Saturday, December 4, 2021

Black Tuesday Vandalism

Tuesday September 7th, 2021                            Most Recent Posts:
Charlottesville Virginia                                    Leaving Vermont, Headed South
                                          Inside and Back Outside the Bennington Museum
                                                                                  


On Tuesday evening, September 7th, only 4 days after I returned to Virginia, at approximately 9:30 pm Winnona was parked in her usual place in Charlottesville Virginia when two cars drove down the quiet side street and shot out the windows of two vehicles on her side of the road including 4 in Winnona.  It appears to have been BBs.  All the windows in this picture  were damaged.


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As you can see there were multiple shots into the dining and living room windows.




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A closer look shows the glass was completely shattered but as it is safety glass, it didn’t fall out in little shards like the driver’s roll up window did.

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Here’s how it looked when I went in and discovered it the next morning.  I hadn’t heard the shots and a neighbor told me the next day that she’d been outside in her backyard when she heard the popping and walked around to the front in time to see two cars speeding away around the corner.


driver's inside side window #2


driver's inside side window


Initially the driver’s window looked like this but in a short time, it looked like the second picture as the pieces of glass fell out all over the street and the driver’s seat and floor.





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A later view before the entire driver’s window fell out.  The triangular window also fell out all over the ground but the inside pane held.

driver's inside window and wing window


The police were called.  They took a report but they haven’t done anything that I know of in the nearly 3 months since this happened.  Pictures of the cars did show up on the home cameras of people on another street nearby where they were also shooting at cars. 

My friends Mary and Penny helped me put black plastic secured with masking tape over the entire mess in order to keep out the rain. 


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My insurance, Geico, wouldn’t do anything.  They don’t send adjusters on glass claims and none of the auto glass drive up and replace it people can do RVs.


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It has been an absolute nightmare.  It took constant hounding and THREE WEEKS for Geico to even get the replacement windows approved for ORDERING.  First they sent me to Safe T Glass who sent me to Duncan Glass in Indiana.  I had to do all the phoning and arranging to get the windows order.  Geico was NO HELP at all.  They don’t send a claims agent out for glass claims and apparently don’t care a whit that this was more than the usual car window problem.  So I had to do everything.  I intend to look for other insurance so if you like yours and they’ve done a good job for you on a claim, PLEASE tell me who you have.


driver's side window outside #2


Shelli and Stephanie at Duncan Glass were as helpful as they could possibly be given the difficulty of dealing with Geico so I would absolutely recommend them.  At least with Duncan I always spoke to the same person.  I was calling Geico daily and harrassing them and always had to wait on hold forever and talk to a different person each time.  Of course that person had to hear the entire story, pull up the file, read the notes and say there was nothing they could do to speed up the process so I could be repaired by November 1 and leave for Florida to make my camping reservations on time.

I know, I know, supply chain problems but 3 weeks just to get them ordered??   I haven’t been in Virginia this late in the year for over 10 years.   Not a happy camper here

To date I have had to cancel 7 weeks of the very difficult to get Florida State Park Reservations and am still in Virginia where it is freezing, literally.

The windows finally came in yesterday nearly 14 weeks after the vandalism.  BUT the installer which the insurance company sent me to is 70 miles south and has a drive which is at nearly a 45 degree angle and Winnona bottomed out going in and did damage to the passenger rear and its compartment.  Of course he claims no responsibility and the insurance company says it’s my problem.  So now I have two claims in 3 months, neither of which were my fault and  which will of course cause my premium to soar. perhaps result in a cancellation of the insurance and seriously affect my ability to change insurance companies.

My out of pocket costs for this are approaching $1000 and it isn’t nearly over.

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I had taken the RV to the recommended installer who was to do the two driver’s area windows earlier in the week.  But he informed me when I called to find out whether he was finished that yes he was but he couldn’t do the roll up window after all.  The insurance company now tells me that this window is no longer available and they know of no one who can replace it.  So what do I do now? 

To date, the only window that has been replaced is the triangular wing window  by the driver’s seat.  I put a piece of plexiglas over the roll up window so I could drive the RV to the installer.

I have requested that the two living area windows be resent to the RV repair I normally use when in Ashland Virginia, another 70 miles east,  whose quote had an hourly labor charge higher than Geico would pay which is why I went with their recommendation, but no longer. I do not trust him.  Problem is that my shop can’t get me in until mid to late January which means more cancellation fees and more cold weather.  Also they cannot fix the roll up window as they do not “create glass windows” they only install.


