Good Sam Insurance for trailer policy

[tractors1]

Good Sam rep told me on the phone that they have no way of sending me a copy of their standard policy unless the insurance is "bound", which actually means AFTER I buy it. I actually read contracts before I sign them, so I'm curious if anyone who has Good Sam could email me a copy of their policy terms. Their rates are a bit better than if I bought coverage from my auto insurance supplier, but I'm leery of buying anything without knowing what I'm paying for - impossible to compare cost vs benefits without reading the contracts.

[cpaharley2008]

I think mine was only $124/year added to my auto policy, how much lower is GS?

[MarksAlot]

How could any reputable company expect anyone to buy what they're selling without seeing and agreeing to the terms before you buy it?

My trailer endorsement on my truck policy cost nothing extra and it covers the trailer and its contents.

I'd ask to speak to his/her supervisor. If you get the same, look elsewhere for your coverage.

Just sayin...

[gbaglo]

Mark,

I'd read the small print if I was you. I've never heard of an insurance company handing out extra coverage for free and I can't imagine them replacing your 19 ( maybe if it was stolen with the tow vehicle attached? ).

[MarksAlot]

Yup. I read all the verbage of my policy. It's there. Even my chemo-scrambled brain got that.

Insurance companies have always been known for short changing claims. You won't know until you need them. Best policy is to not need them, but its somewhat helpful to at least to have a policy with a well-known insurer.

Didn't need 15 minutes to save hundreds on my car insurance. :

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I've never heard of an insurance company handing out extra coverage for free and I can't imagine them replacing your 19 ( maybe if it was stolen with the tow vehicle attached? ).

Our insurance company listed our trailer at no extra cost... but I assume we have only liability coverage, not collision repair of the trailer. Contents should covered as personal property under the household policy, just as if they were in the van.

[gbaglo]

A pertinent question. Is the policy in effect when the trailer is detached from the tow vehicle?

[float5]

A trailer is covered for as much as you cover it for, which can include sitting in storage or being towed. You basically get what you pay for. Some companies will replace your trailer with a new one if it is a total loss in collision, fire or however. That is to say, it will be replaced with the newest version of that trailer with the options it had when bought, as opposed to being replaced with one that is equal to the value of it by its year made. That newest version replacement coverage is only done in the first five years and, of course, you pay for that far more than your auto carrier would charge. (Don't know that auto carriers have such coverage.) In general, an RV insurance company will insure more and you pay much more for the added coverage.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

A pertinent question. Is the policy in effect when the trailer is detached from the tow vehicle?

Mine? Presumably no, since it is for third-party liability... I don't think there's much harm the trailer can do to anyone else while it's parked.

[tractors1]

I read through the basic Good Sam policy a forum member sent; pretty much standard stuff - nothing special good or bad. Biggest surprise is the top holding company is General Motors! Just weird they don't put it up on their website.

[gbaglo]

Unless it falls on a thief while he's trying to steal it and then he sues you.
My point is that you get what you pay for. Insurance companies are not on your side.
If you have third party liability while connected to your tow vehicle, you don't have much insurance. Nothing in a collision, nothing if stolen, nothing if vandalized.
The insurance company is not your friend.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Unless it falls on a thief while he's trying to steal it and then he sues you.

Originally Posted by gbaglo

My point is that you get what you pay for. Insurance companies are not on your side.
If you have third party liability while connected to your tow vehicle, you don't have much insurance. Nothing in a collision, nothing if stolen, nothing if vandalized.
The insurance company is not your friend.

Close... in a collision which is someone else's fault (the only kind I have ), they pay for my my losses... inclung the trailer, regardless of my coverage.

My current trailer is very old. Hundreds of dollars a year in insurance for protection from a small and unlikely loss makes no sense. A more valuable trailer likely calls for more coverage.

[gbaglo]

All true.

[Fox hunt]

I'm just going to add my trailer to my auto insurance about 125 a year.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Fox hunt

I'm just going to add my trailer to my auto insurance about 125 a year.

So, my question would be, if I'm paying $350 or so for insurance, what am I getting? And, what are you getting for $125?

I am getting guaranteed replacement ( a new Escape trailer ) with a $250 deductible. $3million in third party liability. $5,000 personal property and travel interruption.
What ever you choose to do, just make sure you know what you are getting for what you are paying. If you are comfortable with that level of risk, then go for it.

[Fox hunt]

I insured it for the price I paid for it it is a 2012 the value will will decrease with age. Can't remember my deductible I think it is 250 or 500. My horse trailer is insured for about the same. I think what I'm paying is pretty standard for the US.

[gbaglo]

But, insured it for what? Against theft, vandalism, collision? And, if the value decreases with age, how do they determine the value? Are they using Blue Book, where values are determined based on what a stick-built is worth ( since that is the common trailer that they have data on )?
Will they "total" the trailer and hand you a cheque for $4,000?
If my trailer disappeared or was totaled tomorrow, I will get a new 2015 Escape 17B with the same equipment.

[Fox hunt]

Yes I am insured for all of the above and yes I will not get new price for my trailer but I did buy it used. If it's totaled i will get replacement not as sweet a deal as yours but a good enough level of security for me. Since there is not a valid blue book for our trailers they are using my purchase price as value.