Here is an email I sent to my contact person who advised me of the denial.. Thoughts, what info should or shouldn't I have included?
--------------------------------- sent today, May 3, 2015
A*********
I still have not received the denial letter that we discussed on our phone conversation at approx 10:56 am, April 23, 2015. At that time you advised that I would receive the letter and details for the denial on the following Tuesday or Wednesday ( 28th or 29th April).
Also during this call, I inquired about an internal Progressive insurance appeal process, to which you told me that there was no appeal process and that your manager had reviewed the information and was the one who denied the claim. I asked if there was any type of appeal process outside you or your manager but still within the Progressive company, to which you again told me there was no option.
I expressed my concern over neither you nor the adjuster (T****) wanting to see or include in my claim the videos I had taken in my backyard during the actual storm and high winds. Pointed out that some videos showed tree branches breaking and other items that would demonstrate the velocity of the wind and that as it pans around it clearly shows the roof of the RV in tact with no issues.
Subsequent videos , also during the storm, showed part of the roof coming up and breaking and also would show the wind was striking the roof from the side or slightly at an angle from the drivers side slightly to the rear. Also videos from inside the RV during the storm demonstrate the wind gusts and efforts on my part.
I also had pictures of very large trees that were snapped above ground level due to the wind velocity.
I was very concerned that when I asked if you had any information regarding the wind gusts that struck the RV from the side angle, you paused for extended time then told me you had pulled up a web site .. I believe it was weather bug or something like that... And that it said the gusts of wind were 52 MPH in our area. Since local news and information reported the constant wind speed being at least that amount and gusts of 80 mph and in some areas near mountains as high as 95 reported... I believe your information to be totally inaccurate. I live within a couple miles of a large mountain range and the mouth of the American Fork canyon, I believe accurate information would show a much different set of facts.
I also understand that RVs drive down the freeways at 55, 65 MPH .. Not sure how many drive at over 65, but when driving down a freeway the front of the vehicle is designed to create a wind flow over the roof much different than that of a direct side and slightly rear angled wind velocity as strong as occurred during this event. Since sideways is Not normally how an RV would travel on the road and as a matter of fact I understand that RVs should pull off open areas with gusting winds (much lower that 50 mph from side) due the the hazards related to wind from side angles, etc..I don't believe (info of an RV driving forward on a roadway) is an element relevant to this claim. (Or atleast a major factor).
My next issue was that as soon as the winds slowed down a bit, but still strong, neighbors helped me place a large tarp over the RV roof and sides. This tarp covered all but a small section of the back part of the RV. I believe the video shows the back section, near bathroom was the section that may have separated first. However, when the adjuster looked at the RV he went straight to the (drivers side) side front near the drivers window moved the tarp very slightly and said, here is where it first came apart. Then his inspection seemed to be over.
This along with neither you nor the adjuster wanting the videos, reports, pictures made me concerned that this was just going to be an automatic denial without proper consideration.
This thought may have been influenced by a statement I received from you on April 15,2015 approx 9am, during our first telephone call where you told me that I did have comprehensive insurance and that wind damage was part of my policy, BUT that roof damage on an RV is normally denied due to maintenance. I was concerned that this was a predisposed decision when this type situation occurred.
I did receive many outstanding insights from an RV user group web group with some good information on insurance and RV roof claims. But I am hoping that I am dealing with a company that will honor the purpose, intent and reason for the purchasing of insurance, and in my case many differs policies, and assist with me in my hopes to be able to get some years of use from this RV.
PS. I also have not received the email that you said you were sending me during our conversation related to the information listed above, on May 1, 2015 MST... During this conversation I advised you that I had not yet received the denial letter and I reviewed the above concerns with you. At that time you said you would email me (Email address was confirmed, same as this email address that you sent the email below) the details of the denial, the photos submitted and any information that was reviewed in the determination of the denial.
I also advised you that I had taken the RV to a shop in ************, Utah .. ........ To have an estimate prepared and to have other eyes look at the RV.
I thank you for your time and am looking forward to receiving the requested information, in a timely manner and am very saddened by this denial
Jack **********