Damage to bin20211129_140631



I am VERY ANGRY that the perpetrators of this vandalism have no responsibility and will pay no penalty at all for everything I’ve had to go through as a result of their actions.  And angry at the police who are not finding them or controlling this sort of vandalism.   Charlottesville has always been a sweet quiet college town but it seems that ever since the infamous unite the right rally here in 2017, violence of many types is on the increase. 

It was always easier to leave Winnona in Charlottesville on this formerly safe and quiet little side street rather than take her out to the farm down the narrow curving mountain roads.  We have done this for the past 9 years but I have bought a 30 amp plug and box and am having electricity put out there so she will no longer be in what I’m sadly beginning to feel is a dangerous town.

If any of you have any suggestions/advice about how I might get this driver’s roll up window replaced please please let me know.  Made in 2004, Winnona is an “older” RV now but she still has a lot of life left in her and I don’t want this vandalism to be the end of RVing for me. 

50 comments:

  1. Progressive handled my one claim with some piddling around but still handled the claim completely in a moderately decent manner.

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    1. I doubt they'd take me now given 2 claims in 3 months but thanks for the recommendation.

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  2. That's such a shame. Have you contacted Winnebago to see if they have any suggestions?

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    1. Do you have even a clue as to how to actually get someone at Winnebago to talk to you? The insurance claimed that they were told the window is no longer being made.

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  3. It makes me sad, and so very angry that you have had this totally unbelievable nonsense to deal with.

    Not quite sure how it is the fault of "the right". . .but everything seems to be these days. . .so OK.

    I think there are lots of bored kids with no jobs, and nothing to do, out creating mischief, but that's just me. I'm a huge believer in personal responsibility.

    Wishing you all the best in reaching a resolution. Wish you were already in Florida, so many great glass shops located there. We used a fantastic one on the Gulf Coast Side of the State, just above Tarpon Springs.

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    1. Thanks so much for your anger on my behalf Janice. It makes me feel not quite so alone with mine.

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    2. I agree with you Janice. Defunding the police, officers being disrespected and attacked is causing them to retire early and no one wanting to take their jobs. Who would want to work in those conditions? The new no bail policies are also giving incentives to riot, vandal and steal. Just look at the smash and grab that is going on in California. Why blame the police? They didn't do the crime and they can only do so much with the increased crime in many states. I blame the perpetrators and policies of the elected officials in many states.

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  4. So very annoying that some "prank" turns into so much trouble. What a predicament with replacing the window. So sorry for all your trouble. Yes, maybe you could get it fixed in FL. Good luck!

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    1. Unfortunately everything is up to the insurance company unless I want to pay out of pocket.

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  5. Progressive for the insurance, they were great when I got too close to a tree limb.
    For the windows I'd ask Winnebago, they do a lot in house (I toured the factory and was impressed). The next step is RV salvage yards for the windows.
    I'm sorry this happened to you... good luck with the repairs!

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    1. Any idea how to contact Winnebago and get a person to speak to? I'll try the salvage yards on Monday but wish I could find out how many various RVs used the same windows back then. If you have any idea please let me know.

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    2. I'd try on line and see what they have for your specific RV, they said they had schematics & such on line. They also said they kept the stuff to remake tanks too.
      Worth a look...

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    3. Thank you so much Rob. I so appreciate your help.

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  6. I use Progressive but have never filed a claim. They did however pay off quickly on my storage unit a year after the Yarnell fire. This is truly BS. Starting with the perpetrators and the police. How hard can it be to make a window to order? I am so sorry this is going on and you are cold instead of in FL. Hope something is resolved soon.

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    1. thanks Gaelyn. We've had way too many claims, most of which were not our fault but the insurance company doesn't really care if they are the ones who have to pay.

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  7. I would check with an RV salvage yard for the roll-up window. There is a really big one in MO but see if you can find one closer to you. If you find one with the window, they would likely ship it. Good luck!

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    1. Any idea of the name of the salvage yard in Missouri? I could call them with whatever information I can manage to get about the window.

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  8. I'm so sorry for your lots of troubles! I understand your frustration. My car used to get hit by drunk drivers all the time in front of my house back in the day. We use Farmer's insurance now,back in RV days we went through Miller's in Oregon. Never had problems with claims.

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    1. Love Farmer's commercials though when insurance companies advertise ie Geico, Farmer's, Progressive the cynic in me always wonders if my premium is higher in order to pay for that.

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  9. Try rvwindows.com maybe they can help, I would get the part number of that window prior to contacting anyone so you can be exact about what you are looking for. I have AARP Hartford, they handled my windshield claim with ease, but that is a common thing.

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    1. Thanks Sondra. Any idea where I can get the part number of the window?

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  10. This whole thing just plain sucks!@#@!?

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    1. Yes it does and you've been a lifesaver driving me everywhere when I take her for what turns out not to be a complete fix. Thank you!

