I have question about an insurance claim I have made to get my awning replaced on my 94 14' Jayco.
I shall leave names out as it is still underway.
The whole awning is being replaced, including hardware plus some other very minor damage (window).
When I spoke the assessor he made a point that I did not have annex cover as part of my policy.
I advised that I used is very rarely and did not think it warranted.
Now the odd bit.
Jayco no longer makes awnings in the same dimensions as that originally on my van and as such the new awning with come out from the van further than the OME unit thus meaning the annexe will no longer reach the side of the van when fitted.
The repairer said they normally have a canvas section made up that goes between the van and the annex to fill in this gap.
Same as the Velcro bits that already attached the side walls to the sail track on the van but wider.
They also said that they had made this adjustment as part of all previous repairs where required without issue and this is the first time it has been knocked back as part of a claim. I think the assessor is considering work on the annex which he pointed out is not covered.
I asked how much if I paid for it myself and it's $700. A few hundred I would have handled but not $700.
The plan from the repairer is to bring it in and have the awning done, check that the annex does indeed no longer fit and they will send it back to the insurer to have the adjustment approved and we can debate the issue if it is again declined.
So the question is, whilst I don't have annex cover, am I being unreasonable to expect the repair to the awning to take it back to an original state where the annex worked as before?
Thanks in advance Brett
dabbler said
07:41 PM Feb 22, 2018
Isn't "annexe cover" for contents if stolen or damaged while undercover in an annexe, as opposed to locked inside the van or tow vehicle ?
PeterInSa said
09:13 PM Feb 22, 2018
We had the opposite problem
The original Carefree OE awning rolled out 4 inches more or so than the current models.
The firm that made the annex cut back the side walls and did the velccro thing'ie for $150 or maybe $250, we installed the Careefree awning similar to below 15Ft with awning tube and spring etc prior to the measure and cut. To me 15Ft Awning package for $520 is good value for money ( also included shipping).
But you may not have a Carefree, I understand that other brands cost more.
Depending on who you are insured with, you may be able to argue that your policy should leave you no better but no worse off than prior to the event causing the damage
In this case, you are no better off by having the piece attached to the annexe, it is just making it fit the awning that was damaged, thereby leaving you no better but no worse than prior to the event.
Regards,
Ian
denmonkey said
11:15 PM Feb 22, 2018
Thanks Dabbler, I'll do some reading to see what the annex cover....covers.
Best I do some reading anyway to school myself up for a possible debate.
Peter, I believe the original was a carefree. It just seems the new ones of the same brand are longer.
The repairer said that it may be a non issue but will check for me when the van is in the shop.
When they were talking orignally about cutting canvas for the repair I thought they meant they built them to measure from the awning vinyl perspective.
We can take it up with insurance then.
I would prefer to get it squared away NOW for piece of mind but am following their lead. I just hope being trusting of their advice doesnt bite me in the Ar$e down the track.
Spot on Nomadz.
I'm not asking for any improvements over what was the status before the damage occurred.
Maybe I was being a little naive thinking insurance providers would sort the issue without having to be poked and prodded to do it right instead of penny pinching.
I know I know, silly me.
I'm even using their suggested repairer who they tell me is good. I can't argue that point, thus far they have been very helpful. Not sure how the insurer can decline their advice on what is required for the fix.
Even the repairer is shocked by the response. So I guess that is giving me confidence to push back and get them to make it right.
More than happy to accept any other responses even if they are not in line with my current opinion on the matter.
Any devils advocacy is appreicated as it will help prepare me for possible responses from the insurer.
Hewy54 said
07:38 AM Feb 23, 2018
Not quite sure if I have this right.
Your awning was damaged (not sure how), and you do not have the awning insured as part of your insurance policy.
Your insurance company is going ahead with a replacement awning anyway.
You are concerned that the awning is not an exact replacement for what you had.
If this is the case, then I would be happy to pay $700 to get a new awning that was not covered under insurance.
