Progressive insurance

[Asetechrail]

Well I guess I will see how this works....went to see my insurance agent yesterday about insurance on my bus. I told him straight out that it is a school bus registered as a motorhome. I also told him I had heard that Progressive’s policy was to not insure converted buses.

He just laughed and said “I have been doing these for years, it’s not a problem “. I once again stressed the fact that that I did not want to get canceled in a few weeks, or be denied a claim at any point. His response was that it takes an insurance agent that knows how to do it correctly and Progressive will cover it.

So.....FULL comprehensive insurance on my 1993 International Genesis motorhome is running me $352.00 a year. I figured $29.33 a month for full coverage was very doable! This is in Washington state.

[PNW_Steve]

hey Kent!!

Good news on the insurance.

Are you back in WW? Anything going on with your bus that I can give a hand with?

At a minimum, we need to get together for a pint or dinner.

[Asetechrail]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

hey Kent!!

Good news on the insurance.

Are you back in WW? Anything going on with your bus that I can give a hand with?

At a minimum, we need to get together for a pint or dinner.

Hey Steve,
The bus at this point is just a great big “U-Haul”. Not doing much more than finish loading it up for the move.
I am in Walla Walla right now but don’t know for how long. Perhaps the rest of October! We should do our own little Octoberfest !!
The house goes on the market this next week and at that time the bus will go into storage so it’s not taking up parking space.

I’m not convinced that the local fuel stations have switched to the winter blended diesel yet so went and picked up anti-gel for 100 gallons. Will go fill the bus tomorrow to the tune of around $300

It is nice to be able to drive it again! It’s been sitting for over a year so doing all the usual things, filters, belts, etc... It does start right up and runs fine thanks to the solar power battery tender.

Talk to ya later, we’ll have to have that pint sometime.

Kent

[PNW_Steve]

Perhaps dinner at Whiskey Canyon in Waitsburg?

[CoryBodiker]

Originally Posted by Asetechrail

Well I guess I will see how this works....went to see my insurance agent yesterday about insurance on my bus. I told him straight out that it is a school bus registered as a motorhome. I also told him I had heard that Progressive’s policy was to not insure converted buses.

He just laughed and said “I have been doing these for years, it’s not a problem “. I once again stressed the fact that that I did not want to get canceled in a few weeks, or be denied a claim at any point. His response was that it takes an insurance agent that knows how to do it correctly and Progressive will cover it.

So.....FULL comprehensive insurance on my 1993 International Genesis motorhome is running me $352.00 a year. I figured $29.33 a month for full coverage was very doable! This is in Washington state.

Well I just called progressive and was going to pay off this years policy and pay half of next year’s but I was told progressive is not covering Bus conversions anymore. Once people’s policy year is over they are not renewing anybody I was told. And it’s because of a lot of people doing sketchy things like roof raise when they don’t know what they’re doing. fireplaces and Decks on the roof and it states in the policies that these are not allowed and people do it anyways. But it’s too bad for the people that don’t do it and aren’t getting coverage. Just thought that you should know and not be blind sided like I was going to be if I didn’t call and find out.

[PNW_Steve]

Which battery tender are you running?

I need to get one for my bus.

[Asetechrail]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Which battery tender are you running?

I need to get one for my bus.

Hooked up to a Renogy solar panel.

[matthews2001]

I have a newly acquired 2001 thomas Matthews bookmobile. So it is NOT a converted school, passenger or transit bus. Progressive says on their website they will not insure those vehicles.

Maybe a niche market, I mean how many bookmobiles are motor home conversions (that is my winter project).

Anyway just purchased a $350 policy (I'm a vermonter). Though my previous 1999 class c 30 footer policy was $42 a year with theft and collison under my auto policy. BTW I am accident and violition free for 35 years...

Though this post wont really HELP anyone without a bookmobile...

[matthews2001]

Well after 3 weeks of coverage Progressive has cancelled me as the book mobile bus I bought is considered a school bus, even with a kitchen area and couch from new. It's blue and was built new as a book mobile. I am 58 never a ticket or accident, homeowner, good credit etc!!

And the bus is getting fixed up at a fleet pride place, cant even drive it home.
I will search skoolie.net for help now!!

Funny they knew all the facts going in and sent me all the policy papers.

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by matthews2001

Well after 3 weeks of coverage Progressive has cancelled me as the book mobile bus I bought is considered a school bus, even with a kitchen area and couch from new.

I got insurance a few months ago from Progressive. I told the guy on the phone it was a short bus conversion but he just asked me what it says on the VIN. On the VIN it just says "Ford Econoline." He said that's all they care about. He asked me how many seat belts it had, and since there are 2 it is a passenger vehicle. Apparently if it had only one I would have had to register it as commercial or something like that, and if it had the original 20 it would have been a bus.

I don't have what you'd call a stellar driving record, with 2 collisions (one wasn't me but a friend had borrowed my truck so he was covered under my insurance). They still gave me coverage albeit at a not great rate. I wouldn't get a great rate on anything right now, though, and probably never will again.

