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06-28-2015, 05:07 PM
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#1
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 781
Year: 2006
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: MVP-EF
Engine: Cat C7 + Allison 3000PTS
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Do AAA or Coach-Net require skoolies to be "fully converted" for towing assistance?
I'm looking into getting a skoolie soon, but I don't intend on making it a fully-contained RV, meaning it won't have its own plumbing primarily. I'm totally fine with keeping it a non-commercial bus, and while I haven't yet found out the intricacies of titling such a vehicle here in CO, I was curious if anyone here knew whether or not AAA and/or Coach-Net required proof that the vehicle qualifies as an "RV", either via the title, or via physical inspection (pictures). I really want to have some sort of coverage plan, but I don't want to get hosed either!
I'd appreciate your thoughts, thanks!
-Dan
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06-28-2015, 05:15 PM
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#2
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 2,362
Year: 1993
Coachwork: bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins, Allison AT1545
Rated Cap: 2
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heavy tow can be an add on to any insurance policy. no problem.
not converting it to an rv will be your issue. that will require a commercial driver's license and commercial insurance.
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06-28-2015, 05:24 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia
Posts: 429
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...and getting (and maintaining) a CDL will cost more than meeting the minimum requirements to title as an RV.
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06-28-2015, 05:30 PM
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#4
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 781
Year: 2006
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: MVP-EF
Engine: Cat C7 + Allison 3000PTS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turf
heavy tow can be an add on to any insurance policy. no problem.
not converting it to an rv will be your issue. that will require a commercial driver's license and commercial insurance.
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That's where it gets difficult for me...apparently in CO I really have to title it as an RV, but yet I can't get insured through National General until there is photo evidence of a full conversion with plumbing, etc. I can get commercial insurance through Progressive for personal use (sounds bizzare but whatever), but I need to talk to them to find out if they care what's on the title...that's tomorrow's conversation.
To be honest, I don't really understand how all of this comes together, it seems like it's all one big legal gray area.
-Dan
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06-28-2015, 05:32 PM
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#5
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 781
Year: 2006
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: MVP-EF
Engine: Cat C7 + Allison 3000PTS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Polarweasel
...and getting (and maintaining) a CDL will cost more than meeting the minimum requirements to title as an RV.
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I suppose I could just go get a mini fridge and some sort of portable toilet, but I still have to have working electrical and plumbing as well. I do want electrical, but that will not happen for a little while (have to get through a move first), and I don't really intend on having much more than food prep area and fridge, without any real plumbing.
-Dan
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06-28-2015, 06:17 PM
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#6
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 546
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I am covered by Coachnet. I sent them nothing but the premium.
Here's a copy of a response from Coachnet:
__________________
Don and Mary
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06-28-2015, 06:21 PM
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#7
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 781
Year: 2006
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: MVP-EF
Engine: Cat C7 + Allison 3000PTS
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So the short answer is, it needs to be "fully contained", i.e. a legitimate RV in the eyes of Coach-Net. Am I right?
-Dan
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06-28-2015, 06:51 PM
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#8
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 2,362
Year: 1993
Coachwork: bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins, Allison AT1545
Rated Cap: 2
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colorado is pretty easy.... look it up, it was something 4 of the following 6 things needed to be installed. read some threads, the info is out there.
i insured and titled mine in colorado. they only required you sign an affidavit that its there. and a vin check if its from out of state.
good luck
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06-28-2015, 06:54 PM
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#9
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 781
Year: 2006
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: MVP-EF
Engine: Cat C7 + Allison 3000PTS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turf
colorado is pretty easy.... look it up, it was something 4 of the following 6 things needed to be installed. read some threads, the info is out there.
i insured and titled mine in colorado. they only required you sign an affidavit that its there. and a vin check if its from out of state.
good luck
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I realize I'm causing a bit of topic drift here, but would you mind sharing who you insured with in CO? Did they require a "full conversion"? That's the trouble I'm finding with insurance, they all want pictures of a full-on RV, which I won't ever be doing.
Thanks,
Dan
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06-28-2015, 07:15 PM
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#10
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,208
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: 3800 International
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 72
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I have both coach-net, and CAA (AAA) , and both said ''self contained'' .
I'm not sure about good sam, you can try them.
gbstewart
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06-28-2015, 07:23 PM
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#11
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 2,362
Year: 1993
Coachwork: bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins, Allison AT1545
Rated Cap: 2
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leaving it a bus is a problem, they don't allow that. if you're gonna transport people then you're commercial.
i had to have the minimum whatever...5 of 7...rv requirements to make it so. generator, a/c, heater, porta potti, and fridge gets you there if i recall.
