Insurance??

[mothercoder]

Seems like the last time this was discussed was about 2 years ago so I'm wondering if there's an update.  Specifically, how do you get a converted van adequately insured?  Do you need to get it retitled to an RV?  How hard is that to do or is it a state-by-state basis?  Has anyone attempted to get their van retitled and failed and then drove around without adequate insurance? 

It seems like when I get sold on one idea (i.e. convert a van), I come upon something that makes it seem not such a good idea.  And I don't want to buy before I have all the facts.  Certainly can't afford to have something happen and then have a claim denied.

 

[Almost There]

That depends entirely on the jurisdiction you're titling the vehicle in.

In some places it is absolutely impossible to get a DIY conversion insured as an RV. In some you can have the vehicle titled as an RV once it meets specifications set out by the DMV but still not be able to get RV insurance on it....why...because DMV and insurance companies have different objectives and live each by their own set of rules. And if you have it re-titled as an RV, you may then have further trouble getting insurance on it.

I went through hell when I asked my insurance broker about the possibility of getting RV insurance on my van. The broker in turn didn't ask the insurance company a general question, they named me as asking the question and all hell broke loose.

Be very, very careful in approaching your own insurance company about this.

I seriously recommend going to another broker other than your own, to explore the options for your specific vehicle and jurisdiction for that reason.

Currently I have my vehicle insured for a specific value (the same as antique and collectible vehicles do). That policy is on the understanding that there have been modification to a vehicle. Anything that is not attached to the vehicle is supposedly covered under my 'tenants' policy' but that's also kind of iffy in that it only covers so much when it's away from the place of residence.

I don't mean to scare you but the insurance industry is a law unto themselves. The best that we can hope for in many cases, is to cya as much as possible and hope that it never gets bared...

 

[Headache]

Someone started a thread not too long ago about how they couldn't get the proper insurance for living in their van or if it was found out they were their policy could get cancelled. It was a good thread and I second everything that Almost There stated. This is a big gray area and I'm reluctant to switch insurance agents when I move because mine is so cool.

 

[Almost There]

Someone started a thread not too long ago about how they couldn't get the proper insurance for living in their van or if it was found out they were their policy could get cancelled.  It was a good thread and I second everything that Almost There stated.  This is a big gray area and I'm reluctant to switch insurance agents when I move because mine is so cool.

Whether you have to switch insurance agents or not will depend on the insurance company. If they are licensed to sell insurance in the state to which you relocate then you could probably just keep the agent.

The only problem with that is if you ever have a claim. Most insurance companies want you to sign off on the claim in person, in front of your agent. If they're on the east coast and you're on the west coast, umm, bit of a problem. Nothing that can't be handled. I ended up having to go to some broker I'd never met before in the closest town, simply to exchange signature on the paperwork for the check. They wouldn't give me the check until I'd signed the release and I wasn't signing off until I had the money!!

If the insurance company itself isn't operating where you 'move to', then yes, you'll need to find another insurance company and their representative/agent.

Virtually no one with a DIY has full coverage and if there is ever a claim, you have to remember that you're not 'living' in your vehicle, you're just travelling extensively. The biggest problem arises, IMO, when you're living in your vehicle on the streets of the same town that you're domiciled in.

Even with a commercially made RV, getting full-time occupancy insurance is a headache..not you Headache.... but a headache nonetheless. There are very few insurance companies that offer full time RV insurance. IIRC, I used a company and broker out of Oregon for full-time coverage when I owned the big RV.

 

[ArtW]

I'd just insure it as a van, keep the 'build' to a manageable budget, and add a specific amount in value for 'accessories'
If you are in an accident, you'll most likely have an opportunity to get you 'belongings' out of the wreck
If they ask you why it had a bed etc, just say you're an avid 'camper' NOT 'van-dweller' and you had your van rigged out for camping
Remember, it's not an RV, it's a van you camp in

 

[Trebor English]

Where my son lives insurance is cheaper on an RV.  He got the legally required insurance, no coverage on the RV or contents.  I presume this is because many RVs are parked so much.  A van is likely to be driven more exposing the insurance company to more risk of a claim, therefore higher premium.  I don't know the details but my impression is that the difference is a couple of hundred per 6 months. I doubt if that discount would be applied to a van, even with a built in bed and a changed the title.

 

[wagoneer]

Never had an issue just get liability only, so it's on you, insurance takes care of the liability issue, you get to keep whatever is left, main reason I drive so defensively. Sure it's a gamble but a lot cheaper. Ditto I am also an avid camper and my liability is low. 22 year old truck 25 year old camper.

 

[Goshawk]

What about theft insurance? The YouTube person CORY THE MOODY TRAVELER had his RV stolen. Completely stopped his lifestyle change. You need to be able to get that at least. More likely to make a claim as theft in many cases.


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[AngryVanMan]

RV Insurance will often not cover full time use from what I've read, and it seems hard to find details about companies that will cover DIY conversions and/or full time.  The only resource I can remember seeing about this in recent memory was by Technomadia, they posted about using something called Epic Insurance to cover full time use in their converted vintage bus.  It may be expensive for someone to go this route, but it's all I could find about doing the "fully insured/legal" option.

edit: I just saw on this link page at their site, something called RVer Insurance Exchange, it's by an insurance agent who also full times, might be some good info there - it seems to cover auto, health, warranties and other stuff.

