Florida Insurance Nightmare

e90bmw · 04-04-2018, 03:26 PM

Hi guys, relatively new to the forum and Skoolie life. Picked up our bus and have started the slow process of conversion, but we need to be able to drive the bus places occasionally. I am having an extremely difficult time getting this thing insured. We have been with Allstate for years, they said they don't insure anything like it. Tried Progressive, they said it can't be an old bus. Tried Good Sam, they told me the bus has to be completely converted before they'll insure it. I know this topic has been beaten to death but I feel at a complete loss here in regards to what I should do

The bus is paid off and I have the title, we only paid $2,360.00

Miles O Roads · 04-04-2018, 03:37 PM

Someone will chime in but I know Florida is a nightmare for this.

oricha1984 · 04-04-2018, 07:10 PM

My agent from allstate was able to find me rv insurance a while back. Real cheap too.
Try different agents and change your vocabulary, example camper vehicle, instead of bus.

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Twigg · 04-04-2018, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oricha1984

My agent from allstate was able to find me rv insurance a while back. Real cheap too.
Try different agents and change your vocabulary, example camper vehicle, instead of bus.

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The main problem is that when they run a VIN# check, and they will, it will come up as a bus, or Incomplete Chassis, whatever the title says.

So it's important that you are prepared to meet the minimum requirements of your insurer for it to be an RV. This is often going to involve submitting photos, but is usually straightforward.

This is something they are well used to.

oricha1984 · 04-04-2018, 07:16 PM

Well, I just straight told him I just needed the minimum just to get legal and get a tag.
I think is just a matter of finding the right agent.
Gl

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e90bmw · 04-06-2018, 10:04 AM

Update: Tried everything suggested. I've been turned down by Allstate, Progressive, Geico, Foundation Insurance of FL, and Good Sam.

Drew Bru · 04-06-2018, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90bmw

Update: Tried everything suggested. I've been turned down by Allstate, Progressive, Geico, Foundation Insurance of FL, and Good Sam.

Progressive Commercial (same company, but the commercial division).

1-888-806-9598

Call and ask about "commercial coverage for personal use." Call the number and talk to a representative, don't do it online through the website.

Many people have done this successfully. Ours is about $40/month for liability.

Good luck. You can do this!

Twigg · 04-06-2018, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew Bru

Progressive Commercial (same company, but the commercial division).

1-888-806-9598

Call and ask about "commercial coverage for personal use." Call the number and talk to a representative, don't do it online through the website.

Many people have done this successfully. Ours is about $40/month for liability.

Good luck. You can do this!

I did it online, through the website.

Got the quote and a quick 10 minutes on the phone got the policy.

e90bmw · 04-06-2018, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew Bru

Progressive Commercial (same company, but the commercial division).

1-888-806-9598

Call and ask about "commercial coverage for personal use." Call the number and talk to a representative, don't do it online through the website.

Many people have done this successfully. Ours is about $40/month for liability.

Good luck. You can do this!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

I did it online, through the website.

Got the quote and a quick 10 minutes on the phone got the policy.

Tried that. They wanted to know what type of commercial business or purpose the bus would be used for, and after i hesitantly meandered my way through those questions, the quote was not affordable, several hundred dollars a month.

Twigg · 04-06-2018, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90bmw

Tried that. They wanted to know what type of commercial business or purpose the bus would be used for, and after i hesitantly meandered my way through those questions, the quote was not affordable, several hundred dollars a month.

When the website asks you for the business type, just start to type "Perso "

and "Personal Use Only" appears as one of the choices.

Drew Bru · 04-06-2018, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90bmw

Tried that. They wanted to know what type of commercial business or purpose the bus would be used for, and after i hesitantly meandered my way through those questions, the quote was not affordable, several hundred dollars a month.

I think I told them "commercial for personal use" and when they asked if I would be using it commercially, I told them it would be used for "hauling personal stuff around" or some such thing. It barely registered as something either me or the representative were concerned with. Just like....a box that needed to be checked sorta thing.

Try calling back. You'll probably get a different person.

e90bmw · 04-06-2018, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

When the website asks you for the business type, just start to type "Perso "

and "Personal Use Only" appears as one of the choices.

Tried that as well. At the end it tells me to obtain a personal use vehicle quote on progressive.com

john61ct · 04-06-2018, 03:23 PM

Register in another state?

e90bmw · 04-06-2018, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john61ct

Register in another state?

I have two addresses, both in FL, I work in FL, the bus is titled in FL, and I can't register it until I have insurance first so at this point I can't even get a tag.

jjhwick119 · 04-06-2018, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90bmw

I have two addresses, both in FL, I work in FL, the bus is titled in FL, and I can't register it until I have insurance first so at this point I can't even get a tag.

You can register it through Vermont through the mail. Don't need any of that stuff. There's a posting about it on here somewhere

jjhwick119 · 04-06-2018, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90bmw

I have two addresses, both in FL, I work in FL, the bus is titled in FL, and I can't register it until I have insurance first so at this point I can't even get a tag.

You can register it through Vermont through the mail. Don't need any of that stuff. There's a posting about it on here somewhere

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f18/ho...ion-15292.html

Thought I clicked edit, not sure how I double posted. My bad

ThatBusGuy · 04-06-2018, 09:25 PM

As mentioned on here by other members,

Marc Grossman of Blanchard Insurance in Florida
407-463-1034 cell

Got insurance on our bus for approx 600 a yr. (commercial) just a couple of weeks ago.

Darthweinie · 12-28-2020, 01:42 PM

I had commercial insurance through Progressive for by 2006 Thomas bus but when I moved to Florida they cancelled the policy stating they do not cover the state. Since then it has been a nightmare.

Progressive - no
Geico - no
Liberty Mutual - Hell no
All State - Sorry but feel free to call us again in 6 months
State Farm - Nope
Farmers - We've seen it all but won't cover you
eSurance - You want insurance for what?
Good Sam - Not so good
I just left a message for Marc Grossman of Blanchard (407-463-1034)..... I'll let you know.

Good Luck

EastCoastCB · 12-28-2020, 02:32 PM

Call Knowles Insurance in Leesburg FL and ask for Kelly Newsome.

Darthweinie · 12-30-2020, 01:02 PM

OK sorry it took a couple days but here is what I have run into in terms of insurance in Florida.... It is possible to get it though you need the right agent. In the end I listened to TheBusGuy's advice and called Marc Grossman of Blanchard Insurance in Florida, 407-463-1034. He was able to get me insurance through Progressive Commercial which is who I had originally before moving to FL. The Progressive agent said (when I moved) they did not serve FL but she needs a refresher course in insurance. Marc setup my insurance through them using a different branch.

In the meanwhile... Nick Catley, 216-350-5858, from GoodSam was also able to find me insurance. It just took him 2 days. Sorry Nick I went with Progressive even though it is more expensive.

Progressive $960/ year.
Good Sam $590/ year.

Marc setup the account very fast and was very thorough even noting where I had lapses under to old account which could cause problems if I had an accident. I went with him over Nick 1... he was quick and on the ball and 2... Nick took 2 days to respond and by then I was signing with Progressive.
Anyway Good Luck and I hope to run into some of you on the road... not literally....

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