I am in the process of buying a "new" trailer (to me), it is a 93 GN Sundowner. I am really looking hard into insuring this because I can't afford for something to happen to it. Anyone have any good suggestions on insurance companies for trailers and reasonable price ranges? I have quotes from Georgia Walker and Jorene Mize. Basically just found those off of the internet after "yahooing" Horse trailer insurance. Anyone know these companies?
Any Suggestions?
My car insurance company really doesn't deal with anything for the trailers except that it is attached to their covered vehicle, so it is sort of covered...but not good enough for me. I talked to Farm Bureau a few years ago and unless my truck was covered by them, they wouldn't insure the trailer.
I already have US Rider for Road side assistance, thank God I haven't had to use it yet, though they have an excellent reputation.
Posted 2005-12-16 6:53 PM (#34165 - in reply to #34164) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Columbia, TN
You just add it on to your vehicles insurance. They insure it like it was a travel trailer. Shouldn,t be to expensive. The liability coverage extends from your towing vehicle so all you have to have is comp and colision. Your tack is covered under your homeowners. It will be on a dollar coverage like 25,000 or 50,000.
Posted 2005-12-17 8:02 AM (#34170 - in reply to #34164) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
Expert
Posts: 2689
Hi,
You're in VA and so far there are replies from folk in TN and Utah.
I'm in MASS, just for perspective.
It almost certainly varies by state, here the insurance company can add the vehicle liability as a rider to the truck policy and typically does so for "free". I was quoted about 1% of the value for the trailers themselves, based solely on my estimate of value. That was on horse trailers that are exclusively horse trailers, it might be different if you have a camper section and carry propane gas (for example). Don't assume that the trailer policy covers injury to or loss of the horses inside it.
Personally I think the chances of a total loss are so low that 1% gives the insurance companies a good profit on MOST of us. Even the chance of damage much over $1,000 is so low that I wouldn't insure a 12 year old trailer beyond legal vehicle liability requirements.
Posted 2005-12-17 1:09 PM (#34176 - in reply to #34164) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
Member
Posts: 7
I have a 2004 WW 2-H BP and pay $27.00 per year for a Comp. policy. When I am towing it, its automatically covered through the tow vehicle's insurance.
Posted 2005-12-18 1:32 PM (#34188 - in reply to #34164) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
Member
Posts: 10
Location: Christiansburg, VA
Thanks for all your input. The credit union does want to see it insured, I think, but I also can't afford to replace it if something happens to it! This one cost me more than my previous trailer and I want to protect it as much as I can. I tried to contact my insurance the last time I asked about a horse trailer and they said they cover the liabilty since it is being towed by my insured truck, but she didn't seem to know what to do about insuring the trailer itself. The quotes I have had have been about $175-250/year for fire, theft, collision...hoping comprehensive too...that isn't too bad, the deductible amount seems to be a variable...that is only insuring it for WHAT I PAID>not what it is worth. It is a Aluminum Sundowner...
I am going to call my insurance company this week and see if they give me the same answer, but may go with a "supplement" insurance company to make sure it is covered if a tree falls, fire, theft...etc. and make sure that my investment is covered.
It doesn't have LQ so there isn't any propane oranything, just a 2h slant with dressing room..as far as the injuries to horses, US rider will cover some of that on MY horse.
Thanks again, keep the good advice coming, I want to make sure I do this right!!! Suggestions are welcome.
Posted 2005-12-18 3:18 PM (#34190 - in reply to #34164) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
Veteran
Posts: 122 Location: Grant Twp., MI
Hi Dana, just thought that you might want to check with Progressive, 1-800-776-4737 - I insured my 1998 4Star self-contained living quarters with them for an "actual cash value" policy - I had to prove my actual purchasing price and we agreed on $35,000.00 for the trailer - the yearly premium is $492.00 with a $50.00 discount for paying the policy in full. I don't know if they insure "regular" horse trailers or not - ours qualified as an RV. Good Luck!
Posted 2005-12-21 9:15 AM (#34269 - in reply to #34164) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 500 Location: West TN
I would think twice about Progressive. They will insure it, but getting a claim handled with them can be an issue with a trailer. I have worked with them in the past when I adjusted claims. The agency I worked for sold insurance for them as an independent dealer. They would pay up eventually. I just hated to see a claim come in with them. There are other quality insurance markets out there that can handle their claims more promptly when it comes to trailers. They do a good job with their auto line, but do not have alot of experienced adjusters to know how to handle trailer repairs and this will slow down the process. Just remember, an insurance policy is only as good as the person who handles your claim.
Posted 2005-12-21 10:13 AM (#34271 - in reply to #34269) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
Veteran
Posts: 238 Location: West Coast
I use State Farm for my 3 horse gooseneck trailer Insurance, it costs about $ 70.00 a year.
In addition to the normal trailer insurance since I have a lot of tack, which is always in my trailer, I also have a personal articles policy which covers theft of my tack. It gives me peace of mind, since I couldn't afford to replace my tack or my trailer. The Personal Articles policy is more expensive than my trailer insurance, it costs $ 20.00 month.