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  11. Just horrendous. As I said in the letter I wrote to you, our MoHo was vandalized even in a secure facility, in a closed building, behind locked gates with security cameras. Creepy stupid criminals with nothing but mayhem in mind will find a way. The police said that it was "just the crazy meth-heads" and they never did a thing about it. I wish you well and hope that this resolves itself before you freeze to the floor there in Virginia. Love and hugs to you, Sherry

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    1. Thanks so much Sue For your wonderful friendship. Clearly you have been down this road and it is encouraging to know that you came through it. I fear the Moho wasn't as old as Winnona though.

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  12. So sad to hear about the struggles with getting and installing the windows. Can't help you with insurance as I too have Geico... I wouldn't recommend Geico to anyone. They're cheaper but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for... Good luck finding another insurer.

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    1. I'm going to need good luck Roger with two claims in 3 months regardless of the fact that neither was my fault. SIGH. . . .

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  13. Even though you've shared with me about this terrible happening, seeing photos of the damage is truly shocking. I'm so, so sorry that you've had this happen to you, Sherry. And the continuing problems you've had with your insurance company and not being able to get repairs made is just awful. We have Miller's Insurance and have been very happy with them. They came through with no hesitation on a major claim we had.
    I hope you can get this resolved and will soon be on your way to Florida.

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    1. Thanks for the recommendation of Miller's Laurel I'll contact them when this is all over. Although with 2 claims in the last 3 months, Even though neither was my fault, they may not be interested

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  14. Lichstine Motors ha always been my go to source for WB parts, they are one mile down the road from the WB factory. They have never failed to get me the right parts quickly.

    Sorry you had this happen, don't understand wanton vandalism. Had my Journey keyed all down one side through all three color swirls and cost $5k to fix. Nationwide insurance took care of it for me with no hassles.

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    1. Wish they could get me these windows. David always used Lichtsinn for parts.

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  15. Thanks Paul. That's two votes for them. In Kentucky or Tennessee I think. Not sure who but someone else gave me this name too. I can't do anything until the Insurance company decides what they are going to do about it. :-( which as you can see takes FOREVER.

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  16. What a nightmare! Even though I've known about it for months, I'm now shocked at how much worse it's gotten. I certainly can't whine about the delay in our second shipment of fireplace veneer since State Farm took great care of covering and getting us the money quickly. We have been happy with Progressive for our RV, covering two windshields both on the road and here in Tucson. Can only hope you get yours resolved with no further issues. Lord girl, you really need a break!

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    1. It just seems to get worse and worse Jodee. I just hope they don't really wash their hands of it and total Winnona. If it were a windshield, it wouldn't be a problem. Glad to hear your insurance coverage is better than mine.

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  17. State Farm, no probs in years, and have had at est 5 claims for one thing and another

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    1. I'll give State Farm a ring after this is all over Loree but they may refuse me given two claims in 3 months even though neither of them was my fault at all.

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  18. This was a terrible, thoughtless act by terrible brainless, privileged people who obviously don’t have to work for their next meal. I’m sorry you are experiencing this loss and sorry your insurance company is less than honorable.

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    1. I'm sure they have no idea, nor would they care just how much trouble they have caused me. At this point I just hope the insurance company doesn't total Winnona because they aren't able to get this driver's window replaced.

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  19. Unreal and frustrating! So thoughtless...for what? A moment's thrill. I will never understand it. You've had to go through way too much as a result.

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    1. You are so right about how much I've had to go through. The insurance company just can't get it that this is not just an ordinary glass claim.

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  20. Please contact this company. Yes they are in Washington state BUT they CAN and WILL help you. They re created 4 new windows for us.
    https://www.rvwindows.com/company/

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    1. Thank you Contessa, I'll contact them. What year is the rig they created the windows for for you?

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  21. Hey Sherry,You've never made it to Idaho..I think I sent the 2nd sticker for your wall-fridge?
    I am so surprised to hear your side of our country has gotten so..$#%^^*((..Try Seattle...Get rid of the police..etc..
    Anyways back to your windows...
    My late wife crashed thru the sliding doors of our similar Winnie a 1988 lady.The doors next to the shower..
    I found Colaws recycled parts place to send us new (well used) doors for a good price and shipped to Washington..
    Hope you have found help, if not give them a shot..Eh?
    And safe roads in the future for you.
    David

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    1. Thanks for the recommendation David. I called them. Sadly No windows or door that would fit.

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  22. Ooops...I didn't read the previous posts....Colaws is-was the answer for me..I read where someone gave them a unpleasant post a ways ago..I think the problem was with the negative poster..
    Safe Travels...David

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  23. So sorry for what you've had to deal with.

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