Van Insurance

[Schwoebs]

Allstate is willing to insure the van I'm turning into an RV as an RV, but not to insure it for full-time use.  How are people insuring themselves since living full-time in an RV is 'sketchy'?  I don't want to lie and then not be insured if I need it.  Is Progressive better?

Thanks!

Schwoebs... Approaching nomadic, slowly

 

[John61CT]

The full-timing issue is not a problem with a factory RV.

The DIY conversion is harder to overcome, depends on the level of coverage you're seeking.

Either spend a lot more time and energy looking for a good agent, or

be more strategic about the information you're volunteering. Not saying lie outright when asked. . .

I suggest combining both approaches.

The friend or family member's home you use for legal domicile, if you sleep there or other S&B locations every once in a while, you're not **100% full** time living in it.

Many people just get vehicle insurance, keep receipts for "cargo / contents", may be covered separately.

 

[Van-Tramp]

I insured Big Blue through Gieco and Progressive. At both places it was insured as a van/truck, not an RV. (It is registered as a van/truck, not an RV). The van is currently insured through another company (can't recall name, sorry) also as a van/truck. In all cases they understood that the van is a camper-van, and that we go camping in it. We do not offer up that we "full-time" in it.

If Allstate doesn't want your business, don't give it too them. Go elsewhere. There are a ton of options.

 

[John61CT]

So what is the advantage of RV registration for a DIY conversion, just cheaper registration fees?

I can see the need for a skoolie conversion, don't want DOT regulation and CDL hassles, but for a regular van, seems not worth the hassle?

 

[Van-Tramp]

For a regular van, it is my opinion to NOT register it as an RV if at all possible.

1) If it is a registered RV then you can not park it on many city streets. A van/car/truck is legal to park on any public street.
2) Insurance for an RV is "for recreational use only". Although it may be a tick cheaper, it is not valid for normal day-to-day use. If you get in an accident you may find that they will not insure you
3) The cost of RV registration is often based on weight (depends on each state of course) while car/truck/van registration is based on the value of the vehicle. Which one is cheaper is based on your home state.

 

[Schwoebs]

I found insurance through Progressive. The questions were interesting. They do insure full-time. I had to confirm it was not a schoolie and that it had the requisite RV qualifiers - bed, plumbing, electricity, cooking. But yeah, once I get to full-time later this summer, I sell by car and drop Allstate. They did not want my business after 20+ years. Oh well.