ICBC information re: towing a vehicle

Travel Insurance topic:

Last January, my husband and I were headed south to Arizona to spend a couple of months in a warmer climate. We stayed a week with an aunt and uncle of mine in Anderson, just south of Redding, California. The day after our arrival there we drove into Redding to do some shopping when all of a sudden I had a difficult time walking my usual pace. Upon arrival back at the homestead I noticed my right leg was swollen but it was not painful so I more or less ignored it.
We were due at our RV park on the 15th of January and after settling in I told my husband that maybe I should go to a clinic and just have the doctor check it out, which we did the next day. Well, I had deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot which turned out to be from my knee to my groin). I was a very lucky person, hospitalized for a week, put on Warfarin and released. The people in the Yuma Regional Medical center were terrific.
After arriving home, earlier than planned of course, I sent all my receipts and any I received by mail in to my out-of-the-country insurance plan as soon as possible. Reason being is that they get reimbursed from BC Medical for what BC Medical would have paid here for the services I received BUT only if you have the papers sent to them within 3 months.
I kept getting statements from Yuma in the mail but eventually found out that an error had been made when they posted to the account. One account was in a credit mode while the other was in a debit mode for the same amount. No big deal...with the 800 number they sent me on the statement, I got that cleared up.
When I talked to my insurance people here they told me to send them all my receipts; whatever they did not cover they would forward them on to BC Medical for them to pay me for them if they covered them.
I never heard from BC Medical at all, so when I was thinking of preparing to travel again for the winter I always keep in the back of my mind things to be done before I leave and things that will need my immediate attention upon returning home, one of which is top of the list, income tax time. I began to think about the receipts I was never reimbursed for from BC Medical and thought I should get in touch with them immediately and have them send those receipts to me for my income tax deductions. I actually got through their busy phone lines and talked to the out-of-province claim gentleman and he checked for me and told me that they had reimbursed my travel medical plan for those receipts. Now I have a letter from my travel insurance telling me that unfortunately those particular receipts were not covered under my policy because they were not classed as being under "emergency". I immediately telephoned my travel medical company, and before I could even hardly get my name out of my mouth they were telling me a check is in the mail for me.
My point in this whole story is that I know it seems to be a nuisance to check with BC Medical about whether or not they are paying for these extras but it was well worth it to me, and it will hopefully keep these travel medical insurance companies on their toes and not let them rip people off. If it had been just about any other year, I would not have enough medical receipts to make a claim on my income tax return but since I knew I could use them I thought I should get them back from BC Medical if they weren't going to pay me for them.
I actually think it would be a terrific idea if BC Medical would send these claimants a copy of the statement that they send to these insurance companies along with their check. It could then be checked out from all parties and keep them on top of these situations. I know it is not up to BC Medical to keep you informed but maybe they could save a few dollars in the long run.
Another idea that has crossed my mind over the last 20 or so years is that when a person does visit the doctor for any reason, I think the patient should have to sign a form and that form is what the doctor sends to get his payment. Instead of the Association sending people these ridiculous forms asking them if these dates coincide with any of their visits to their doctors. As if you can remember 1-1/2 years down the road if the dates are correct! Especially if you are raising a small family, etc.
I believe I have gotten this beef off my chest now. I hope it will help other people get some of their hard earned money back from unscrupulous companies. Please, it is so easy, just call 1-800-663-7100 and have your Care Card number handy.
Darlene LaFlamme
Williams Lake BC
dlaflamm@stardate.bc.ca

Full Timers – Are you insured?

I recently had the misfortune to have my camera, sunglasses and purse stolen from my office at work. Not only did this devastate me because it appears that someone I work with is a thief but I found out I am not insured.

You see, I am a full time RVer, - someone living in a motorhome, travel trailer or fifth wheel as a permanent residence. We don't have a house or apartment with household insurance to cover our personal belongings. Some people travel in their RV constantly, others move around 3 or 4 times a year, while people like me set up in a park permanently for a year or two while they are doing a job or whatever their situation.

The problem started when I reported the theft to my insurance company, expecting to pay the deductible and have my things replaced. Not so!

Vacation trailer policies do not include theft or loss away from the RV – the thief must break into the RV, steal something and make sure they keep the value under $2500. Otherwise you are not insured.

I solved any future replacement problems by insuring my trailer as a mobile home – something that is permanently situated. This works for me at the moment, but what about those full time RVer's who move around regularly? How can they get proper insurance coverage without robbing the bank to pay for it or having to keep their fingers crossed that nothing will happen. I found that if my trailer had burned up in a fire my contents were covered for $2500 – this wouldn't even have covered the computer I'm writing this on. This is my home, and everything I own and hold dear to me is here. Twenty-five hundred dollars would not even come close to replacing my prize possessions.

