An RV salesman I met who sold high end RV's like the ones country music stars travel around in told me it doesn't matter if you buy a 50K RV or a 2 million dollar RV, you are going to have problems galore for as long as you own it. He said the quality control on all of them is non existent. From electrical problems to water leaks to A/C units freezing up, it never ends. The problem is too many people involved in the assembly, and too many company's who make the TV's, slide out motors, refrigerators ETC.. The more of such items in the RV, the more problems you'll have.
Andrew, it takes courage to swallow one’s pride to benefit others. I appreciate the valuable information and hope we can get to the root cause of the fire. I’m thankful you two were not injured. Take care, Jeff
Andrew, my apologies that this unfortunate incident occurred, but here is the silver lining, the best part of the story. You have chosen to share your heart and soul to the rest of the RV Community through this video, the teacher begins. The lesson learned is now being taught by you to the rest of us, hope all are listening. I did... and now have learned and moving forward, paying more attention to our RV and its needs, especially our Insurance Coverage. My sincere thanks for introducing us to Marty. Wow, had no clue how under insured we were. After talking to Marty, we are now insured appropriately and within our budget. We have so much more coverage, over doubled, as FTers. Our cost was roughly the same as our grossly under insured policy. Marty is a true professional and knows the RV insurance business. What is truly unique about Marty; He truly cares about you being taken care of and properly insured. What a great concept and a missing piece in today's world. So if you have any concern about your insurance coverage, do yourself a favor and contact Marty. And... Thank You Andrew for being honest about your situation and finding Marty for all of us. Well Done !!!
This possibly the most important video you have made, most of us take for granted insurance but not exactly what is covered. Our rv is not worth nearly what your loss was but to us it is everything, time for a chat with insurance guy
Andrew, I appreciate you sharing your personal endeavors regarding this devastating time. It’s real-life situations, like this, that truly help others. RV ownership is completely different than owning a truck or car. You have opened my eyes and I will definitely be reviewing my policy to make sure my RV and family are protected properly. Thanks again! Looking forward to your next RV!
Always insist upon a high value of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. These are the people, who have no insurance or have no license causing over half the accidents!
Hi Andrew, this is Luis Urbieta and first of all I want to thank you for your educational videos you put out each day and you're the RVer's Disciple. Second of all, there will never be a perfect RV and I know and I feel your pain because RV's requires a lot of work but I'll keep you in my prayers. Plz reply to my comment.
Every time one insures a vehicle or RV you have to consider what you are prepared to pay for annual coverage. It is easy to say it should have been insured for more, now that you experienced a loss-but would you have been willing to pay the higher premium of $170k plus contents of $40k. Your premium would have been at least 1/3 higher than what you paid. I have not met a person yet that says they would like to pay higher premiums (until they experience a loss). Sure wonder why TH-cam subscribers would assist you with the loss-people experience what happened to you every day and don’t get assistance, so I bet you are pleased. You are a very fortunate person, Andrew!
I have to agree with you on this. Everyone would love to be covered for more on their insurance policies when buying insurance. But, when they start telling you what the cost will be, most opt out and stick with the minimums. The only recommendation I have is to get some insurance on the personal items in your RV. We have a travel trailer and I purchased $2,000 worth of personal items coverage in additional to everything else. It's not much coverage, but if my trailer went up in smoke, at least it would take a little pressure off of having to purchase new stuff.
Thanks for the update Andrew. My wife and I have been waiting to hear your status as we noticed you haven't replaced your rig yet. This info is hugely valuable! I immediately went back to my policy and notices that there is no "stated value". Only "original purchase price" - which was wrong! I called Marty's company and had to leave a message. I would love to have him give me a quote to compare to what I currently have. I hope you get this sorted out soon and can get back on the road. Love your channel!!
Hey Andrew. Sorry again for this whole event but glad you and Shay are doing well. I think another video about RV insurance would be excellent. I have been in the risk management and insurance industry for over 30 years and am in charge of a complex insurance program for a $6B a year entity. In general, consumers really have no idea of what their policy does and does not provide. It’s written in such legaleze language that it’s overwhelming. It’s so confusing that there is an entire legal industry that does nothing but interpret insurance coverage as well as litigate coverage disputes. That’s how bad it is. All too often, the policy holder doesn’t find out what they had or didn't have until there’s been a big loss, then it’s too late. It can be devastating. Take care!
You are absolutely right My Friend. It is written in such Confusing Legalese, that sometimes I'm convinced that the Insurance Company that wrote it has no idea what it says, LOL!!🤣🤣🤣
Andrew you're always going to successful because of your honesty . That same honesty you always give your customers will always guide you to success. I'm so proud to follow your TH-cam videos.
I'm calling Marty , my current provider would not insure my contents for more than $5k and the Liquid Springs they would only cover the cost of product itself. The labor alone was $9k! So yes the right insurance matters. Andrew It would be cool to do more informative subjects like this one.
THANK YOU Andrew , I'm so sorry for your loss ! But Thank you so much for bringing this up IT IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION and maybe deserves a episode all too itself with your New insurance agent. These vehicles are The MOST EXPENSIVE things we will likley ever buy , next to a house maybe and our insurance needs to be looked at with a fine tooth comb. Just as one would do with home insurance. Many of us live full time in our rigs and EVERYTHING we own is inside and needs to be considered in full replacement cost not actual saleable price . Things like tv's ,clothes, computers, camera equip, even tools, these things are hard to replace with used goods bought at garage sales or flea markets. Their full new value has to be the insured value. ?And yes I will be going thru my ins again to be sure that I would be ok if the unthinkable happens. CHEERS AND SAFE TRAVELS Steve h.
Thank you for being so open about your RV and the insurance you had on it. We are newbies at this and are looking for an rv. You mentioned you may do more videos on insuring an RV ...that would be great information for us and I'm sure other viewers so please do so. Thanks so much for all your information! 😊
I completely agree, Karen. Hubby and I already know which RV we're ordering. I can't tell you how much I appreciate Andrew's releasing this video! He really should post more about insurance coverage, etc. Like you we could benefit from more on the subject of RV Insurance from all angels and research more before hiring an agency for coverage!👍
Wow Andrew, that insurance agent sure took you to the cleaners. I learned a long time ago to base all of my insurance on replacement cost & to include towing no/low deductible, because Murphy is always lurking when you have the least amount of cash available. Thanks for posting this, so others will learn to insure their rolling stock properly!😎
I disagree. The agent didn't take anyone to the cleaners. He provided exactly what he was asked for. Andrew admitted HE made mistakes. I'm sure the agent would have been very happy to insure it for more money since his commission would have paid him more money.
@@trustme7731 - The agent is to blame, if they didn’t offer advice on their products. I’ve been down that road & I’ve had horrible agents that offered nothing & great agents that help guide one to make the best financial decisions BEFORE something happens. If you don’t know, you don’t know. It’s totally another thing if one refuses the correct coverage.