Could you please at some let me know the name of the insurance company as I consider this to be outstanding service on their part.
TheHeaths said
08:33 AM Feb 23, 2018
Brett,
I don't believe that Jayco make the awnings. As you say they used Carefree which come from America as I understand. It sounds like they are doing their best to replace what you have, especially if the original one was 23 years old.
As for the annex, whatever the annex cover is, if you declined to carry that cover for whatever reason, then I don't think you can expect the insurer to bear the loss now. It is unfortunate that the dimensions of the awning have changed, but it is not the insurers or Jayco's doing, so I suspect that you would need to cover the alterations to the annex.
To say they need to be poked and prodded to "do the right thing" and "penny pinching" is just not correct, and quite frankly unfair on them. They are paying for what you insured for, end of story. If you want to cover the annex once it is fixed, you will need to pay for it.
rockylizard said
08:53 AM Feb 23, 2018
denmonkey wrote:
Hi all,
I have question about an insurance claim I have made to get my awning replaced on my 94 14' Jayco.
SNIP~~~ So the question is, whilst I don't have annex cover, am I being unreasonable to expect the repair to the awning to take it back to an original state where the annex worked as before?
Thanks in advance Brett
Gday...
To be honest and probably fair to the insurance company, you have answered your own question.
You don't have annex cover - end of claim.
The awning is being being replaced under the insurance - that is all the insurance company has been covering for the period of the insurance contract you have and therefore all they are legally bound to do.
As with anything of a contractual nature - read the contract. It is ONLY what is in the agreed contract that is enforceable.
As others have stated, it is not the fault of the insurance company, Jayco (who I am sure are not the manufacturer of the awning) or the awning manufacturer that after 23 years they have altered the dimensions of their product.
If, through the repairer, the insurance company can be convinced to contribute to the alterations to the non-insured awning in anyway then you have achieved an outstanding outcome.
If it were me and I had not had an annex covered by the insurance policy, I would just have the annex altered to now fit at my cost - or, as you say, it is rarely used, so continue to not use it. It may have some sale value on Gumtree.
Cheers - John
denmonkey said
10:08 AM Feb 23, 2018
Hi Hewy,
Not quite right mate, the awning is covered and is being replaced.
However they can't match what was on the van dimensions wise. The new awning they will be putting on will mean my annex will no longer fit without alteration. Those alterations will cost $700 and will not be covered. The repairer has stated that this is the first time they have had those alterations declined as part of a claim and believe it to be related to the 'new' assessor.
TH - That sounds about right with regard to the awnings with what the repairer has said. Re the rest of your response, thanks for the input. This is exactly what I wanted. Both sides of the coin and see what others expectations of the situation would be. Prior to putting this up I had spoken to 5 other van owners who ALL said they would expect to have the adjustment done as part of the claim. Add that to the repairer saying it should be covered and had been up to this point, made me think I should at least reach out and see what others thought.
Gday to you John - fair points. Just to clarify though the awning is covered in the policy as part of the van. I'm not sure if by this "convinced to contribute to the alterations to the non-insured awning " you mean annex, which is not covered.
Whilst I have only used the annex once, I've only had the van for 12 months and have been spending time getting it set up the way I want to spend some time in it. It won't get used often, but it will still get used. Plus I also have to consider any impact on resale value when I move the van on.
The annex is basically brand new, so it would be a shame to not have it with the van.
A friend had some annex work done at a reasonable price. I'd like to think it could be done for less than $700. Cross that bridge if I need to.
The suggestion of gumtree is a good one but not a route I want to take.
Thanks for the input all.
PeterInSa said
10:43 AM Feb 23, 2018
The Awning mentioned above could have been a 14Ft Carefree that now rolls out to 7ft 3inches, I think the 15ft to 21ft awnings rollout to 7Ft 9ins. I think Carefree changed the rollout lengths sometime after the year 2000. Our awning replacement was on a 1991 van, but may have been its 2nd? awning.
