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I've been a full-timer for the last 8 years. I also have a good friend who owns a repair shop and deals with the insurance companies all the time. During the last 8 years I've been with many if not most of the RV specialty Insurance carriers. Why have I changed so many times? Mostly due to either poor service or high rates. The companies I would not recommend are Camping World or Good Sam (GMAC), FMCA (RV Alliance), Flying J and Gilbert's RV Insurance. The first four will attempt to deny any claim you give them. Gilbert's has a different problem, they are disorganized and act as a middleman between Mendota and the customer. This is different than being merely an agent. As a middleman they handle all information between the customer and Mendota. The customer can never actually talk with Mendota therefore you will experience the "I'll have to call you back syndrome" where you are informed they will call you back tomorrow because Mendota is closed, but no one ever returns your phone call. This can go on for months as the communication breakdown makes for a big mess. Do yourself a favor and buy your policy direct from a reputable, solid company. My recommendations are Progressive and Foremost. Both will treat you well. Progressive is by far my favorite. 24 Hour Customer Service and claims. They use their own claims adjusters 100% of the time. (Most companies like GMAC hire independant adjusters that get kick backs for cutting claims). You will never experience this with Progressive. They are simply the best. Far and above the others, they are the best. However, sometimes (and a lot of times) they are the most expensive by a long shot. Sometimes you can get a competitive rate from them. If you are one of the lucky and if you can get a good rate from Progressive then by all means, stop there and take it. If you find the rate too high, you'll still do great with Foremost. Another company that will take care of you. And the rates are extremely competitive. One last thing to remember, Progressive writes replacement coach policies. They'll buy you a new one if anything goes wrong. Fire, etc. Foremost as yet, does not. FMCA (RVAA) writes these policies, but they will depreciate everything and anything. Gilbert's (Mendota) writes these as well, but the headaches and the run arounds aren't worth it. Lastly there is one more company National Interstate, never had them, from my understanding they are okay, but the policy has some to be desired. I can not recommend enough to any RV'er. Progressive or Foremost. Don't go anywhere else. You may not think you need it until the day comes you are in a camprground and there is a power surge. I had several thousands in dollars in equipment fried on two occasions. The first with GMAC who after months of investigating and phone calls informed me it was the campground's responsibility. The second was with Progressive, they paid the claim in a day and took the campground insurance company to court. It was over and done. Quick. Don't go with Gilbert's. |
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