@@cmdrdarwin3682 It's no different than insuring a car, a home or anything else. They all have a market value and a purchase price and contain personal property that may need riders. Again, he admits to making a mistake. He certainly knew the market value when he paid $60,000 less for it. The fact is that VERY few people ever read their insurance policies where everything is clearly spelled out.
Insurance policies do not clearly spell out things that the average person can understand them. You need an honest insurance agent to guide you and explain your options.
@@trustme7731 - You just proved my point. If an agent doesn’t explain a policy so that one can understand what it covers & what it doesn’t, the agent is at fault.
Marty seems to be very educated with RV insurance and I would definitely go with him opposed to a regular insurance person with no knowledge of RVs especially the value.
It’s the same with home insurance. Insure for reconstruction cost not value. And contents are anything not fixed in place and schedule and specifically insure any item that has a “value” (usually worth more than 1000). So jewellery, tvs, tech stuff etc. what Marty said applies to home insurance too.
Hi Andrew, I just stumbled over your video. A few days ago I had Proteng Fire Protection installed, and my entire 5th-wheel is now protected wherever applicable. It wasn't the cheapest thing to do, but it sure makes me feel safer!! Thank you for this video, I shall double-check specifics with my insurance - very helpful! I am glad you got so much help from the community. Safe travels with your new rig.
As a property adjuster, you may have coverage for your personal property if you had a homeowners or renters policy which often covers your personal property anywhere in the world, even in an RV.
Andrew, I came across your video researching RV fire prevention and mitigation for my design. I truly appreciate your courage to share the mistakes, which most people in this world are not willing to do, for the benefit of others. Liked and subscribed. Thank you.
My dad ran a small insurance company . He said most people undervalue there personal property, and replacement cost.this is very good information . thanks for sharing.
That's what circuit breakers are for, to prevents short ckt fires. Most likely it was a high amp 12-volt system caused fire, but you can also have 115vac ckts heat/smolder flammable material and cause a fire. Inverters, frigs, ACs, water heaters and improperly installed (unfused) owner audio and solar systems are also suspect if not an engine caused fire.
Why the censorship at 5:16? Glad nobody was hurt. Luckily you guys had some insurance coverage, even if it wasn’t for the actual value. We appreciate the awesome tips and advice on making sure we are getting the coverage we truly need. Stay safe.
Great info!!!!! This is very useful. Most of us out here with RVs are just learning as we go so I really appreciate this type of insurance information. Thanks Andrew!!!!
Andrew, First of all, Joe and I are extremely sorry to see you having to deal with this grueling situation! Thank You so Very Much for sharing your personal and raw experience after the fire and the insurance issue you're going through. I can't express the absolute need to share what real folks go through with the insurance adjuster and what actually came from the company. You can never be too safe in making sure you are covered for everything from the rig to all of your personal belongings, the tow and storage fees you will more than likely incur. The other issue some folks with older rigs face, 10+ years old is trying to get insurance policy for it. I've heard and read where people looking to buy an older rig and getting insurance quotes, one of the first question asked is "What is the age of the motorhome?" Anything 10 years and older they won't even offer a policy. It's a shame really. After seeing what you and Shea are going through it's really a sad reality motorhome owner's are facing. Thank You again for sharing your life altering experience. It's something we can All learn from. Here's a hug ❤🤗❤ for you, Shea and the pup's!
Thank you for this information! I cannot tell you how many times business owners under-insure their business assets because they don't consider replacement cost in a catastrophic situation. Very helpful! So sorry for your loss and appreciate that you took the time to disseminate this knowledge to those of us who are considering RV purchases.
Marty is actually a pleasure to deal with. He's super knowledgeable and wants what's best for you. We signed with him about a year ago. Thanks for sharing the information, Andrew and i look forward to hearing what actually happened.
I have had Farmers insurance since I was in my mid 20's. All my houses, cars, and RV's have been insured by them since. I could not be more happy with them. It's not always cheaper but they are there when something comes up. I get a call from my agent minutes after an accident.
Andrew, the insurance game, and (yes, it is a game) works both ways! The only thing you did wrong, is not having towing and contents coverage! Value's of MH's go up and down, and right now they are very, very high! If your fire would have happened any other time before or say next year, a current value may have been 75K! What I am trying to say is, stated value is the safest way to recuperate the money you have invested in your coach! Don't beat yourself up! But when you insure your next coach, remember the contents and the roadside towing coverage!
Hey Andrew, thank you for your openess and honesty with this video. I think this will be one of your most valuable videos. People will be made whole a lot better from this video if someone else has to go through this. You're a good dude for doing this. Bless you bro.
We can put a man on the moon, but we can't make wire insulation that deters mice from snacking on them. I had a mouse crawl up into the control box of my brand new $25,000 woodmizer saw mill and spend the winter. In the spring the mill control panel would not powerup. When I opened it up, I wanted to cry. The wiring harness was almost as thick as my wrist with dozens of wires. About half were chewed on or chewed all the way through. It would have cost me thousands of dollars to have Woodmizer put in a whole new wiring harness, so I bit the bullet and did it myself. Why we can't discover a smell or taste that repels mice is beyond me.
That was an information packed emotional video and you got me thinking first thing I’m going to do is check out my policy and the replacement value that I have on my coach. Thomyt
I know this was a difficult video for you to make. I'm so sorry that you suffered more than you originally thought. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I will be reviewing our policies.
Insuring an RV is most like insuring a house. With home insurance you also insure the contents of the home, including special contents that you want to add additional coverage, say like a gun collection, art work etc.
Andrew; a couple of years ago I chastised you for saying the "least expensive " rig on the lot was "the cheapest" and for calling the bathroom "the head" and you responded by saying that's what the "lot dogs" all called it. You have grown professionally and personally since that time, as has your subscriber base. If you want to become Robin Leach with "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" you have to move up to the professionalism and verbiage of that clientele - and you have. Thank you for the transparency of the fire and the insurance situation, your working with the dealers and the high-end resorts - and the costs of both. And best wishes to you and Shaye (and the dogs). Where's the Sadie Lady? How is the lot in Montana doing? All the best.
You only paid $110,000. You got what you insured it for. If you would have had a towing Policy (Coachnet) They would have paid tow. If you would have had it insured for $175,000 you would have paid more for policy. That's why most folks only insure for what they have skin in the game. There ain't no crying in RV ownership as it's all a wash.
Thank you for sharing. You learned an expensive lesson. That agent should have insured at the RV's value, included towing, personal property at replacement cost and alternate transportation until you received your payout. That is just basic insurance knowledge. Please go elsewhere for your future insurance needs.
