I have a question about how to handle vehicle insurance for an "RV" and I'm hoping someone can help. I put "RV" in quotes because my vehicle is going to be a conversion van that I slowly build out myself. So it's not going to be a traditional RV, like a Class A/B/C. But I am going to be living in it full-time as I travel through the US and will be using a CMRA (through St. Brendan's Isle in Florida) as my permanent residence address. So I don't know if I need to go though a company that provides regular car insurance (since it's just a regular van) or RV insurance (since I'll be living in it full time). I will be using the address issued by my CRMA for vehicle registration and insurance purposes once I get the conversion van (I don't have it yet, but very soon). And the CMRA is the only address I'll have, I don't want to use the address of any friends or family for anything, I want to be totally independent.My concern is that I've already run into some issues with using the CMRA as my permanent address. My banking and credit card accounts wouldn't allow me to use the CMRA address as my permanent address, I could only set it as my mailing address. Their computer systems somehow automatically know it is a CMRA address (versus being a residential address). So now I'm worried that a regular car insurance company won't insure me with a CMRA address. And at the same time I'm also worried I won't be able to get full-time RV insurance since I'm going to be in a conversion van and not a traditional RV. Does anyone know how people handle this type of situation? I know there are other people out there living full-time in their cars or SUVs, but I haven't been able to figure out how they handle vehicle insurance. I'd really appreciate any advice.

Banks are required to have a physical address on file and as such have pretty good controls in place to know when an address is just for mail. Don't blame the banks however. Ever since the patriot act, the government requires financial institutions to screen customers and one of those things is the presence of a physical address. I know some folks on here have skirted that with various mail box drops, but that's the logic behind it. Can you use a family member or friend's address? I know you said you don't want to, but you may be shooting yourself in the foot if you don't. As far as insurance, does your carrier classify your van as an RV? I believe it goes by VIN. And what is the up side to insuring it as an RV? Would standard car insurance cover it or are there some higher value items (stove, tv etc) that would require additional insurance? In any case I think the insurance company is going to insure it based on the VIN classification. I think most people living in cars have bigger issues than whether their insurance company considers their car an RV. They don't BTW.

I have recently moved everything to a SD PMB, no issues as of yet.Are you saying things to insurers or otherwise that throw red flags in the air? Answer their questions straight up, dont be dishonest, BUT DONT volunteer anything extra. That is where most problems come up. If all else fails, try General insurance through Miller Insurance, they are used to dealing with Full timers. MillerBut even here, be honest to everything you are specifically asked.

Skycrath wrote:I have a question about how to handle vehicle insurance for an "RV" and I'm hoping someone can help. I put "RV" in quotes because my vehicle is going to be a conversion van that I slowly build out myself. So it's not going to be a traditional RV, like a Class A/B/C. But I am going to be living in it full-time as I travel through the US ……..Be forewarned, insurance companies LOVE things like rules, regulations & laws. They also love lawyers.Calling an insurance company and using terms like “DIY RV” might result in subdued giggles, a click and then dial-tone. RV’s that have 120 volt wiring, built in LPG, and a couple of other items require proof of compliance. Normally that’s the RVIA seal, but other bodies certify them also. When you tell them you’re going to live in it their ears will definitely perk up.

My coach is insured as a vehicle for the chassis and body and like a house for the contents, by the same insurance co. I once converted a van to a RV and DMV did the registration change. A RV requires a place to sleep, place to cook, and a toilet serviced by holding tanks.Lot of Nomads use their cars, trucks and vans without the RV destination and probably have little or no insurance.The insurance problem becomes real when there is an accident where someone is injured due to the fault of the vehicle owner.

Skycrath wrote:I have a question about how to handle vehicle insurance for an "RV" and I'm hoping someone can help. I put "RV" in quotes because my vehicle is going to be a conversion van that I slowly build out myself. So it's not going to be a traditional RV, like a Class A/B/C. But I am going to be living in it full-time as I travel through the US and will be using a CMRA (through St. Brendan's Isle in Florida) as my permanent residence address. So I don't know if I need to go though a company that provides regular car insurance (since it's just a regular van) or RV insurance (since I'll be living in it full time). I will be using the address issued by my CRMA for vehicle registration and insurance purposes once I get the conversion van (I don't have it yet, but very soon). And the CMRA is the only address I'll have, I don't want to use the address of any friends or family for anything, I want to be totally independent.My concern is that I've already run into some issues with using the CMRA as my permanent address. My banking and credit card accounts wouldn't allow me to use the CMRA address as my permanent address, I could only set it as my mailing address. Their computer systems somehow automatically know it is a CMRA address (versus being a residential address). So now I'm worried that a regular car insurance company won't insure me with a CMRA address. And at the same time I'm also worried I won't be able to get full-time RV insurance since I'm going to be in a conversion van and not a traditional RV. Does anyone know how people handle this type of situation? I know there are other people out there living full-time in their cars or SUVs, but I haven't been able to figure out how they handle vehicle insurance. I'd really appreciate any advice.Why not keep van registered as normal van,just call it shaggin wagon if anyone ask why you have bed there. :) self built rv wouldnt be worth much in case of acident anyway imoI built a TC myself put it on back of my truck and kept registered as regular truck. Never had any problemsIts just cargo. Someone asked what it was I said a doghouse

Full time "RV" insurance for a standard conversion van

23 Replies

JaxDad
Explorer III
Jun 03, 2021
Skycrath wrote:
I have a question about how to handle vehicle insurance for an "RV" and I'm hoping someone can help. I put "RV" in quotes because my vehicle is going to be a conversion van that I slowly build out myself. So it's not going to be a traditional RV, like a Class A/B/C. But I am going to be living in it full-time as I travel through the US ……..

Be forewarned, insurance companies LOVE things like rules, regulations & laws. They also love lawyers.

Calling an insurance company and using terms like “DIY RV” might result in subdued giggles, a click and then dial-tone.

RV’s that have 120 volt wiring, built in LPG, and a couple of other items require proof of compliance. Normally that’s the RVIA seal, but other bodies certify them also.

When you tell them you’re going to live in it their ears will definitely perk up.
wanderingaimles
Explorer
Jun 03, 2021
I have recently moved everything to a SD PMB, no issues as of yet.
Are you saying things to insurers or otherwise that throw red flags in the air? Answer their questions straight up, dont be dishonest, BUT DONT volunteer anything extra. That is where most problems come up.
If all else fails, try General insurance through Miller Insurance, they are used to dealing with Full timers. Miller
But even here, be honest to everything you are specifically asked.
way2roll
Navigator III
Jun 03, 2021
Banks are required to have a physical address on file and as such have pretty good controls in place to know when an address is just for mail. Don't blame the banks however. Ever since the patriot act, the government requires financial institutions to screen customers and one of those things is the presence of a physical address. I know some folks on here have skirted that with various mail box drops, but that's the logic behind it. Can you use a family member or friend's address? I know you said you don't want to, but you may be shooting yourself in the foot if you don't. As far as insurance, does your carrier classify your van as an RV? I believe it goes by VIN. And what is the up side to insuring it as an RV? Would standard car insurance cover it or are there some higher value items (stove, tv etc) that would require additional insurance? In any case I think the insurance company is going to insure it based on the VIN classification. I think most people living in cars have bigger issues than whether their insurance company considers their car an RV. They don't BTW.

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Full time "RV" insurance for a standard conversion van

23 Replies

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