

Originally Posted by clubmed98

I think Gary gave you a good over view but ... Remember the big print giveth and the small print taketh away..

[Sereniti]

Coach Net is http://nmc.com/ Never heard of them before. Will check it out!

Good Sam... What does having a national tire replacement network mean? They are bringing you a new tire at no cost instead of towing? Here's an interesting thread about acquiring a TPS (tire pressure sensor) and while the tire replacement network is mentioned, I can't find specifics anywhere.
Good Sam Club Open Roads Forum: For Want of a Nail

For the insurance companies replacing a tire is cheaper than towing in most cases. So why not make that benefit a little clearer to understand?

It's not like we would want to abuse that service. If a tire blows, it might cost a WHOLE lot more than a tire in terms of time and coach damage.

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

...
5) Towing: covers towing due to breakdowns (other than highway accident, which is covered above). Not needed if you have a separate Roadside Assist such as Coach-net or Good Sam.

Some agencies/companies try to bundle in other good-sounding packages at extra cost. Make sure you understand what they provide that is not already covered elsewhere,...

[Sereniti]

Thanks for recommendation from yourself and H. Miller. I didn't understand your link below because of how it showed up. This is what I understood from suggestions provided:

The Tobin Agency 1-800-759-6321
tobinagency.com
M-F 8:30-5, Sat 9-3 (EST)
not familiar with underwriting in California

Farm & City Ins. 1-800-331-1520
fcisinsurance.com
M-F 8-5, Sat Closed (CST)
not likely to be familiar with underwriting in California

LOOKS LIKE I NEED AN AGENT FAMILIAR WITH UNDERWRITING IN CALIFORNIA....

WE HAVE 4 HOURS LEFT TIL 5PM. I'M DISAPPEARING ON SUNDAY FOR MUCH NEED REST.

Originally Posted by George Z

rv insurance motorhomes travel trailer motorcycles home This agency writes several RV insurance companies and live agents are on the phone.

[Sereniti]

I did a Google search (not a personal recommendation) and found this:
Why Choose an RV Insurance Specialist

International Insurance Group, Inc.
DBA Mexico & RV Insurance Services
121 E. Birch Avenue, Suite #207, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: 877.784.6787
CA License Number 0D06599
Licensed in all 50 States and it looks like they do Mexico too!
Hours ?? M-F ?? Arizona Time (PST - no observation of daylight savings time)

GARDEN CITY INSURANCE
2910 S. Reserve St., #C
Missoula Montana 59801
1-406-542-1084
gardencityins.com
Not selling policies for homes, bikes, dogs, etc.
They sell RV policies ONLY and are licensed in California (and other states)
Hours: ?? M-F ??(MST)

Originally Posted by Sereniti

LOOKS LIKE I NEED AN AGENT FAMILIAR WITH UNDERWRITING IN CALIFORNIA....

.

[1ciderdog]

Sereniti - Google HiSage Marketing in Escondido CA. I've used them for years. They are an insurance broker and (hopefully) set you up with the best company for your needs. I've been satisfied.
Safe Travels
Bob

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by Sereniti

Coach Net is NMC home | Roadside Assistance | Independent Sales Rep | Coach-Net | RV Technical Assistance | Emergency Security Plus Never heard of them before. Will check it out!

Good Sam... What does having a national tire replacement network mean? They are bringing you a new tire at no cost instead of towing? Here's an interesting thread about acquiring a TPS (tire pressure sensor) and while the tire replacement network is mentioned, I can't find specifics anywhere.
Good Sam Club Open Roads Forum: For Want of a Nail

For the insurance companies replacing a tire is cheaper than towing in most cases. So why not make that benefit a little clearer to understand?

It's not like we would want to abuse that service. If a tire blows, it might cost a WHOLE lot more than a tire in terms of time and coach damage.

In this instance, Coach-net and Good Sam are ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE...not insurance against loss. (And no, neither of them will provide a tire at no cost, but they will tow you or install a tire that you buy.)