Insurance Companies

[K4Eagle]

We got notice from Progressive today that they are dropping our policy because they do not want to cover buses.I apologize if there is another thread that has this, but what companies are some of you folks with?

[beltguy]

This subject comes up a lot on various forums.  I subscribe to what is called HDT truck on FB.  This is a group that uses semi-trucks to haul huge travel trailers.  They have the same issue trying to find non-commercial level insurance.  Most replies on the various bus and truck boards say that they find insurance at most of the major insurance companies.  I very seriously doubt that these companies seek out our market.  My hunch is that the folks posting have their other insurance policies with the specified company and somehow work with them to add a bus or truck policy.

The two main rules of thumb are to make sure you don't use the word "bus" and work with a knowledgeable insurance broker.  Lets examine each.

The first order of business is to get your bus registered as a motorhome.  Each state has "formulas" as to what is needed to get the motorhome status.  In Colorado you need some form of cooking, toilet, and electricity as I recall.  When I did my bus I used a camp stove, porta-potty and small inverter (best my tired ole memory can recall).  In any case, once you get the RV/Motorhome status, it will be easier to get insurance (sort of {grin}). 
 
The next recommendation is to work with an "insurance broker" (as opposed to an insurance agent).  The difference being that the broker works with several insurance companies.  They tend to know how to "work" the insurance game. 

I worked with Miller Insurance:  Link  At the first few Bus Conversion Rallies John Miller used to show up in his bus that was named "Miller Time".  He was a great guy and knew what it took to get bus conversions insured.  John is gone, but some of his family still run the business.  It has been a few years since I worked with them, but they were great folks.

Jim

[Seann]

In case it's helpful, we have had a very good experience with Farm and City Insurance out of Iowa. They write policies for Progressive and Safeco, the two companies they recommend for RV insurance. We use Progressive, starting in 2018 with an Airstream and truck, and now have an Eagle and toad with them.

Jim is right, using a broker is much better. I can say from personal experience that they can get things done with Progressive that I cannot. They represent thousands of clients, so they carry weight with Progressive. Dealing with them as a single policy holder is a very different story.

I have also heard good things about Miller, we simply couldn't use him as we are registered in a state that not everyone covers. Regardless of who you use, Progressive might be willing to insure your RV if an agent with a lot of clients requests a quote...