Insurance?

[scottw115]

So, you sink some coin into a cargo conversion.  You get it downright domestic, like a studio apt. on wheels.

What happens if it gets stolen?  Maybe a tree falls on it?  I don't even want to mention another hazard I'm thinking of.

Is such a vehicle insurable for anywhere near what it's worth, or are you just out of luck?
I'm thinking of doing this, and knowing may help me make decisions on how elaborate to go.

 

[vgilbert]

Insurance, title, and registration can be a tricky subject.
Some factors:
Your state?
Is the vehicle currently titled as a commercial or personal use vehicle.
How is it currently titled? Cargo van, conversion van, etc
I would never tell an insurance company you are living full time in a van unless its titled as an RV, I doubt you would get insurance....
It is impossible to share info unless the respondent knows your state as states vary in insurance regulations

My only advise is to find someone who is currently full time in a similar or equal vehicle in your state. I just happened to find someone on Instagram who led me to their insurance agent who then helped with the commercial to private use conversion of the title. Then I was able to get my bus titled, registered, and insured as a motor home

 

[vgilbert]

BTW, I forgot to say that life has risk....
This lifestyle is still life, stuff happens in life.....
Good luck!
God Bless

 

[scottw115]

I'm a life long Oregon resident.
I do like not paying sales tax, but they make up for that in other ways, such as income tax and vehicle registration.

Switching states of residence is something I am also considering.

 

[wayne49]

Nevada - no income tax, makes up for it with 7+% sales tax, state and county plus city optionally, and vehicle fees based on original MSRP (which no one ever pays new, and has nothing to do with the price of used vehicles).

Michigan bases vehicle fees on weight, as that is what causes wear and tear on the roads. Naught to do with how much you paid for it, they get that with sales tax, but that is a one time only hit. Income tax plus sales taxes make up for the lower vehicle fees.

 

[RoamerRV428]

It is all about who you insure thru in that if it 'is registered as an RV home' but self built and more you might need a rep to come to the house and truly inspect and more to see if you can 'cover it all' that you got into it ya know.

this is one of those best to truly chat up with the insurer so you know where you stand.

Our rv is an rv and covered as so cause it is 'legal and a known entity' thru the manufacturer so our insurance covers this but if your 'van is self built' and more money into it etc. but not known of its extra worth to the insurer company thru inspection before getting insured then.......so yea, call someone and ask specifically what you are wanting to insure, it is not 'just a van of this age, mileage etc' cause it has been upgraded so call. your best bet always.

I hope I hit on what you were asking LOL but if you require specific coverage then it is best to chat up and get that specific coverage replacement costs and more you want. hope that helps a bit.

 

[Thomas]

Is such a vehicle insurable for anywhere near what it's worth, or are you just out of luck?

My truck is insured as a commercial vehicle for personal use. Once I get all my appliances installed I may insure them with renter's insurance. My labor and materials will be uninsured. I've never truly experienced a shortage of good luck - I thought I did a couple times, but in the end it was all good.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

So, you sink some coin into a cargo conversion.  You get it downright domestic, like a studio apt. on wheels.
 . . .
Is such a vehicle insurable for anywhere near what it's worth, or are you just out of luck?
I'm thinking of doing this, and knowing may help me make decisions on how elaborate to go.

What you are looking for is an 'agreed value' insurance policy.
These are used a lot in the custom car market since there is no 'book' that the insurance company can reference to attach a value.  These require a lot of documentation.  And they are more expensive.

 

[66788]

When I purchased my step van in California, DMV wanted $1,200 to register it for 1 year.  I held off a few months and subsequently registered it in Oregon where I am now living, for $180 for 2 years.   Since I am not using it commercially, the registration states that it is a "passenger vehicle" and my insurance is $50 per month.

Oregon is cheaper than many other states in my opinion, and in the Southern part many counties do not have smog inspections.  Also there are no vehicle inspections and registration renewal by mail is easy.

The negative of living in Oregon is that it is becoming more like California every day in other aspects.