Cost to insure your Class A

[Squerly]

I'm in the process of buying insurance on my new-to-me MH. I get my insurance through an independent agent and I asked her to quote the policy for a MH value of $115K.

On a policy from AutoOwners, she quoted $1,250 a year with a $1,000 deductible. I just though this was a little high for someone 67 years old with no accidents or tickets in 20 years. Does this sound in line with what everyone else is paying?

[Oneilkeys]

That’s in line with what I pay with USAA/Progressive. When you get your invoice, make sure that if you have a trade, the top price reflects the actual price you are paying and what you can replace it for. One RV dearer tried to give me an invoice with the MSRP rather than the 35% discounted price and just jack up the price of the trade. That would have made me Pay 35% more a year based on the total price, even though the insurance company would not have given me close to that price if it was totaled.

[TurnerFam]

as an agent, and a motorcoach owner myself, there is NO WAY to compare your 'situation' to any of the rest of ours, as your insurance rate and premiums have to do with things like WHERE you live(what State, area, zip code, metro area, etc), your driving record, yes, but also many other 'things' that impact your premium - discounts for other policies with the same company, married/single, age, credit score/rate, and many, many more.

The ONLY way to accurately tell if YOU are getting the best price and coverage for YOU is to price around, price around, price around.... it's hard, it takes time, but it's the ONLY way.

Someone with the exact same year/make/model of motorhome, at the same age, in seemingly the 'exact' same scenario as you, may have a premium 1/2 of yours, or may have a premium twice as much as yours.... don't go by what 'others' have, only go by what you find for yourself. I've seen it go both ways, even for my own motorhome insurance, as one insurer was twice as much as another, and still another insurance company was 1/2 as much as both of those!

[TurnerFam]

States have a big impact on insurance and premiums, though most folks would have no clue that it's the case... the insurance commissioner from each state has a large regulation on the insurance industry for their property owners.
Having said that, NC is one of those states with some 'differing' regulations, and therefore your premium and cost will not compare equally with folks from other states.

Another example is the impact on the insurance companies who want to do business there, as the state's regulations can be prohibitive for some, and create rating and profitability issues. I've seen a major carrier in a neighboring state have some of the best rates available, but for the same motorhome in NC, they've decided they don't even offer coverage there. It's due to state regulations that have made them decide not to even offer motorhome coverage for even such a large state as NC. Crazy.
So, in that case, you may even find that NC has LESS options for motorhome owners than many other states do, so you are limited in your choices, and therefore probably limited in finding premiums that might 'compare' to others.

NC also has a license requirement for Class A or motorized RVs over 26,000lbs gvwr... a personal 'cdl' is required, making you take an additional written test, and later a driving test, with your rig, though you must get your rig to the license testing office, though you, yourself, cannot drive it there, since, of course, you are not yet licensed! Crazy.

[Lt Keefer]

With GEICO, I pay $494.00 every six months. That's Texas state minimums with $1,000.00 deductible.

[Squerly]

Thank you for the replies gentlemen.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Most of the major TV advertisers compete heavily for this business as the risk is much smaller for them with RV's than every day driver cars. Most RV's get very little use. GEICO and Progressive seems to be the best deals and have great CS. Make sure you have the proper coverage for your intended use...i.e., full-timing vs weekender, excessive miles over a short period, etc. They mostly quote on estimated annual miles/use and agreed value with depreciation scale vs. actual market value. Where you store it affects rates also depending on region you live.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by TurnerFam

as an agent, and a motorcoach owner myself, there is NO WAY to compare your 'situation' to any of the rest of ours, as your insurance rate and premiums have to do with things like WHERE you live(what State, area, zip code, metro area, etc), your driving record, yes, but also many other 'things' that impact your premium - discounts for other policies with the same company, married/single, age, credit score/rate, and many, many more.
!