Posted 2005-12-21 10:52 AM (#34274 - in reply to #34164) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
Regular
Posts: 87 Location: Lavaca, Alabama
When I bought my trailer in July, I had some problems getting Alfa, where I have truck insurance, to cover it separately. The local office kept saying they didn't cover horse trailers. So one day, I sat in there until they called the state headquarters in Montgomery. The answer - of course they cover horse trailers. My new 2HGN costs about 120/year. So you may have to go above a local agent who may not have much experience with horse trailers.
Posted 2006-01-09 5:42 PM (#35201 - in reply to #34164) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
New User
Posts: 1
Location: SE Michigan
Be careful. The old adage, you get what you pay for, may be appropriate. Check and double check this information, do NOT take any advice here as gospel. And that includes mine, too.
First off, I would never insure any trailer on an auto policy. That includes horse trailer, flat bed, and travel trailer. Typically, auto underwriters only cover the trailer when attached to a vehicle, and sometimes only when in tow. It may not carry any liability pertaining to the livestock transported.
Use your homeowners or a separate policy to cover the trailer. I know people who had a trailer stolen, only to find out it was not covered under their auto coverage because it was parked in their driveway or at the stable. It was not attached to the tow vehicle. Make sure you inform your agent where you will store the trailer. It is listed in my policy that my trailer is covered at my home and at the stable where I board my horse. Sometimes the homeowners policy will not cover when it is stored outside your care and control. Mine does as long as the stable address is listed in the policy.
Look for carriers that specialize in agriculture and/or livestock, especially horses. My original homeowners insurance would not cover liability on my farm property so I changed. The company I changed to had no problem covering my horse trailer, parked or being transported, and did not charge anything additional for it being parked at the stable as long as it is listed with complete address in the rider on my policy.
Posted 2006-01-10 4:53 PM (#35264 - in reply to #34164) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
Location: KY
robdnorm said it well.....I also think that your agent is very important in the coverage and claims handling areas. My trailer is on my vehichles policy and it clearly shows the collision and comprehensive coverage and that liability is included. The declaration page of your policy, that is the one where it lists the coverage and the premium, has to be accurate. If it isn't, then you will have problems. It is useful to have a good agent who is interested in continuing to write your insurance business.
Posted 2013-02-13 5:14 AM (#149907 - in reply to #34164) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
Allstate does our trailers, and since we have all our cars,trucks,and home covered, it is pretty good price. The more a company can spread out their chance of paying off, the better they treat you I think.
Posted 2013-02-13 5:31 AM (#149908 - in reply to #34164) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
Veteran
Posts: 236 Location: Little town in Pa
Make sure you when you buy insurance that you mention that it has living quarters if your trailer has living quarters, tell them it is like an RV. This is important for the agent to know.
Posted 2013-02-13 11:06 AM (#149913 - in reply to #34164) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322 Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
I have mine insurance through State Farm Insurance. I agree you do need to make sure they know it's a living quarter trailer like a RV. My trailer is insured at replacement costs and is insured for $23,000.00 and I pay $21.58 monthly/$258.96 yearly.
My agent came out and took pictures of the trailer and I also questioned them about the additives on the trailer that not all trailers have. I know on vehicles they add for the extras. My trailer has a haypod and water system in it and I know if I had to replace it, it could cost $4,000- $5,000 to replace. I just made sure it was noted all the extras and they said it could be negotiated if the trailer was totaled. I was happy with what they insured it for since it was more than I paid for it.
An advantage for me with State Farm is that I have everything with them, home, personal, life, autos, boat so I get discounts for multiple polices. I like too they look at my time with them 20 some years, no tickets, no auto claims and they looked at credit scores which mine is excellent. I can also say I've only had good service with them.
Posted 2014-07-07 8:38 AM (#159740 - in reply to #35201) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
Expert
Posts: 2614
You are right about a vehicle's policy covering a trailer only when it is being towed.In our case,we took out separate policies for our trailers since our homeowners was not adequate,plus,mainly,our trailers were stored off the premises at a family farm.it's not expensive to protect such a big investment.Theft is a big factor with a trailer sitting around,especially off site like ours are in a fairly isolated area.
Posted 2014-07-07 8:49 AM (#159742 - in reply to #34164) Subject: RE: Trailer Insurance
Expert
Posts: 2689
WOW an Old thread rises yet again (-:
Just UNDERSTAND that the "free" rider that insurance companies write on the tow vehicle's policy for the trailer typically cover LIABILITY ONLY.
Even if you have FULL COMPREHENSIVE cover on the tow vehicle the free rider on that policy will NOT cover damage to the trailer when you (for example) fold it into the tow vehicle.
Yes, you will be able to get the tow vehicle fixed (with deductible) by your insurance, but NOT the trailer. There is no "matching dents" clause (-:
Back the trailer into someone else's vehicle ? Yes, their claim against you will be covered. That is kinda what "liability" means (-:
Trailer Insurance
