Insurance question re storage in Florida

[bgula]

I've currently got my 5th-wheel trailer stored in Florida so I can just pick it up for our Christmas trip. Thing I didn't know about until after I got back home was that my insurance says that I can't store my trailer out of Canada for longer than 6 months. Apparently this is a common thing among insurance companies.

Right now, I'd prefer to keep the trailer stored in Florida past Christmas. Does anyone know if this is a common rule? Can I purchase US insurance for my trailer and then keep it stored in Florida? If so, does anyone have any suggestions for companies? I know Camping World and Good Sam offer insurance. Haven't talked to them as yet, but would like to get some opinions as to whether this is an option.

 

[luckycharm19335]

Can you add a rider to your existing insurance policy?
We have our MH insured with Progressive.

 

[bgula]

Can you add a rider to your existing insurance policy?
We have our MH insured with Progressive.

I don't know, but I think the broker I was talking to about this (my BIL) would have indicated if this was possible. However, I will look into this as well.

 

[angelmom27]

well i would say talk to progressive they seem to be the one insurance company here in FL that is big on RV and other vehicle insurance. That stinks that you cant keep it store some where else. I would think if you did it you might have to register it here in FL. But dont quote me I am no agent. Good luck hope you find something.

 

[smacca1956]

well i would say talk to progressive they seem to be the one insurance company here in FL that is big on RV and other vehicle insurance. That stinks that you cant keep it store some where else. I would think if you did it you might have to register it here in FL. But dont quote me I am no agent. Good luck hope you find something.

I work for a large national insurance company and wouldn't touch that one with a 10 foot pole! Underwriters are very picky about storage, permanant set up and such when it comes to campers. We have had claims refused because of different issues. Be careful to make sure your agent knows exactly what you are doing for sure and get it in writing!!

 

[tderonne]

EVERYONE should take the time to know what their insurance covers no matter where their RV is. I've heard some horror stories. Folks THINK they are covered and aren't. There seems to be a no mans land between what a homeowners policy will cover and what the RV policy actually covers. Things like TVs and computers (expensive things) seem to fall into the gap.

 

[smacca1956]

EVERYONE should take the time to know what their insurance covers no matter where their RV is. I've heard some horror stories. Folks THINK they are covered and aren't. There seems to be a no mans land between what a homeowners policy will cover and what the RV policy actually covers. Things like TVs and computers (expensive things) seem to fall into the gap.

We had a client whose motor home burned up on the road. All personal belongings were covered under their home owners policy subject to the deductible of $1000! Some of the insurance companies who specialize in RV's have the best coverage although it's not always the cheapest. You get what you pay for!

 

[manning]

Maybe you can get an answer on this site.

http://www.rv.net/forums/

 

[bgula]

I work for a large national insurance company and wouldn't touch that one with a 10 foot pole! Underwriters are very picky about storage, permanant set up and such when it comes to campers. We have had claims refused because of different issues. Be careful to make sure your agent knows exactly what you are doing for sure and get it in writing!!

Not sure what you're trying to say here. Are you saying that you wouldn't cover a trailer that is in storage? That doesn't make sense to me. If you do work for an insurance company, can you point me in the right direction? Would I need to register my 5th-wheel in the US in order to keep it stored in Florida longer than 6 months, or are there companies that would allow this and still allow me to keep it registered in Canada? TIA

 

[seguinfamily]

I sold insurance for several years for a very neighbourly insurance company in Canada. If this situation had walked into my office with a trailer stored for so long out of the country I would not touch writing this up and sending it to my underwriter. Now, a current client who had been with me for 20 years I might be able to get an exception from the underwriter ... but even that would be hit or miss depending how long over the limit it were.

As far as registering it in FL in order to be able to insure it there ... Yes, I would think so. I know at my neighbourly company we wouldn't write the trailer without the tow vehicle, so maybe a specialty company could do it. Also, I am not familiar with Florida laws... but I would think you would need to establish residence in FL to register the vehicle there. You could get the requirements for that on the FL DMV website though.
The next problem I can think of is ... if I write a policy on a trailer I want to see it. Not in 6 months, I want to see it now. I want to take pictures of it and note the condition of the trailer and make sure it actually exists in real life and not just on paper.

There could be several more problems with getting this policy written that I haven't though up yet, given that it's 2:00 am and I'm way beyond tired. But, your best bet might be to walk into a local agent's office near you and ask to speak to the Agent directly. No brokers. I'd go to an agent. They work for the company and can sometimes pull strings with underwriters. Maybe go to the kind that are good neighbors, or maybe one where you are in good hands.

 

[bgula]

I sold insurance for several years for a very neighbourly insurance company in Canada. If this situation had walked into my office with a trailer stored for so long out of the country I would not touch writing this up and sending it to my underwriter. Now, a current client who had been with me for 20 years I might be able to get an exception from the underwriter ... but even that would be hit or miss depending how long over the limit it were.

As far as registering it in FL in order to be able to insure it there ... Yes, I would think so. I know at my neighbourly company we wouldn't write the trailer without the tow vehicle, so maybe a specialty company could do it. Also, I am not familiar with Florida laws... but I would think you would need to establish residence in FL to register the vehicle there. You could get the requirements for that on the FL DMV website though.
The next problem I can think of is ... if I write a policy on a trailer I want to see it. Not in 6 months, I want to see it now. I want to take pictures of it and note the condition of the trailer and make sure it actually exists in real life and not just on paper.

There could be several more problems with getting this policy written that I haven't though up yet, given that it's 2:00 am and I'm way beyond tired. But, your best bet might be to walk into a local agent's office near you and ask to speak to the Agent directly. No brokers. I'd go to an agent. They work for the company and can sometimes pull strings with underwriters. Maybe go to the kind that are good neighbors, or maybe one where you are in good hands.

I'm still not getting why people are saying they wouldn't touch this. I don't get why it matters where I store the vehicle. If I'm only using the trailer to stay at FW twice a year, it makes more sense to leave it in Florida rather than tow it back and forth. If it comes home, it's going to be stored anyway. Can someone please explain what the problem is?

 

[angelmom27]

I cant say for sure but I think like the PP said they want to see it. I live in FL and here when we register our vehicles they take pics of the vehicle right then and there. I think since you are having such a hard time with the agents in Canada that your best bet would be to see an agent when you are down here in Fl. That way they can take pics of the trailer too. Or you can see if an agent there in Canada would be willing to let you send the pics. I know I had issues with an agent not getting the pics out in time to the company and they were going to cancel me they told me they would let me take the pics and email them to them. I hope you can get this straighten out I am sure it has been one big head ache.

 

[angelmom27]

Not sure what you're trying to say here. Are you saying that you wouldn't cover a trailer that is in storage? That doesn't make sense to me. If you do work for an insurance company, can you point me in the right direction? Would I need to register my 5th-wheel in the US in order to keep it stored in Florida longer than 6 months, or are there companies that would allow this and still allow me to keep it registered in Canada? TIA

I think the poster was trying to say that they wouldnt go with progressive the company that I recommended. I had vehicle insurance with them and had no issues. I was just saying that company cause they are always promoting that they insure other types of vehicles.

 

[Disbug]

I'm still not getting why people are saying they wouldn't touch this. I don't get why it matters where I store the vehicle. If I'm only using the trailer to stay at FW twice a year, it makes more sense to leave it in Florida rather than tow it back and forth. If it comes home, it's going to be stored anyway. Can someone please explain what the problem is?

I wonder if it's because of higher risk? Thinking hurricanes, here..... Good luck with finding an insurer! It does seem weird that you almost have to beg someone to take your money at times?