As another Agent (with 41 years of time "in the saddle"): I agree completely.
If you don't trust your Agent to find you the best policy (for the price...): it's time to find a new agent.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Agents are great!!! We've never (with exception to RV and boat) bought insurance except through our agent. Been with the same company and agent for over 30 years. BUT...agents have limited product lines...not everything. There may occasionally be a better deal through a company they can't write you with.

[Squerly]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

As another Agent (with 41 years of time "in the saddle"): I agree completely.
If you don't trust your Agent to find you the best policy (for the price...): it's time to find a new agent.

Yes, it might be time to find a new agent. But changing is such a hassle.

The problem started not long ago when it started taking way too long to get return calls from them. And this last time, I left a message for my representative and 2 days later I was still waiting for a response. I actually called her back before she called me. And then, the questions I asked were met with a lack of knowledge and she had to keep saying she would find out and get back with me.

So maybe motor homes are not her specialty, but that makes me uncomfortable and I wonder what might pop up later because of something she didn't tell me or that got ommited.

[Bob Denman]

I'm sorry to hear that they're no longer doing their hob as they should...
When you're shopping for coverages: it's usually best to find an Agent that has the same type of "toys" in his own stable. You can be sure that hes done his "due diligence".

[The Gritz Carlton]

Nothing wrong with buying a specialty policy outside of your agent. As stated, they are a huge convenience if you have a good one and can sure "cut through the mustard" quickly for you, but they are not a blanket for everything insurance. They either specialize in something or they don't. My agent's staff is himself, his wife and his mother. It's a great relationship and I can call him 24/7. But they only have a certain amount of authority. Writing the policy and administering the policy is what they do. When you have a claim they defer you directly to the insurance company adjusters for the duration. They are basically commissioned sales people and the need for agents has diminished over the years...kinda like the real estate industry. If you have a great agent, it's mostly because you've developed a long-term relationship of trust with them. Call the "big guys" direct for boats and RV's. You don't get a deeper discount by using an agent...just better service.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

... You don't get a deeper discount by using an agent...just better service.

I have to agree... We live on the better service that we provide; not on the cheaper prices of others.
So what is more important to you: Service... or Price?

[Squerly]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

So what is more important to you: Service... or Price?

Well, i was kinda hoping for both...

[Bob Denman]

In a perfect World...

[The Gritz Carlton]

IMO...Service is all anyone has to offer. Millions of vendors offer the same products...nothing is exclusive. MH's are proof of that. When all else fails...consistent, excellent service will keep the lights on and bread on the table.

[Bob Denman]

I think to think that is true...

[pavemike]

I paid just over $1100 last year for ins. It was Progressive through USAA. Came due a few weeks ago and increased by $200. So, I gave Good Sam a call since I'm a member and figured I would see what they could find. He got me the same policy, still with Progressive and was able to bundle USAA discount with Good Sam discount, at a reasonable cost of $716...per year. Since it was basically half the price of the previous year, I thought he meant it was for 6 months. Nope, full year. That Good Sam employee earned my "hero of the year" award. Used those savings to purchase the TOGO with AT&T wifi. Your millage may vary.

[gmc]

Originally Posted by pavemike

I paid just over $1100 last year for ins. It was Progressive through USAA. Came due a few weeks ago and increased by $200. So, I gave Good Sam a call since I'm a member and figured I would see what they could find. He got me the same policy, still with Progressive and was able to bundle USAA discount with Good Sam discount, at a reasonable cost of $716...per year. Since it was basically half the price of the previous year, I thought he meant it was for 6 months. Nope, full year. That Good Sam employee earned my "hero of the year" award. Used those savings to purchase the TOGO with AT&T wifi. Your millage may vary.

I'll have to give that a try at next renewal... USAA/Progressive was more than what I had already last time around (moved all the cars to USAA when I moved to FL - they wouldn't write car policies directly in Michigan and still wouldn't do the RV themselves down here...) - but if they will bundle the discounts - worth a try.

And you did it in Florida too... Insurance was one area I didn't save money moving here... lol

[pavemike]

You got that right, GMC. Insurance is the price we pay for living in paradise...well, that and hurricanes and alligators and humidity and salt water/air...