Insuring the contents of our Conversion Van

[503evan]

Hi all,

We just sold our house and are about to hit the road in our conversion van and just found out that our insurance company won't cover the contents off our van.  Our stuff will be in storage and we will have insurance through the storage company but we do have 4 bikes and my significant other will be working from the road so there's laptops and all the usually stuff.

Anyone have any tips on the best providers to cover our personal property in the van?  We've connected with a couple of providers but because it's a home made job they don't cover them - any tips would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks everyone...

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

You might look into travel insurance.  Some of those plans cover theft of valuables while traveling.

 

[highdesertranger]

I have wondered about this myself. I carry a lot of expensive equipment. highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I have wondered about this myself.  I carry a lot of expensive equipment.  highdesertranger

I suspect most of your mining stuff would be considered business equipment rather than personal property which would certainly complicate the situation.  Might need two separate policies . . .

 

[Almost There]

Depending on the jurisdiction that you claim as 'home' and whether or not your conversion van is a DIY or a commercially done unit, you may or may not be able to get full timers' RV insurance on it.

It might pay to shop around various insurance brokers other than the one you're with currently to see if you can find an insurance company willing to cover you for what you need. You may have to write a policy that is larger than what the value of all the stuff you have with you is worth but it's worth a shot to explore other insurance companies.

Also, try groups like Good Sam and Escapees for contacts in the insurance industry that are used to dealing with full time RVrs.

My van is a DIY camper and in my neck of the woods there was no way in hell I could get contents coverage for all my stuff.Technically I reside at a friends place so I just kept my tenants insurance policy in force when I gave up the S&B home. I have way more coverage than I need given my minimal 'stuff' but it's the minimum that the insurance company will issue a policy for....

 

[akrvbob]

I hope I'm wrong, but I don't thin it's going to happen. If you want full-timers insurance on your stuff, you have to have a title that says you live in an RV. Find out your states requirements to get it legally changed to an RV. Sadly, it's usually very difficult or impossible.

Good luck!
Bob

 

[GotSmart]

I have a renters policy that covers my stuff in storage as well as what I have with me.  Take pictures of everything.

 

[highdesertranger]

I have heard that Got Smart. I will look into that, so they cover you on the road? highdesertranger

 

[GotSmart]

I have heard that Got Smart.  I will look into that,  so they cover you on the road?  highdesertranger

My USAA policy is extremely friendly to snowbirds and full timers.  You just need to ask the right questions. I call them when I am heading out and everything is updated. Card use in strange locations, I even was towed from Blythe CA to Ehrenberg AZ with no cost to me. 

Of course I have multiple accounts and policies with them. 

 

[TMG51]

I hope I'm wrong, but I don't thin it's going to happen. If you want full-timers insurance on your stuff, you have to have a title that says you live in an RV. Find out your states requirements to get it legally changed to an RV. Sadly, it's usually very difficult or impossible.

Good luck!
Bob

I think this is true as far as RV insurance goes.

But, if you can fudge a physical address and keep homeowner's/renter's insurance, then the contents of your vehicle are covered under your homeowner's policy. That's what I do, using a relative's address. Just don't let the insurance company find out you don't spend your time at that location.

 

[Cheli]

Great questions......I've also been wondering how to insure the stuff in a van.

 

[ramblingvanman]

My USAA policy is extremely friendly to snowbirds and full timers.  You just need to ask the right questions. I call them when I am heading out and everything is updated. Card use in strange locations, I even was towed from Blythe CA to Ehrenberg AZ with no cost to me. 

Of course I have multiple accounts and policies with them. 

Weird, USAA told me they don't insure RVs.

 

[GotSmart]

Weird, USAA told me they don't insure RVs.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLE INSURANCE(SHOWING)

• Motorcycle
  
• Watercraft
  
• Motor Home
  
• Classic Cars
  
• Aviation

The freedom that comes with owning a motor home is worth protecting. The USAA Insurance Agency makes it easy to get the insurance protection you need whether you use your motor home occasionally or as your primary residence.

 

[GotSmart]

The above is from my online USAA account products page. 

With the forum postings glitch, it is difficult to post quotes and keep a standard font.

 

[ramblingvanman]

Weird. When I got my class B the agent specifically told me to insure it as a van because they did not insure RVs. I mean $172 every 6 months isn't bad, but now I need to check with them to see what the deal is as an RV. Thanks.