whiteeagle Report post Posted August 25, 2021 MH hit by lightning yesterday driving on I39 in central WI...lost all power.. killed engine and all controls ...called 911 to get help as I was barely able to get coach out of driving lane to side... (MH doesn't coast very far going uhill with no power against major headwind and no power steering).. then called FMCA Roadside assist.... while describing my problem, I told them I was hit by lightning.. they immediately told me I was not covered in any way to any extent because lightning is an act of God so they wouldn't help in any manner...Thanks a lot Roadside Assist. Then was on hold for about 15 min with insurance co trying to get claim filed and them to get large wrecker to move us safer off roadway.... Police tired of waiting so they called in a large wrecker... ended up towing us 60+ miles to service center near Madison... not sure when/what....but understand from agent that "Act of God" is covered by insurance coverage so hopeful they can get us back on the road again ..... prognosis from several experts is very discouraging but haven't heard from shop any info yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wayne77590 Report post Posted August 25, 2021 Wow! Sorry to hear all of that. Hope insurance comes through for you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whiteeagle Report post Posted January 27, 2022 In way of an update... now been 22 weeks ... 5 months .... Sorry for the lenghy story .. it is because of nightmare they created.. As a full-timer, it's been a rough experience ... First 9 weeks of attempted repairs then service shop gave up .. Week 9, I gave insurance company adjuster letter from Bob Tiffin - signed by Bob Tiffin , Founder and CEO of Tiffin Motor Homes INC, clearly and strongly stating that during the entire history of Tiffin Motor homes , he, his long time service manager, his new service manager, his Powerglide Chassis expert have determined that in spite of many attempts over the years, to repair a lightning struck motor home, it can not be done and should not be considered as feasible. The damage done is permanent and even though parts can be replaced for temporary repairs, the related electrical parts will continue to fail forever. This specific motor home should be totaled and the claim paid in full per the policy coverage. Week 10, The Service Manager provided the insurance company adjuster with a notice in writing that they were done attempting to repair even the power-train portion, and would not consider attempting to repair and damages to inside components.the motor home was un-repairable, would never be reliable nor safe to be on the highway again. Week 11 - Insurance company insisted the service shop get power-train system to function at least enough to move it to another facility somewhere. During the first 16 weeks of this "diagnosis and repair" period, only 2 weeks in total were spent waiting on parts... About week 16, the motor was moved about 7 miles to Gander Mountain to be winterized so it could be taken out of the service bay and left in parking lot until some other service shop would agree to work on it. Gander Mountain apparently left outside in freezing temp, froze some piping components. Next week Gander says they repaired items known to be frozen .. (who knows? - nothing on inside of coach will function so how well did they do??) - wanted motor home moved away. Week 17 = power-train components again won't work - all those new parts installed during first 16 weeks have apparently failed again... just exactly like all the experts said they would... so motor home can't be moved. Insurance company not influenced by knowledge or expertise. Week 19 - apparently Cummins techs helped remove all codes, disabled all features that prevent motor from running so it limped back to shop parking lot. Iinsurance company informed by Tiffin that they will not accept working on coach - had already told them coach should not be repaired, should be totaled and paid fully per policy coverage. Insurance company undeterred, still looking for somebody somewhere sometime to diagnose, repair as cheaply as possible so they can close claim and walk away. Week 21 - Insurance company arranged with dealer / service center to accept diagnosing the coach. Week 22 - I gave insurance company another document from another expert with decades of expertise in diesel engines, including many lightning struck motor homes. Presented adjuster with details and experts advice and recommendations that the motor home can never be repaired from having it's multiplex wiring and components shocked by lightning. The only possible way is if motor home is dis-assembled down and off the frame, virtually all electrical wiring, components replaced and motor home re- assembled - process likely several months and several hundred thousand dollars of expense. All electrical appliances, etc, replaced. As of today going on week 23, motor home sitting in parking lot... some alarms still buzzing, some lights still on and won't go off, all Cummins engines "de-rate" features disabled, no Heat or HVAC working, transmission won't shift, and no one has yet diagnosed any items inside the coach... Understandably, dealer won't attempt to move yet because it's predicted the motor home will not run long enough to get to dealer's shop -- is unsafe to have breakdown on highway... but at this point, insurance company doesn't want to tow or flat-bed the coach to the dealer.. Dozens of appeals, dozens of emails and documents provided why this claim should have been handled quickly with all the facts and experts known, but nothing other than " ignore all experts on advice and experience with other motor homes, ignore it's new parts installed during past 16 weeks have failed already as predicted by all the experts we choose to ignore, we just want / require to get more diagnosis of what all the issues are with this coach" Regardless of what had been done to us as full-timers, they apparently are willing to spend more than the full value of the claim over next several more months, do a patch job with no warranty of repairs, and create risk rather than doing the right thing.This ordeal has gotten "Progressively" worse and worse. Have only slight hopes they will accept dealer service input and bring this nightmare to an end soon ... I would prefer to not elaborate much further at this point ... If anyone needs further info, they can PM me. 