Community Forums

Ray Huffman · 06-02-2023, 08:15 PM

My wife and I are sick. My coach was in an accident on December 12, 2022, and went to S&S Bodyshop in Indiana on April 10, 2023. On Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 3:00 AM, a fire in the large coach building destroyed my coach and all the contents. There are several other coaches destroyed alongside ours. The owner told me their insurance would pay for everything, but at 70 years old, we are still determining if we will get another coach. We are sad and shaken beyond belief. This is Entegra and Jayco factory authorized body shop, and our coach was there because we wanted and was told they were the best. Instead, we got the worst that could happen.

Gary.Jones · 06-02-2023, 09:16 PM

I'm sorry to read your story. S&S Body Shop is a good operation and here is an accident with serious consequences for both the company and you.

I just turned 76 and spent half of last year in the hospital (M D Anderson in Houston) and we still have been able to spend about half each year on the road (except for last year). We have no intention in giving up our coach until I cannot drive it safely anymore. However, each of us has our own limitations, our own expectations on life, and therefore, value invested in our bus. I don't know you and your significant other's health status, but you are 6 years younger than we are and we hope to have another 4 to 5 years in us.

Good luck in making that difficult decision. I'd make it on feelings, physical conditions, and financial position. I'm sure you will make the right decision for you and your family.

Gary

brobox · 06-02-2023, 10:02 PM

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I live where Hurricane Ian just took everything people owned, many over 70. Be thankful it was only the MH.
I hate to see all of this misfortune every day. It breaks my heart to turn the news on. Many are not being covered by insurance.
Our MH saved us. We evaluated to it out of the destruction, we will be keeping it and we are Gary's age.
When the hurricane repairs are finished, we will enjoy it again

brobox · 06-03-2023, 05:54 AM

Since many of us have been to S&S and know it well, this could have happened to any of us. I pulled up the video showing the loss Ray suffered. https://www.wndu.com/2023/05/29/caus...investigation/
What a shame Ray, grab another coach with the insurance settlement and enjoy life again. We are chomping at the bit to get out there again even for just a short trip to get away from the stress the last year has brought to out community.

Ray Huffman · 06-10-2023, 09:28 AM

Nothing from both insurance company. They are playing the waiting game of what caused the fire. I'm sure glad we didn't go full-time like we were thinking of doing. We would be homeless.

Regarding content, everything removal has a $500 limit—pot pans, laptops, cameras, tools, towing equipment, and anything not permanently attached. Extra hoses, extension cords, you name it, are not included. I can attempt to file a claim with my homeowner's insurance for content.

The upgrades I did will be a loss of money. I had upgrades done to the cabinets at wood designs and 1,200 watts of solar power added at solar energy. S&S just did some stainless steel trim around the wheel wells and the steps I never saw. I paid them, so more money was lost.

The insurance will evaluate the loss as a motor vehicle or trailer. They didn't realize this was our winter home for four months of the year. Check your insurance policy for upgrades, or you are screwed, as none wants to pay. S&S insurance promises that they will take as long as they wish. BTW, I called a lawyer, and he said he wanted $650 an hour prorated for every ten minutes to talk about it.

Gary.Jones · 06-10-2023, 09:42 AM

Ray

I was sorry to hear of your loss, but now even more sorry for what you are having to go through subsequently.... and I would tell that lawyer to go jump in a lake (I would actually use more colorful language (and involve a part of my body)) and find a lawyer that is not trying to pay off of his law school expenses in 6 months.... There is someone out there who is willing to start their practice and spread their expenses over the first ten years (

). Lots of lawyers in this world willing to work hard for their money........ You just need to find one with a true interest in being helpful.

And I don't see how S&S's insurance has any right to weasel around on a quick payout.... what excuse are you getting?

Gary

brobox · 06-10-2023, 01:18 PM

Ray,
I saw your post on FB, but did not want to get lost in the mega comments. I'll share with you the experience myself and thousands of other are experiencing with the insurance companies from Hurricane Ian. We even made the national news about what the insurance companies are trying to pull. What started the fire should have no bearing on the insurance policy you bought and paid for unless it excludes loss from fire.

1.) understanding your insurance policy is of the utmost importance. I learned from a few hurricanes in the past to insure for replacement cost and not "market value". Example, those that had basic "market value" insurance and not replacement cost,.... many are still waiting for roofs. Before the storm it was $20,000 to replace a roof, today $40,000. The insurance companies are only paying the $20,000. as stated in the police, less the detuctable. If you have replacement cost, your extras should be covered with receipts. However you will need to have a full understanding of your insurance policy.
I had over $170,000. in damages on a commercial building. The first insurance settlement was $4,600 after the deductible. It took three claims submissions with bids/estimates from contractors to get the final settlement of full replacement cost, not what the insurance company wanted to settle for. They wanted to paint each chip on the building, instead of painting the entire building. That's NOT what the policy stated. I quoted line for line in my policy with each claim submission that it was covered at replacement cost. Seven months later I received the final check...all damages were covered and paid in full. The insurance company will go as low as they can, hoping the policy holder does not catch it, or know what they are insured for.

2.) File with with the insurance commissioner in each state. The state your MH is registered in and Indiana, home of S&S, where the loss occurred.

3.) There are insurance attorneys that work on a percentage amount of the claim. They collect their fees from the insurance companies if they are not holding up their end of the contract, that being the policy. They have come to FL by the boat loads.
4.) Don't let age get you down, I am 76, took on the insurance company and received what I paid for in my policy. After the first low settlement, I could not find a general contractor, they are all booked a year out with work from already settled claims. It was not easy getting sub contractors to give estimates, I had to get a few from the other side of the state. But it got done. You might also have to get your own dealers prices depending on your type of policy. An excellent source of help might be NIRVC. I am sure they have a lot of experience in these situations and can certainly play general contractor for you.

Best luck from someone that has just been through all of it. If you want to contact me by PM, feel free to. My third insurance adjuster became my best friend and and got the claim settled.