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04-20-2017, 07:37 PM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 48
Chassis: Chevy Express 3500
Rated Cap: 27
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Insurance success!
Won the auction for my short bus last week and have been in an increasing panic all week trying to get it covered before I pick it up tomorrow. Some places were polite, but not helpful, while others were downright rude.
The details:
I got a commercial policy for private use through a Progressive *agent* (you can NOT get any kind of school bus - pre, during, or post conversion - insured yourself through Progressive Direct online). It's liability only and it costs $800 per year (and that's after a $200 discount for multi-policy and paid up front).
A difference agent had quoted a similar policy at $2,100, but he was listing it as "transportation, not for hire" since it's a bus. The final deal I got categorized the policy as "personal - carpentry" since I said I needed the vehicle to haul lumber from the store to my house (not a lie).
Others have said it here, but I 1) didn't believe it and 2) felt sketchy about doing it, but NEVER SAY YOU HAVE A SCHOOL BUS. I simply said I needed to insure a commercial vehicle for personal use and gave the VIN number. It probably helps that I bought a shortie which was built on a Chevy cargo van chassis, so the VIN didn't come back as "bus" (technically, the VIN didn't come back as anything, so I might get denied next week, but that's a problem for future me).
Now my focus is to get the seats out and paint it white so that I can register & insure it as an RV for hopefully much less money.
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04-20-2017, 07:44 PM
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#2
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,497
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Rated Cap: 72 pax
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bfuller181
Won the auction for my short bus last week and have been in an increasing panic all week trying to get it covered before I pick it up tomorrow. Some places were polite, but not helpful, while others were downright rude.
The details:
I got a commercial policy for private use through a Progressive *agent* (you can NOT get any kind of school bus - pre, during, or post conversion - insured yourself through Progressive Direct online). It's liability only and it costs $800 per year (and that's after a $200 discount for multi-policy and paid up front).
A difference agent had quoted a similar policy at $2,100, but he was listing it as "transportation, not for hire" since it's a bus. The final deal I got categorized the policy as "personal - carpentry" since I said I needed the vehicle to haul lumber from the store to my house (not a lie).
Others have said it here, but I 1) didn't believe it and 2) felt sketchy about doing it, but NEVER SAY YOU HAVE A SCHOOL BUS. I simply said I needed to insure a commercial vehicle for personal use and gave the VIN number. It probably helps that I bought a shortie which was built on a Chevy cargo van chassis, so the VIN didn't come back as "bus" (technically, the VIN didn't come back as anything, so I might get denied next week, but that's a problem for future me).
Now my focus is to get the seats out and paint it white so that I can register & insure it as an RV for hopefully much less money.
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Careful. If you change the title before you convert it, progressive will drop you, if they find out. No one I could find would insure a pre or on going conversion.
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04-20-2017, 07:57 PM
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#3
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 48
Chassis: Chevy Express 3500
Rated Cap: 27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Njsurf73
Careful. If you change the title before you convert it, progressive will drop you, if they find out. No one I could find would insure a pre or on going conversion.
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AIS (essentially National General) said they would cover during conversion as soon as the seats are out and it's painted not-yellow (would need to take pictures to verify). Post-conversion would need to show evidence of things like bed, stove, water, power, etc.
Either way, I'm not changing the title until everything is done at which point I'd be dropping the Progressive policy anyway.
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04-20-2017, 07:59 PM
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#4
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,497
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Rated Cap: 72 pax
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Hmm. I called them and they said they would only cover me after the conversion and I would need pictures. What state are you in?
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04-20-2017, 08:12 PM
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#5
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 48
Chassis: Chevy Express 3500
Rated Cap: 27
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NY, but I don't think I ever gave that info to them. Other RV insurance places told me the same thing - no insurance while it's a bus, insurance options once the seats are removed, better insurance options once it's registered & titled as an RV.
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04-20-2017, 08:21 PM
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#6
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,497
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Rated Cap: 72 pax
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Well thank you. I have hope.lol.
I still plan on doing the whole conversion before I start to think about changing insurance companies
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04-21-2017, 07:33 AM
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#7
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Greenwood, Indiana
Posts: 669
Year: 1999
Coachwork: New Flyer
Chassis: D45HF "Viking"
Engine: 11.1L Detroit Diesel S60
Rated Cap: 51,600
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Disclaimer: I'm in Indiana.
I went online to Progressive Commercial to look for a policy and they quoted me about $630/yr for a policy very much like the policies I have on my cars (100/300/100, etc.). In fact Progressive Commercial didn't discount it very much for basic coverage (25/50/25, etc. - about $560/yr). Be aware, there was two or three places where I selected "for private use" during the Q&A session!
Once I take possession of the bus (I'm having it delivered - really long story), purchase the policy, and receive all the materials, I'll post a quick writeup of what I did.
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04-21-2017, 07:36 AM
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#8
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,497
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Rated Cap: 72 pax
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkyDee
Disclaimer: I'm in Indiana.
I went online to Progressive Commercial to look for a policy and they quoted me about $630/yr for a policy very much like the policies I have on my cars (100/300/100, etc.). In fact Progressive Commercial didn't discount it very much for basic coverage (25/50/25, etc. - about $560/yr). Be aware, there was two or three places where I selected "for private use" during the Q&A session!
Once I take possession of the bus (I'm having it delivered - really long story), purchase the policy, and receive all the materials, I'll post a quick writeup of what I did.
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Very similar to my insurance in Massachusetts. They even asked if it was converted, semi-converted, or stock. I fibbed a little and told her the seats were all out already, it saved me $20.00 lol
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04-22-2017, 06:53 PM
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#9
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 48
Chassis: Chevy Express 3500
Rated Cap: 27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkyDee
Disclaimer: I'm in Indiana.