Man, I'm sorry you lost your RV. They don't make them like that anymore. I do wish you the best of luck. I'm glad nobody was injured. I had a similar conversation with my insurance agent. He wanted to know what we paid for it. I didn't tell him. We went from the book value. What you paid is irrelevant. If you bought the Hope diamond for 500 bucks, that has nothing to do with it's insured value.
This was interesting moreso for the comments. A lot of time when we move forward with our adventures we make purchases we can afford and that includes our insurance. When tragedy strikes its always at an inopportune time,in this situation no-one was hurt. Andrew is moving forward and will find a better motor home and be better prepared. If we didn't have setbacks life would be boring and we wouldn't appreciate what we have. Good LUCK moving forward Andrew and may God Bless you.
Thank you for sharing. Keeping it real is why you have the followers you do. So many people will be better covered as a result of this video. Shout out to you for bringing in an expert.
Marty was a great help to me, even if my state wasn't covered by Charolette. He took the time out to review what a policy should have and means. Great honest guy
I saw a youtube video awhile back that showed ideas to prevent Mice from coming into nomads vehicles during the night or while away. The owners put up all around the vehicle tall pieces of wood so the mice could not climb on /in the RV/Van..Alot of work but saves RV's.
Andrew it's not embarrassing at all to me. I have a dream like MLK did when I first received my CDL and yet have I invested nor bought an RV. But I have an unconditional love and passion for one and this is education for me. So I am very appreciative of you and your educating me on the RV life!
I'm an Odd Couple follower and member of RV Odd Squad. I have my RV Insurance with Marty and they know what they are doing. Highly recommend Charlotte.
In a funny turn of events, this video made me double check my RV policy (we’ve been on a 4 weeks road trip) and guess what - it was lapsed!!! Got it fixed right away. Sorry about your RV Andrew, but you certainly saved mines
Always consider coverage over price. Once you figure out the coverages you need then you can compare apples to apples for price. Having said that let's look at the coverages you may want to consider: Remember trailer insurance is going to cost less than motorhome insurance because the liability follows the vehicle that is towing it. So in a nutshell you are getting comp and collision for your trailer (some carriers might also just call it physical insurance). However, there are some other key coverages that you will want for such a RV: Replacement cost (different coverage than "stated" or "Agreed Value" that was mentioned in the video): Yep, unlike car insurance that give you only actual cash value some companies, depending on how new your RV is will offer "Replacement Cost" (new for used!!! ). Towing: AAA and the like will not a trailer or a motorhome unless you upgrade your coverage. If not Goodsam, AAA, etc, check to see if your insurance carrier has special towing/Roadside (flat tire, key lock out, etc) coverage for your trailer/Motorhome. Always, Always, get the max coverage available so if you are stuck in the desert or high on a mountain that the tow/roadside service will be fully covered. Liability insurance while the trailer/motorhome is parked on its own: Remember once the truck and trailer are no longer connected, or the motorhome is parked, you still have a possible liability issue. Some companies might call this vacation liability etc. this has to do with liability after your trailer/motorhome is parked. For example a slip and fall, dog bite, hot coffee spill on a visitor. Now if you already have a homeowner’s policy or renters policy you may already have the extended coverage. So make sure you ask so that you are not double covered. Contents coverage: Make sure again you ask if there is an extension to renters or homeowners. If not get it in the RV coverage. Also make sure that the coverage includes "Mysterious disappearance" ( a legal term) this is especially important to outdoor items like generators/bikes/chairs/coolers. Ask your agent what that is. If they can't answer that question find another agent! For example Farmers Insurance does not cover Mysterious disappearance on Homes/Renters but Nationwide does. So make sure you ask. Also make sure that the contents coverage is for "Replacement Cost" (new for used on contents) Ok, I have typed enough. Remember price is not the issue at first coverage is. I hope this helps.
Thanks Andrew for the update. Much like your situation, my insurance deal is exactly the same. I pay about $540 a year but my coach is covered to around 75k. I need to up that value with all the money I threw into renovating and mechanical replacements. This is a wakeup for sure. I do have CoachNet for towing but not sure if they would tow my coach if it had burned. I will definitely call Marty and get a quote. Seemed as if my family insurance guy as nice as he is, really doesn't know how to deal with RV's when we started the policy. I was ignorant and wrote the annual check. Stay safe my friend!
Thank you Andrew, this helps us out here and you are so humble and transparent. Again, your misfortune will help us be better for it... prevention is power.
And thank you for sharing all this information because I have a 40 foot diesel pusher and I have AAA now I’m gonna go and find out what coverage that I have in my RV
Hi,Andrew just goes to show that even a seasoned pro’s like you and Shea,can get caught out I hope you bounce back from these mistakes.love watching your vlogs you knowledge is overwhelming in the RV Industry
Andrew thanks for sharing this video. Very informative. When we started this rv lifestyle we insured our coach and all our personnel belongings inside. Like Marty said its something you get & hope you never need. Have a great day my friend.
Hi Andrew, from Ouray Colorado...I am still sickened that this happened to you two. I am so thankful, though, that neither of you were physically hurt! Thank you for this informative video!! I will need to renew my travel trailer policy in December. I will give Marty's tram a call! Safe travels!
You did fine man. You received back basically what you paid. How much more would your insurance payment had been if you had 200k coverage? Your payment would have been significantly more and you may not had wanted to pay that, perhaps you would but its not like you got too hurt. However, my Coach has a lower book value than what they are selling for now or what I could replace it for so stated value would be beneficial to me. Great video. That was an awesome coach and you bought it at a fair price. Im sure you are still heartbroken. Curious to see what you get next.
Shame you had and probably relive this disaster but kudos for using it to open discussions and providing informative content that aren't generally addressed in such straight forward and stark reality. If it hasn't been addressed as yet, can you engage expert(s) to cover what any of us could have done to possibly fight the fire - safely and short time only - once it's realized that it was actual fire and not just normal overheated item(s). Best is to have great insurance in case of major loss and get out alive and unhurt - and don't get hurt trying to fight it beyond experience and training.
Andrew, I am an agent who writes a ton of RVs, Boats and classic cars. Anyone can get a “Stated Value” policy on an RV if the carrier will write it. And the carrier will not just write just any value that you want. They will never over insure an RV even with stated value. HOWEVER, the premium cost for a “stated value” policy on an RV is one hell of a lot more money than and ACV policy (pays the current value of your RV). You are bellyaching even though you got almost what you paid for and you are kicking yourself in the ass that you didn’t get $70,000 more that you paid for it. Cut me a break. You also never say what he has been paying for this Stated Value Insurance policy. As an agent, I would write Stated Value policies all day long with a higher commissions.
Great Video Andrew! Always very useful information to explain the Do' and Don'ts of Insurance, because it's something that can get very complicated!! Hoping that you will do some additional videos on this all important subject!!
Yeah shame on that insurance person for not ensuring the value opposed to what you paid. Sorry I know he's a friend but not a very good insurance person on your behalf so sorry this is happened to you.
