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Will insurance cover RV roof replacement costs?

Sep 16, 2021 | RV

When does your insurance cover damage to the roof of your RV? It all depends on the type of damage, how long it was there, and how well your RV was maintained. If there’s neglect to your vehicle, and damage wasn’t addressed early, the situation will worsen which may result in denial of coverage.

An insurance company will identify how well the vehicle was maintained. Most folks don’t know that the sealant and seams over time, and due to weather – sun or rain, will harden and fail. Normal road vibration and constant movement can also cause separation of the sealant between the body and roof, creating opportunities for water to penetrate the walls of the coach. Without a regular inspection at least every year, it would be difficult to ascertain when the damage occurred.

While it might seem surprising, separation or sealant failure can happen fairly quickly, even within a year after the purchase of a new vehicle. Think of the coach as a large, moving house on wheels. Turns and movement, bumps, and road vibrations are causing movement of the entire body of the vehicle. You may not know when separation has happened, but given the very structure of the vehicle, force, and velocity, it is inevitable. This is why we recommend annual services for inspection – you can’t know when it’s going to happen, but it will.

If you circumvent the annual inspection of your roof, and the sealant separates from the roof and walls, over time, dry rot will cause damage inside the walls of the vehicle, requiring the replacement of the roof and interior walls of your coach. If you discovered this issue after secondary damage occurred, your insurance company may consider this neglect. If however, you have updated the sealant, regularly, or had annual inspections to ensure there are no breaks in the seal, you’ll have an easier time filing a claim. Depending on the age of the vehicle and circumstances, it could even be a warranty issue.

If the maintenance of your RV is neglected and rot sets in under the damaged roof, the roof replacement will not be covered by insurance. In addition, you will be on the hook for removing the drywall and replacing the interior walls of your vehicle. This is not a small project.

In one particular situation, an 18″ tear in a one-piece roof on a large motor coach resulted in an entire roof replacement. Out of pocket, this would have cost the customer $8,000. Through an annual inspection, this issue was found early, and it was covered by insurance.

An annual inspection is your best investment against major vehicle damage. Normal wear and tear will cause leaky roofs. It’s too expensive to ignore.

WHY RV ROOF MAINTENANCE CAN SAVE YOU THOUSANDS IN REPAIR COSTS

Motohome, trailer and camper roofs are commonly neglected. Without regular maintnance you're likely to have a shorter life for your rv roof. Roofs take a beating from weather, and depending on the climate you live in and how your rv vehicle is stored, sealants can...

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Includes: Inspect the roof seals. Seal the front and rear caps and roof fixture seams. If we discover extensive water leaks are present and require work beyond our standard preventative maintenance, you will receive a new estimate. Side molding seams are not included.

RV REFRIGERATORS – WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN IT STOPS WORKING

The refrigerator in your RV is an essential appliance, and it can be a major disruption to your travel plans when it stops working properly. If yours has stopped working the way it should - read on. How is an RV refrigerator built? First, it’s important to understand...

WHY RV ROOF MAINTENANCE CAN SAVE YOU THOUSANDS IN REPAIR COSTS

Motohome, trailer and camper roofs are commonly neglected. Without regular maintnance you're likely to have a shorter life for your rv roof. Roofs take a beating from weather, and depending on the climate you live in and how your rv vehicle is stored, sealants can...

Why RV Roof Maintenance Can Save You Thousands In Repair Costs

  Motorhome, trailer, and camper roofs are commonly neglected. Without regular maintenance, you’re likely to have a shorter life for your RV roof. Roofs take a beating from the weather, and depending on the climate you live in and how your RV vehicle is stored,...

Mobile Medical Bus – Hood River, Oregon

We receive a lot of requests to update older buses, RVs, and trailers. Restoration for older motor coaches and busses often entails upgrades or replacements related to the 5 RV Systems - Electrical, HVAC, Propane, Refrigeration, and Plumbing. Another common issue is...

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One of the most common issues with RV’s is a leaky roof. While you may think you can leave your recreation vehicle out in the elements like you would a small vehicle, this is a huge mistake. RV’s and trailers have large seams that weaken over time, due to the elements...

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Many people today are interested in purchasing older RVs and trailers that have unique and nostalgic qualities. We understand the attraction, and enjoy working on all makes and the earliest models. For some people, their purchase is an obsession and they will stop at...

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As always, RV Pro came through again. They chased down an electrical issue I had with my class "C" and they finished a day early! The staff is very friendly and the Tech explained what he found and left the defective parts for me to see.

Bob T - Google Review

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