Auto Insurance Claims: Comphensive claim denied/ Mechanical Failure?, thermostat control, rv dealership

Question
QUESTION: Rob, I own a 2003 Motorhome. We started our generator to recharge batteries. After about 20 minutes, my husband went in to shut off generator, and found our motorhome filled with smoke and a awful chemical smell. After searching frantically we found source of the smoke,it was coming out of the air conditioner ducks located in the ceiling. We also found that the thermostat was not working. This we were not expecting because the air conditioners were not on. We drove it to RV dealership and explained what happened as above. They found the thermostat,control panel and both front and rear air conditioners inoperative. RV shop findings...Thermostat inoperative, the control board to Front AC burnt, the Rear AC burnt components and a shorted modem cable running from front AC to rear AC. The report stated the the rear AC no good from electrical fire....When we asked what may have caused all this damage, we were told it could have been a power surge, a shorted components on board or shorted cable or many other causes. The Appraiser wrote in his report to the Insurance company that the air conditioners failed while running. Coverage very questionable? The Insurance Company initially denied our claim, due to mechanical failure. Then the agreed to pay for cleaning to remove smoke and chemical smell minus our deductible. I spoke to my insurance agent and explained what happened and she said that the initial failure would not be covered but ensuring damage should be covered. So I called the adjuster and requested that she resubmit the claim based on this ensuring damage. She said she would. I also called the appraiser as recommended by my agent concerning his statement that the air conditioner failed while running,.. in fact it was so cold nobody in their right mind had their AC on. He told me he couldn't help me and for me to call my adjuster. A few days later I get a call from another adjuster from this company and was told that my adjuster no longer works in that department and that the company will still not cover any other damages or other claims. That I can hire an independent appraiser and mediate with the Insurance Company at my expense. As my AC's were not on. How is mechanical failure while running AC's cause of the problem. Doesn't the Comfort Control thermostat control the switch to turn on the AC's? I don't understand how burnt wires, melted components,and heavy chemical smoke damage is considered mechanical damage. Shouldn't one of these failures be considered the initial failure and the rest ensuring damage? Do I have a reasonable chance of winning this $1400.00 claim? Does it make financial sense to pursue this?
Thanks for any advice you can provide
Joanne Lincoln

ANSWER: Hi Joanne,

Motorhomes are a money a money pit as are trailers. Don't get me wrong, I like both, but they are a racket for repairers! They got ya and there is nothing you can do about it!

As for your insurance claim, I too would wonder how they determined the A/C burned up because it was running and I would question the maintnance issue by your description.

Go to http://www.autotheftexpert.com and get my contact info. Give me a call and we can discuss. Also tell me where you are located.

Rob

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Rob, I wanted to know about ensuing damage. If the Confort Control Thermostat was the initial failure, if then it shorted the control board to the front AC, which shorted the modem cable running from front AC to rear AC which then fried my rear AC. Wouldn't the initial failure be the thermostat....then any ensuing damage be the rest....Shouldn't my insurance company pay for all damages after the initial failure? Keep in mind that the AC's were not on,,,How else would the current get to the AC's if not thru the thermostat? I am not an expert but if the thermostat contains the switch to activate the AC's or allow current to flow to the AC's doesn't it make sense that the initial failure had to be the thermostat? Concerning maintnance....well if you mean has the unit been maintained, the answer is yes...If you mean the RV repair of the unit, I have no comcerns there, as pictures were supplied of all failures or the failed parts were provided. Again, I am asking if this should have been covered due to ensuing damage?  

Answer
Hello,

There is no possible way I can give you any type of answer without knowing ALL the facts and that is why I told you to contact me personally. Anything I would put up here on this site would be just a guess and not responsible on my part.

I am an expert, however you are asking me to give you answers I can't possibly do without knowing if this claim was thoroughly investigated (Chicken or egg situation), what services were performed etc.

Even if you gave me copies of the repair invoices and how the conclusion was reached, I still don't know if I can help you. Are there any old parts still around?

Rob