Do AAA or Coach-Net require skoolies to be "fully converted" for towing assistance?

[dbsoundman]

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

[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.

[Polarweasel]

...and getting (and maintaining) a CDL will cost more than meeting the minimum requirements to title as an RV.

[dbsoundman]

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.

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

[dbsoundman]

Originally Posted by Polarweasel

...and getting (and maintaining) a CDL will cost more than meeting the minimum requirements to title as an RV.

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

[dond]

I am covered by Coachnet. I sent them nothing but the premium.

Here's a copy of a response from Coachnet:

[dbsoundman]

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

[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

[dbsoundman]

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

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

[gbstewart]

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

[turf]

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.

[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.

[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

[nat_ster]

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.

I like this idea.



Nat

[EastCoastCB]

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

Several folks on here have gotten cancellations when their commercial insurance provider finds out that its titled as a motorhome.

[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

[Scooternj]

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

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.

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Several folks on here have gotten cancellations when their commercial insurance provider finds out that its titled as a motorhome.

I've seen a number of RVs here in NJ that are used for commercial puposes.

[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".

[dbsoundman]

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".

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

[djlesperance5]

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.