At least 2 agents told me that purchased value is all they would ensure mine for without an inspection report from an inspector. Thats not an easy task in older rigs.
@@RonMDavis Sorry but due diligence get an inspector before you buy a used RV regardless of insurance if you don’t you’re asking for a pile of problems. And within doing that you get the value it’s simple
Well thank God you and family got out of your RV alright. Don't worry about the insurance thing we live, experience life (in a negative and positive way), and we learn. Don't beat yourself up over it. I know it was a horrifying experience for you though. You continue to make those incredible videos and keep us entertained. 😉
That's very good advice. It would be nice to know however the differences in cost either in your case or a sample RV between replacement value and purchase price. Obviously you chose not to purchase rep value so there must have been a significant cost difference in the coverage to make you do that.
Andrew, the policy I had on my motorhome didn’t cover the contents because I had a homeowners policy on my home that covered all the contents of the motorhome. If you had already bought a home in Florida, you most likely already had Homeowners Insurance, or renters insurance, check with them to see if they will cover your contents. Good luck.
Underinsured, yup, most of us are . The fact that to afford the insurance you have to take the higher deductible which is another thing that bugs me. Insurance co. know you need them and make tons and tons of money and i never feel sorry for them when they have to pay out .And they always try to get out of paying. Ever notice the fine print? Oh, and are they going to raise your premium now? Insurance is and always will be the biggest scam in America.
I actually called charlotte Ins I worked with Clark boy was he helpful after spending all day shopping around not getting the coverage I wanted and needed for our new Rv purchase Clark came thru big time he’s a true Rv insurance pro that can get the job done correctly.. thank you Andrew for this video
When it comes to personal contents, if you have homeowners or renters insurance with a reputable company, your contents are covered worldwide and for replacement cost. Which could have applied here if your rv policy wasnt adequate. Now If you are a full time rv 'er, depending on the company you may be able to get a renters policy for your contents if your rv policy doesnt cover enough because most rv policies limit personal contents to less than 100k and are not generally replacement cost unless you can schedule items. It comes down to having a good agent who asks alot of queations and gets to know your needs.
Are their any lessons learned regarding things you might have done before or once you had indications that the fire had started that might have prevented or mitigated the damage to your unit?
I had a wiper get stuck on my 90 Blue Bird Wanderlodge while I was driving, the wiper motor started to smoke and full up the bus.. it was scary to say the least.. as soon as I stopped and freed up the wiper the smoke went away.
Sorry for your costly learning experience. I watched those video’s as you started out and I never dreamed you would have such a loss. But you are tied to the RV industry and it would only be logical for you to get another motor home and hit the white line highway with your perspective and love for these metal beasts.
I went through them for my insurance on my rv and he is excellent to deal with he explained everything to me just like he said line by line making sure I am covered should I ever need it.
This makes me wonder if I am overpaying for my policy through Progressive. It covers full timing, has towing coverage, covers pretty much everything as well as an additional $15k for personal belongings. We pay almost $200 a month for a Columbus 379MBC 5th wheel.
Thank you Andrew for making this video and if you do make some more updates. This is a big big issue for almost every RV'er out there on the road. I hope that this never happens to any of us but we see it all the time. It worries me a lot. I'm getting rid of everything I can that using propane. I can't do much about electrical stuff other than not do anything half ass. If I don't know what I'm doing ill get someone who does. Its not worth something burning down around me because of something I did.
Very sorry to learn of your situation. I think as you get older and have owned more things you learn about insurance companies and coverages. Home owners, boat and RV's all required informed coverages. Contents and special items, money, jewelry etc. are all to be considered. Right now home owner insurance is a fluid thing. Material costs, inflation, property values are in a very fluid situation. It could have been worse! You guys are safe! The old saying of " experience is what you get when you don't get what you want" seems fitting here. You definitely got experience on this one! Very good that you shared this with your audience. Hoping you will find your way back into a new Coach in the near future. You are so busy traveling from place to place I'm not sure you have time to use an RV for work?
Our RV insurance is through this gentleman’s agency. He helped us determine an agreed value and he did exactly what he said in the video, line by line to make certain we were comfortable with the coverage amounts.
My two cents some wire harness are soy base. Rodents will eat the wire coating, some car manufacturers have use this type of coating on their wire harness. It is cheaper for them when mass producing harnesses or the company that is making the harnesses for them. Even some 2022 newer vehicles have that chewing/eating problem.
Please do a video that covers everything. Do they offer replacement insurance (another words they pay the cost of what it cost today to replace everything and not the lower price paid when bought. Also you may know people this has happened to as well to see how they made out after such a nightmare. Like even the names of the insurance company etc. Also things not covered in the above. Perhaps jewelry, cash, etc... You may want to get the different polices for the things not covered and always keep receipts for everything!! Also take pictures of course put your documents im a fireproof box
If you have replacement cost coverage for your personal property, your insurance will typically help cover the cost of buying a new item at today's price.
Determining the cause of an RV fire is complicated because its a house and vehicle combined. It looks like the fire was in the front of the RV, and this looks like a rear engine RV so its unlikely to he automotive related and u likely to be 110v related if it really started in the front. If the generator is located in that front area then thats a likely culprit, othrwise it was likely some kind of electrical short. Would be interesting to hear exactly what happened leading up to the fire, did you have any mechanical issues? Any lights flickering? Odd smells?
An RV salesman I met who sold high end RV's like the ones country music stars travel around in told me it doesn't matter if you buy a 50K RV or a 2 million dollar RV, you are going to have problems galore for as long as you own it. He said the quality control on all of them is non existent. From electrical problems to water leaks to A/C units freezing up, it never ends. The problem is too many people involved in the assembly, and too many company's who make the TV's, slide out motors, refrigerators ETC.. The more of such items in the RV, the more problems you'll have.
Andrew, it takes courage to swallow one’s pride to benefit others. I appreciate the valuable information and hope we can get to the root cause of the fire. I’m thankful you two were not injured. Take care, Jeff
Jeff, that is very kind of you.
Diid you have Insurance ?
Andrew, my apologies that this unfortunate incident occurred, but here is the silver lining, the best part of the story. You have chosen to share your heart and soul to the rest of the RV Community through this video, the teacher begins. The lesson learned is now being taught by you to the rest of us, hope all are listening. I did... and now have learned and moving forward, paying more attention to our RV and its needs, especially our Insurance Coverage. My sincere thanks for introducing us to Marty. Wow, had no clue how under insured we were. After talking to Marty, we are now insured appropriately and within our budget. We have so much more coverage, over doubled, as FTers. Our cost was roughly the same as our grossly under insured policy. Marty is a true professional and knows the RV insurance business. What is truly unique about Marty; He truly cares about you being taken care of and properly insured. What a great concept and a missing piece in today's world. So if you have any concern about your insurance coverage, do yourself a favor and contact Marty. And... Thank You Andrew for being honest about your situation and finding Marty for all of us. Well Done !!!
