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Old 02-02-2018, 03:40 PM   #21
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I have a extra-medium Bus [emoji590] - every state is different - but when registering it - just tell them when you have and what you are doing.




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Old 02-02-2018, 03:40 PM   #22
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What you can get titled as depends very much on your state's rules. Basically the hurdle you need to cross to be a motorhome is through the DMV. If you can be retitled as a motorhome by DMV standards, the insurance company will follow. Or some insurance company will anyway. It's strange the way they act.

There is no real advantage to getting titled as a van. One individual stated that his bus was titled as a station wagon through his DMV, and it was the DMV's idea. Try to stay away from the truck connotation, as that implies commercial duty.

Yes, using your VIN will identify your vehicle as a bus. Bus is not a dirty word. It really is a bus. Someone will insure you. It generally always works out unless you've got a really bad driving record.
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Old 02-02-2018, 03:52 PM   #23
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How can I get a bus considered to be a Van conversion or is that a length thing? Don't they see it is a bus from the Vin#?
For most, yes, the VIN search shows "Bus".

For some the VIN search shows "Incomplete Chassis", which simply means that the chassis was delivered, already titled to the bus-builder, who then adopted the same VIN.

You should have less trouble insuring that but I don't have specifics. I do know that they do not show as a bus.
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Old 02-02-2018, 05:06 PM   #24
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I have an E450 cutaway short bus. Registering it as an RV is cheaper HERE than registering it as a van.
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Old 02-02-2018, 06:29 PM   #25
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Originally Posted by BigDeb68 View Post
Hi- So like what did you have to do to convert it? Like did you have to install plumbing, electric, gas, stove, bathroom, curtains, a sofa, bed? What was Allstate's requirements and did they have to have receipts or anything? Do you have a van or bus?
If you use the search function above for Florida Insurance (or something like that) you'll find a thread where I actually outline the steps for FL insurance and include the info for the title change first... actually here's the link, but the search function on this forum is AMAZING!
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/th...-15298-21.html

Then I called Allstate and got insured. They do ask questions about the conversion, but required NO photos or proof of anything. Some of my answers:
No, I don't live in it. I plan to travel less than 3000 miles a year.
Yes, I had an electrician do the wiring (this is true, actually, my son-in-law is a master electrician).
Yes, it has a bathroom... no further details given or question asked.
Do you have RV driving experience? Yes, I do. (they actually do ask for you to write up a paper on this... I basically wrote "I have RV driving experience. I began driving RV's 35 years ago when I was 19".
That was about it. My annual insurance was $251.71.
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Old 02-02-2018, 06:31 PM   #26
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Originally Posted by Dog Rescuer View Post
I have a extra-medium Bus [emoji590] - every state is different - but when registering it - just tell them when you have and what you are doing.




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OMG... I want to come to the farm and have cows hang outside my bus!
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Old 02-03-2018, 05:06 AM   #27
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OMG... I want to come to the farm and have cows hang outside my bus!


I am here for another week - any and all buses welcome [emoji51]


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Old 02-03-2018, 10:02 AM   #28
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I am here for another week - any and all buses welcome [emoji51]


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Are you coming to the FL get together?


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Old 02-03-2018, 10:05 AM   #29
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I will be there Friday and Saturday night! (Feb. 16 / 17)





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Old 02-03-2018, 10:08 AM   #30
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I’m coming in on Friday, as well. I’ll make you a cup of coffee or two with that fabulous coffee maker I have! [emoji3]


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Old 02-03-2018, 01:00 PM   #31
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I’m going to share this on a couple threads. Keywords: Florida title RV
Florida Insurance

Attached is the EXAMPLE TL-13-05 form titled Certificate of title requirements for Recreational Vehicles...
You have to type or write your own up.
Mine said:
This is to certify that I, Sandra Blankenship, owner of a 2003 Amtran, VIN XXX, hereby request the vehicle be classified as recreational vehicle for the following reason:
Installed 110 V electrical wiring and installed plumbing system.
Sign your name. THAT’S IT.
Additionally, if anyone tells you it has to be inspected, tell them to call the supervisor at the field operations south district headquarters in West Palm Beach. Her name is Ursula, and the phone number is 561–640–6820. Tell them that according to Ursula it does not have to be inspected.
Sandi



