Old insurance claim

[garysol]

I am an idiot. Now that thats out of the way here is the situation. 4 years ago i had a minor incident with our 40ft 5th wheel. While backing into our storage yard I bumped into the camper that was parked in the adjoining spot. My back left corner hit his awning tube. I started a claim with progressive insurance and they replaced his awning. Damage to my rig was so minor I did not bother even claiming it. 4 years later and I have water damage to the inner back wall of my 2012 5th wheel. The dealer has found hidden damage and a poor seal under the left rear corner cap that we assume happened from my incident 4 years prior. The entire rear wall board needs replacing due to pimpling and mold. Today I called Progressive and explained the situation and they say that after a claim is 3 years old that there is nothing that they can do to help. Has anyone else ever had a similar situation? Is there another way of going about this that I am not thinking of? I am not looking forward to this bill....UGH!

[wa8yxm]

JWRoberts wrote:
Nawwww. 4 years???? You are out of luck. Bite the bullet and move forward.

I have Nationwide on my RV.. When the Engine blew it was suggested the nature was such it might be the result of road debris damage. So I started a claim, Since the adjuster was unable to reach a decision they told me I have FOUR YEARS to complete the claim, Looks like I'll do it in 3 just now

but when we swap out the engine, They are going to pay for removal and moto-topsy on the thing to find out what caused it to dump six courts of oil in 300 miles. If they find evidence to suggest a cracked oil pan.. They pay for all but deductable.. (well refund all but..) but I have FOUR YEARS to file.

[Grit_dog]

It's bad enough insurance rates are what they are, but to expect them to cover an oops 4 years ago that has now turned into a significantly more costly claim is wishful thinking.

Your fault for not fixing it back then, unfortunately.
IMO

[garysol]

bodyshop bob wrote:
Insurance policies and their interpretation are subject to the laws of the state in which the coverage was purchased. So, call your state dept of insurance and ask about a statute of limitations. In many states, there isn't one. IF you had coverage with Progressive back in 2012 AND the shop can say with a very high degree of certainty that the incident in 2012 was the contributing factor to the water damage you should have some coverage in effect. There are certain exemptions and limitations, like failure to mitigate (that means to lessen the damage) but if a reasonable and prudent person thought the damage wasn't much, the duty to mitigate should go away.
Your entire claim is predicated upon the shop. IF they can be convinced to strongly state the 2012 incident caused the condition which led to the damages you should have some coverage in play. Do NOT listen to the first claim rep you deal with. Ask to speak to their Unit Manager, if no satisfaction from that person ask to speak to the Branch or Claims Manager and keep going up the line. I work for an auto insurance company now and several times we have afforded coverage to an Insured who just wouldn't go away. To be sure, there has to be a case for affording coverage in the first place. We don't provide coverage to thieves. But a reasonable person, making a reasonable claim with reasonable evidence to support their position usually wins the day.
They may only cover the damage that appears to be related to the loss and not all the water damage that occurred over time. So be it -- a little help is better than no help at all.

Thank you for all of your insight. I will get back on the horn and see what we can make happen.

[bsinmich]

I did something similar on my Mountain Aire. When it was only a year olf it slid into a hole in a CG that was full of grass and dented the one door on the L side. The estimate was $1900.00. I told the insurance agent to hold off and then he retired 4 years later. When I contacted AAA they questioned me and then did the repair 4 years later and the price was still the same.

[bodyshop_bob]

Insurance policies and their interpretation are subject to the laws of the state in which the coverage was purchased. So, call your state dept of insurance and ask about a statute of limitations. In many states, there isn't one. IF you had coverage with Progressive back in 2012 AND the shop can say with a very high degree of certainty that the incident in 2012 was the contributing factor to the water damage you should have some coverage in effect. There are certain exemptions and limitations, like failure to mitigate (that means to lessen the damage) but if a reasonable and prudent person thought the damage wasn't much, the duty to mitigate should go away.
Your entire claim is predicated upon the shop. IF they can be convinced to strongly state the 2012 incident caused the condition which led to the damages you should have some coverage in play. Do NOT listen to the first claim rep you deal with. Ask to speak to their Unit Manager, if no satisfaction from that person ask to speak to the Branch or Claims Manager and keep going up the line. I work for an auto insurance company now and several times we have afforded coverage to an Insured who just wouldn't go away. To be sure, there has to be a case for affording coverage in the first place. We don't provide coverage to thieves. But a reasonable person, making a reasonable claim with reasonable evidence to support their position usually wins the day.
They may only cover the damage that appears to be related to the loss and not all the water damage that occurred over time. So be it -- a little help is better than no help at all.

[Bionic_Man]

You should be able to look at your policy (or check the insurance regulations in your state ) to see how far back you can go to make a claim.

That said, even if you could get them to cover the initial damage to the trailer, I think you are out of luck to get the water damage covered.

[FunnyCamper]

ahhh, this happens. you know when you think all is ok and later it bites ya in the butt? if they won't cover then ya gotta pony up the bill and move forward...sorry, but it sounds like that is all you can do. let it go 🙂
I have 'been a idiot' a few times also 🙂 🙂

[JWRoberts]

Nawwww. 4 years???? You are out of luck. Bite the bullet and move forward.

[mich800]

You may be out of luck. Water intrusion damage is typically covered from something acute. Damage from lack of maintenance or improperly/not repaired issues are generally not covered.