| Author |
Message |
Rdub (63.191.80.44)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 8:10 pm: | |
After an extremely frustrating phone tag session with Progressive Insurance, I came to the realization that a claim for a total loss with them would be fruitless since my Bus is so "old". They basically do not have a reference for it's value and only insure "replacement" cost (and have no reference for that either - it just comes down to whatever the adjuster thinks the vehicle is worth).I have just wasted three years premiums. Does anyone know who will insure (like Hagerty, but they don't do buses) for an agreed value on bus conversions and still let you drive it around? |
Jayjay (205.188.209.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 8:30 pm: | |
GMAC in St. Louis, but you'll have to get several appraisals by a professional appraisal service, or major RV dealerships. Good (perhaps best) rate around for someone like me that has a "colorful" driving record (agent's description). My full coverage with them is only $85.00 more per annum than Prog's Liability. That's $500.00 deductible. I couldn't even afford Progressive's Comp policy. www.GMAInsurance.com ( case sensitive) 800-325-1088 HTH Cheers...JJ BTW Progressive adjusters treated me like shit after an accident I was involved in and paid claims against me that I wanted to dispute. I threatened to hire an attorney, and was informed that they would not back me in any litigation I became involved in,and would not assist me with information that they had that was crucial to my defense. ...JJ |
Sean Welsh (Sean) (64.81.73.194)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 9:34 pm: | |
Try RV Alliance America. I have an agreed-value policy with them.
-Sean |
Larry Baird (Airhog) (66.171.52.88)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 1:09 am: | |
When I got my MCI-7 I had a hard time finding insurance but when I told State Farm, who I have my cars insured with they said no problem. They would not do it if I didn't have my cars with them but because I do I got $65,000.00 value and full coverage for $125.00 a year. |
Randy Schlotthauer (Up8009) (198.81.26.174)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 12:59 pm: | |
RV Alliance America is by far the best that I've found. This is the second bus that I have insured with them, and in both cases the agreed value was very favorable. They're rates are good and their customer service has been great as well. |
ED-NJ (67.85.224.113)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 5:01 pm: | |
I guess it depends on what state you live in. I live in New Jersey and spent 5 hours calling all kinds of insurance agencies; it almost made me sell the bus before I even got started! Every one of them stated that unless it was being professionally converted, they wouldn't touch it. In fact, RV Alliance was extremely unfriendly and stated "no, we don't insure such things." I'm a member of the Good Sam Club and we have our insurance through GMAC for our motorhome; even they wouldn't touch a bus conversion. The only place I found was through Thum Insurance Agency in Grand Rapids, MI, Melissa Thum wrote a policy through Interstate Insurance Company, out of Ohio. They will only write liability on the bus until it's completed. Upon completion, they want copies of all receipts for an agreed amount of insurance. With all these clubs, you'd think some of them would help out in getting insurance for bus conversions! Good Luck!! |
Don KS/TX (205.187.92.150)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 8:04 pm: | |
Some more things to consider. I have found that most people that THINK they have "agreed value", only have an insurance that agrees that it is ok for you to state its value, but they will never agree to pay it. USAA is one that does that. I would suggest that Larry check his policy for words that say they will pay $65,000 in the event of a loss. An additional consideration is that most "full coverage" policies, do NOT cover any items not originally installed in the bus! They consider the conversion items "household items" not covered, but you are probably covered under your homeowners policy if you have one. |
Jerry (152.163.188.227)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 10:19 am: | |
SO WITH WHOM DO WE GET INSURANCE? I too have tried several companies (USAA & One other) and got the same words: won't insure a non-professionally converted bus. What exactly makes one a "professional?" I'm conveting my bus in compliance with the ANSI standards and the NEC. Is there a way to get an RV "certified?" I'm well past the point I really should have full coverage -- many $ in materials and approaching 2 years of my life invested -- I don't know what I'd do if it was lost. One of the reasons I'm "doing it myself" is experience with units done by those so-called "professionals" (no offense I hope there are a lot of really good ones fut the few bad sure make it bad for all). Yes, I'd like to find a company the would give me full coverage |
Pete (64.12.96.235)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 26, 2003 - 11:12 am: | |
Jerry,
I'm a contractor..I told them it was professionally done..lol no lie there..thats what i do..but in houses. Heres whom I use , Thum inc agenc 800-866-0777,
Who did your conversion..and in some way..can you say with a small degree of a ( no need to be too honest, ask not tell not is applicable )professional training or backround.
Thats what I did.
Sorry to the guys whom might be 100% straight shooters here but i see know reason why WE should pay or suffer cause Custom Coach didnt do $100,000 of work.Trust me..we all know that some home built rigs are better then some coach companies work but in all fairness it can go both ways
Pete |
ED-NJ (67.85.224.113)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 9:00 pm: | |
Pete - I agree 100%!! I've seen some VERY shotty professionally converted buses - in fact, a friend owns one!! There should be some way of getting a conversion inspected - we understand there is in Canada- to make sure that the quality of the work meets standards for the insurance companies. Now that we're doing our conversion, we were amazed when we went to a RV show, how cheaply some of these "production units" are built. Yet, there's NO problem getting insurance on them!! One agent explained it to me this way. If you convert the bus yourself, and you're driving down a country road in Iowa, and your bus catches fire and causes a farmer's field to catch fire, the insurance company had no one to go back and sue. If it's professionally converted, they can sue the converter - therefore; it's all about passing the buck!! Maybe us busnuts need to start banding together to see if there's something that can be done about these insurance issues. If you read more of this "board"; there's a lot of questions and issues on here about insurance!
Besides Thum Insurance, I got a tip that Miller Insurance Agency in Oregon is also supposed to be good; but I don't have a number! Good Luck! |
Rodger Manecke (216.170.203.150)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 3:47 pm: | |
Mlller Agency's # is 800-699-9348. Miller put me with Progressive about 4 years ago. My coach is a "professionally converted" '76 Prevost.
The agreed value is determined by having the coach professionally appraised by an appraiser agreed upon by Miller. It must be re-apparised every three years. Cost is about $130, is done by mail with photos and a form.
I've had one collision claim (legally my fault) and a road emergency tow claim. Good service both times. rather than a rate raise resulting from an accident claim, Prog. has a dimishing deductable if no claims.
Hope that helps. |