National General Insurance

Question

I am Dale Funkhouser, I have a 2019 Airstream Nineteen on a 2018 Mercedes Sprinter chassis. I drove my vehicle into the Mercedes Dealership in October 2025 to have the windshield replaced. While it was in the shop they did a software update. When I drive it home the dash error lights were flashing, this was new. The next day I called Mercedes and complained and was told the upgraded software would not cause this and there must be another problem. The following day I went to start the RV to bring it back to the dealer and it would not start. I had it towed to the dealer.

Upon inspection they found there was rodent damage to the wiring harness. I opened a claim with National General Insurance. We are currently 2 months into this, and they just denied the claim, stating that the damage must be "sudden and direct". This is ridiculous as rodent damage is never sudden and direct, and rodent damage is covered under comprehensive. My RV parking is next to my home, on a 20' x 40' covered cement parking area. There are no plants, bushes or dirt anywhere near the RV.

This is way beyond reasonable. I don't know if it is because we are senior citizens and the claims department feels we can be bullied or fooled or if it is just a game to someone. My wife is disabled, and we use this vehicle to accommodate some of her disability needs. I want everyone to be aware that National General is not honorable and will use any excuse to avoid paying a claim.

way2roll · Answer

While I do empathize with your situation, 90% of this rant is totally unrelated to your issue. the issues about going to the dealership to replace your windshield, software update, where you park it,&nbsp; being senior citizens, disabilities, etc is all irrelevant. You have rodent damage where mice chewed the wires. Your insurance doesn't cover that. Sudden and direct if written in your policy, is what it is. If it doesn't specify rodent damage then it doesn't. While I know this is a rant, if they aren't covering something that isn't specifically called out then it's simple complaining without any supporting facts. The insurance company isn't bad, you just didn't have a policy that covered your issue. I feel for you, but thoughts aren't facts.&nbsp;

dalefunkhouser · Answer

I appreciate the response, but you are wrong. Comprehensive does not state sudden and direct in the policy. It does state that it covers animal damage... rodents are animals.

As for your rant of unrelated items, perhaps you are correct, but I was stating where it was parked for the benefit of knowing it was not parked in a rat nest. The windshield and software update show that the car was running 2 days before and then stopped... sounds sudden to me. As far as being a senior citizen and disabilities, maybe not needed.

While I appreciate that you responded, I would hope that in the future you try to provide decent input and advice rather than negative criticism. As far as the policy... have you read mine? No, then you really have no idea what is covered. The policy states under covered items: Animal damage, there are no disclaimers.. no listed exceptions...

If you plan to speak as the all knowing overseer, make sure you know the facts.

bid_time · Answer

Two things you can do:The insurance company has an appeals process ~ appeal the decision.Call your states insurance commissioner and ask them to look into it. The problem is, &nbsp;rodents chewing on wires may not be covered “animal damage” in the policy. I don’t know, but the insurance commissioner should. And if it is covered, he/she can get-er-done.

way2roll · Answer

I am not omnipotent nor do I claim to be. I know what you posted which is pretty limited in the facts arena. You have your policy, we don't. The insurance company is claiming it's not covered. You can check your policy and if you have a leg to stand on, contest it. Hire an attorney if you need to. I am just not sure what you want to accomplish posting this twice in two different sections on a mostly dead RV forum. Making claims like the company is not honorable could be considered libel. You didn't ask for advice. But yours is one side of the story, again with limited facts. How are we to know your policy actually does or does not cover your damage? Good luck to you and I hope you get the answers you are looking for.&nbsp;

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