I've been insured by Progressive for 4 months now and so far they haven't cancelled me. But I had already resigned myself to not registering as an RV (which of course would be a lot cheaper), so while I did inform them it was a conversion I didn't press the point all that hard. When he offered the passenger vehicle diagnosis I just agreed and shut my mouth.

I shudder to think, though, what would happen if I had an actual accident. I mean, being dropped, and knowing you don't have coverage, is probably preferable to being hit with a lawsuit when the company you've been paying every month refuses to cover you.

[Pizote]

Today I talked with an agent from Allstate in California (initially I talked to one in FL) and they are able to write policies for school bus conversions both professionally and home grown.

As an example:
2007 IC CE300 costs $100 and change per six month policy for 100/300 LIABILITY ONLY

Add Comp/Collision to that by a "professional" ( I've done several home remodels and building projects) with a $45K value after conversion (self-valuated) and the COMP/COLLISION policy for six months goes to just under $300 inclusive of liability.

The FL agent's contact info is:
Kelly Newsome

(\/)
( . . )
c(")(")
Phone 352-326-9300
Fax 352-326-3931
Email kellynewsome1@allstate.com

The CA agent's contact info is:
Joe Lehr
707-546-3700
JOELEHR@allstate.com

NOTE: They are full aware that this bus is registered in VT as a MH with a CA address.

[adic27]

Originally Posted by Asetechrail

Well I guess I will see how this works....went to see my insurance agent yesterday about insurance on my bus. I told him straight out that it is a school bus registered as a motorhome. I also told him I had heard that Progressive’s policy was to not insure converted buses.

He just laughed and said “I have been doing these for years, it’s not a problem “. I once again stressed the fact that that I did not want to get canceled in a few weeks, or be denied a claim at any point. His response was that it takes an insurance agent that knows how to do it correctly and Progressive will cover it.

So.....FULL comprehensive insurance on my 1993 International Genesis motorhome is running me $352.00 a year. I figured $29.33 a month for full coverage was very doable! This is in Washington state.

Progressive quoted me $668.00 for 12 months and that's only liability for the commercial for personal use policy. I don't understand. Mines is not registered at all.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by adic27

Progressive quoted me $668.00 for 12 months and that's only liability for the commercial for personal use policy. I don't understand. Mines is not registered at all.

What's your driving record like? Mine is clean and I'm paying $170/yr from Progressive through an independent agent, not my State Farm agent, for the same policy.
I went through Van Keith Ins.
706-429-0172
Don't know if they insure out of state vehicles, but since it's through a nationwide company, I don't see why they wouldn't take your money.

[adic27]

Originally Posted by o1marc

What's your driving record like? Mine is clean and I'm paying $170/yr from Progressive through an independent agent, not my State Farm agent, for the same policy.
I went through Van Keith Ins.
706-429-0172
Don't know if they insure out of state vehicles, but since it's through a nationwide company, I don't see why they wouldn't take your money.

My record is also clean. Maybe it's because I currently have no insurance. I also called the 800 number. You think it would make a difference to check locally? I'm in Texas

[Drew Bru]

Originally Posted by adic27

Progressive quoted me $668.00 for 12 months and that's only liability for the commercial for personal use policy. I don't understand. Mines is not registered at all.

That's just about exactly what we're paying for liability and commercial/personal use. I'm in the Chicago area. IIRC the Progressive agent said the rate is based on where it's garaged.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by adic27

My record is also clean. Maybe it's because I currently have no insurance. I also called the 800 number. You think it would make a difference to check locally? I'm in Texas

Yes, check out local insurance companies. It seems everyone here who goes through an independent ends up with a Progressive policy. Usually the "having insurance" only helps when insuring through the same company. I have insurance for everything through State Farm, except the bus. No one asked me if I had I had insurance on anything else.
Maybe Ga. is cheaper to insure.

[Tango]

Remember that the zip code you are in makes a HUGE difference. Houston rates are outrageous. Go a few miles out in any direction and you can take half off.

[2RideTheGlobe]

Originally Posted by adic27

My record is also clean. Maybe it's because I currently have no insurance. I also called the 800 number. You think it would make a difference to check locally? I'm in Texas

I'm also in Texas. I just got my bus last month. I called USAA and they referred/forwarded me to Progressive Commercial. Progressive sold me a liability only policy for $180.

[miltruckman]

I had Progressive in Michigan, the policy is actually still in effect. But as I just moved to Indiana Progressive is telling me they will not Insure my TC2000 conversion here. And that my Michigan policy “was just grandfathered in”

So I am on the hunt for another insurance company that will insure my bus.

Bill
Lebanon, IN

[adic27]

Originally Posted by 2RideTheGlobe

I'm also in Texas. I just got my bus last month. I called USAA and they referred/forwarded me to Progressive Commercial. Progressive sold me a liability only policy for $180.

$180 a month?