Texas Insurance prior to conversion

[KAT-MVP-EF]

I just purchased a 2000 ThomasBuilt EF MVP at an auction, the us is still in its natural setting (still a school bus). I must have insurance with the bus named on the policy before I can pick it up from the school district yard and I cannot find anyone willing to insure it as a RV unconverted.

What have other Texas residents done to get their bus home and do you have any suggestions for agents or companies to speak to.

Companies that have turned us down so far.
Goodsam, Progressive, National General, …….

[o1marc]

Allstate was where I went when I needed a quick policy for one day. Wasn't any problems. I had to insure a bus I didn't own just to get on the lot to look at it.
State Farm insures me in any vehicle I buy for 7 days, even though they won't insure a bus.
Who ever you find, do a monthly policy with a small down and cancel after you get it home.

[A_Bus_Called_Quest]

Congratulations on the bus!
Not in Texas, but I JUST got off the phone with Progressive. I was kind of nervous for some reason, but the whole thing was super easy

Based on everything I've read (thanks Skoolie Fam!) - we need a "Commercial Vehicle for Personal Use" Liability Policy. Those are the magic words apparently. You will get a different policy with a different carrier when your conversion is complete.

My process:
1. Go online to Progressive Commercial ( https://www.progressivecommercial.com/ ) and start the "quote online process" by entering your zip and selecting "Commercial Auto" - click GET QUOTE.

2. On the next page, in the upper left, there is a little "REQUEST A CALL" button. DO THIS!
(Don’t waste your time calling the 1800 number - I spent a total of 40 minutes, 3 separate calls on hold until I clicked this REQUEST A CALL button - then I got a call in 1 minute and was talking to an agent in 4 minutes.)

3. Be super nice to your agent - they're your friend now
Key points: You have a "Commercial Vehicle for Personal Use" - tell them you're going to use it for storage on your property - “hey it's cheaper than a shipping container or free-standing shed!”

4.THE BIG QUESTION:They will ask "What kind of vehicle is this?" I started with "1995 International" and when he asked again I just told him "it's an old school bus, we got a killer deal on it!"
My agent was super cool about it, and didn’t skip a beat when I said “school bus”
Don’t mention anything about your conversion, RVs, motor homes, or anything like that - this policy is ONLY for the bus pre-conversion. You will have to call a different insurance company (I hear State Farm) for the RV / Conversion insurance.

5. Provide your VIN#, all drivers’ information (name, age, birthdate, driver’s licence #, etc)

6. They will run some numbers, and ask some questions about the vehicle:
- how far will the vehicle be driven? (I gave them the miles i will drive the bus home from auction, in my case 250mi)
- what will it be used for? (storage)
- where will it be parked? - (your property)
- does it have a wheelchair lift? (yes/no)
- does it still have all of the seats? (i said maybe, but i will take them out when i pick up the bus, my agent entered “no” on his side)
- just stick to your guns that this is an innocent little storage bus, no big deal!!

7. I opted out of any additional insurance, just stuck to a 6mo. Liability policy covering other’s property - I was off the phone with my policy in 26minutes - $260 for coverage!

I think I got the order of operations right there - bottom line, be friendly, stick to your guns, NO this is not an RV, it is a Commercial Vehicle for Personal Use - Liability Policy (available in 6mo, 12mo, MAYBE 1mo policies)

These guys have a pretty good guide also - https://www.skoolielivin.com/school-...ion-insurance/

GOOD LUCK - DRIVE SAFE - HAVE FUN!!!

[rossvtaylor]

Bear Gerschafer's description is 100% accurate. I was also going to recommend Progressive for a "Commercial Vehicle for Private Use" policy. We've had to do that on pre-converted ambulances and buses. It's more expensive than post-conversion RV insurance, but it works. I found this route going through USAA, my primary insurer...they don't offer the insurance themselves, but they have a relationship with Progressive for these kinds of things and they shunted me over to them...which worked out. I've had to do this 4 or 5 times and it worked just like Bear wrote.

[KAT-MVP-EF]

I spoke to Progressive yesterday after doing the online quote and the agent I spoke didn't seem to want to write the policy and referred me to two other companies that both complained that Progressive keeps referring people to them and they do not insure school buses of any type. I'll call Progressive back today.

[A_Bus_Called_Quest]

I think the key for me was that I will only be using the bus for storage for the next 6 months
Technically this is the honest truth - I will be storing lots of lumber, electric components, water tanks and appliances in the bus. Until it is finished, then it will no longer be 'only storage'

My progressive agent did mention that they do not cover school bus conversions, bus RV's or bus motor homes - which I have seen referenced in this forum as well. It seems trickier to get insurance for the converted bus/RV than just a commercial vehicle used for personal use, or for storage on your property. You could just be a bus collector who likes to look at buses in their yard

I can drive around my property ALLL day doing whatever I want in the bus (anything legal) - just cant use it for any commercial means.
Also can't keep it insured with progressive if it is converted or modified in any way - but that is all part of the plan my friend

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by Bear Gerschafer

I think the key for me was that I will only be using the bus for storage for the next 6 months
Technically this is the honest truth - I will be storing lots of lumber, electric components, water tanks and appliances in the bus. Until it is finished, then it will no longer be 'only storage'

My progressive agent did mention that they do not cover school bus conversions, bus RV's or bus motor homes - which I have seen referenced in this forum as well. It seems trickier to get insurance for the converted bus/RV than just a commercial vehicle used for personal use, or for storage on your property. You could just be a bus collector who likes to look at buses in their yard

I can drive around my property ALLL day doing whatever I want in the bus (anything legal) - just cant use it for any commercial means.
Also can't keep it insured with progressive if it is converted or modified in any way - but that is all part of the plan my friend

Progressive changed their policy mid year last year and quit insuring buses of any sort, canceled monthly policies and nonrenewed yearly policies. You don't need insurance if you're just driving your property. Insurance for a completed RV conversion is very simple with multiple companies. IMHO Progressive is the worst insurance company on earth.

