Do you understand vintage TC insurance? I sure don't...

Thanks for everyone's advice and insight. I have had long talks with my insurance agent. She initially contacted several insurers such as Hagerty to see if the camper could be brought under their policy on the basis that I wanted: a stated value for the camper based on restoration values. The answer was no. Both to the question of vintage TCs and to the question of stated value.

So, she said she decided to call adjusters in her company and ask them how to solve the problem. The adjuster, she said, directed me to get an appraisal at a reputable company that DOES RV REPAIRS. Not an independent "expert" but a real hands on RV shop that is familiar with the vehicle. I was thrilled by that since the shop they mentioned is where I go for any repairs that I need. Its nearby and very competent: Kampers Supply in Carterville, Illinois.

Secondly, I need to have photos on file with the insurance company and maintain receipts that prove the value of the parts as well as the labor.

This is roughly what everyone has been saying: at this point in history vintage TCs are worth what the adjuster says...and there is not much one can do other than photos and receipts.

One more thing. I have a lot of properties under this insurance company since I do historic preservation on houses that are then placed into the rental market. Its clear to me that was a factor in my insurance company's advice. I think if you are an average guy with homeowners and auto insurance your mileage may vary. I don't think that's right - I think we should have some way of insuring our vintage machines at an assured value regardless of our other business interests - but it looks like that is a key factor.

So far I haven't had any repairs that I would have made an insurance claim about. When I crashed into an overhanging eave and knocked out several aluminum panels, I treated it as a learning experience and we did the work ourselves. But if a storm knocks a tree down on my camper, and its not mounted on the truck, I think I may have to pound sand regardless of the assurances from my insurer. My truck insurance covers my TC.

And that's the way it is.

Personaly I just self insure and carry a good liability policy. I do that when big brother will let me. Have you checked with Hagerty, they may insure more than just vintage cars. I guy told me a while back he had a rare trail bike insured with Hagerty.

rottidawg wrote:
Insurance on my camper is simply my stated value.
They didn't have clue what a FWC was. They asked me what the value was and they priced their policy accordingly.

Same thing on my pre-civil war house which could not have been replaced at almost any price. The insurance company and I agreed on a value and they based their premiums accordingly. It would NOT have come close to replacing it, but did give me enough coverage to cover any financial loss on the purchase. I suspect that insurance companies will sell just about any coverage desired, for a price.

Subscribing... State Farm has treated me well through the years, but I have not had a claim on the Avion ....
Garry

rottidawg wrote:
Insurance on my camper is simply my stated value.
They didn't have clue what a FWC was. They asked me what the value was and they priced their policy accordingly.

I hope you understand that unless your policy states otherwise: Regardless of the "stated value" you gave at the time you bought the policy, if/when you make a claim the payoff is likely based on "actual" or "market" value.

If your prestated numbers come into play at all, they're likely to be used by the insurance company as upper limits of what they eventually pay.

67 Avion

You ask a very good question , one I hope will lead to some good resources .

Unfortunately I have some recent experience with a similar problem . Last fall I had an accident causing damage to the front of my Avion by hitting an overhead protrusion . I won't go into the sad story at this point .

The Avion is mounted on a truck I also use for business and has commercial insurance . No separate insurance for the camper. After reporting the loss I was initially told the camper was not covered . Finally going through half a dozen people I convinced them it was cargo and that it was covered as long as it was mounted in the truck . Had to explain to each SEVERAL times what a truck camper was , they insisted in referring to it as a trailer . By the way , if it was in the process of being mounted it would not be covered .

The second part is establishing value . The insurance co called some random RV dealers and came up with $1300 , probably none of them had ever seen an Avion TC . I gave them some references of 2 dealers that I knew of and 2 ebay sales in the 5-7k range . They estimated the damage at $3400 . Here is the kicker , they would total it for $1300 or repair it for for $3400 , WHAT ! Fine I said , what shop do you have that will repair it for that amount ( I knew it would be more at a commercial shop ). They gave me the names of two Auto Body shops ( not RV dealers) near by . One was a 1/2 mile away and a good friend , he agreed to help me and between the 2 of use keep it under budget .

So in a way I lucked out , for now . The problem still exists of how to get proper insurance on an antique camper that you have spent a fair amount of money and labor on. I would not be comfortable going through this again .

Something I learned through this experience and an earlier one with a vintage Airstream , much depends on the adjuster and their attitude and experience with vintage vehicles .

I know this does not answer your question , just reinforcing the need to get it answered ahead of time .

Insurance on my camper is simply my stated value.
They didn't have clue what a FWC was. They asked me what the value was and they priced their policy accordingly.

I did this with a boat once and the insurance company flat told me what the maximum value they would insure for. It was just about 1/2 what the true value was. It was like buying a new car without the gap insurance.

Thanks Del, I appreciate your loss. Itsw the sort of thing we never think will happen until it does.

I haven't been able to get past the "kindness of strangers" in terms of insuring my rig. Maybe the local guy will honor the claim...maybe not. I have a lot of money, not to mention sentimental value, tied up in my camper. So, I would really like to tie down the terms tightly.

This is along the same lines:
We had a 1988 all Aluminum Avion, 35 ft. TT that was all original. It was a show piece. On Mother's Day a few years agao, it was stolen from a "Safe MimiStorage" facility. The electricity had been knocked out by a storm and the manager left the gates open for 36-hours. Bye, Bye camper.

We had State Farm Insurance on the rig. We also had A LOT of pictures of the rig's exterrior and interior, even inside the closets and cabinets.

Because we had so much evidence of the "worth" of our rig, dispite its age, State Farm treated us very fairly.

Now all the stuff inside the rig was a different matter. For some reason that was covered under our home owner's policy through a different company. We only got about 50% of the replacement cost of all the items we listed.

You might be surprised by how much money is tied up in the items we add to and put in our campers. I suggest keeping a very detailed list of items and their value (receipts if you got them).

Del