This possibly the most important video you have made, most of us take for granted insurance but not exactly what is covered. Our rv is not worth nearly what your loss was but to us it is everything, time for a chat with insurance guy
As a 22 year insurance veteran this guy is spot on…
Andrew, I appreciate you sharing your personal endeavors regarding this devastating time. It’s real-life situations, like this, that truly help others. RV ownership is completely different than owning a truck or car. You have opened my eyes and I will definitely be reviewing my policy to make sure my RV and family are protected properly. Thanks again! Looking forward to your next RV!
We all make mistakes. I don’t have to but mine on the internet. Good on you for educating us and sharing your story.
PSA also consider getting an umbrella policy. They’re very inexpensive in case you’re found at fault for an accident over your insurance coverage.
Agree, umbrella policies are inexpensive and will help cover other expenses involved, rental transportation, hotel, food etc
Always insist upon a high value of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. These are the people, who have no insurance or have no license causing over half the accidents!
@@meangrandma1630 Usually they are for liability losses only.
Hi Andrew, this is Luis Urbieta and first of all I want to thank you for your educational videos you put out each day and you're the RVer's Disciple. Second of all, there will never be a perfect RV and I know and I feel your pain because RV's requires a lot of work but I'll keep you in my prayers. Plz reply to my comment.
He doesn't have time for peons, so don't expect a reply.
@@mr.p9882 What?
Every time one insures a vehicle or RV you have to consider what you are prepared to pay for annual coverage. It is easy to say it should have been insured for more, now that you experienced a loss-but would you have been willing to pay the higher premium of $170k plus contents of $40k. Your premium would have been at least 1/3 higher than what you paid. I have not met a person yet that says they would like to pay higher premiums (until they experience a loss). Sure wonder why TH-cam subscribers would assist you with the loss-people experience what happened to you every day and don’t get assistance, so I bet you are pleased. You are a very fortunate person, Andrew!
I have to agree with you on this. Everyone would love to be covered for more on their insurance policies when buying insurance. But, when they start telling you what the cost will be, most opt out and stick with the minimums. The only recommendation I have is to get some insurance on the personal items in your RV. We have a travel trailer and I purchased $2,000 worth of personal items coverage in additional to everything else. It's not much coverage, but if my trailer went up in smoke, at least it would take a little pressure off of having to purchase new stuff.
People helped him because it was an emergency situation for his followers .
Thanks for the update Andrew. My wife and I have been waiting to hear your status as we noticed you haven't replaced your rig yet.
This info is hugely valuable! I immediately went back to my policy and notices that there is no "stated value". Only "original purchase price" - which was wrong! I called Marty's company and had to leave a message. I would love to have him give me a quote to compare to what I currently have.
I hope you get this sorted out soon and can get back on the road. Love your channel!!
Hey Andrew. Sorry again for this whole event but glad you and Shay are doing well. I think another video about RV insurance would be excellent. I have been in the risk management and insurance industry for over 30 years and am in charge of a complex insurance program for a $6B a year entity. In general, consumers really have no idea of what their policy does and does not provide. It’s written in such legaleze language that it’s overwhelming. It’s so confusing that there is an entire legal industry that does nothing but interpret insurance coverage as well as litigate coverage disputes. That’s how bad it is. All too often, the policy holder doesn’t find out what they had or didn't have until there’s been a big loss, then it’s too late. It can be devastating. Take care!
You are absolutely right My Friend. It is written in such Confusing Legalese, that sometimes I'm convinced that the Insurance Company that wrote it has no idea what it says, LOL!!🤣🤣🤣
Mr. Steele you are a standup guy. I really enjoy your professionalism and passion for what you do.
The courage to pick yourself up is impressive, keep the good work Andrew
Andrew you're always going to successful because of your honesty . That same honesty you always give your customers will always guide you to success. I'm so proud to follow your TH-cam videos.
I'm calling Marty , my current provider would not insure my contents for more than $5k and the Liquid Springs they would only cover the cost of product itself. The labor alone was $9k! So yes the right insurance matters. Andrew It would be cool to do more informative subjects like this one.
You also need REPLACEMENT COST insurance on your contents. Very important so they do not depreciate your property down to little value.
THANK YOU Andrew , I'm so sorry for your loss ! But Thank you so much for bringing this up IT IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION and maybe deserves a episode all too itself with your New insurance agent. These vehicles are The MOST EXPENSIVE things we will likley ever buy , next to a house maybe and our insurance needs to be looked at with a fine tooth comb. Just as one would do with home insurance. Many of us live full time in our rigs and EVERYTHING we own is inside and needs to be considered in full replacement cost not actual saleable price . Things like tv's ,clothes, computers, camera equip, even tools, these things are hard to replace with used goods bought at garage sales or flea markets. Their full new value has to be the insured value. ?And yes I will be going thru my ins again to be sure that I would be ok if the unthinkable happens. CHEERS AND SAFE TRAVELS Steve h.
Thank you for being so open about your RV and the insurance you had on it. We are newbies at this and are looking for an rv. You mentioned you may do more videos on insuring an RV ...that would be great information for us and I'm sure other viewers so please do so. Thanks so much for all your information! 😊
I completely agree, Karen. Hubby and I already know which RV we're ordering. I can't tell you how much I appreciate Andrew's releasing this video! He really should post more about insurance coverage, etc. Like you we could benefit from more on the subject of RV Insurance from all angels and research more before hiring an agency for coverage!👍
Wow Andrew, that insurance agent sure took you to the cleaners. I learned a long time ago to base all of my insurance on replacement cost & to include towing no/low deductible, because Murphy is always lurking when you have the least amount of cash available. Thanks for posting this, so others will learn to insure their rolling stock properly!😎
I disagree. The agent didn't take anyone to the cleaners. He provided exactly what he was asked for. Andrew admitted HE made mistakes. I'm sure the agent would have been very happy to insure it for more money since his commission would have paid him more money.
@@trustme7731 - The agent is to blame, if they didn’t offer advice on their products. I’ve been down that road & I’ve had horrible agents that offered nothing & great agents that help guide one to make the best financial decisions BEFORE something happens. If you don’t know, you don’t know. It’s totally another thing if one refuses the correct coverage.
@@cmdrdarwin3682 It's no different than insuring a car, a home or anything else. They all have a market value and a purchase price and contain personal property that may need riders. Again, he admits to making a mistake. He certainly knew the market value when he paid $60,000 less for it.
The fact is that VERY few people ever read their insurance policies where everything is clearly spelled out.
Insurance policies do not clearly spell out things that the average person can understand them. You need an honest insurance agent to guide you and explain your options.
