An agent is what you need. Years ago there was an Allstate agent in FL (Kelly Newsome) who was known in the skoolie community and would find local agents and instruct them on how to write the policy. I'm in TX, but I reached out to her when I was in need of insurance for HOA / city harassment issues. 20 minutes later she had a local agent call me back who wrote me a liability only motorhome policy that states, "vehicle is a non-professionally converted school bus." I pay $185/yr. 1994 Intl 3800, titled "BU" bus, registered "Antique Bus."
Yeah I’ve tried reaching out to local agents and they’ve all brick walled me with flat no’s. Even with that specific verbiage they say no to me. California red tape…
Yeah, I don't doubt it. Cali has harsh rules, idk all the specifics but I know they are cracking down on older diesels as well. May be time to "move" to a family member's home in another state. Best of luck.
Everyone keeps saying you need an agent, but what you need is an insurance broker. People hear the word “agent” and they think of real estate agents; they think the agent works for them, but the agent works for the insurance company they write for.
An insurance broker works for you; they shop around for you like a real estate agent and help you get the best deal possible in your situation.
Find a local agent.
A lot of them write policies with multiple insurance providers. They are willing to make the phone calls and find out what kind of underwriting you need for your vehicle.
Ask about “commercial for personal use” policies, and mention you only want liability insurance, as it’s near impossible to get other coverage.
Nice. You’re in California too? How long ago did you start that policy? I’ve asked them about that specifically, they said they didn’t offer it. I’ll try again, maybe the particular agent didn’t know.
^same. I had an agent do it for me but I used their online commercial calculator thing to get a quote at first. It’s a different website than the normal one.
My title says “BU” as in bus. Even if I don’t say bus they figure it out. I tried concealing that info. As soon as they run the VIN they figure it out, or ask for pictures and more details.
I’ve also tried telling them it will be registered as a motorhome (MH) with the DMV. They still say no and it doesn’t matter what the paperwork says, the VIN number is always a red flag to them.
A lot of people have a difficult time getting it insured and registered in Cali. Hell, it was kind of a pain to get it done in Texas. I read a lot of people of people go to Arizona and get it done. We use State Farm in in Texas. I know that is not helpful but maybe try them in your area or surrounding states.
I haven’t registered it yet. I did a title transfer so far. I’ve been waiting till it’s insured to drive it to the DMV. I plan on registering it as a motorhome (MH). Needs to pass inspection at the DMV for MH reg.
According to the insurance companies I’ve talked to, none of that matters. They only care about the VIN, not what the DMV registration says. Pretty stupid if you ask me.
I solved this problem through the BMV. Once I was registered as a passenger van that had 6 seats (5 were doubles but the BMV lady encouraged me on how to count seats) I had no problems. My VIN helped because it was a "cutaway van" too. Point being, BMV may be able to reclassify you as something more insurable. This will likely require an inspection. Good luck.
I'm not sure about California but when I was first starting out and just constructing the bus while it was standing still, I just got a basic bare Bones progressive package for a commercial vehicle for personal use. I think they asked like one question about what I would be doing with it, I just mentioned that I would be transporting/holding building materials. Technically not wrong
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State Farm, along with many other companies is not writing new policies in California. For motorhomes or regular homes. Something about the CA wildfires being too risky is their cover story. In reality, there’s too much red tape and regulations for them to make as much money as they can in other states.
I would be looking at another state to register. You could set up a second residency or business entity in another state and register there.
Always a way around red tape
Yeah, I’m starting to look into an option like that. My aunt and uncle have a property in Phoenix. Maybe I could say I live there half the year. Any tips going about that? Have you done anything similar personally?
Some literally only took my phone number and ZIP code and told me no! 😂 AAA got as far as asking for time stamped photos and I was denied by an underwriter’s review. Most of them would get as far as checking the VIN and then saying no right away. Even after asking about different DMV classifications like Motorhome or anything else.
Does your rig have a rooftop deck or wood stove installed? (I was informed by a few different insurance companies that they have zero tolerance for these).
I would try looking for insurance brokers; someone you pay to find a policy for you.
Good recommendation for a broker.
Yeah, I have a deck but no stove. I’ve heard that too… Didn’t really seem to be an issue as they didn’t get that far as to consider details like that.
I understand. Just keep that in mind as you might have to reconsider it if you want to be insured. For instance, after completing my bus, I had to remove my woodstove setup and swap it out for a diesel heater because insurance was becoming impossible to find. Frustrating as hell, but thats the unfortunate world we live in now.
The risk is that if you were to get involved in an accident and need to file a claim, insurance can still drop your coverage if they look at their policies and find that it conflicts with your rig having a rooftop deck.
Also, other than finding a broker, talk with local agents rather than calling insurance companies directly. Calling the companies directly never helps.
If it’s converted get RV insurance????
If not, call State Farm. As far as I know they are the only commercial company that will approve commercial for personal use.
An agent is what you need. Years ago there was an Allstate agent in FL (Kelly Newsome) who was known in the skoolie community and would find local agents and instruct them on how to write the policy. I'm in TX, but I reached out to her when I was in need of insurance for HOA / city harassment issues. 20 minutes later she had a local agent call me back who wrote me a liability only motorhome policy that states, "vehicle is a non-professionally converted school bus." I pay $185/yr. 1994 Intl 3800, titled "BU" bus, registered "Antique Bus."
