Forum Discussion

lakebum's avatar
lakebum
Explorer
Aug 19, 2016

Electrical Fire - Insurance Claim

Recently the electric motor and wires that power the hydraulics for the LCI Levelers and Slide on our Coach caught fire, melted wires and burned up motor.

I was all worked up about the expense this was going to be and a couple of my other RV buddies said "you had a fire, turn it in to your insurance". I had not thought of that option, because I was thinking more of a system failure.

Any way, I called my agent to find out first if I had coverage and if I should turn it in as I did not want to jeopardize my auto and homeowners coverage.

She said that it was covered for fire just like if you car caught fire and fell under our comprehensive coverage. She did not see any reason not to turn it in and told me I had 6 months to file a claim, since she had made notations in my file.

She went on to tell me to take it to RV repair shop and get a quote and I could decide then, no adjuster needed.

I was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and filed an insurance claim?
  • dougrainer wrote:
    1. Your AGENT has no clue to if it is covered
    2. The Insurance company will send an adjuster to take pics and send the Info to the Insurance company, Only then will they determine if it is a covered repair.
    3. Unless the Pump/Motor damaged OTHER items (you say it did not) then I doubt it will be a covered repair. Motor Vehicles and RV's are NOT covered the same way a Residential House is covered.
    4. IF the Motor caught fire and damaged the hoses/valves/reservoir, then they may cover those items. The motor does not cost that much but the Reservoir/valves/hoses will cost a lot. Hopefully it did not damage the hoses. Doug


    The AGENT has already told me that on RV's Erie Insurance does not send an adjustor, she told me to go take unit to RV Repair and submit an estimate.

    And actually, the motor is very costly, I have already got a part number and price from LCI, motor alone is $797, I have wires and a solenoid, not sure about hoses yet.
  • Submit the claim and let us know what happens. I'm also a former insurance adjuster, but never handled this particular kind of claim. One thing I will tell you is there can be lots of differences in policies depending on the company. One company may cover it and the other may not.
  • By contacting agent and her putting notations in file YOU have already made a claim so you might as well follow up and file.
    Going to show up on records anyway.
  • I have Geico Insurance, a run away pick up truck (it was the paper boys pick up truck, he bailed out of the truck and didn't set the parking brake at the Ranger Station in Cattail Cove State Park, AZ.) The truck rolled down hill about 200' between 2 trees (truck missed both trees) and T-Boned my propane tank at 0500 A.M. it knocked me out of bed. I called Geico and they had me take pictures of the accident and send them to them, and had my RV towed to the nearest Winnebago repair shop. No adjuster was involved and Geico paid to have my whole propane system replaced along with all my hydraulic jacks that were bent. Lastly they did not raise my insurance rates.
  • lakebum wrote:
    dougrainer wrote:
    1. Your AGENT has no clue to if it is covered
    2. The Insurance company will send an adjuster to take pics and send the Info to the Insurance company, Only then will they determine if it is a covered repair.
    3. Unless the Pump/Motor damaged OTHER items (you say it did not) then I doubt it will be a covered repair. Motor Vehicles and RV's are NOT covered the same way a Residential House is covered.
    4. IF the Motor caught fire and damaged the hoses/valves/reservoir, then they may cover those items. The motor does not cost that much but the Reservoir/valves/hoses will cost a lot. Hopefully it did not damage the hoses. Doug


    The AGENT has already told me that on RV's Erie Insurance does not send an adjustor, she told me to go take unit to RV Repair and submit an estimate.

    And actually, the motor is very costly, I have already got a part number and price from LCI, motor alone is $797, I have wires and a solenoid, not sure about hoses yet.


    LCI has doubled the motor price in the last year. I have not purchased one in over a year. I would buy the complete Pump assbly if it is one of the ones that cost $1300 or less. Note, you stated that you(RV facility) are supposed to submit an Estimate. THAT does not mean they are covering it. What they want is an estimate and I will bet a cause of failure. I will be surprised if they do not send an adjuster. I have yet to have an Insurance company not send an adjuster if the repair is over $1000. Doug