@@trustme7731 - You just proved my point. If an agent doesn’t explain a policy so that one can understand what it covers & what it doesn’t, the agent is at fault.
Really sucks that this happened to you, but also a learning experience and lots of great info to share. Hope you can find another great coach soon!
Marty seems to be very educated with RV insurance and I would definitely go with him opposed to a regular insurance person with no knowledge of RVs especially the value.
We got ours for an agreed upon value of 200,000. That included our solar installation. I talked to Marty before I got my insurance
It’s the same with home insurance. Insure for reconstruction cost not value. And contents are anything not fixed in place and schedule and specifically insure any item that has a “value” (usually worth more than 1000). So jewellery, tvs, tech stuff etc. what Marty said applies to home insurance too.
Thanks, for your honesty!!! Education is what we all need!!
Hi Andrew, I just stumbled over your video.
A few days ago I had Proteng Fire Protection installed, and my entire 5th-wheel is now protected wherever applicable. It wasn't the cheapest thing to do, but it sure makes me feel safer!!
Thank you for this video, I shall double-check specifics with my insurance - very helpful!
I am glad you got so much help from the community. Safe travels with your new rig.
As a property adjuster, you may have coverage for your personal property if you had a homeowners or renters policy which often covers your personal property anywhere in the world, even in an RV.
Andrew, I came across your video researching RV fire prevention and mitigation for my design. I truly appreciate your courage to share the mistakes, which most people in this world are not willing to do, for the benefit of others. Liked and subscribed. Thank you.
My dad ran a small insurance company . He said most people undervalue there personal property, and replacement cost.this is very good information . thanks for sharing.
That's what circuit breakers are for, to prevents short ckt fires. Most likely it was a high amp 12-volt system caused fire, but you can also have 115vac ckts heat/smolder flammable material and cause a fire. Inverters, frigs, ACs, water heaters and improperly installed (unfused) owner audio and solar systems are also suspect if not an engine caused fire.
Glad I have my insurance with Marty & Charlotte Insurance, Thanks for another informative video Andrew .
So it's more like insuring a home than a vehicle. Great advice!
Why the censorship at 5:16?
Glad nobody was hurt. Luckily you guys had some insurance coverage, even if it wasn’t for the actual value. We appreciate the awesome tips and advice on making sure we are getting the coverage we truly need.
Stay safe.
Maybe he can get the monetized for talking about guns
Great info!!!!! This is very useful. Most of us out here with RVs are just learning as we go so I really appreciate this type of insurance information. Thanks Andrew!!!!
As a long time insurance agent myself, I won’t write stated value policies. You bought a price, not a good policy.
Andrew, First of all, Joe and I are extremely sorry to see you having to deal with this grueling situation!
Thank You so Very Much for sharing your personal and raw experience after the fire and the insurance issue you're going through. I can't express the absolute need to share what real folks go through with the insurance adjuster and what actually came from the company.
You can never be too safe in making sure you are covered for everything from the rig to all of your personal belongings, the tow and storage fees you will more than likely incur.
The other issue some folks with older rigs face, 10+ years old is trying to get insurance policy for it. I've heard and read where people looking to buy an older rig and getting insurance quotes, one of the first question asked is "What is the age of the motorhome?" Anything 10 years and older they won't even offer a policy. It's a shame really. After seeing what you and Shea are going through it's really a sad reality motorhome owner's are facing.
Thank You again for sharing your life altering experience. It's something we can All learn from. Here's a hug ❤🤗❤ for you, Shea and the pup's!
Thank you for this information! I cannot tell you how many times business owners under-insure their business assets because they don't consider replacement cost in a catastrophic situation. Very helpful! So sorry for your loss and appreciate that you took the time to disseminate this knowledge to those of us who are considering RV purchases.
Marty is actually a pleasure to deal with. He's super knowledgeable and wants what's best for you. We signed with him about a year ago. Thanks for sharing the information, Andrew and i look forward to hearing what actually happened.
I have had Farmers insurance since I was in my mid 20's. All my houses, cars, and RV's have been insured by them since. I could not be more happy with them. It's not always cheaper but they are there when something comes up. I get a call from my agent minutes after an accident.
Thanks for your transparency regarding your experience and great information about proper RV insurance coverage.
Andrew, the insurance game, and (yes, it is a game) works both ways! The only thing you did wrong, is not having towing and contents coverage! Value's of MH's go up and down, and right now they are very, very high! If your fire would have happened any other time before or say next year, a current value may have been 75K! What I am trying to say is, stated value is the safest way to recuperate the money you have invested in your coach! Don't beat yourself up! But when you insure your next coach, remember the contents and the roadside towing coverage!
Hey Andrew, thank you for your openess and honesty with this video. I think this will be one of your most valuable videos. People will be made whole a lot better from this video if someone else has to go through this. You're a good dude for doing this. Bless you bro.
We can put a man on the moon, but we can't make wire insulation that deters mice from snacking on them. I had a mouse crawl up into the control box of my brand new $25,000 woodmizer saw mill and spend the winter. In the spring the mill control panel would not powerup. When I opened it up, I wanted to cry. The wiring harness was almost as thick as my wrist with dozens of wires. About half were chewed on or chewed all the way through. It would have cost me thousands of dollars to have Woodmizer put in a whole new wiring harness, so I bit the bullet and did it myself. Why we can't discover a smell or taste that repels mice is beyond me.
That was an information packed emotional video and you got me thinking first thing I’m going to do is check out my policy and the replacement value that I have on my coach. Thomyt
I know this was a difficult video for you to make. I'm so sorry that you suffered more than you originally thought. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I will be reviewing our policies.
Insuring an RV is most like insuring a house. With home insurance you also insure the contents of the home, including special contents that you want to add additional coverage, say like a gun collection, art work etc.
Thanks for sharing this painful experience Andrew. I appreciate it. Hope you get another RV soon.
Andrew; a couple of years ago I chastised you for saying the "least expensive " rig on the lot was "the cheapest" and for calling the bathroom "the head" and you responded by saying that's what the "lot dogs" all called it. You have grown professionally and personally since that time, as has your subscriber base. If you want to become Robin Leach with "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" you have to move up to the professionalism and verbiage of that clientele - and you have. Thank you for the transparency of the fire and the insurance situation, your working with the dealers and the high-end resorts - and the costs of both. And best wishes to you and Shaye (and the dogs). Where's the Sadie Lady? How is the lot in Montana doing? All the best.
You only paid $110,000. You got what you insured it for. If you would have had a towing Policy (Coachnet) They would have paid tow. If you would have had it insured for $175,000 you would have paid more for policy. That's why most folks only insure for what they have skin in the game. There ain't no crying in RV ownership as it's all a wash.
Thank you for sharing. You learned an expensive lesson. That agent should have insured at the RV's value, included towing, personal property at replacement cost and alternate transportation until you received your payout. That is just basic insurance knowledge. Please go elsewhere for your future insurance needs.