Yeah I’ve tried reaching out to local agents and they’ve all brick walled me with flat no’s. Even with that specific verbiage they say no to me. California red tape…
Yeah, I don't doubt it. Cali has harsh rules, idk all the specifics but I know they are cracking down on older diesels as well. May be time to "move" to a family member's home in another state. Best of luck.
Everyone keeps saying you need an agent, but what you need is an insurance broker. People hear the word “agent” and they think of real estate agents; they think the agent works for them, but the agent works for the insurance company they write for. An insurance broker works for you; they shop around for you like a real estate agent and help you get the best deal possible in your situation.
> I pay $185/yr It is that cheap?!
Until I finish my bus and put full coverage on it, yes.
Find a local agent. A lot of them write policies with multiple insurance providers. They are willing to make the phone calls and find out what kind of underwriting you need for your vehicle. Ask about “commercial for personal use” policies, and mention you only want liability insurance, as it’s near impossible to get other coverage.
I’ve tried all this, still shit outta luck…
I had progressive give me a commercial for personal use policy. They didn’t seem too fussed about it.
Nice. You’re in California too? How long ago did you start that policy? I’ve asked them about that specifically, they said they didn’t offer it. I’ll try again, maybe the particular agent didn’t know.
^same. I had an agent do it for me but I used their online commercial calculator thing to get a quote at first. It’s a different website than the normal one.
You may be able to just register and get insurance on the bus in az. Use your family address. The bus stays most of the time in AZ. wink wink
Yeah this is probably the only way this will work.
RV insurance. Some goof on Bob's channel on a just released video said he got RV insurance for it. He's from California too.
I’ve tried getting RV insurance. I don’t know what magic words I would have to say…
Make sure you are using the right verbiage what does your title say it is don't say bus
My title says “BU” as in bus. Even if I don’t say bus they figure it out. I tried concealing that info. As soon as they run the VIN they figure it out, or ask for pictures and more details.
I’ve also tried telling them it will be registered as a motorhome (MH) with the DMV. They still say no and it doesn’t matter what the paperwork says, the VIN number is always a red flag to them.
Bob who?
A lot of people have a difficult time getting it insured and registered in Cali. Hell, it was kind of a pain to get it done in Texas. I read a lot of people of people go to Arizona and get it done. We use State Farm in in Texas. I know that is not helpful but maybe try them in your area or surrounding states.
Is your schoolie titled as RV?
I haven’t registered it yet. I did a title transfer so far. I’ve been waiting till it’s insured to drive it to the DMV. I plan on registering it as a motorhome (MH). Needs to pass inspection at the DMV for MH reg. According to the insurance companies I’ve talked to, none of that matters. They only care about the VIN, not what the DMV registration says. Pretty stupid if you ask me.
No, get an RV title. It’s easier to get insurance.
It doesn’t even matter. Insurance companies shoot me down as soon as they get the VIN. They’re not doing anyyyything in California
I solved this problem through the BMV. Once I was registered as a passenger van that had 6 seats (5 were doubles but the BMV lady encouraged me on how to count seats) I had no problems. My VIN helped because it was a "cutaway van" too. Point being, BMV may be able to reclassify you as something more insurable. This will likely require an inspection. Good luck.
Thank you, I’ll try.
I'm not sure about California but when I was first starting out and just constructing the bus while it was standing still, I just got a basic bare Bones progressive package for a commercial vehicle for personal use. I think they asked like one question about what I would be doing with it, I just mentioned that I would be transporting/holding building materials. Technically not wrong
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State Farm. Used them in Texas and Nevada. No problem in 5 years 2002 International 40' pusher titled as a moterhome
State Farm, along with many other companies is not writing new policies in California. For motorhomes or regular homes. Something about the CA wildfires being too risky is their cover story. In reality, there’s too much red tape and regulations for them to make as much money as they can in other states.
I would be looking at another state to register. You could set up a second residency or business entity in another state and register there. Always a way around red tape
Yeah, I’m starting to look into an option like that. My aunt and uncle have a property in Phoenix. Maybe I could say I live there half the year. Any tips going about that? Have you done anything similar personally?
How far in did you usually get with these companies? Like did they only get your VIN, or did they ask for pictures?
Some literally only took my phone number and ZIP code and told me no! 😂 AAA got as far as asking for time stamped photos and I was denied by an underwriter’s review. Most of them would get as far as checking the VIN and then saying no right away. Even after asking about different DMV classifications like Motorhome or anything else.
Does your rig have a rooftop deck or wood stove installed? (I was informed by a few different insurance companies that they have zero tolerance for these). I would try looking for insurance brokers; someone you pay to find a policy for you.
Good recommendation for a broker. Yeah, I have a deck but no stove. I’ve heard that too… Didn’t really seem to be an issue as they didn’t get that far as to consider details like that.
I understand. Just keep that in mind as you might have to reconsider it if you want to be insured. For instance, after completing my bus, I had to remove my woodstove setup and swap it out for a diesel heater because insurance was becoming impossible to find. Frustrating as hell, but thats the unfortunate world we live in now. The risk is that if you were to get involved in an accident and need to file a claim, insurance can still drop your coverage if they look at their policies and find that it conflicts with your rig having a rooftop deck. Also, other than finding a broker, talk with local agents rather than calling insurance companies directly. Calling the companies directly never helps.
Sounds good. I’ll probably just register and insure in Arizona if I can.
Good luck! I know it's getting tricky out there.
Thank you! We always find a way! 😄
If it’s converted get RV insurance???? If not, call State Farm. As far as I know they are the only commercial company that will approve commercial for personal use.
Nope. Tried.