State farm has my home, auto, rv policies......the bus has never an issue, others havent been so lucky.
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06-28-2015, 10:10 PM
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#12
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Gainesville. Georgia
Posts: 544
Year: 1992
Coachwork: bluebird
Rated Cap: 72
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As posted awhile back (don't remember who). They want pictures-send them pictures. Take your pick from whatever has been posted. If by chance, someone was to show up to verify, you just tell them that a major roof leak or something to that effect caused you to strip the bus and you are starting over.
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06-28-2015, 10:38 PM
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#13
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 781
Year: 2006
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: MVP-EF
Engine: Cat C7 + Allison 3000PTS
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Overall I'd rather fudge some details on the titling and call it a RV, then just be fairly straightforward with the insurance company, as they're the ones that I'm paying to cover me in an accident, as well as providing a legally required service. That being said, most insurance companies don't care about the title so much, as long as it's in your name, correct? It's sounding like I'm going to have a motorhome that has commercial insurance, at least for now until I get some things installed down the road.
Also it sounds like I may be SOL for roadside assistance, which blows, but it's not the end of the world. I do not want to give out other people's pictures and lie like that, though it is a very creative solution!
-Dan
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06-29-2015, 03:11 AM
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#14
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The-Breeze
As posted awhile back (don't remember who). They want pictures-send them pictures. Take your pick from whatever has been posted. If by chance, someone was to show up to verify, you just tell them that a major roof leak or something to that effect caused you to strip the bus and you are starting over.
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I like this idea.
Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."
Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
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06-29-2015, 06:14 AM
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#15
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbsoundman
Overall I'd rather fudge some details on the titling and call it a RV, then just be fairly straightforward with the insurance company, as they're the ones that I'm paying to cover me in an accident, as well as providing a legally required service. That being said, most insurance companies don't care about the title so much, as long as it's in your name, correct? It's sounding like I'm going to have a motorhome that has commercial insurance, at least for now until I get some things installed down the road.
Also it sounds like I may be SOL for roadside assistance, which blows, but it's not the end of the world. I do not want to give out other people's pictures and lie like that, though it is a very creative solution!
-Dan
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Several folks on here have gotten cancellations when their commercial insurance provider finds out that its titled as a motorhome.
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06-29-2015, 08:09 AM
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#16
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 781
Year: 2006
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: MVP-EF
Engine: Cat C7 + Allison 3000PTS
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Isn't providing false information to your insurer considered insurance fraud?
I totally understand why this is such a tough situation, but it still doesn't seem wise to provide someone else's pictures...
Has anyone actually done this?
-Dan
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06-29-2015, 08:49 AM
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#17
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: EHT New Jersey
Posts: 1,134
Year: 2003
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: International 3000RE
Engine: T444E/AT545
Rated Cap: 75
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbsoundman
Isn't providing false information to your insurer considered insurance fraud?
I totally understand why this is such a tough situation, but it still doesn't seem wise to provide someone else's pictures...
Has anyone actually done this?
-Dan
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Last summer, I was talking to various independent insurance agencies in New Jersey, and they all recommended looking into CAIP insurance because not every insurance company that insures skoolies is allowed into New Jersey. You'd basically be looking at a commercial auto policy for non-commercial purposes.
As for providing someone else's pictures, and then if the inspector comes around sees you still gutting it? That's a sticky wicket. As long as it's already been gutted and you're working on the interior when they come around, you can get by with the "water damage from new leaks" excuse.
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
Several folks on here have gotten cancellations when their commercial insurance provider finds out that its titled as a motorhome.
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I've seen a number of RVs here in NJ that are used for commercial puposes.
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06-29-2015, 09:29 AM
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#18
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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If using progressive-
They WILL cancel you if you convert it and they find out. Their policy is "we do not insure converted school buses".
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06-29-2015, 09:51 AM
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#19
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Toledo OH
Posts: 781
Year: 2006
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: MVP-EF
Engine: Cat C7 + Allison 3000PTS
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
If using progressive-
They WILL cancel you if you convert it and they find out. Their policy is "we do not insure converted school buses".
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Got that, they were just the one place I knew of at the time that did online quotes. Although once again I was looking at their commercial auto, NOT motorhome. I may talk to State Farm today and see what they think.
-Dan
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06-29-2015, 08:24 PM
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#20
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 20
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I use good sam and have used it once already because I got my bus stuck. It's $79/month and also covers any vehicle I own.
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