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Old 04-03-2018, 03:57 PM   #32
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Titling & Insurance in Missouri

We are in the process of conversion. Is there any way to keep the bus titled as a school bus, or do we have to get it approved as an RV for insurance?
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Old 04-04-2018, 11:54 AM   #33
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$350 a year in Washington State for "commercial for personal use ".
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Old 06-21-2018, 07:38 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dog Rescuer View Post
I have a extra-medium Bus [emoji590] - every state is different - but when registering it - just tell them when you have and what you are doing.




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So what I am trying to find insurance for here in the Lone Star, about an hour N of HOU, is an Extra Medium, huh?

The Turquoise Tortoise is an 8-window, too. I always figgered she was a hyper-thyroidal Short Bus...

Nice looking rig, btw.

Anyhoo, everybody-

Getting caught up on the threads, perusing for info on insuring my now-converted Skoolie.

Got the basic requisites to be an RV.

Getting hypertensive trying to find the magic combination of agent, carrier, coverage, and persuasive verbiage.

Getting any leads from all y'all has got my absolute appreciation!
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Old 06-21-2018, 07:44 PM   #35
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Whoops!

I just now realized I ought best reckon on updating my bus' CV soon!

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Old 07-28-2020, 04:05 PM   #36
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Kelly Newsone in FL is an Allstate agent. She set me up with an agent in ME. I got very affordable rate done in less than a day. Her number is 352-326-9300. Kelly is the best. Give her a call.
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Old 05-20-2021, 08:15 AM   #37
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Kelly Newsone in FL is an Allstate agent. She set me up with an agent in ME. I got very affordable rate done in less than a day. Her number is 352-326-9300. Kelly is the best. Give her a call.
I second that, they helped me find someone that would insure the bus quickly. They referred me to a local agency which quoted me at $2,100 yearly. That seems really high! I'll keep shopping around a bit but I think due to where I live (in a big city) and my lack of experience driving a bus maybe this quote isn't way out of the ballpark of what I would get somewhere else.
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Old 05-20-2021, 08:34 AM   #38
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I second that, they helped me find someone that would insure the bus quickly. They referred me to a local agency which quoted me at $2,100 yearly. That seems really high! I'll keep shopping around a bit but I think due to where I live (in a big city) and my lack of experience driving a bus maybe this quote isn't way out of the ballpark of what I would get somewhere else.
Uh, that seems insane, actually. I pay $340 a year. Being older and having no accidents or claims for the last 32 years helps.
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Old 05-20-2021, 09:55 AM   #39
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Uh, that seems insane, actually. I pay $340 a year. Being older and having no accidents or claims for the last 32 years helps.
Yeah I called the agent and went through everything with her

- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist - $50,000/$100,000
- Bodily Injury - $50,000/$100,000 each person/each occurrence
- Property Damage - $100,000 each occurrence
- Uninsured Motorist for Property Damage - $50,000
- Medical Payments - $50,000 each person
- Motor Home Collision Insurance
- Motor Home Comprehensive Insurance
- Contents Coverage - $5,000
- $1000 Deductible Motor Home Collision Insurance
- $1000 Motor Home Comprehensive Insurance


I have a relatively good driving history, am over 30y old, so I'm not that "fresh"

The bus is a 1993 international short bus with 320,000 miles

I put the bus value at $30,000 (includes conversion costs and labor... maybe this is too high?)

She said if I was married it would have knocked the premium down by half, how about that, guess I better start looking for a wife for those good insurance rates.
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Old 05-20-2021, 10:07 AM   #40
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Ah, you got full coverage - my price is for liability-only. $2100 still seems really high for that, though.

$30,000 is way low if you include labor, I think.
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