Calgary Hail storm in August got us, but is it worth all this work to fix?

[gibby]

Well, back in the beginning of August, we got hit with hail. A busted roof vent, hole in the AC shroud, damage to the awning, and, of course, dents in the roof (metal) and the front orbit.

Fast forward, we just got the estimate, $7,000.00 to do repairs.

To be honest, the dents are on the roof, and top of the front orbit, and you can't see them from the ground. My concern, is fixing something completely cosmetic worth the risk of all that structural work.

Now here's the kicker, insurance company says fix it or there is no insurance for hail for the entire trailer going forward. Sorta forces my hand. I hate insurance companies.

[DavidM]

I would first have a conversation with your insurance company about not fixing the roof and orbit, accepting no hail damage converage from that point on, but them paying you for loss of value. If you could get them to fix the broken stuff and give you $5,000 cash, I would take it. It all depends on how long you plan to keep it. If for a number of years then what I describe is a good deal. If you are going to sell it next year then fix it all.

David

[Merlin]

I agree with DavidM on next steps. Keep in mind the parts you mentioned (other than the roof and front) are not that expensive. A new vent cover is $21 a new AC shroud is $110, and new awning material (14') is $227. Labor to install the awning material might cost a couple hours. So, another idea is to fix the broken parts yourself, leave the dents, and find a new insurance company that's more flexible.

[Chappy133]

The "fix it or lose your insursance" line, not that I am agreeing with the insurance company, may be coming from the trailers collateral value if you are still paying for it vs. outright ownership.  Just a thought.  I too would shop around for another insurance company. 

[gibby]

As for how long we are going to keep this trailer, well, I am planning on being buried in it 

My biggest concern is take the money, then a few years from now we get hit again, but this time it is the side and windows busted (quite a bit more cost), and no insurance. Yup, tough choice.

A phone call to the adjuster is in order during the week, gotta be something we can work out.

Oh, and the repair place says they won't do the work next spring (they are too busy then and don't do insurance work then) as I don't want to be moving it in the winter, so that is a whole other issue.