alnav5

Progressive decided to cover my claim and my Dolphin is being towed to a mechanic who is willing to look at it. They stated that they are covering my claim due to the fact that I had placed rodent repellent in the Dolphin and that I started and drove it monthly (instead of every two weeks).

Okay everybody, here's a pic of the hose and I have to agree with the claims adjuster that those sure look like rat bites. Additionally, the rat chewed a bit on the battery terminal protector cover. Mechanic was there and confirmed that the bite marks on both items look same. I can't blame Progressive at this point because this issue is listed as an exclusion in my policy. Thanks to all for ideas/comments. Again, I only posted this to let folks know to check the exclusions that may exist in their policies. Derek, after the fire, we replaced the gas line but it wouldn't start so put back the original one. The pic below looks like a water hose due the fact I got so close and due to deterioration/heat. Thanks again.

Thanks to all for advice. Recap: engine will not start after fire; fuel flows (a lot) out of the hose when trying to start engine; rv was towed by Progressive to my mechanic who doesn't want to tackle the electrical issues that he believes he faces in trying to get the engine to run(he's afraid of long term issues, i.e. ecu); am going this p.m. to look at the "rat bitten" hose and take pics of it. My neighbor (retired aircraft mechanic) thinks maybe we can replace the MAF sensor and it will start. Might try that but am doing nothing until Progressive makes their decision in about 2 weeks. At this point though I can't see them approving the claim unless I can prove that the fire was not caused by rat damage. Will contest their decision if it appears that the hose doesn't have rat bites. My options are: they approve claim and give me $5380 for the rv; they give me$4380 and I keep the RV; they deny claim, give me $0 and tow the RV to my house or wherever. Still pondering if I should have it towed back here to try and get it going or just give up. Hate to see it go to salvage yard with 36K on it. Engine has new timing belt, water pump, hoses, belts. 5 new tires (spare never on ground) just before we went on about a 3.5 K trip to Grand Canyon and back. AC converted to R134. Replaced front window with FRP and replaced damn near all the wood framing after removing the skin. This could have been worse as I was about to remove the skin again and replace it all with FRP then have it wrapped. Or this could have happened on the trip to Maine that we were planning.

Thanks to both of you for your comments and suggestions. The gas line that may have been chewed is a short piece that makes a 90 degree turn. It was deteriorated and when trying to see if the engine would run, gas pumped out of the gas line at the corner of the hose. The claims adjuster stated in his report that the hose had bite marks on it. I'm going to look at it myself at the shop to where it was towed. The fire was under control within 2 minutes so possibly it didn't have time to burn up the rat bite evidence. Main reason I posted about my experience is to let others know to check their coverage.

Maybe this will help someone who lives in a rural area or any area where mice/rats are around. I moved my 89 Dolphin, (36,000 miles, V-6, 5 new tires, rebuilt interior), in the driveway so that I could get easier access to a rear tire. Engine was running and I was in passenger side getting out the tire gauge when I felt a "whoosh" from the heater area. I shut off the engine ran around to pull the hood release, opened the hood to find fire raging across the top of the engine. Put out the fire via close by fire extinguisher. Fire did not bubble paint on hood. Long story short: there is an exclusion in my Progressive insurance policy about damage caused by pests. Looks like a rat had chewed the gas line which caused the fire. The exclusion states that if the vehicle has been unoccupied for more than 2 weeks it may not be covered. I'm waiting for a decision from Progessive now. Bottom line: with Progressive anyway, check your vehicle at least every two weeks. I started and sometimes drove mine every month but admit that I didn't always check for a rat's nest under the hood. I did place bags of rodent repellent inside and under the hood. Oh yeah, engine turns over and appears to try to start. Neighbor believes it will start with new MAF sensor but have to wait to see if they are going to tow it back to me before I try anything. If I get it back not sure what to do with it.