How to insure for actual value?

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How to insure for actual value?

August 13, 2018, 09:25:03 am

I am getting close to finishing the rehab of my 1994 Grand Villa. I am attempting to get full coverage insurance that would cover more than the NADA. We are not full timers. I have used Amica for years on my home, auto and umbrella policies and they came back with a value of $11,000. The coach only has 32,000 miles. It has always been garage kept and has NEW.. hardwood floors, travertine in the bath, carpet in the bedroom, granite kitchen tops, marble tops in the bath and bedroom, stainless kitchen sink, hammered copper sink in bath new draperies and valances, Corian table and chairs replaced with hammered copper bar top and stools, leather couch and chairs, reupholsrered captains chairs and dash, camera and monitor, steering box rebuild, 2 new A/C units, 3 flat screen tv's, Michelins, new alternator and isolator, Lifeline AGM house batteries, AGM start batteries, Xantrex 3012 inverter/charger, LED converted fixtures, new convection microwave, refrigerator..... 11K? really??

I have read through the forum and found numerous insurance threads. Some talk about agreed value. I know that this coach will never have a huge value (to the insurance companies) but certainly more than 11K.. Suggestions welcome

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #1 – August 13, 2018, 09:28:09 am

Just tell them you want Actual Replacement Value. They should have an option on it... That is what I carry on mine. NADA is way behind the times when it comes to Foretravels and Jeeps!!

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #2 – August 13, 2018, 09:30:49 am

We have SAFECO and have it insured for and agreed value also.
John

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #3 – August 13, 2018, 09:47:08 am

My agent will not issue agreed value policies, but did tell me to get an independent appraisal done on it now. If a total loss, she said most companies would use that figure. Appraiser found 6 comps [mostly from MOT] and itemized my upgrades. Thought the value he put on it pretty accurate. Insurance rates have changed a lot this year, my regular policy went up $500. Believe it or not, Allstate's quote was far less than anyone else.

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #4 – August 13, 2018, 09:49:25 am

Quote from: DavidS – August 13, 2018, 09:28:09 am

Just tell them you Actual Replacement Value. They should have an option on it... Thant is what I carry on mine. NADA is way behind the times when it comes to Foretravels and Jeeps!!

I will need to change companies...they would not agree to a higher value.

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #5 – August 13, 2018, 10:18:44 am

Quote from: Karl Shurtleff – August 13, 2018, 09:49:25 am

I will need to change companies...they would not agree to a higher value.

I am with State Farm. They do it. I am sure other also but been with State Farm for 15yrs or so.. Starting to sound like my Dad and Grandpa.. Not such a band thing I suppose.. Could be worse

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #6 – August 13, 2018, 10:31:39 am

I think the best we can expect from a good company is what our rigs are selling for at MOT. All the great upgrades that we do don't add much to the value in the eyes of the insurance company.
jor

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #7 – August 13, 2018, 11:08:09 am

keep looking for an agreed value policy for as close as you can get to replacement value - at some point the insurance companies don't want to "over insure" a vehicle because in their eyes it is an increased insurance fraud risk - so you may not get all the coverage you desire

NADA uses a mathematical method of depreciation which is consistent across the industry and tends to undervalue all high end coaches as they get beyond 10 years old -- not much we can do about NADA - causes issues with newbie buyers, banks and insurance companies as our coaches sell at a premium (sometimes a big one) to NADA

Tim Fiedler

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Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #8 – August 13, 2018, 01:30:29 pm

Give this person, Ron, a call. We have an agreed value policy with them.

Contact Us - RV Insurance Quote - Motorhome, Travel Trailer & Fifth Wheel

Keith

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #9 – August 13, 2018, 06:10:49 pm

We also use Overland with an agreed upon value. Be aware, however, that the agreed upon value is not what Safeco or others will actually pay out if you total your rig. Check out a recent thread that discussed this issue in depth. Reminds me of when the health insurance companies (I think it was Blue Cross) introduced co-payments in the 70s. The agent kept insisting that the coverage was 100%. I kept mentioning the co-pay would indicate that the coverage was not actually 100%. We never did agree.
jor

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #10 – August 13, 2018, 07:02:44 pm

Recent discussions about this (off line) indicated a significant increase in insurance to an agreed value if indeed it is even available. Someone in an earlier tread advocated the learned behaviors of dishonesty and deceit as a way of life. That will get you nothing.

Our insurance company (State Farm) will pay comparable value (based on what they find at MOT for example) less deductable plus up to what your homeowners policy covers for contents in the event of a total loss. Be sure you have a pretty good inventory of what you have in your coach.

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #11 – August 13, 2018, 07:04:56 pm

My Safeco policy will pay 100% of the agreed upon amount.
John

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #12 – August 13, 2018, 07:53:49 pm

Actually it was Ron Jarvie/Overland that suggested I get an independent appraisal on my coach. He said that for actual value, the ins company will take the lowest average selling price for your coach, using comps, and give you a percentage of that. He said with an a recent appraisal [within 2 years], ins company will probably give you a more realistic amount. If you have upgrades, or a rare coach, might be worthwhile paying $300 for the appraisal. I know my appraisal came out $25000 more than the average comp. value. Hopefully will never find out if I would realize the increased value in case of a total loss.

