Full time "RV" insurance for a standard conversion van

[Skycrath]

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.

[Cristian123]

Unfortunately, not all auto insurance companies offer insurance for RVs (I don't know why). The last time I looked for the proper company, I decided to choose Farmers (here you can read more about it). It is considered to be the most customizable. By the way, under this policy, you’re covered anywhere in Canada just as you are in the U.S. I guess it is really good.

[matthewfox]

Keep us updated please

[liamricci]

Any thoughts on gotogo auto insurance?

[Skycrath]

Thanks for the additional info!

PastorCharlie wrote:

Skycrath wrote:
Do you know if you can you get contents coverage if it doesn't meet the definition of an RV? Which insurance company do you use? I'm planning on adding a bed, but not any wiring or formal toilet with holdings tanks. My power source is going to be a Jackery with solar (or another comparable brand), toilet the bucket method, and showers at a gym. I'd rather dedicate the limited interior van space to a living area and storage. I actually lived in a tent full-time for a year, so I know I can easily do without a formal shower and kitchen area. But since everything I own is going to be in the van I'm definitely going to want some contents coverage, for theft and if things got damaged if I wan in an accident. And since the van is going to be new, I definitely will want vehicle comprehensive and collision. I don't think I'd be comfortable going without insurance.
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PastorCharlie wrote:
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.

I estimated my interior content cost for added living accessories and they insured for a dollar amount. My awning is also insured separately.

I have Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance. Check with your insurance agent and their underwriters may be able to write a policy to cover all your needs.

I think a porta potty is considered as a toilet due to it having a holding tank included which can be removed and dumped. I think a sink and food prep area is needed to qualify for a RV. I think a sink can be drained into a 5 gal. bucket. Different states will have different requirements I am sure.

The three things that are needed are a sleeping area, a toilet area and a food prep area.

[PastorCharlie]

Skycrath wrote:
Do you know if you can you get contents coverage if it doesn't meet the definition of an RV? Which insurance company do you use? I'm planning on adding a bed, but not any wiring or formal toilet with holdings tanks. My power source is going to be a Jackery with solar (or another comparable brand), toilet the bucket method, and showers at a gym. I'd rather dedicate the limited interior van space to a living area and storage. I actually lived in a tent full-time for a year, so I know I can easily do without a formal shower and kitchen area. But since everything I own is going to be in the van I'm definitely going to want some contents coverage, for theft and if things got damaged if I wan in an accident. And since the van is going to be new, I definitely will want vehicle comprehensive and collision. I don't think I'd be comfortable going without insurance.
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PastorCharlie wrote:
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.

I estimated my interior content cost for added living accessories and they insured for a dollar amount. My awning is also insured separately.

I have Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance. Check with your insurance agent and their underwriters may be able to write a policy to cover all your needs.

I think a porta potty is considered as a toilet due to it having a holding tank included which can be removed and dumped. I think a sink and food prep area is needed to qualify for a RV. I think a sink can be drained into a 5 gal. bucket. Different states will have different requirements I am sure.

The three things that are needed are a sleeping area, a toilet area and a food prep area.

[mr_andyj]

I dont follow your alphabet soup of letters for things, but I did have an RV for 20 years that was considered by the VIN and the insurance company as a "cutaway van", not an RV, meaning the van chassis was built as a frame and a driver's cab on it with no box or RV or anything behind it.

I tried to get it insured as an RV but the agents knew nothing and were not interested to learn or research.
I tried to get the VIN changed to say Rv, but nobody really knew the full list of steps to go through.

In the end I did nothing and it never mattered as I got hit by a foreign driver and collected bigly on the insurance payout, near double what the RV was really worth.
Now, if I had crashed it myself and tried to collect from my own ins co then that would have been another story... Yes, drive carefully and do not the the at-fault driver and you will be fine.

Your Jackery and solar system might sound really expensive to you but it is not expensive in the world of auto insurance. Any car on the road could have the same contents (laptop, solar panels in the trunk, Jackery in the back seat, a baby seat, expensive lamp... And the insurance co will cover this if the other driver was at fault.
If you want you not-so-valuable stuff covered then get Renter's Insurance to cover it, not car, not RV insurance.

Best advice given above is to do nothing. Fix the heck outta your van, insure it as a van, enjoy.

[JimK-NY]

Skycrath wrote:
Thanks for the additional info on South Dakota. I know vehicle insurance is going to be much cheaper there than in Florida. I'll make it out there at some point, just not sure when.

My banks actually forced the PMB to be included in the address. I entered the address just like an apartment, without the "PMB", but the online bank systems wouldn't accept it. Even as just a mailing address, I had to include the PMB to add the address to my accounts. .......

Sorry to hear about the issue with your banks. I had no issue with Chase Bank. Later on I started up a Wells Fargo account. No issues there either.

You might want to move up your possibilities for using South Dakota. We saved a lot on insurance, various fees and on medical coverage. We saved $1000 each for our Medicare Supplement alone. I am not sure about Florida, but for South Dakota there were no annual vehicle inspections or other reason to even consider a return for many years.