Peter
denmonkey said
12:00 PM Feb 23, 2018
Thanks Peter.
No one has mentioned what the difference in size is to me as yet.
The repairer originally said call the insurer and escalate the situation but then they said to hold off on that and wait until they change the awning as it MAY be a non issue anyway.
So right now I'm unsure if it's 2 inches or 2 feet different.
I'd certainly be happy to have an awning that rolls out further for more coverage.
I've only the van for 12 months, so can't advise if the awning is its 1st or 5th and I wouldn't know a 23 years old awning from a 5 year old one.
All I can say was it wasn't a new awning and had some age on it.
Either way, its interesting times and we shall see how it pans out.
Hi all,
I have question about an insurance claim I have made to get my awning replaced on my 94 14' Jayco.
I shall leave names out as it is still underway.
The whole awning is being replaced, including hardware plus some other very minor damage (window).
When I spoke the assessor he made a point that I did not have annex cover as part of my policy.
I advised that I used is very rarely and did not think it warranted.
Now the odd bit.
Jayco no longer makes awnings in the same dimensions as that originally on my van and as such the new awning with come out from the van further than the OME unit thus meaning the annexe will no longer reach the side of the van when fitted.
The repairer said they normally have a canvas section made up that goes between the van and the annex to fill in this gap.
Same as the Velcro bits that already attached the side walls to the sail track on the van but wider.
They also said that they had made this adjustment as part of all previous repairs where required without issue and this is the first time it has been knocked back as part of a claim. I think the assessor is considering work on the annex which he pointed out is not covered.
I asked how much if I paid for it myself and it's $700. A few hundred I would have handled but not $700.
The plan from the repairer is to bring it in and have the awning done, check that the annex does indeed no longer fit and they will send it back to the insurer to have the adjustment approved and we can debate the issue if it is again declined.
So the question is, whilst I don't have annex cover, am I being unreasonable to expect the repair to the awning to take it back to an original state where the annex worked as before?
Thanks in advance Brett
The original Carefree OE awning rolled out 4 inches more or so than the current models.
The firm that made the annex cut back the side walls and did the velccro thing'ie for $150 or maybe $250, we installed the Careefree awning similar to below 15Ft with awning tube and spring etc prior to the measure and cut. To me 15Ft Awning package for $520 is good value for money ( also included shipping).
But you may not have a Carefree, I understand that other brands cost more.
www.rvpartsexpress.com.au/carefree-10ft-black-and-grey-dune-roll-out-awning-no-arms-16580.html
and ours was not an Insurance job.
Peter
Depending on who you are insured with, you may be able to argue that your policy should leave you no better but no worse off than prior to the event causing the damage
In this case, you are no better off by having the piece attached to the annexe, it is just making it fit the awning that was damaged, thereby leaving you no better but no worse than prior to the event.
Regards,
Ian
Best I do some reading anyway to school myself up for a possible debate.
Peter, I believe the original was a carefree. It just seems the new ones of the same brand are longer.
The repairer said that it may be a non issue but will check for me when the van is in the shop.
When they were talking orignally about cutting canvas for the repair I thought they meant they built them to measure from the awning vinyl perspective.
We can take it up with insurance then.
I would prefer to get it squared away NOW for piece of mind but am following their lead. I just hope being trusting of their advice doesnt bite me in the Ar$e down the track.
Spot on Nomadz.
I'm not asking for any improvements over what was the status before the damage occurred.
Maybe I was being a little naive thinking insurance providers would sort the issue without having to be poked and prodded to do it right instead of penny pinching.
I know I know, silly me.
I'm even using their suggested repairer who they tell me is good. I can't argue that point, thus far they have been very helpful. Not sure how the insurer can decline their advice on what is required for the fix.
Even the repairer is shocked by the response. So I guess that is giving me confidence to push back and get them to make it right.
More than happy to accept any other responses even if they are not in line with my current opinion on the matter.
Any devils advocacy is appreicated as it will help prepare me for possible responses from the insurer.
