Good Sam ESP claim denied as "pre-existing" or wear and tear
The biggest ESP complaint on ComplaintsBoard is a claim denied because the failure was "pre-existing" or wear and tear. Engines and piston rings show up again and again.
What's going on
People report teardowns, then a denial. Some say they paid for the teardown and got nothing.
To be fair, in a 2021 thread on Good Sam's own forum, a company rep said wear and tear alone isn't grounds for denial. The rep said a pre-existing finding needs clear signs like rust, old leaks or past repairs. If your denial doesn't point to signs like that, ask why.
Real cases, in our words
Summaries of public complaints. Click through to read each one in full where it was posted.
- Jan 25, 2023 · ComplaintsBoardEngine failure claim denied after teardowns.
- May 9, 2023 · ComplaintsBoardPiston/ring repair denied.
- Jan 30, 2020 · ComplaintsBoardEngine replacement denied.
- 2021 · Good Sam Community forumMember told bad glow plugs were pre-existing; Good Sam exec replied that wear is not denied and pre-existing needs obvious signs (rust, old leaks, prior repairs) (company statement).
- 2014 · RVForum.netCabover seal leak denied as self-inflicted damage.
What the terms say
Contract not found online; goodsamesp.com terms page is website terms only (https://www.goodsamesp.com/terms/). Request full contract.
Before it happens to you
- Get the denial in writing, with the exact contract clause.
- Ask for the inspector's report and photos.
- Send your maintenance records and a diagnosis from a shop you choose.
- Escalate in writing. Then go to your state insurance department or attorney general, and file with the BBB.
If it already happened
- Get denial in writing citing clause
- Ask for inspector photos/report
- Supply maintenance records and independent shop diagnosis
- Escalate in writing; state insurance dept or AG; BBB; card dispute if relevant
Then put it on the Wall, and see more options on Fight back.
Related complaints
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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.
ESP paid less than the shop bill: labor rate caps
Members say the ESP pays a set labor rate and set hours. If your shop charges more, you pay the gap.