[Skycrath]

Well, if it goes by VIN then it will definitely be classified as a regular van. Since everything I own is going to be in the van I'm definitely going to want some contents coverage, for theft or if things got damaged if I wan in an accident. I will have some higher ticket items inside (laptop, camera, frig, and the Jackery with solar setup is like $1600). And since the van is going to be new, I definitely will want vehicle comprehensive and collision.
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way2roll wrote:
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.

[Skycrath]

I haven't spoken to my current insurance or any other agents yet, I wanted to get some advice here first for the very reasons you mentioned. My concern is that when I go to change my insurance address, they might be automatically alerted to the "PMB" status just like the banks were and might deny or worst case cancel my insurance altogether. And I also know sometimes they ask if the vehicle is "housed" at that address all year. I also know having a gap in coverage is really bad, so I want to avoid winding up in that situation where my current company drops me and I can't find another one willing to insure me.
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wanderingaimlessly wrote:
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.

[Skycrath]

I haven't spoken to my current insurance or any other agents yet, I wanted to get some advice here first for the very reasons you mentioned. My concern is that when I go to change my insurance address, they might be automatically alerted to the "PMB" status just like the banks were and might deny or worst case cancel my insurance altogether. And I also know sometimes they ask if the vehicle is "housed" at that address all year. I also know having a gap in coverage is really bad, so I want to avoid winding up in that situation where my current company drops me and I can't find another one willing to insure me.

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JaxDad wrote:

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.

[Skycrath]

Do you know if you can you get contents coverage if it doesn't meet the definition of an RV? Which insurance company do you use? I'm planning on adding a bed, but not any wiring or formal toilet with holdings tanks. My power source is going to be a Jackery with solar (or another comparable brand), toilet the bucket method, and showers at a gym. I'd rather dedicate the limited interior van space to a living area and storage. I actually lived in a tent full-time for a year, so I know I can easily do without a formal shower and kitchen area. But since everything I own is going to be in the van I'm definitely going to want some contents coverage, for theft and if things got damaged if I wan in an accident. And since the van is going to be new, I definitely will want vehicle comprehensive and collision. I don't think I'd be comfortable going without insurance.
-------------------------------------------------------

PastorCharlie wrote:
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]

Thanks for the additional info on South Dakota. I know vehicle insurance is going to be much cheaper there than in Florida. I'll make it out there at some point, just not sure when.

My banks actually forced the PMB to be included in the address. I entered the address just like an apartment, without the "PMB", but the online bank systems wouldn't accept it. Even as just a mailing address, I had to include the PMB to add the address to my accounts. I guess I'll have to call and see if they can adjust it manually once I leave my sticks and bricks for good.

But the fact that the banks picked up on the "PMB" automatically is what has me concerned. I haven't spoken to my current insurance or any other agents yet, I wanted to get some advice here first. My concern is that when I go to change my insurance address, they might be alerted to the "PMB" status just like the banks were and might deny or worst case cancel my insurance altogether. And I also know sometimes they ask if the vehicle is "housed" at that address all year. I also know having a gap in coverage is really bad, so I want to avoid winding up in that situation.
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JimK-NY wrote:
I found it very difficult to get vehicle insurance appropriate for a full timer. I went through an insurance agent who specialized in obtaining those policies and still found out my coverage was insufficient. I am not sure who to recommend at this time. Beware of insurance agents. Many do not even know the coverage that is appropriate for a full timer.

As you found many institutions, especially banks, financial, insurance and even Medicare, require a "permanent" address, not a PO box. BTW, if you have a choice, South Dakota is the better choice and the State policies are very accommodating for full time travelers. In any case for our checking and bank accounts and other financials, I went online and changed the mailing addresses and had new checks printed with that address. For the new address, I specifically omitted "PMB" and only included the actual number as if it were an apartment number. I never lied but again just did not include PMB. Make sure you also do this for your printed checks.

You may also find there is another address available to you. When we physically went to South Dakota to make DMV and other changes, we had to stay one night at a campground or motel. That became our official address for voting and for some other State purposes. Our mailing address was actually in a different county but that did not matter. If absolutely necessary you might be able to use that address as a permanent, physical address. We were never in that position when omitting the designation of "PMB".

[JimK-NY]

I found it very difficult to get vehicle insurance appropriate for a full timer. I went through an insurance agent who specialized in obtaining those policies and still found out my coverage was insufficient. I am not sure who to recommend at this time. Beware of insurance agents. Many do not even know the coverage that is appropriate for a full timer.

As you found many institutions, especially banks, financial, insurance and even Medicare, require a "permanent" address, not a PO box. BTW, if you have a choice, South Dakota is the better choice and the State policies are very accommodating for full time travelers. In any case for our checking and bank accounts and other financials, I went online and changed the mailing addresses and had new checks printed with that address. For the new address, I specifically omitted "PMB" and only included the actual number as if it were an apartment number. I never lied but again just did not include PMB. Make sure you also do this for your printed checks.

You may also find there is another address available to you. When we physically went to South Dakota to make DMV and other changes, we had to stay one night at a campground or motel. That became our official address for voting and for some other State purposes. Our mailing address was actually in a different county but that did not matter. If absolutely necessary you might be able to use that address as a permanent, physical address. We were never in that position when omitting the designation of "PMB".

[Tyler0215]

For liability and collision insurance your van will insured as a van according to the vin #. For the contents, ask an agent.