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bm02tj Report post Posted January 27, 2022 Ask for a quote to strip MH and replace all components as recommended that should make them take note Good luck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charlieiam Report post Posted January 27, 2022 Back during week 10 should have hired an attorney...Perhaps now rather than seeking advice on internet forum. Engage an attorney. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted January 27, 2022 And why haven't you retained a attorney? Contacted your state attorney general? Contacted the state insurance board? Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted February 16, 2022 Who is the insurance company? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whiteeagle Report post Posted February 16, 2022 As mentioned, On week 22 I gave them more information from another expert on diesel engines and the multi-plex systems used in these motor homes .. third day after that - and my posting the recent update in this forum, I received a call that they were now reconsidering and would likely total the motor home and pay the full policy value... have had emails back and forth and finally after the 2 past weeks of further delays, after nearly 6 months, The nightmare with Progressive Insurance ended today - received full payout per the policy coverage for the bus being totaled. Yes, maybe should have gotten an attorney on week 10 when it first became obvious that 1) service center couldn't get things communicating 2) after getting all the advice and support from Bob Tiffin plus other Tiffin key folks recommending bus be totaled, and 3) Truck Country Service Manager stated he did not want to continue working on the unit and informing adjuster it could ever be repaired, and 4) Progressive adjuster and his 2 superior higher levels insisting they were going to take as long as necessary to get others to diagnose this specific bus in spite of all expert advice and documentation based on their historical experiences. Yes, I had been doing serious consulting with an attorney that focuses on insurance bad faith claims since week 17 - kept thinking and hoping they would finally accept all the expert advice (which they finally did) and recognize it should be totaled - without need of a lawsuit (that would have taken several more months to work through today's systems ) and finally -I believe my net payment received is personally advantageous. Bottom line... it's over .... If any major incident ever happened again, as some had suggested, I would bring legal expertise into it at first sign of any delay or insurance company personnel's reluctance to settle claim fairly, fully, and expeditiously. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted February 16, 2022 Well congratulations it finally worked out. Now what, do you have anouther RV you are looking at or? Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whiteeagle Report post Posted February 16, 2022 In October when truck Country was having doubts they would ever get it repaired, I started looking just in case... First week of Nov when Bob Tiffin , several other experts told me the motor home could never be repaired to be reliable and safe (all provided to adjuster) I looked at all available Tiffin Allegro Bus 45OPPs in the Midwest - just in case. I became convinced during first week of Nov, that the lightning struck bus would never be repaired nor safe to operate again -- needed one to use / live in so I bought one of the only 5 available and only one that could be ready to go by Nov 15th (as full-timers we had already been cancelling reservations since August) . Bought one of the Tiffin Allegro Bus 45OPP - 3rd one I've bought from Kings in Wausau WI. Couple features we would prefer different but getting better at full-timers flexibility so it's working - Red Bay in the schedule - Nightmare's finally over and continuing on to Adventure Before Dementia. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted February 16, 2022 I would stay away from Progressive! Don't think they like you anymore.... Glad it all worked out for you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted February 17, 2022 Nice, Now go have some fun. Are you going to be in Tucson for the FMCA rally? Or San Diageo for the AIM rally? Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whiteeagle Report post Posted February 17, 2022 In Yuma now for Feb, and working on the fun - actually went to the "Howling at The Moon" event tonight out in the desert.( Yes, it's an actual full moon event with thousands and thousands of folks out there howling at the moon upon it's rising) .Think alcohol makes it brighter and larger for some folks... Google it if in doubt... think it's a "been there and done that" for us .. but unique evening .... Won't get to AIM in San Diego but will be at FMCA Tucson in March...doing "Mentoring", Cart Driving, Chapter Fair and block party for Badger Chapter .. then likely April to Red Bay for the "first year adjustments and corrections" items. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted February 17, 2022 Maybe I will see you in Tucson. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whiteeagle Report post Posted February 18, 2022 Look forward to it... maybe at the Chapter Fair Tuesday if not before. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted February 18, 2022 We'll be coming in with AIM the 22nd, to park with them....I'm with Governance, so will be at meetings the 22nd and 23rd. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted February 19, 2022 Carl, what time do they stop parking people usually? I got my package and they have me coming in on the 21 but that will be the day we leave San Diageo and don't know what time I will get in I figure it will be at least a 8 hour drive. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whiteeagle Report post Posted February 19, 2022 Carl... If you left Sad Diego at 3AM, you loose an hour on the clock but could still be there by noon.. I was signed up to park with AIM but found out I needed to go in on Sunday and will be busy on Tuesday so don't care to move again.. hope we won't be that far away so we can at least run over for a couple of the get togethers..(I informed Diane) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted February 19, 2022 1 hour ago, whiteeagle said: Carl... If you left Sad Diego at 3AM, you loose an hour on the clock but could still be there by noon.. That's ok I don't get up to drive at 3AM any more. I will probably break it up and come in the 22. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
