Total Loss in Hurricane Harvey with Geico

seansbass1 · 09-09-2017, 05:31 AM

So I got a little water in my undercarriage on my 377RLBH during the flooding. Nothing catastrophic but Geico deemed it a total loss. Did anybody else lose their camper in the Flood? How was it delt with and how long does the process take?

I live in this thing for work, and the adjuster didn't know anything about the process after his part.

**norty1** · 09-09-2017, 05:55 AM

I have never had this happen but it is good that you have that adjusters report right off. That should carry a lot of weight when the paper work starts. My last claim they sent an independent adjuster and there was no questions about his assessment and a check was quickly forthcoming.

Hope that is your experience. My carrier was Allstate.

seansbass1 · 09-09-2017, 06:00 AM

I hope so too. My biggest concern is the time given to buy a new one and move out of this one. I wonder if they have to tow it away before they authorize the check, or is there a grace period after I receive the check to buy another and move out?

**Midnightmoon** · 09-09-2017, 07:01 AM

That's a good question. Usually, a total loss isn't in livable condition. Since this is technically your residence instead of just an RV, is it treated the same as if your house was damaged? You may have to contact them and see what your options are before you accept the check. Worst case for you would be having move to a hotel for the time between trailers. If you do, will they cover the hotel fees, etc?

3'senough · 09-09-2017, 07:17 AM

Just curious as I have Geico too. Did you carry the current year replacement or just value of the lost unit?

I have the current year model until 5 years then it's purchase price for the original unit. Being that MSRP's are what they are I am just curious how they handle replacement $. You might have to show an invoice for the replacement unit prior to receiving the $ I would think. Otherwise how do you settle on an amount? We are all too familiar with dealer spreads on costs.

If that's the case then you could delay the $ until the unit arrives or is found.

SkyBound · 09-09-2017, 07:32 AM

I lost my first trailer in a hail storm. I towed it to a dealership where they performed the damage estimate, and that was forwarded to the insurance company. A few days later, they called me and told me it was a total loss. I had to go to an insurance office and sign over the ownership as if I was selling it to someone, then a cheque was presented to me. I then had to tow it to a drop off location, which in this case was an auction facility.

Sorry to hear about that. You could be in for a battle for how much they want to give you. I had to fight them to get what I deserved, but in the end it worked out.

MadJoker TX · 09-09-2017, 08:03 AM

Wow, sorry to hear this. I wonder if they will help cover a rental trailer until you get a check to purchase a new unit.

2017 NorthPoint 377RLBH
2017 F350 FX4 DRW 6.7 PSD
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW...jCx2yKWbNHxFpQ

Marcm157 · 09-09-2017, 08:16 AM

Following this closely. I have geico and have heard they are very good with claims but never had a personal experience with them for auto or RV. Sorry for the trouble - Hope it all works out for you...

JohnWedell · 09-09-2017, 08:26 AM

Guy hit my trailer in Maryland on our way to Florida. It was 100 percent his fault. Geico looked at it in Florida and gave me a check on the spot. Very impressed with Geico.

seansbass1 · 09-09-2017, 09:16 AM

Wow, thanks for all the responses! I have the replacement minus deductible ($500) plan, but for some reason the appraiser called some lady and we were going through all the options and the numerous upgrades I've made to it to determine a value. I wouldn't think the value meant anything since it should be based on my purchase price but I think they're going to give me the NADA value for it. He said the NADA on mine was something like $69k but I find that hard to believe since I only paid $63k for it, maybe their depreciation starts from retail?

Geico will pay for a hotel up to $1200, which will buy me about 3 weeks. But moving everything out of my house on wheels into a hotel won't work... I'll keep everyone posted.

Screwby · 09-09-2017, 09:24 AM

The few times that I've had friends lose houses to fires the insurance company also covered the cost of a storage unit to house any items not lost to fire. That way they didn't have to try to cram everything in a hotel room while the houses were rebuilt.

TCNashville · 09-09-2017, 09:45 AM

Buddy of mine had a lightning strike near his camper, traveled up the post and supposedly fried everything in there. Insurance company totaled it and gave him a check for 11K. His nephew bought back the camper from the insurance company for a mere $750 and it turned out only the converter was fried. A new converter cost him $200. I'm pretty sure I have this story correct but it was told to me from a second hand source. So if an insurance company totals a camper and the damage is something you could possibly fix, can you buy back your own camper at a greatly reduced cost and use some of the money to repair the damage? Just curious as to how all this works.

pconroy · 09-09-2017, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCNashville

So if an insurance company totals a camper and the damage is something you could possibly fix, can you buy back your own camper at a greatly reduced cost and use some of the money to repair the damage? Just curious as to how all this works.

This is my question too.
Can you buy the trailer back? You'd think so, since it'll be auctioned off as salvage...

**norty1** · 09-09-2017, 11:18 AM

Some states require the VIN to be removed when it's salvaged. You have to jump thru some hoops to get it re-registered.

jasum · 09-09-2017, 12:23 PM

Rent a uhaul truck to store your stuff in.....

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Bookemdanno · 09-09-2017, 03:40 PM

My suggestion would be to rent a storage facility for your personal items and get searching on the web for some comparable "in stock" RV's that satisfy your needs. I know that the NOW Camping World in Sherman, TX had two (2) in stock 377's if that's what your still interested in. We all pay thru the nose when it comes to insurance...get back from them what you can!

imjustdave · 09-09-2017, 05:31 PM

I have purchased a car back before. Took the cost off the check pretty painless. I already had the title so I'm sure that made it easier but past cashing the check that is all I did. If you like the unit and you can clean it mold free.... Go for it.

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seansbass1 · 09-13-2017, 03:52 AM

Man what a process. Geico has confirmed "Total Loss" now we're down to the dollar amount and buying it back. Sounds like the replacement plan is worth every penny in this case since they are offering to buy me a brand new 2018 with all the bells and whistles I've put in mine and do an exchange of equity with USAA (Lender) to keep my payments the same like nothing ever happened on a brand new one.

BUT, I don't want that, believe it or not. After talking to my service department specifically about how much water I got, he reminded me that all of the wood that got wet is MARINE grade! We got approx. 2" in the pass-through storage comp. so I need to clean that carpet or replace it and I'm golden! Geico has offered me the NADA value which was $66,222, amazing since I only payed $61,149 for it... They sent me back and forth from "Total Loss Dept" to a dedicated agent for my case outside of the "Emergency Response" unit.

This is where it gets amazing. When I purchased my RV and insured it with the replacement plan THEY decided my RV was worth $82,677. So that's what they are going to pay me! Covers the negative equity trade in I had on my last one and puts $10k in my pocket!

Today Geico should be getting me a buy back price, which will hopefully just be deducted from that amazing amount of money they valued my 5er for and knock $50k off my loan.Dealer said for $700 they'll pressure wash the undercarriage and reuse/reinstall the corrugated plastic underbelly. I plan on upgrading the brakes and buying a new battery, anything else you guys can think of that might need to be replaced?

Magnolia Tom · 09-13-2017, 06:46 AM

Wow that's awesome! I think I need to switch to Geico

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seansbass1 · 09-13-2017, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

Wow that's awesome! I think I need to switch to Geico

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I'm telling ya, I'm floored by their customer service also. Even with the influx of callers for the natural disasters all over the place I never held for more than 3 minutes and from the first moment I made the claim EVERY employee from the adjuster to the 10 phone receptionists have been concerned with my family's health and well being. Money wasn't discussed until this point and never felt like they were trying to low ball or scheme me, one person even saying they wanted to make sure I didn't leave any money on the table!

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