I know some of you will think to yourselves – what a stupid woman – not knowing what insurance she has. Well I did know, but I was told when I insured my trailer I had no other options. I find now that I do have options but not necessarily ones I like.

For future reference does anyone who is a full time RVer have any insurance information they can share with the rest of us? I won't always be set up as a permanent fixture. My goal is to be on the road and I definitely want proper insurance coverage. If you have any information please write to

Carol Ann Sutherland,
295 Tomahawk Ave,
North Vancouver BC V7P 1C5

I will be passing on this information to the rest of you – make sure you are insured!!!

Insurance for fulltimers:

Am in the midst of a running dispute with Good Sam at the moment. They have introduced their VIP Insurance plan to "Canada". It is advertised as the "RV Insurer specializing in RV protection, regardless of size, shape or model" etc., etc.. The only problem is, "Canada" means Ontario only, and as far as coverage is concerned, there is none for full-timers!!!!! The one group of RVers that really needs it! There isn't a single insurance company in Canada, including the ones that say they are "RV Specialists", that covers full-timers.
There are a lot of full-time RVers out there who think they are fully covered for contents and liability, but unless they still own a house or apartment that includes coverage for contents and liability outside the home, they are out of luck if they have a claim. It is amazing how many roadblocks both governments and businesses put in the way of full-timers, simple because they don't fit the required "mold".
J.L.

I asked one of our new BC advertisers, Dolphin Insurance Services Inc. to respond to this.

Craig Minaker said:
This situation is not true anymore. It used to be a problem. Our new package insurance is "up-n-running". A full timer’s cost is higher than part time pleasure use. Like for boats, coverage for motorhomes, on owner’s personal effects, is very good but limited, and items covered isn’t as broad as a homeowner’s policy; but still all risks and replacement coverage is included.

Class B insurance: (Sept 98)

We appreciate your magazine and enjoy the class of articles contained in each issue and therefore felt we could raise this issue with you.

It seems that owners of Class B motorhomes are not accorded the same vehicle insurance options that other classes of recreational vehicles have the privilege of obtaining. Presently, excess coverage, (that is over the basic coverage required by BC law), for Class B’s can only be purchased through ICBC yet owners of Class A or C’s are able to purchase this coverage through independent insurance carriers.

BCAA openly solicits RV insurance sales yet when approached for the advertised coverage they will only offer the standard ICBC coverage. In many cases this results in higher premium charges than an independent carrier might be prepared to offer this extra coverage at. The reasons given are that “often Class B motorhomes are not self contained and as a general rule they can and are used for general transportation like driving to and from work, to the grocery store, etc.”

I find it hard to believe that one uses a $50-65,000 unit as an about town runabout. ICBC insurance clearly states that “Vehicles not driven to or from or part way to or from work”, seems that Class B owners are not given a fair deal on vehicle coverage.

I feel it is time for the manufacturing and sellers of these units to lobby for a more equable treatment by the insurance industry of BC.

Thanks for allowing me to air my views and concerns on this issue.

John W. Darker
Westbank BC
darker@silk.net

Class B Motorhomes:

In response to letter in Issue 65, page 9

Dear Mr. Darker,
Thank you very much for providing us with an opportunity to address your concerns. In short, I can tell you that we will present your request for a policy designed for the special needs of Class B motorhome owners to our product development team.

I would also like to explain our reasoning behind not writing Class B motorhomes under the same policy as Class A and Class C motorhomes. To begin, the beauty of camperized vans is their multi-functionality. The draw for many owners is that they're the All Purpose Vehicle within the motorhome family, nearly as capable of everyday use as regular vans. This leads to considerably different exposures than those experienced by trailers, campers, and units on a full motorhome chassis.

In addition, Class B motorhomes are not necessarily self contained units with standard features. Some have sleeping units only, some have cooking facilities, some have fridges, some have washroom/bath facilities, some have a potable water system and some have separate heating. Also, many Class B units are custom made by specialty manufacturers with replacement parts often difficult to find and/or cost.

I know this answer does not satisfy your concern over our current underwriting practice, but I do want to reconfirm our intention to look further into a potential product opportunity that will.

Graham Haigh, BA, CAIB
BCAA Insurance Corporation
4567 Canada Way
Burnaby BC V5G 4T1
Tel: 604-268-5012
Fax: 604-268-5557
e-mail: graham.haigh@bcaa.bc.ca

Snowbird Medical:

Attention BC Snowbirds: On July 17/98, I contacted Medical Services Plan of BC, and much to my surprise found that if I will be out of the Province for more than 60 consecutive days, I MUST advise them. This to ensure my provincial medical coverage is and remains in good standing.

Seems this rule came in last year. Feels rather like being made to raise your hand before you leave the room.

Roy & Pat Cameron
PAT_CAMERON@bc.sympatico.ca