Your awning was damaged (not sure how), and you do not have the awning insured as part of your insurance policy.
Your insurance company is going ahead with a replacement awning anyway.
You are concerned that the awning is not an exact replacement for what you had.
If this is the case, then I would be happy to pay $700 to get a new awning that was not covered under insurance.
Could you please at some let me know the name of the insurance company as I consider this to be outstanding service on their part.
I don't believe that Jayco make the awnings. As you say they used Carefree which come from America as I understand. It sounds like they are doing their best to replace what you have, especially if the original one was 23 years old.
As for the annex, whatever the annex cover is, if you declined to carry that cover for whatever reason, then I don't think you can expect the insurer to bear the loss now. It is unfortunate that the dimensions of the awning have changed, but it is not the insurers or Jayco's doing, so I suspect that you would need to cover the alterations to the annex.
To say they need to be poked and prodded to "do the right thing" and "penny pinching" is just not correct, and quite frankly unfair on them. They are paying for what you insured for, end of story. If you want to cover the annex once it is fixed, you will need to pay for it.
Gday...
To be honest and probably fair to the insurance company, you have answered your own question.
You don't have annex cover - end of claim.
The awning is being being replaced under the insurance - that is all the insurance company has been covering for the period of the insurance contract you have and therefore all they are legally bound to do.
As with anything of a contractual nature - read the contract. It is ONLY what is in the agreed contract that is enforceable.
As others have stated, it is not the fault of the insurance company, Jayco (who I am sure are not the manufacturer of the awning) or the awning manufacturer that after 23 years they have altered the dimensions of their product.
If, through the repairer, the insurance company can be convinced to contribute to the alterations to the non-insured awning in anyway then you have achieved an outstanding outcome.
If it were me and I had not had an annex covered by the insurance policy, I would just have the annex altered to now fit at my cost - or, as you say, it is rarely used, so continue to not use it. It may have some sale value on Gumtree.
Cheers - John
Hi Hewy,
Not quite right mate, the awning is covered and is being replaced.
However they can't match what was on the van dimensions wise.
The new awning they will be putting on will mean my annex will no longer fit without alteration. Those alterations will cost $700 and will not be covered.
The repairer has stated that this is the first time they have had those alterations declined as part of a claim and believe it to be related to the 'new' assessor.
TH - That sounds about right with regard to the awnings with what the repairer has said.
Re the rest of your response, thanks for the input. This is exactly what I wanted.
Both sides of the coin and see what others expectations of the situation would be.
Prior to putting this up I had spoken to 5 other van owners who ALL said they would expect to have the adjustment done as part of the claim.
Add that to the repairer saying it should be covered and had been up to this point, made me think I should at least reach out and see what others thought.
Gday to you John - fair points. Just to clarify though the awning is covered in the policy as part of the van. I'm not sure if by this "convinced to contribute to the alterations to the non-insured awning " you mean annex, which is not covered.
Whilst I have only used the annex once, I've only had the van for 12 months and have been spending time getting it set up the way I want to spend some time in it. It won't get used often, but it will still get used. Plus I also have to consider any impact on resale value when I move the van on.
The annex is basically brand new, so it would be a shame to not have it with the van.
A friend had some annex work done at a reasonable price. I'd like to think it could be done for less than $700. Cross that bridge if I need to.
The suggestion of gumtree is a good one but not a route I want to take.
Thanks for the input all.
Peter
No one has mentioned what the difference in size is to me as yet.
The repairer originally said call the insurer and escalate the situation but then they said to hold off on that and wait until they change the awning as it MAY be a non issue anyway.
So right now I'm unsure if it's 2 inches or 2 feet different.
I'd certainly be happy to have an awning that rolls out further for more coverage.
I've only the van for 12 months, so can't advise if the awning is its 1st or 5th and I wouldn't know a 23 years old awning from a 5 year old one.
All I can say was it wasn't a new awning and had some age on it.
Either way, its interesting times and we shall see how it pans out.
cheers Brett