was picking up our new fifth wheel yesterday and finance guy said I had to have specific coverage for the trailer before I could pull it off the lot. Said my "generic" tow vehicle and such coverage was not adequate. I've always understood this to be the same as when you buy a new/used car, that there's a "grace period" where you've covered for 30 days until you get the detailed policy/insurance card from your carrier. He said this was a fairly new thing specific to RV's. You'd think they would tell you that ahead of time? Hell no, instead he had a policy I could buy on the spot, then cancel and use my regular insurance the next day. This smells like them trying to get a commission on insurance doesn't it? Or is there something I don't know about in CA?

It's pure BS. I bought our new TT last year and the coverage transferred automatically just as it has for decades. He's trying to score a buck.

BS, someone is fishing for money. Call your agent, they can issue a binder.

Call your agent from the dealership and they can email over proof of insurance within the hour. They might still cover liability under your truck insurance but not likely comprehensive on the RV.Where you are wrong is if you drive off the lot without doing anything, you won't have insurance...who do you think is going to pay for a claim if you never told the insurance company that you have the RV?

valhalla360 wrote:Call your agent from the dealership and they can email over proof of insurance within the hour. They might still cover liability under your truck insurance but not likely comprehensive on the RV.Where you are wrong is if you drive off the lot without doing anything, you won't have insurance...who do you think is going to pay for a claim if you never told the insurance company that you have the RV?If you're driving legally, typically your insurance company would cover you. Insurance covers both your vehicle (regardless of who is driving it with authorization, excepting any specifically excluded drivers if you have any) and also you, whatever vehicle you're legally driving. This generally includes rental cars, etc., at least for liabilityThat doesn't mean you'd necessarily have collision or comprehensive coverage, doubly or triply so if you don't on your policy to begin with, but you should be covered for liability.(As always, your agent is a far better guide than DrewE or any other random commenter on the internet, so if they say something else then believe them rather than me!)

Insurance coverage on new fiver | Good Sam Community

rk911
Explorer
Jun 20, 2018
call your agent immediately.
ScottG
Nomad
Jun 20, 2018
It's pure BS. I bought our new TT last year and the coverage transferred automatically just as it has for decades. He's trying to score a buck.
Chrisatthebeach
Explorer
Jun 20, 2018
BS, someone is fishing for money. Call your agent, they can issue a binder.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jun 20, 2018
Call your agent from the dealership and they can email over proof of insurance within the hour. They might still cover liability under your truck insurance but not likely comprehensive on the RV.

Where you are wrong is if you drive off the lot without doing anything, you won't have insurance...who do you think is going to pay for a claim if you never told the insurance company that you have the RV?
DrewE
Explorer II
Jun 20, 2018
valhalla360 wrote:
Call your agent from the dealership and they can email over proof of insurance within the hour. They might still cover liability under your truck insurance but not likely comprehensive on the RV.

Where you are wrong is if you drive off the lot without doing anything, you won't have insurance...who do you think is going to pay for a claim if you never told the insurance company that you have the RV?

If you're driving legally, typically your insurance company would cover you. Insurance covers both your vehicle (regardless of who is driving it with authorization, excepting any specifically excluded drivers if you have any) and also you, whatever vehicle you're legally driving. This generally includes rental cars, etc., at least for liability

That doesn't mean you'd necessarily have collision or comprehensive coverage, doubly or triply so if you don't on your policy to begin with, but you should be covered for liability.

(As always, your agent is a far better guide than DrewE or any other random commenter on the internet, so if they say something else then believe them rather than me!)
nayther
Explorer
Jun 20, 2018
I did call my agent and they issued a binder I guess, they seemed satisfied with what they received and I was out the door.

I really think it was a scam, I'm going to push a bit further and see if I can find any real/legal reason.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Jun 20, 2018
Did you already own and insure a 5th wheel? If not, there was no policy that could extend automatic coverage for you. The comp and collision coverage will not extend from your truck -- only liability coverages. If you have a loan on that new 5th, I sure wouldn't want to leave without knowing there is comp and collision coverage on it. You need to re-contact your agent to see if there is anything else you need to do for coverage to remain in effect. If you have a binder, that is not the same thing as having a policy that will continue.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jun 21, 2018
If you have a loan on your RV, then you will have to have insurance. The dealer is correct in not letting you drive off the lot, especially if you have a loan.

And yes, when you purchase a (new to you) trailer, you need to contact your insurance agent and get a policy rider initiated on your current policy before you pull off the lot.

I don't think the dealership was trying to scam you. He was trying to protect you. Otherwise, you could have let the RV sit on his lot another day until you got your own insurance settled.

Sounds like you got it all worked out after all. I don't think he was doing anything to pad his own pocket. And yes, it is the same as driving a car off the dealers lot.
nayther
Explorer
Jun 21, 2018
DutchmenSport wrote:
And yes, it is the same as driving a car off the dealers lot.

I DID have a fifth wheel and the insurance card that went with it. Just like when I buy a car, show "general" proof of insurance and drive away. Call your agent the next day and give them the info. and it's all done. That is exactly what I planned on doing. I know I'm covered by the tow vehicle for liability, etc.
RollandB
Explorer
Jun 22, 2018
rk911 wrote:
call your agent immediately.

Best advice, states, policies and carriers are different, find out first from your agent or company before is the smartest thing to do and eliminate a huge surprise. 30 years in the insurance biz, it better to be safe than sorry. I could bore every one with some stories, but find out first.