Insurance

Noticed on www.hitchitch.com that our blog was still on the "new list" because of the fire incident we had a few weeks ago. The webmaster mentioned that there was curiosity about how the insurance was handled. At this point, we are very pleased with what the adjusters have done with us and we were in my opinion very lucky to have changed insurance companies from GMAC to Progressive Insurance. Frankly, I was less than pleased with them a few years ago due to the increased insurance costs and had switched from them to the Good Sam insurance program. After 40%, 30% and 25% increases from the 1st year with Good Sam without explanation or claims or driving record changes, we had had it with GMAC. In shopping around, the most promising choice was Progressive and they were quite competitive. They also suggested that since the coach was 5 years old that we have it appraised and then insure it for that amount which we did. That particular advice has worked very well for us as the coach was a total loss there was no bickering about value. Actually, the fire was on the 19th and we had a check in hand on 7th of May for the coach only. It would have been sooner but a confirmation from the investigators that arson was not involved had to acquired. A pleasant surprise was that the company will pay or reimburse for the sales tax (in Michigan 6%) of the agreed amount towards the purchase of a new motorhome. I don't usually recommend insurance company's, but I do have to say that Mr. Jeff Jardine at Mason McBride (www.masonmcbride.com) led me through the process this past January and was most helpful. Obviously, he was looking out for me.

Contents are a little bit different, but the same in some ways. First with us it is covered by our home owners insurance ...not the motorhome insurance. In our case Allstate Insurance. We claim those items lost at our cost when purchased. That cost is depreciated to get an actual cash value. That plus the sales tax payed at purchase is reimbursed to us. Beyond that our policy allows for reimbursement cost coverage. To qualify, I must first repair, rebuild, or replace the damaged property item and present receipts for same with in 180 days. This covers the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost. They are giving me actual cash value and if I replace the item or items, they will pay the difference.

Insurance is certainly strange and we were lucky...mostly that "things" were involved not people. We had just come back from a 5 month trip and were not in the motorhome at the time. These past few weeks have gone by so quickly and we have been fortunate enough that they have gone well for us. If you have a motorhome or coach and are not sure about your insurance it might be a good thing to check you policies. Oh and another simple little thing... take your camera video, digital, whatever and record your property ......and store it somewhere with children or safe deposit boxes away from your coach.

Once again thankyour for all the interest and concern...were looking for a coach now and hope to be back on the road soon.