Insurance denying claim for ripped floor

jj95 wrote:
All,

I posted an earlier thread about how my vinyl floor ripped this winter, and heard from many of you on your similar experiences. I didn't want to file a claim with my insurance, so I started removing some of the vinyl floor myself. In the process, I found some water damage (the full width of the camper for the back 3' or less). I wasn't going to be comfortable repairing the water damage (and wasn't thrilled about redoing the floor anyway), so I decided to take it my dealer for a quote. While I was there, we walked through 3 other campers with identical damage. They have since had 3 more come in (and I suspect several more in the coming weeks).

The total job was ballpark $5000, so I decided to file a claim. Long story short, my insurance company (USAA) has decided that this damage isn't covered due to an exclusion clause for damage due to "wear and tear, freezing, and road tire wear", or something along those lines. They obviously honed in on the freezing word.

They even told me that all the insurance companies all use the same language - makes sense - its not like they are all writing their own unique policies. And when the big boys make tweaks to theirs, the little guys tend to follow - be it changing a word, adding a clause, etc. But of the 7 at my dealership right now with the same damage, only USAA is not covering it - American Family, State Farm, Allstate, etc - all likely have the same language, but either are not using it, have a different interpretation of it, etc.

It's an awful feeling. I have been with this company since 1991, and have a huge book of business with them since - 5 car loans, my RV loan, a home equity loan, college funds, all my insurance policies, and the only 2 credit cards I own. In that time, I've filed 2 claims with them - the last one was roughly 10yrs ago, and was for $2000ish. I will be moving every dime I have from them in the coming weeks/months, but I am curious - and I know there are others out there who have either faced the same issue or are right now - did your insurance cover it (if you went that route)?

Thoughts?

I work in the insurance industry and know exactly what you are going through. I will give you a tip about USAA. With all the business you have with them and your history they will jump all over any complaint they get. I know this as I am insured with them , have employees who have worked for them and have had a claim I have had to elevate to get it handled right. My suggestion is this.... Locate the Dept. of Insurance email address for your state. Write up your concerns with the way the claim was processed and later denied. Send it to them and advise USAA you are doing so. USAA will have to then answer to the DOI and some manager will have to then go find a supervisor who will then have to dig up the claim to review and dicuss with all the bosses. The DOI will be very concerned with why USAA is not paying but others did. Many times a company will just pay the claim after a DOI complaint or make a good faith partial pay on it. Never hestiate to ask for a supervisor or manager when you have a claim and feel like something is not right. Hope this helps....