Fixed it first, got denied: the ESP pre-authorization trap

Good Sam's own claims page says the shop has to call in an estimate and get approval before work starts. Skip that step and the claim is usually dead.

What's going on

This is the most avoidable denial on the list. Members tell of bills from around $500 up that went unpaid because the shop started before calling. Others were told a repair was "eligible" and took that as a yes.

"Eligible" isn't approval. Only an authorization is.

Real cases, in our words

Summaries of public complaints. Click through to read each one in full where it was posted.

• Oct 30, 2023 · ComplaintsBoard
  Claim denied because repair done before approval.
• Date not shown · RVForum.net
  About $500 bill not paid since shop did not call in estimate first.
• Date not shown · RVForum.net
  Told repair was 'eligible' is not authorization.

What the terms say

Good Sam claims page: repair center must call with an estimate and Good Sam approves before repairs begin. Claims 1-888-861-8697. https://www.goodsamesp.com/claims/

Before it happens to you

• Have the shop call Good Sam ESP claims (1-888-861-8697, from goodsamesp.com/claims) before any work starts.
• Write down the authorization number, the rep's name, the date and the approved amount.
• If you're on the road, call yourself too. Don't count on a strange shop to do it.

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