 

[ArtW]

My RV insurer actually gave me a discount because i fulltime in mine, IIRC, Foremost Insurance

 

[Almost There]

My RV insurer actually gave me a discount because i fulltime in mine, IIRC, Foremost Insurance

Yes, but will they touch a DIY vehicle or will they only insure commercially manufactured RVs...therein lies the problem.
I had full-timer coverage on the Winnebago but when I wanted to switch to a regular van, the insurance company I was with wouldn't touch anything under 20' and that included the van conversion I was driving.

 

[ArtW]

That's why I said, in a previous post, I wouldn't even try to insure an home built as an RV, just keep the build basic, simple, and cheap to replicate, and insure the van (or whatever) as a van (or whatever)
i'm considering a build in my camper shell in my Ranger, it will still be a ranger, not an RV, as the build will likely not exceed $150-300
If I get hit, nad the insurer balks, it's not a RV, just a truck I camp out in

 

[TrainChaser]

People seem to think that if they have that cargo van tricked out with every known accessory, they're going to insure the van AND THE CONTENTS.  Well, they're not.  

Please go back to Page 1 of this thread and read ArtW's post.  He's giving you good advice.

If you have a super-stretch limousine, and you have a hot tub in the back that cost twice the price of the limo, and you wreck the vehicle, the ins. co. will only cover the limo, not the hot tub. 

If you have a van with a flush toilet, a sauna, a heated, antique bed, a big-screen TV and every electronic device known to man, NONE OF IT WILL BE COVERED.  And if you do have it rerated from a van to an RV, the rates will probably be considerably higher than you expected.

Regular RV insurance tends to be low because of the ODDS.  Insurance is all about odds.  Most regular RVs aren't usually used much -- that's what the ins. co. is basing the rates on.  Some people drive their regular cars 200 miles a day to work and back, and their ins. co. is going to tweak the rates to reflect that number.

If you go to another ins. co. office and quiz them about coverage, DO NOT give them your name, DO NOT give them your address, DO NOT give them your current ins. co. and number, and DO NOT let them see your license plate (any of them).  All insurance info is put into a main database, regardless of company.  And all of the companies have access to that information.  If you tell one, you've told all of them.  And I would imagine that that database is consulted every time your policy is renewed; they find the questions you asked, and they will either a) raise your rates, or b) cancel your policy.

And one question that no one seems to think of asking:  "If I get full coverage (liability + comprehensive + collision), how much would I get if the vehicle was totaled?"  When you get home insurance, it tells you what your limit is right on the policy.  Now, pull out your auto policy and see what it says.  Many times, what they will pay is less than you've paid in premiums.  Some people will pay for comp/collision on a old, old vehicle, and if it gets totalled, they're shocked at the few hundred dollars that they get for it.

Another little item that many people don't think about:  An ins. co. can refuse to pay a claim if they can prove that you gave them false information.

Remember:  Insurance Companies are in the Premium-Collecting business, NOT the Claim-Paying business.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I posted a useful site about 6 months ago.  Worth repeating.  A lot of useful info on this site:

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-RV-Insurance--18605

 

[ArtW]

In the event you have a wreck, your insurance will pay up to the book value of the vehicle at the time of the accident, that's all, unless you have an 'agreed value' policy
That's why folks like me carry liability only, I'm not paying an xtra $200 a month for a check for $500 if my vehicle gets 'totaled' and I'm 'at fault'

 

[mothercoder]

Wow, seems like a mine field. None of this sounds good for someone who might not have the resources to replace their home on wheels if the insurance company balks. Then you're not just "houseless" you are truly homeless.

 

[Goshawk]

Wow, seems like a mine field. None of this sounds good for someone who might not have the resources to replace their home on wheels if the insurance company balks. Then you're not just "houseless" you are truly homeless.

So true. It is a mine field. The magazine CONSUMER REPORTS did an expose on the industry years ago showing all this. They recommend dropping "collision" insurance after the car is paid for. Mostly because insurance company will not pay full value of the car. The blue book trade value per the lowest blue book number (think that's kbb.com) is what they will try to pay, less any existing condition issues before the event.


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[wagoneer]

My view point is clear I do not like insurance the whole idea is based on the assumption you will be careless and ef up and we will protect you. It's legal extortion. You and you alone are responsible for your actions. I buy the legal minimum (liability) to be on the road and cover any "accident" I am involved in,not worried about myself if I do something stupid I am responsible Do not want their money no thanks. When some
irresponsible person damages my property we have the court system. Drive defensively, leave a long margin travel at smart times.

 

[mothercoder]

My view point is clear I do not like insurance the whole idea is based on the assumption you will be careless and ef up and we will protect you. It's legal extortion. You and you alone are responsible for your actions. I buy the legal minimum (liability) to be on the road and cover any "accident" I am involved in,not worried about myself if I do something stupid I am responsible  Do not want their money no thanks. When some
irresponsible person damages my property we have the court system. Drive defensively, leave a long margin travel at smart times.

That's not bad thinking. It sure eliminates a lot of the frustration. My current ride is 18 years old with really low miles and I only carry the legal minimum.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

When some irresponsible person damages my property we have the court system.

You have the court system IF you've got enough money to pay a lawyer.  And IF the irresponsible person ain't so poor that he don't have a pot or a window.  And IF the jury doesn't decide they like the irresponsible person's story more than yours.  Too many "IFs" for my taste.

I LIKEthe fact that my insurance policy includes uninsured and under-insured motorist coverage.