4:53 "if you were to take the RV, turn it upside down and shake it, that's your personal affects." Love that explanation 😅
Man, I'm sorry you lost your RV. They don't make them like that anymore. I do wish you the best of luck. I'm glad nobody was injured.
I had a similar conversation with my insurance agent. He wanted to know what we paid for it. I didn't tell him. We went from the book value. What you paid is irrelevant. If you bought the Hope diamond for 500 bucks, that has nothing to do with it's insured value.
Keep in mind that the policy will state the basis of valuation.
The knowledge that you share is what set your videos apart from others
Thank you
There are so many who need to know this especially first time RV
This was interesting moreso for the comments. A lot of time when we move forward with our adventures we make purchases we can afford and that includes our insurance. When tragedy strikes its always at an inopportune time,in this situation no-one was hurt. Andrew is moving forward and will find a better motor home and be better prepared. If we didn't have setbacks life would be boring and we wouldn't appreciate what we have. Good LUCK moving forward Andrew and may God Bless you.
Thank you for the update and thanks to Marty for his valuable input.
Thank you for sharing. Keeping it real is why you have the followers you do. So many people will be better covered as a result of this video. Shout out to you for bringing in an expert.
Marty was a great help to me, even if my state wasn't covered by Charolette. He took the time out to review what a policy should have and means. Great honest guy
I saw a youtube video awhile back that showed ideas to prevent Mice from coming into nomads vehicles during the night or while away. The owners put up all around the vehicle tall pieces of wood so the mice could not climb on /in the RV/Van..Alot of work but saves RV's.
Thank you for showing all to help others out. Good luck and thank God your all safe.
Andrew it's not embarrassing at all to me. I have a dream like MLK did when I first received my CDL and yet have I invested nor bought an RV. But I have an unconditional love and passion for one and this is education for me. So I am very appreciative of you and your educating me on the RV life!
I'm an Odd Couple follower and member of RV Odd Squad. I have my RV Insurance with Marty and they know what they are doing. Highly recommend Charlotte.
In a funny turn of events, this video made me double check my RV policy (we’ve been on a 4 weeks road trip) and guess what - it was lapsed!!! Got it fixed right away.
Sorry about your RV Andrew, but you certainly saved mines
Always consider coverage over price. Once you figure out the coverages you need then you can compare apples to apples for price. Having said that let's look at the coverages you may want to consider: Remember trailer insurance is going to cost less than motorhome insurance because the liability follows the vehicle that is towing it. So in a nutshell you are getting comp and collision for your trailer (some carriers might also just call it physical insurance). However, there are some other key coverages that you will want for such a RV: Replacement cost (different coverage than "stated" or "Agreed Value" that was mentioned in the video): Yep, unlike car insurance that give you only actual cash value some companies, depending on how new your RV is will offer "Replacement Cost" (new for used!!! ). Towing: AAA and the like will not a trailer or a motorhome unless you upgrade your coverage. If not Goodsam, AAA, etc, check to see if your insurance carrier has special towing/Roadside (flat tire, key lock out, etc) coverage for your trailer/Motorhome. Always, Always, get the max coverage available so if you are stuck in the desert or high on a mountain that the tow/roadside service will be fully covered. Liability insurance while the trailer/motorhome is parked on its own: Remember once the truck and trailer are no longer connected, or the motorhome is parked, you still have a possible liability issue. Some companies might call this vacation liability etc. this has to do with liability after your trailer/motorhome is parked. For example a slip and fall, dog bite, hot coffee spill on a visitor. Now if you already have a homeowner’s policy or renters policy you may already have the extended coverage. So make sure you ask so that you are not double covered. Contents coverage: Make sure again you ask if there is an extension to renters or homeowners. If not get it in the RV coverage. Also make sure that the coverage includes "Mysterious disappearance" ( a legal term) this is especially important to outdoor items like generators/bikes/chairs/coolers. Ask your agent what that is. If they can't answer that question find another agent! For example Farmers Insurance does not cover Mysterious disappearance on Homes/Renters but Nationwide does. So make sure you ask. Also make sure that the contents coverage is for "Replacement Cost" (new for used on contents) Ok, I have typed enough. Remember price is not the issue at first coverage is. I hope this helps.
Thanks Andrew for the update. Much like your situation, my insurance deal is exactly the same. I pay about $540 a year but my coach is covered to around 75k. I need to up that value with all the money I threw into renovating and mechanical replacements. This is a wakeup for sure. I do have CoachNet for towing but not sure if they would tow my coach if it had burned. I will definitely call Marty and get a quote. Seemed as if my family insurance guy as nice as he is, really doesn't know how to deal with RV's when we started the policy. I was ignorant and wrote the annual check. Stay safe my friend!
Very informative, Andrew. Definitely a good heads up for someone actively contemplating a full time motorcoach lifestyle.
Thank you Andrew, this helps us out here and you are so humble and transparent. Again, your misfortune will help us be better for it... prevention is power.
Sorry for the damage but I am glad you are OK. Thanks for the update and the information from the insurance agent. Very good tips.
And thank you for sharing all this information because I have a 40 foot diesel pusher and I have AAA now I’m gonna go and find out what coverage that I have in my RV
Hi,Andrew just goes to show that even a seasoned pro’s like you and Shea,can get caught out I hope you bounce back from these mistakes.love watching your vlogs you knowledge is overwhelming in the RV Industry
I sold insurance many years ago and we used to say... "if you can afford what you have... then you don't have enough".
Andrew thanks for sharing this video. Very informative. When we started this rv lifestyle we insured our coach and all our personnel belongings inside. Like Marty said its something you get & hope you never need. Have a great day my friend.
Good to have Marty dish out valuable info. Going to look at my MC8 bus conversion policy
Hi Andrew, from Ouray Colorado...I am still sickened that this happened to you two. I am so thankful, though, that neither of you were physically hurt!
Thank you for this informative video!! I will need to renew my travel trailer policy in December. I will give Marty's tram a call!
Safe travels!
You did fine man. You received back basically what you paid. How much more would your insurance payment had been if you had 200k coverage? Your payment would have been significantly more and you may not had wanted to pay that, perhaps you would but its not like you got too hurt. However, my Coach has a lower book value than what they are selling for now or what I could replace it for so stated value would be beneficial to me. Great video. That was an awesome coach and you bought it at a fair price. Im sure you are still heartbroken. Curious to see what you get next.
Shame you had and probably relive this disaster but kudos for using it to open discussions and providing informative content that aren't generally addressed in such straight forward and stark reality. If it hasn't been addressed as yet, can you engage expert(s) to cover what any of us could have done to possibly fight the fire - safely and short time only - once it's realized that it was actual fire and not just normal overheated item(s).
