Insurance coverage -- again

[CaveCreeker]

2006 Quig conversion, 6.0, with boat loads of bullet proof, aftermarket engine & drive train products, now prepared to start the SMB camper conversion process. Insurance Co's all want an APPRAISAL in order to get stated value replacement coverage. Who out there does Professional Appraisals? I am located in Cave Creek, AZ. Also note that I am a licensed & credentialed insurance adjuster and feel sorry for any carrier adjuster who may stub their toe while adjusting a claim with me, family or a friend. Remember that if a carrier binds coverage, they are on the hook for your vehicle, especially if the carrier has been presented with documentation indicating aftermarket upgrades.
Professional Appraisers wanted asap, thank you.

 

[Tapatio]

I insure with AAA. My stock 2006 E-350 was insured before the SMB conversion (RB-50 + 4X4). I provided them with evidence (invoices) of the modifications costs and they took a few pictures. The good news was the insurance premium dropped $183/year. Very simple process.

 

[carringb]

State Farm had me bring my van in to my agents office for an appraisal.

 

[jage]

Farmers- nothing, Progressive- nothing for van or the Jeep (both stated value). They'll make me provide documentation for every bolt and nut, no doubt, but up front they required nothing.

 

[CaveCreeker]

Great feedback so far folks, but we are seeking an APPRAISER please. Thank you.

 

[twogone]

Been paying State Farm faithfully for 14 years... no claims. Made 2 calls and one walk-in visit to agent to get my 16 yr old SMB covered as something more than just a van. Got no response or even a call back to say "no" over the course of a month. :k7:

Got on this Forum, searched insurance stuff, had a mail card from Geico, thought I'd give them a shout based on all their boasts about price/service. Got 'em on the phone...explained trying to cover van as an RV (plus my other auto)... talked w/ 3 separate, very nice folks all of whom said "we can do it", the last one said gonna get a specialist to call me back in 20 minutes. Two days, no call :k7:

Got back on the forum... read about Good Sam/GMAC. Called 'em up. Yep, they totally got the picture, do it all the time. Age of van did not allow "declared value", but would assess and properly value as an RV/SMB conversion in the event of a loss. Both drivers, both vehicles, exact same coverages on liability was $668/yr V $1090/yr that I had blindly been paying my golf playin'/steak eatin' State Farm dude.

:e6: Thankya SMB forum!

P.S. I explained all this, 'specially the "no call back" part to our State Farm regional supervisor. He said he'd "follow up" :i7:

 

[Bigfoot-THOR]

No issues with State Farm here, just showed them the original build sheet/invoice from 2002.

 

[MKRyan]

I also had no issues with State Farm. Explained over the phone what it was and what features it had and that it was classified as a class B RV. I pay under $700 per year.

Mike

 

[rionapo]

Could anyone w/state farm PM me w/their policy names or appropriate identifiers? I haven't gotten a good response from my agent's office & I'd like some details when I talk w/him. I haven't pushed yet because delivery is a ways away ydt & I have an attractive possibility from Progressive. I'm parti ularly interested in full replacement coverage. Thanks.

 

[twogone]

ummm, GoodSam/GMAC has full replacement coverage available for 6 YEARS if you start new with them... might be worth the looksee.

 

[Nomadcat]

Didn't want to start a new topic, so I hope this is appropriate here, but I'm tired of getting hosed and my rate raised by Geico every year, despite being a good driver, etc.

Can anyone recommend a company that does auto, home and umbrella? I was looking at Amica, but am open to any good recommendations.

Thanks.

Paul

 

[Ford_6L_E350]

We have everything through State Farm. Home, Umbrella, SMB insured as an RV, 2 cars and a pickup, under $3K/yr.

Last year we had an accident on a new Focus. They paid quickly, and more than I paid for the car new!

Local agents and nationwide coverage is nice because we travel in the SMB.

Mike

 

[larrie-SMB]

We have been with Farmers for over 30 years with two or three cars and he SMB registered as a van plus two homes etc. Had great service after several auto incidents including a totaled Voyager.


Larrie
89 Ford 2WD penthouse

 

[Nomadcat]

thanks to you both. going to investigate them.

I am used to sucking it up and paying a lot as a NYC resident, but it's out of control with the insurance lately.

 

[haywoodphotomaccom]

Just spent an hour today with my Farmers rep that we have all our things insured with. We just got the van home today which is empty inside. He stated until the interior build out was done to qualify for an RV my rate was almost double. We are starting the interior build in early Jan. Not very happy about the situation.

Interesting that by the time we are done we will have twice the money in it but the rate will be cut more than half once a toilet is in it?? Just does not make sense.

 

[CaveCreeker]

Just spent an hour today with my Farmers rep that we have all our things insured with. We just got the van home today which is empty inside. He stated until the interior build out was done to qualify for an RV my rate was almost double. We are starting the interior build in early Jan. Not very happy about the situation.

Interesting that by the time we are done we will have twice the money in it but the rate will be cut more than half once a toilet is in it?? Just does not make sense.

Time to start filing complaints with your individual state insurance comissioner office.
Licensed insurance professionals have minimal standards to operate by and can have their licenses and or credentials/s or designations suspended or revoked for incompetence.

 

[durangatangs]

Before our van underwent its conversion at SMB West, it was costing slightly over $1,000 a year to insure under our Liberty Mutual auto policy. Once the conversion was finished we insured it with Blue Sky (RV America) as a part-time RV with agreed value coverage for I think five model years for only $571 a year. This was so much less as to cause concern about whether we would get good coverage if we had a claim. (But not enough concern not to buy the policy.) Our Liberty Mutual agent looked it over for us and couldn't find anything amiss so we went with Blue Sky.

This summer we drove the SMB to Alaska and back and like most folks ended up needing a new windshield. Blue Sky wrote a check no questions asked for their share less our $100 deductible. Basically they paid out more on this windshield than our whole first year's premium!

And we just got the bill for the annual renewal, same price to the penny as we paid last year. So it looks like we can recommend Blue Sky, at least for a factory conversion.

 

[haywoodphotomaccom]

Durang, that is basically what my carrier is saying too. Once the conversion is done the rate goes down 50% or so.

One reason I am trying to get my build started ASAP.

 

[durangatangs]

We took our empty van to SMB West about 6-8 weeks before they were able to start the conversion and left it with them. Once it was on their lot we discontinued all insurance except Comprehensive because they have coverage on any vehicles in their possession. That saved us a bundle.

I don't understand either why RV rates are so much lower than regular Auto, except that they are based on only part-time use. RV America says their rates are so low because they specialize in RVs and RV owners as a group tend to have a good safety record.

 

[Nomadcat]

Thanks to you all, and to report back, I switched from Geico to State Farm and saved over 1200 bucks a year between my house and auto insurance.

I'm going to make a point of getting new quotes every couple of years now. Geico had my loyalty and money for 14 years and that was way too long.