I just got off the phone with Nationwide Insurance and they have denied any coverage for our black tank overflowing into the bathroom and up the vent and into the ceiling. They will send a letter but reviewed it over the phone. Denied for two reasons; mechanical failures and improper maintenance. There were two mechanical failures they stated; the vent not properly fitted to go all the way to the roof and because the check valve below the toilet did not work properly. I told them this was an RV toilet and not a home toilet and that there is no check valve. Was told this would not matter because of the other mechanical problem which is true, it should have gone out to the roof. The improper maintenance is leaving the water running after a black tank flushing. I told when I called in the claim that I thought I turned off the water but my improper maintenance leaving the water on and exiting the scene led to the loss which they will not pay for.He also said that no insurance company would ever pay for this type of loss.Thoughts, besides getting a new insurance company.

This really depends on what your policy says. Read it closely and see what exclusions are included. I have seen in my law enforcement days, where insurance companies paid for cars, damage, and repairs where a car was driven through a garage wall and into a swimming pool. But, with extended warranties, you have to read the exclusions. The vent pipe not going through the roof is a manufacturing defect. No a maintenance issue in IMO.Leaving the water on in the black tank flush is an accident. Insurance is supposed to cover accidents. If everyone was perfect and we lived in a perfect world, we would not need insurance.

"Accidents" might be better defined as action outside your control. Somewhere in the fine print, I'm sure the policy says it doesn't cover "stupid". When I do something that qualifies as, "stupid", I'm pretty prepared to have to pay for it myself.

Super_Dave wrote:"Accidents" might be better defined as action outside your control. Somewhere in the fine print, I'm sure the policy says it doesn't cover "stupid". When I do something that qualifies as, "stupid", I'm pretty prepared to have to pay for it myself.2XDenny

I agree with Nationwide on this one seems like a self inflicted wound.

My manual states not to leave the gate closed when flushing the black tank and not to leave the water running unattended. In fact, I think both are on a sticker stuck right next to the flush hook up. You must have been gone a while...I would chalk it up to a learning experience and move on...

Nationwide is not on our side | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

Hondavalk
Explorer II
Jul 16, 2013
I emailed State Farm Corporate when they low balled a auto claim and the adjuster was unwilling to meet me halfway. I had State Farm and so did the person who hit me. I sent the email at 3AM and by 10AM Corporate was calling me on the phone and gave me MORE than I was asking for and were very apologetic for the issues I had with the adjuster. It might be worth a try contacting their home office.
NJRVer
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
cjoseph wrote:

The vent is not for the discharge of sewage. It is not a pathway for liquid. It is not an overflow. It was working perfectly fine. I'm sure air was passing quite well.

Who's to say the weight of the liquid didn't cause the vent stack to slip down. It wasn't designed to hold the weight of sewage.

I don't know how many vent stacks will hold the weight of sewage without slipping a little. They aren't put in that solidly.

The vent should have been glued into the tank.
For the vent to "slip down" the tank would have had to also drop down and pull the vent stack down with it.
A full black tank shouldn't have made the tank drop, it should have had the proper support to keep it in place when it is full.
Copperlisa
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
popeyemth wrote:
Nationwide is NOT on your side, and you are not in good hands with AllState
They are in business to make money and the adjusters are rated on how much they can avoid paying on claims.
It dosent have to be fair or right - just legal :(
Insurance adjusters are lower than lawyers because they will lie to your face about what you are due just to raise their rating :(
Most of the time they are not "new trainees that are over exuberant" they realize the best way to get advancement is to screw as many people on claim payouts as they can.

All I can say is AMEN to both! Either company is dangerous to deal with, unless someone has done damage to YOU and they are fighting for you. Then they are fabulous to work with, because they are fighting hard to get money from the other company.

2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD Ext. Cab 4x4 6.0L
1998 Jayco Designer 2930RKS
popeyemth
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
Nationwide is NOT on your side, and you are not in good hands with AllState
They are in business to make money and the adjusters are rated on how much they can avoid paying on claims.
It dosent have to be fair or right - just legal :(
Insurance adjusters are lower than lawyers because they will lie to your face about what you are due just to raise their rating :(
Most of the time they are not "new trainees that are over exuberant" they realize the best way to get advancement is to screw as many people on claim payouts as they can.
cjoseph
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
If I leave my bathtub running and the overflow doesn't handle the volume of water, I'm SOL?

Accidents happen, that's what insurance is for.

The vent is not for the discharge of sewage. It is not a pathway for liquid. It is not an overflow. It was working perfectly fine. I'm sure air was passing quite well.

I say BS on your company. Who's to say the weight of the liquid didn't cause the vent stack to slip down. It wasn't designed to hold the weight of sewage.

If they will cover your "stupidity" (sorry), they have to recant the maintenance rejection.

I don't know how many vent stacks will hold the weight of sewage without slipping a little. They aren't put in that solidly.

Good luck to you.
Sledge_Hammer
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
Super_Dave wrote:
"Accidents" might be better defined as action outside your control. Somewhere in the fine print, I'm sure the policy says it doesn't cover "stupid". When I do something that qualifies as, "stupid", I'm pretty prepared to have to pay for it myself.

I am a retired (last August) Director of claims. Insurance does cover stupid, as most accidents would fall into this range. The policy likely provides all risk coverage, thus there must be a specific exclusion to exclude coverage. Insurance companies have a lot of new trainees and often they are over exuberant. Raise the issue to the next level and if not satisfied take it to your States Insurance Department for a formal complaint. If the Insurance Department agrees that there is no coverage, than that is the way it is and no other company is likely to have coverage either. In a typical home owners policy, water which backs up through sewers and drains is a specific exclusion. Quoting the mechanical break down exclusion seems odd in this case, but the details might indicate otherwise. If it was a mechanical breakdown and it wasn't due to poor maintenance, then the manufacturer should take care of the issue. Continue to push the issue.
Pauljdav
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
Often there is an OOPPS clause. I would get mor information and discuss with others.

Insurance companies are in it for themselves and do use anything we say against us in a claim.

Good luck.

Paul
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2013
theres good and not so good answers. if it was me I,d call back and want to speak to some one that knows rv,s . I,m real lucky ,MY agent would be handling this. I live in a small town. and I,ve done a stupid thing couple times. agent says ,don,t worry I,LL HANDLE IT. and he did.quote after all that,s my job.
laknox
Nomad
Jul 15, 2013
Super_Dave wrote:
"Accidents" might be better defined as action outside your control. Somewhere in the fine print, I'm sure the policy says it doesn't cover "stupid". When I do something that qualifies as, "stupid", I'm pretty prepared to have to pay for it myself.

At the same time, if you put your car in D when you meant R, I'd be willing to bet that your car and/or homeowner's insurance would cover you. That's pretty "stupid", IMO. :-) I think I'd fight this one all the way. At minimum, I'd say, "show me the specific fine print" =and= compare it to my last printed copy. I've known a couple people who've had terms changed on them without notice, then had the company deny a claim based on the =new= terms. If the company were any kind of customer-service friendly, they'd pay the claim, then go after the manufacturer.

Lyle
bfast54
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
Yep.....Note to self....is what you need to do now......NEVER do this again....

Lessen learned?????????

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Nationwide is not on our side

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