PRODUCT: Recreational vehicle insurance

COMPANY: Progressive (admitted)

BEST RATING: A+

AVAILABILITY: Progressive sells policies through appointed independent agents. For a possible appointment and for further product information, go to progressiveagent.com.

FOCUS: Progressive, the nation’s largest IA market for RV insurance, looks to drum up more business by trumpeting several coverage aspects, starting with total loss replacement protection for physical damage. Citing its total loss replacement cost coverage for the original owner of a new or one-year-old vehicle, Chuck Mozingo, Progressive RV product manager, says the policy reverts to agreed-value coverage for the purchase price of the vehicle after five years. In addition, he says competitors would be hard-pressed to match its agreed-value coverage for both travel trailers and motor homes. Agreed-value coverage allows agents to write a specified value coverage for the vehicle for up to 125% of its market value or a maximum of $75,000 for well-maintained vehicles of any age. He also notes Progressive’s practice of decoupling of comprehensive and collision.

With policies of some of its rivals, policyholders with physical damage protection had to buy comprehensive and collision. In contrast, Progressive permits producers to arrange comprehensive-only for RV owners during periods when their vehicles aren’t being driven. He also cites Progressive’s practice of offering ice fishing trailer coverage, which is available in five states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. These are specialized trailers with limits and other underwriting factors tied to the value of the units. In addition, Mozingo points to Progressive’s maximum deductibles of $5,000, which rose from $2,500. And he notes two of Progressive’s most uncommon RV coverages: protection for household pets. Progressive RV comprehensive/collision insureds automatically get $1,000 in coverage for a cat or dog’s injury or death arising from an incident related to a covered RV insurance claim.

UNDERWRITING: Instead of simply insuring an RV under a personal auto policy, Progressive urges agents and brokers to create a separate contract to cover RV exposures and benefits, Mozingo says. RVs can be motor homes, mini motor homes, camper vans, ice fishing vehicles and other conventional travel trailers, fifth-wheel travel trailers, truck campers and similar types of risks. Progressive offers disappearing deductibles, which drop 25% annually on a cumulative basis if there are no claims. For an additional cost, Progressive provides coverage for pots and pans, clothes, computers, VCRs and other personal items in the RV, with as much as $99,000 in aggregate value. Insureds who buy comp/collision automatically get $10,000 in vacation liability for bodily injury or property damage (limits available to $500,000), $750 in emergency expense reimbursement (maximum limits, $2,000), up to $20,000 of utility trailer coverage on motor home policies, and $1,000 of fire department service coverage plus pet injury protection. Progressive presents comp/collision for RVs with values of up to 500,000 and selectively covers RVs with values of up to $1 million and includes physical damage protection in Mexico. The carrier delivers liability limits that stretch from statutory minimums up to $500,000 for bodily injury and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and selectively offers up to $1 million limits for both of these coverages. Producers can arrange medical payments coverage with limits reaching $10,000 in most states. Full-timer policies can be obtained to provide homeowner-like protection with coverage such as personal liability, with limits matching those of bodily injury and property damage; up to $5,000 for a loss assessment from a campsite association or other such group; up to $5,000 for possessions stored on an owned, leased or rented shed; and medical payments up to $50,000 if an incident occurs while the RV is being used as a residence. Comp/collision deductibles range from $250 to $5,000. RV owner-operators must be of legal driving age and carry a valid driver’s license. Towing and roadside assistance are available for all covered vehicles at additional cost.

MINIMUM PREMIUM: Varies by risk.

COVERAGE TERRITORY: All states except Hawaii for motor homes and all states except Hawaii and Massachusetts for travel trailers.

CONTACT: Chuck Mozingo, RV product manager, 300 North Commons Boulevard, Mayfield Village, OH 44143, 440-395-0515; charles_mozingo@progressive
.com; progressiveagent.com. 

Ron Lent is an IA contributor.