[rossvtaylor]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Progressive changed their policy mid year last year and quit insuring buses of any sort, canceled monthly policies and nonrenewed yearly policies. You don't need insurance if you're just driving your property. Insurance for a completed RV conversion is very simple with multiple companies. IMHO Progressive is the worst insurance company on earth.

Ah...that's interesting and helpful. My last experience with them, for a commercial/private use policy was over a year ago...so my info is apparently dated. I appreciate the current news, sir.

[A_Bus_Called_Quest]

Got my ID cards today and certificate of insurance today! Progressive came through
Commercial Vehicle - Personal Use - Liability only - NOT a motor home = magic words.

Hope this helps!

[chappy58]

Give this guy a call, in Texas. He will get you the best price!

Texas Legacy Insurance (Chris Wood)
225.323.4383

[DiddBiddy]

Originally Posted by Bear Gerschafer

Got my ID cards today and certificate of insurance today! Progressive came through
Commercial Vehicle - Personal Use - Liability only - NOT a motor home = magic words.

Hope this helps!

Thanks Bear!!! Got my bus covered today per your guidance. Well done. Now I just need the temp tags from DMV and I'll head to Kansas to get my bus. Thanks again!

[KAT-MVP-EF]

I picked my bus today, I ended up not buying insurance, after reading my auto policy it appears to cover any vehicle purchased for personal use for 30 days, and it ended up no one even asked to see my insurance.



It was parked since mid 2019, and started right up after installed new batteries and ran fine for 150 mile trip home.

[A_Bus_Called_Quest]

Originally Posted by DiddBiddy

Thanks Bear!!! Got my bus covered today per your guidance. Well done. Now I just need the temp tags from DMV and I'll head to Kansas to get my bus. Thanks again!

Congrats on the bus!! Another tip - we looked at temp moving tags for the bus and it was SUCH a headache. We opted for the good 'ol handwritten "Just Purchased -In Transit" sign in the back windows and drive the 300miles home with no problemo.
(definitely not professional or legal advice, do your due diligence )

(Edit: spelling -on my phone)

[shaymcquaid]

Originally Posted by chappy58

Give this guy a call, in Texas. He will get you the best price!

Texas Legacy Insurance (Chris Wood)
225.323.4383

I’m gonna call him...

[Phatman]

Originally Posted by Bowers

I picked my bus today, I ended up not buying insurance, after reading my auto policy it appears to cover any vehicle purchased for personal use for 30 days, and it ended up no one even asked to see my insurance.



It was parked since mid 2019, and started right up after installed new batteries and ran fine for 150 mile trip home.

Where are you located Bowers?

[chappy58]

His office is in Stephenville, Tx.

[Rebel Yell]

Originally Posted by Bowers

I just purchased a 2000 ThomasBuilt EF MVP at an auction, the us is still in its natural setting (still a school bus). I must have insurance with the bus named on the policy before I can pick it up from the school district yard and I cannot find anyone willing to insure it as a RV unconverted.

What have other Texas residents done to get their bus home and do you have any suggestions for agents or companies to speak to.

Companies that have turned us down so far.
Goodsam, Progressive, National General, …….

State Farm, look no further

[TXDRP]

Matt scheffler – 817-249-1187 – bus insurance - benbrook – allstate - susie - international –bus vin etc.. –

[Phatman]

I had no problem insuring mine with State Farm but it is insured as a private bus. Could not find a good reason to go to the trouble of changing the title to an RV. I also did not insure it until I had converted it.

[mrlupr]

Originally Posted by TXDRP

Matt scheffler – 817-249-1187 – bus insurance - benbrook – allstate - susie - international –bus vin etc.. –

Thank you so much TXDRP!!!

I called Matt's office and spoke with Jeremiah.
I could not believe how professional and well-versed these people are with skoolies. The receptionist that answered the phone even corrected me when I said "converted RV". Of course I was trying to be coy.
She quickly answered, are you asking for our skoolie coverage?
My jaw literally dropped.
Jeremiah was really easy to talk to. He knew all the right questions to ask and at the end of our conversation he shocked me even more.
He offered comprehensive coverage!
Everything I ever heard or read, said that all we could ever get was collision.
Well let me tell you something. Allstate offers full comprehensive bumper to bumper coverage.

Even better, they do not require you to re-register your schoolbus as a motorhome, to give you RV coverage.

To TOP it all off. They did all this over the phone!

Sorry if I sound a bit over-excited, but these people erased all of the misconceptions that I had regarding insurance coverage for my skoolie.