I went online to Progressive Commercial to look for a policy and they quoted me about $630/yr for a policy very much like the policies I have on my cars (100/300/100, etc.). In fact Progressive Commercial didn't discount it very much for basic coverage (25/50/25, etc. - about $560/yr). Be aware, there was two or three places where I selected "for private use" during the Q&A session!
Once I take possession of the bus (I'm having it delivered - really long story), purchase the policy, and receive all the materials, I'll post a quick writeup of what I did.
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That's so strange because when I called Progressive Commercial they told me no flat-out as soon as I uttered the words "school bus."
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04-22-2017, 07:17 PM
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#10
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Greenwood, Indiana
Posts: 669
Year: 1999
Coachwork: New Flyer
Chassis: D45HF "Viking"
Engine: 11.1L Detroit Diesel S60
Rated Cap: 51,600
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bfuller181
That's so strange because when I called Progressive Commercial they told me no flat-out as soon as I uttered the words "school bus."
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All I can suggest is going through their online portal and see if they will quote a policy that way. If you can wait a day or two I'll put up some instructions.
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04-22-2017, 07:31 PM
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#11
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,758
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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every state is different... progressive you always have to call to actually purchase the policy... when i did both my busses.. (by the way one has a Motorhome title, the other is original Bus title).. they showed them as "International 380".. never asked any more.. but she knew it was a Bus.. in my case both of my busses still have some seats.. the only thing she asked was "is it a bus staying a bus?" of course i answered trithfully YES.. since really they both are Busses..
that was a year ago, i got my renewal already and sent it in so they didnt cancel me..
-Christopher
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04-22-2017, 07:54 PM
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#12
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 340
Year: 2003
Chassis: E-450
Engine: 7.3 Turbo
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Interesting that AIS has a dedicated bus conversion page. Although they're pretty negative about school bus conversions specifically...
"With underwriting guidelines being tightened to keep losses in check, insurance companies are avoiding certain types of risk. One of the most well-known risks that most specialty RV insurance providers avoid is the school bus conversion. Very few insurance companies will insure this type of vehicle. The main reason cited for this is the axle of a school bus is generally a narrower axle than that of a regular bus. Thus, when the additional weight of the conversion is added, it can result in a top-heavy vehicle, which is more susceptible to rollover accidents. Historically, more serious accidents have occurred to school bus conversions as compared to regular bus conversions-enough that many companies are no longer willing to accept this risk."
Translation: we may be able to help you, but get ready to pay $$$$$$$$$$$
link: https://www.aisinsurance.com/product...ersion.aspx#t3
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04-22-2017, 10:33 PM
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#13
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkyDee
Disclaimer: I'm in Indiana.
I went online to Progressive Commercial to look for a policy and they quoted me about $630/yr for a policy very much like the policies I have on my cars (100/300/100, etc.). In fact Progressive Commercial didn't discount it very much for basic coverage (25/50/25, etc. - about $560/yr). Be aware, there was two or three places where I selected "for private use" during the Q&A session!
Once I take possession of the bus (I'm having it delivered - really long story), purchase the policy, and receive all the materials, I'll post a quick writeup of what I did.
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Not trying to be a downer but don't be surprised if you get a cancellation letter in a couple weeks if you did it all online. Hopefully not, but that's been the collective experience.
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04-22-2017, 10:38 PM
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#14
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
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Well we'd all better start getting coaches then, so we're that extra 3" wider that makes us safe and keeps us from a flippin over like a tubleweed.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
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04-22-2017, 10:42 PM
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#15
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,497
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Rated Cap: 72 pax
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But they will insure this without blinking...
Because it has such a wide wheel base
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06-29-2018, 07:35 AM
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#16
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 8
Coachwork: Corbeil
Chassis: 2004 GMC Savana
Engine: 6 liter, 8 cylinder Vortec
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkyDee
All I can suggest is going through their online portal and see if they will quote a policy that way. If you can wait a day or two I'll put up some instructions.
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Would you still be willing to post instructions? Assuming this has all worked out for you?
Thanks, Bill
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06-29-2018, 12:17 PM
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#17
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Greenwood, Indiana
Posts: 669
Year: 1999
Coachwork: New Flyer
Chassis: D45HF "Viking"
Engine: 11.1L Detroit Diesel S60
Rated Cap: 51,600
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stcyrwm
Would you still be willing to post instructions? Assuming this has all worked out for you?
Thanks, Bill
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Wow, that was a year ago for me now.... It did work out for me - well Progressive Commercial hasn't canceled me yet. However, at my one-year renewal they dropped the amounts down, but also dropped the amount I was paying. I've wondered if they accepted me because my bus had already been insured by them (the seller I got the bus from had it insured through them).
I'll make a note and see what I can do this weekend.....
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06-29-2018, 12:56 PM
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#18
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New Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 8
Coachwork: Corbeil
Chassis: 2004 GMC Savana
Engine: 6 liter, 8 cylinder Vortec
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Thanks that would be awesome. I have been turned down twice already, sigh...
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06-29-2018, 02:22 PM
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#19
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2018
Location: topeka kansas
Posts: 1,771
Year: 1954
Coachwork: wayne
Chassis: old f500- new 2005 f-450
Engine: cummins 12 valve
Rated Cap: 20? five rows of 4?
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y'all gettin me nervous
I wonder how it is all going to go? I mean 1954 ford..... title does say "bus"
last registered in 1971.......
william
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06-29-2018, 02:33 PM
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#20
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Skoolie
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Central MN
Posts: 191
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC RE
Engine: 8.3L
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Might try somebody like Hagerty, that does classic and restored cars. It would qualify by age. My $.02
__________________
GaryC
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