Trailer insurance question

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Mick
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Trailer insurance question

Post by Mick » Wed Mar 11, 2009 9:19 am

I just registered and insured a basic 2 axle open steel trailer. (MA registration)

When I called my insurance company to add it to my existing policy they told me that it wasn't necessary. They said that as long as I was towing it the trailer would simply be covered by my existing policy. There was no extra charge and it would not appear on the policy as another vehicle. They just emailed me an RMV1 form and sent me on my way.

That seemed a little odd to me. When I asked what was covered they said that the trailer would have basic liability as long as it was attached to the truck but it’s contents would not be covered at all.

Does that make sense? Curious how others have theirs insured.

Thanks

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Re: Trailer insurance question

Post by enjoythemusic » Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:50 am

When i had Geico, they said the same thing. Seems normal.
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Re: Trailer insurance question

Post by Don P » Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:59 am

Same with State Farm..
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Re: Trailer insurance question

Post by jlwhorf » Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:00 pm

Same with USAA.

Also: I used to have a ramp truck as a race hauler and got rear-ended once. The car on the back was covered by the other insurer too.

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Re: Trailer insurance question

Post by breakaway500 » Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:22 pm

As long as you are not a commercial enterprise(hauling for profit),no additional insurance required on a trailer,being hauled by your passenger vehicle.(including a private regged truck up to 10k.lbs) One of the few regulations that work in our favor in the land of taxes,fees,permits,and licenses.
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John F
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Re: Trailer insurance question

Post by John F » Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:23 pm

Same thing with Commerce. The car is covered if it's registered. If not you can add a rider to cover it.
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Mick
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Re: Trailer insurance question

Post by Mick » Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:53 pm

Thanks guys. That clears things up.

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Re: Trailer insurance question

Post by zip4zat » Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:21 pm

Mick,
Its mostly right. you dont need add'l ins if 'the trailer is connected to your tow vehicle'. what they dont tell you is that when its not connected, its not insured. therefore there is a policy addition if you want it covered for theft, damage, vandallism if its sitting in your driveway or somewhere else. its in the fine print. im not totally clear on it, but it was such a small cost that it was a no brainer. I have commerce ins, btw.

oh and congrats on the trailer! guess you didnt like cuddling...
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Re: Trailer insurance question

Post by PaddyMcP » Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:00 pm

I pay $11/mo to cover my open deck trailer. If someone stole it from my yard, a shop, or a track, then I'm covered for the cost of a new trailer.

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Re: Trailer insurance question

Post by WillM » Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:37 pm

I pay about $45/year for trailer insurance. Cost was $0 to have it listed on the policy, and $45 for theft, etc.
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MiataSteve
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Re: Trailer insurance question

Post by MiataSteve » Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:04 pm

My Commerce agent told me the value would only be market value of the trailer if stolen, i.e . what a same type and age would sell for, not replacement . Mine was about $150/year but somehow the it was listed on the policy way over original cost. Check your paperwork!
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Re: Trailer insurance question

Post by Mick » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:07 am

zip4zat wrote:oh and congrats on the trailer! guess you didnt like cuddling...
Cuddling is good, but I thought you were gonna dump me since your Ex is back from Germany. :|

If we end up using the double trailer the single will come in handy for getting the two of us and 3 vehicles down to Greg's

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Re: Trailer insurance question

Post by TroyV » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:55 pm

That's clever... The trip to and from Greg's with two cars, a tow vehicle and only two people is sort of a PITA.

Plus on days when the clam is cleaning out his corner I can hitch.. ;)
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Re: Trailer insurance question

Post by CP » Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:09 pm

So...what if I've got commercial plates on my truck (to allow me to advertise my business on the sides of it)?
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Re: Trailer insurance question

Post by MiataSteve » Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:28 am

Something to ponder:

A friend of my sisters had their enclosed trailer destroyed by a "stolen" car in the middle of the night while parked in their driveway. Since the driver ran and cannot be legally identified (even thou the owner of the car obviously did it) the insurance will not pay. Home owners will not pay either. A trip to a lawyer may be their only help. Talk about not being covered for unseen events.
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