Best is to have great insurance in case of major loss and get out alive and unhurt - and don't get hurt trying to fight it beyond experience and training.
Andrew,
I am an agent who writes a ton of RVs, Boats and classic cars.
Anyone can get a “Stated Value” policy on an RV if the carrier will write it.
And the carrier will not just write just any value that you want.
They will never over insure an RV even with stated value.
HOWEVER, the premium cost for a “stated value” policy on an RV is one hell of a lot more money than and ACV policy (pays the current value of your RV).
You are bellyaching even though you got almost what you paid for and you are kicking yourself in the ass that you didn’t get $70,000 more that you paid for it.
Cut me a break.
You also never say what he has been paying for this Stated Value Insurance policy.
As an agent, I would write Stated Value policies all day long with a higher commissions.
Great Video Andrew! Always very useful information to explain the Do' and Don'ts of Insurance, because it's something that can get very complicated!! Hoping that you will do some additional videos on this all important subject!!
Yeah shame on that insurance person for not ensuring the value opposed to what you paid. Sorry I know he's a friend but not a very good insurance person on your behalf so sorry this is happened to you.
At least 2 agents told me that purchased value is all they would ensure mine for without an inspection report from an inspector. Thats not an easy task in older rigs.
@@RonMDavis Sorry but due diligence get an inspector before you buy a used RV regardless of insurance if you don’t you’re asking for a pile of problems. And within doing that you get the value it’s simple
Andrew thank you for doing this video. We use Marty. Great insurance office for RVers.
Well thank God you and family got out of your RV alright. Don't worry about the insurance thing we live, experience life (in a negative and positive way), and we learn. Don't beat yourself up over it. I know it was a horrifying experience for you though. You continue to make those incredible videos and keep us entertained. 😉
That's very good advice. It would be nice to know however the differences in cost either in your case or a sample RV between replacement value and purchase price. Obviously you chose not to purchase rep value so there must have been a significant cost difference in the coverage to make you do that.
Andrew, the policy I had on my motorhome didn’t cover the contents because I had a homeowners policy on my home that covered all the contents of the motorhome.
If you had already bought a home in Florida, you most likely already had Homeowners Insurance, or renters insurance, check with them to see if they will cover your contents.
Good luck.
Underinsured, yup, most of us are . The fact that to afford the insurance you have to take the higher deductible which is another thing that bugs me. Insurance co. know you need them and make tons and tons of money and i never feel sorry for them when they have to pay out .And they always try to get out of paying. Ever notice the fine print? Oh, and are they going to raise your premium now? Insurance is and always will be the biggest scam in America.
I actually called charlotte Ins I worked with Clark boy was he helpful after spending all day shopping around not getting the coverage I wanted and needed for our new Rv purchase Clark came thru big time he’s a true Rv insurance pro that can get the job done correctly.. thank you Andrew for this video
When it comes to personal contents, if you have homeowners or renters insurance with a reputable company, your contents are covered worldwide and for replacement cost. Which could have applied here if your rv policy wasnt adequate. Now If you are a full time rv 'er, depending on the company you may be able to get a renters policy for your contents if your rv policy doesnt cover enough because most rv policies limit personal contents to less than 100k and are not generally replacement cost unless you can schedule items. It comes down to having a good agent who asks alot of queations and gets to know your needs.
Are their any lessons learned regarding things you might have done before or once you had indications that the fire had started that might have prevented or mitigated the damage to your unit?
Thanks for the video! Marty has insured our RV.
Hey Carol!
I had a wiper get stuck on my 90 Blue Bird Wanderlodge while I was driving, the wiper motor started to smoke and full up the bus.. it was scary to say the least.. as soon as I stopped and freed up the wiper the smoke went away.
Sorry for your costly learning experience. I watched those video’s as you started out and I never dreamed you would have such a loss. But you are tied to the RV industry and it would only be logical for you to get another motor home and hit the white line highway with your perspective and love for these metal beasts.
I went through them for my insurance on my rv and he is excellent to deal with he explained everything to me just like he said line by line making sure I am covered should I ever need it.
We used Marty for our insurance policy. He knows his stuff and it great to work with.
Hey Jennifer!
This makes me wonder if I am overpaying for my policy through Progressive. It covers full timing, has towing coverage, covers pretty much everything as well as an additional $15k for personal belongings. We pay almost $200 a month for a Columbus 379MBC 5th wheel.
Thanks for the info. Insuring the RV is on topic that is rarely discussed. God bless
Thank you Andrew for making this video and if you do make some more updates. This is a big big issue for almost every RV'er out there on the road. I hope that this never happens to any of us but we see it all the time. It worries me a lot. I'm getting rid of everything I can that using propane. I can't do much about electrical stuff other than not do anything half ass. If I don't know what I'm doing ill get someone who does. Its not worth something burning down around me because of something I did.
Very sorry to learn of your situation. I think as you get older and have owned more things you learn about insurance companies and coverages. Home owners, boat and RV's all required informed coverages. Contents and special items, money, jewelry etc. are all to be considered. Right now home owner insurance is a fluid thing. Material costs, inflation, property values are in a very fluid situation. It could have been worse! You guys are safe! The old saying of " experience is what you get when you don't get what you want" seems fitting here. You definitely got experience on this one! Very good that you shared this with your audience. Hoping you will find your way back into a new Coach in the near future. You are so busy traveling from place to place I'm not sure you have time to use an RV for work?
Our RV insurance is through this gentleman’s agency. He helped us determine an agreed value and he did exactly what he said in the video, line by line to make certain we were comfortable with the coverage amounts.
Hey Robbie!
My two cents some wire harness are soy base. Rodents will eat the wire coating, some car manufacturers have use this type of coating on their wire harness. It is cheaper for them when mass producing harnesses or the company that is making the harnesses for them. Even some 2022 newer vehicles have that chewing/eating problem.
Please do a video that covers everything. Do they offer replacement insurance (another words they pay the cost of what it cost today to replace everything and not the lower price paid when bought. Also you may know people this has happened to as well to see how they made out after such a nightmare. Like even the names of the insurance company etc. Also things not covered in the above. Perhaps jewelry, cash, etc... You may want to get the different polices for the things not covered and always keep receipts for everything!! Also take pictures of course put your documents im a fireproof box
Thank you for the update of this horrible personal situation.
If you have replacement cost coverage for your personal property, your insurance will typically help cover the cost of buying a new item at today's price.
Determining the cause of an RV fire is complicated because its a house and vehicle combined. It looks like the fire was in the front of the RV, and this looks like a rear engine RV so its unlikely to he automotive related and u likely to be 110v related if it really started in the front. If the generator is located in that front area then thats a likely culprit, othrwise it was likely some kind of electrical short. Would be interesting to hear exactly what happened leading up to the fire, did you have any mechanical issues? Any lights flickering? Odd smells?