Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi all,

I should have already dealt with all this, but got sidetracked by an unrelated crisis.

So I bought a cargo trailer, picked it up in September and had it out camping for its shakedown trip within a week with the manufacturer's temp tag - bed, air conditioner, outdoor kitchen, etc, as seen in my avatar and build thread.

I got it home and quickly had my attention drawn elsewhere. I need to insure it and tag it before I pull it again. I called my insurance company, Progressive, and they said "No you have to do it online". When I tried to add it online, that said "No you need to call". I called back and the lady put me on hold for a long time and came back and said "It goes on your vehicle C&C - you get up to $500 if something happens". I told her I paid nine times that for the trailer and I'd like some more coverage and she said that was all she could do for a cargo trailer. I asked if it would help if it was also a travel trailer, and tried to describe it the best I could.

She put me on hold for a while, came back, and said "Homemade trailers aren't covered". I tried to explain that it wasn't "homemade" that it was custom made/purpose built to BE a travel trailer BY a cargo trailer company. Well that didn't help. So as of right now I'm stuck with $500 insurance and not even sure I can get a tag (I'm in GA).

What now? I'm certain some of y'all have gone before me on this.

Thanks for looking.

Try calling a local agent that sells Progressive. Or try a different insurance company altogether. One thing to note is that once any of them find out is has sleeping or living accommodations they will call it a travel trailer.

khigh, Howdy;

I too have been through the disappointment of Progressive. Not to worry,
you can get it licensed and registered as it is. I'm still shopping for separate
insurance to cover it when it isn't attached to the tow vehicle.
As I'm still recovering from the purchase and the engine overhaul, it's sitting
and not under a tree.

hank

I have AAA insurance on the tow vehicle. They insured our 7 x 16 CT plus contents for $80 a year. The "improvements" are considered contents.
We lost our previous trailer due to a car fire and they covered every thing except the motorcycle and my labor. They were a lot nicer to work with, than my motorcycle insurer.

Just visiting this same issue. Started with a Starcraft pop-up, stripped down and initially licensed as a flatbed trailer which does not require title. FF today.... finishing touches and need to update it all for our maiden trip end of December. Called County Treasurer...told they need any paperwork I have, so not sure if that includes insurance, but will start with that. I have the Serial number plate from the frame, and hand written bill of sale, but no title. Praying this does not become a nightmare before we take off! Waiting to visit w/insurance agent and saw your thread.... hope my whole day is not on the phone.....

Called County Treasurer...told they need any paperwork I have, so not sure if that includes insurance

I'll betcha 3 one-pound propane bottles that they don't want to see your insurance (or lack thereof). Three of 'em.

T

I'm reading horror stories of the process of getting an 'untitled' trailer titled.... don't know if the serial number/stamp from Starcraft is what they need/want.... to go 'uninformed' and just make the flatbed trailer change to enclosed utility trailer and be done with it.... worry about a title if/when we ever sell... I tend to be the legalistic one of us...

tituscook, Howdy;

tituscook wrote:Just visiting this same issue. Started with a Starcraft pop-up, stripped down and initially licensed as a flatbed trailer which does not require title. FF today.... finishing touches and need to update it all for our maiden trip end of December. Called County Treasurer...told they need any paperwork I have, so not sure if that includes insurance, but will start with that. I have the Serial number plate from the frame, and hand written bill of sale, but no title. Praying this does not become a nightmare before we take off! Waiting to visit w/insurance agent and saw your thread.... hope my whole day is not on the phone.....

Might be a good idea to get the bill of sale Notarized if you are still in touch with the sellor, even if it's a non-notary State. Could save future headaches.

hank

Thought I would chime in on this insurance discussion since I just finalized insurance for my trailer. I've had State Farm since 1985, and only two agents in that time, so insurance is usually not a big deal. I explained the trailer to my agents and was able to insure the trailer for a max value of $7500, my estimate of the total cost of the build. That covers anything permanently affixed to the trailer, like cabinets, floor covering, refrigerator, windows, etc. The Dual Sport motorcycle we will carry is covered by State Farm on a different policy, and anything not permanently affixed to the trailer, portable toilet, bedding, dishes, etc, will be covered under my home owners policy. They didn't really care about the use of the trailer, just the replacement value. $74 a year...

professorkx wrote:Thought I would chime in on this insurance discussion since I just finalized insurance for my trailer. I've had State Farm since 1985, and only two agents in that time, so insurance is usually not a big deal. I explained the trailer to my agents and was able to insure the trailer for a max value of $7500, my estimate of the total cost of the build. That covers anything permanently affixed to the trailer, like cabinets, floor covering, refrigerator, windows, etc. The Dual Sport motorcycle we will carry is covered by State Farm on a different policy, and anything not permanently affixed to the trailer, portable toilet, bedding, dishes, etc, will be covered under my home owners policy. They didn't really care about the use of the trailer, just the replacement value. $74 a year...

Hmm... maybe we need to shop insurance options now. Just got our quote and he wants $33/mo. Which we 'can' remove during months when parked (since are not likely using year around at this point) and then under homeowners coverage drops to $1000. coverage.

hankaye wrote:tituscook, Howdy;

tituscook wrote:Just visiting this same issue. Started with a Starcraft pop-up, stripped down and initially licensed as a flatbed trailer which does not require title. FF today.... finishing touches and need to update it all for our maiden trip end of December. Called County Treasurer...told they need any paperwork I have, so not sure if that includes insurance, but will start with that. I have the Serial number plate from the frame, and hand written bill of sale, but no title. Praying this does not become a nightmare before we take off! Waiting to visit w/insurance agent and saw your thread.... hope my whole day is not on the phone.....

Might be a good idea to get the bill of sale Notarized if you are still in touch with the sellor, even if it's a non-notary State. Could save future headaches.

hank

so, I get a real 'winner' at the license office.... this is really not my thing anyway.... still trying to come up with original title (for a 1974 Starcraft) from nephew who had basically inherited it for nothing and passed on the sorry pile to us...
completing it now ..come away and since no title (at this point), find they have rated it as an "enclosed trailer", don't have the weight correct (1000#), or color.... since frame was black, that is all they had down from the first registration, tho' it is now black frame and white tear.... we will see what else happens before trip commences end of December... this may be a 2 part process that will have more time with when we return.
Worst case scenario? anybody have opinions? traveling to Texas.... I do have a plate.