WA - insurer conversion requirements/no goes

[WanderingLass]

Originally Posted by evathedefiler

Progressive was explicit that registering as an rv would cause them cancel a commercial for personal use policy.

Interesting - when we traveled from Ohio to SD (with the intent to go to WA so we were using a WA agent) Progressive wouldn't cover us as an RV even though that's how she's titled due to her condition (she was in bad shape and it made sense when she explained it) but they DID insure her as commercial. It was a bit more expensive but it got us on the road.

[Robin97396]

When you get tired of searching call an independent insurance agent and ask for a commercial policy for private use. If you've done that and it didn't work, call a different independent insurance agent.

There is a reason many of us keep telling you to take this route to getting a policy. This is the one thing that seems to work nationwide.

[evathedefiler]

I swear I said we’d picked up a commercial for personal use policy with Progressive. But leaving the title as a bus to keep Progressive happy may leave us with a cdl problem here in WA. So ultimately I’d like to find an insurer who is content to have it titled as a motorhome and isn’t going to want more conversion work than we want to do.

I kee getting directed to the WA DOL page for who -doesn’t- need a cdl... RV aka motorhome title here in WA. But WA DOL page for who -does- need a cdl also says vehicles over 26000 lbs... which as I understand it would apply if titled as a bus. I promise I’m well researched and read closely and checking into agents and options as I become aware of them.

[Iceni John]

I think you may be getting confused between GVWR and actual weight. The bus's GVWR is determined by the original manufacturer based on the load capacities of the axles, tires, suspension etc and the braking capacity, and this will not change regardless of what you do to it. As long as it never exceeds the GVWR, you're OK. The actual weight, i.e what the scale says, is up to you and how you build it and load it. Vehicle registration classes are usually, but not always, based on GVWR, not actual weight. Some states such as CA require a Class B driver's license if operating a vehicle over 26,000 GVWR, but if that vehicle is not being used for commercial purposes it will not be a federal Class B CDL - instead it will be a State non-commercial Class B. That's why non-commercial Class B and A licenses exist.

Imagine having a huge 5th-wheel trailer behind a big-rig Volvo tractor unit instead of the usual heavy-duty duallie pickup. What's needed to drive that Volvo truck? It's evidently not in commercial use, even though it was originally designed to be, so therefore a non-com license is needed. See, it's the use that matters, not what the vehicle was originally made to do. I have a friend with an army HEMTT, and he has it registered as a pickup truck because it has a load bed on it! He probably needs a non-com Class B because I expect it's well over 26K GVWR, but it's not commercial so no CDL is needed for it. (Besides, what cop is willing to pull over what looks like a real army truck, complete with eight huge tires that could drive right over his cop car like it's not there?!)

Don't go by what some dude in the WA State offices says. Print out the relevant sections of the WA State vehicle code, keep them with you, and don't be afraid to show them to someone who contradicts the actual code!

Good luck, John

[Tango]

Thought a "Heavy" might make a cool and original RV...but someone beat us to it!

[evathedefiler]

Washington doesn’t offer non-commercial class b and such. You get a regular driver license or you can get a variety of cdl classes. WA does however use manufacturer gross vehicle weight and not scale weight as the defining weight for cdl.

We are one of those states where you can drive damn near anything on a regular license if it’s an rv or a horse trailer.

I completely follow the argument that it’s use not vehicle that matters but the WA DOL site states it explicitly the other way. I don’t think we’re actually likely to get static here in WA but we like to cross t’s and dot i’s by nature.

[evathedefiler]

Though thank you for pointing me at the actual RCW. They state a recreational vehicle is exempt and define it by use and type but there is no contingency of how it is registered as part of the definition. At as far as I find so far... joys of searching rcw.

[Cdimples67]

Hi,
Thanks for sharing the great info. Im almost done with my build and now i need to get insurance and have the title changed to rv. I live in granite falls and the license place is telling me i need an inspection, do you know where i can get it changed without the inspection and also a contact at your insurance company you can recommend.
Thanks
Michael

[Cdimples67]

Hi,
What office did you go to? I tried the one in granite falls by my house and they stated i need an inspection.
Thanks,
Michael

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Cdimples67

Hi,
Thanks for sharing the great info. Im almost done with my build and now i need to get insurance and have the title changed to rv. I live in granite falls and the license place is telling me i need an inspection, do you know where i can get it changed without the inspection and also a contact at your insurance company you can recommend.
Thanks
Michael

The one in Lk Stevens (Mail Zone) told me the same. The one in Snohomish will take care of you (Barb's?).

Affidavit of conversion. No inspection.

[Cdimples67]

Thats the one i went to, i will try barbs. I appreciate the help

[PNW_Steve]

No problem.

Barb's has done two buses for me.

I lived in Granite until August of last year. I sure miss it...

[evathedefiler]

We called license offices and asked for their procedure to title as a a motorhome/rv. When we got one that answered no inspection we took the clerks name and bustled on over.

[Cdimples67]

Thanks for the valuable info PNWsteve, I went there Friday after work and walked out 10 mins later with plates and tabs. So much easier than jumping through all the BS they wanted me too....

[PNW_Steve]

You are most welcome.

[jameshiggins]

Any idea how much a short school bus weighs?

[WanderingLass]

None of the insurance companies I spoke to needed this. If they do, you're more than likely going to need to take it to a scale for an official weight.