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #13 – August 13, 2018, 09:05:12 pm

Karl,

Wonder if you had to sell your coach what selling price you would have to accept. Often we cannot recover much of the many upgrade costs.

Many of us have similar situations, and wonder why we pay for increased insurance coverage to cover a value that is higher than we would accept on a sale.

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #14 – August 13, 2018, 10:30:10 pm

I also use Overland with Progressive. When I explored an "agreed value" policy it was at least 50% more than an Actual Cash Value policy. Being totally disillusioned with Texas insurance I'm very skeptical that the ACV policy will pay much more than the ridiculous NADA value -- even with an appraisal.

My first pass at an appraisal was a Texas company that went out and found the absolute lowest price on the market for a comparable unit (that the seller freely admitted had sat for multiple years without use) then used 2 smaller, older units as comparables. When I protested that they hadn't included any of the fairly expensive upgrades (full Motion Industries replacement windows, total replacement of interior with leather, etc.) the "appraiser" responded that I would have to detail the engine before he would even consider the upgrades.

A subsequent appraisal from a non-Texas bus appraiser was far more reasonable, but I still have the issue that Progressive wanted more than I paid to insure a $240K house for a $60K agreed value policy.

Basically, in my skeptical opinion,in the Texas pro industry environment you're not likely to get much good coverage if you're an average, unconnected consumer.

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #15 – August 13, 2018, 10:41:44 pm

Another thing to consider on the value of a coach. Some things one might consider as "up grades" on a 20+ year old vehicle are really simply maintaining the vehicle in good operating order. A few things that come to mind air bags, fuel lines, bulkheads, new radiators, refrigerators, electronics " old TVs no longer work well these days". One might also include things like floors and upholstery as well. But all these things don't necessarily add huge value to the vehicle, but rather keep it in good working condition.

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #16 – August 13, 2018, 10:46:35 pm

Save receipts. Scan them in or save the paper copies. Anything that helps an adjuster justify paying more in a total loss is helpful.

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #17 – August 13, 2018, 10:57:43 pm

So I have an full coverage agreed value on my 89 coach, are you saying even with the agreed value and premium from progressive, they will weasel out and go back to the nada value?

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #18 – August 13, 2018, 11:11:01 pm

Spring Mountain Appraisers & Adjusters claimsmania@cox.net

not sure if they do over the internet but were very helpful in our situation. Artie is a class act.. Wouldnt steer you wrong.

He can possibly do the appraisal with pics?

He will ask a few questions on upgrades and might need pics...

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #19 – August 13, 2018, 11:21:37 pm

Quote from: DavidS – August 13, 2018, 11:11:01 pm

Spring Mountain Appraisers & Adjusters claimsmania@cox.net

not sure if they do over the internet but were very helpful in our situation. Artie is a class act.. Wouldnt steer you wrong.

He can possibly do the appraisal with pics?

He will ask a few questions on upgrades and might need pics...

Used a guy out of Ca. that Overland recommended. They said that insurance companies trusted his evaluations and pay accordingly. I did send him 25 hi resolution pictures, a video and complete description of all upgrades. Also sent pic of build sheet with options and original list price.

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #20 – August 14, 2018, 12:24:13 am

"If you have an agreed upon value, you know what you should receive. An extra little tip with agreed upon value is to ask about the next lower threshold for an agreed value premium. If you agree to $79,000 rather than $84,000, your premium may be reduced dramatically."

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #21 – August 14, 2018, 07:05:12 am

Thanks for all the advice...help and suggestions! I think that I will go ahead with an appraisal, (just for my own sake) but I think I just have to realize that even though it is in great shape it is only worth in $$ only a fraction of what it is worth to me. I never really thought the "upgrades" really being maintenance in many cases...so true. It is just hard to wrap my head around it when I compare it to what the same amount would buy in an old pickup truck or car. So...liability, comp and glass is probably the best route. Does any one know if MOT will do a certified appraisal?

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #22 – August 14, 2018, 08:57:56 am

Karl, your coach is considered a second home (if it not your primary home) under tax laws. So in addition to the original purchase price any money you spend on it for improvements increases its value as a capital asset. So purchase price + any added improvements is its capital value as far as a second home is concerned. When you sell it the left over from the asset value - what you get for it is a capital loss which can be used to offset some other capital gain. If you were to suffer a total loss any left over from the capital value - insurance payout is treated in a similar way. Make sure you keep good records. Check with a tax professional to make sure you do it correctly.

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #23 – August 14, 2018, 12:43:05 pm

jus,

who did YOU use for your $300 appraisal??

Re: How to insure for actual value?

Reply #24 – August 14, 2018, 12:55:00 pm

When I spoke to an agent about the agreed value and appraisal, he said I would have to do it each renewal. That stopped me cold on that option.

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