| Author |
Message |
John Jewett (Jayjay)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 12:27 am: | |
I just received notice from GMAC Insurance that they are no longer going to provide collision coverage, or contents coverage for any bus conversion/motorhome over 20 years old. Has anyone else had a notice from their insurer? If so, Who? Let's hope it's just General Motors doing this,and not an industry trend. ...JJ |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 1:47 am: | |
I had GMAC for years. They stink. Go Progressive. |
James Maxwell (Jmaxwell)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 1:48 am: | |
The industry trend for a long time is to not even insure them for coll. and comp, regardless of age. My understanding of GMAC, based on their info to me 7 yrs. ago on a 13 yr. old bus, was in keeping with the long standing industy trend. What does Progressive say thru that agency (formerly RVAA, A&A, and now w/a new name)? |
James Maxwell (Jmaxwell)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 2:52 am: | |
JJ: Forgot to ad. The gov't wants to get our engines off the road, the insurance industry wants to get the whole bus off the road, and the petroleum industry is addressing both matters for them. We're under siege and may soon be classified with dinosaurs. |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 8:14 am: | |
Our insurance agent did ask if I wanted collision coverage at
the time I requested basic coverage, but I didn't feel like spending
the bucks for it at the time... I'd have to ask again..
The Gov could pass legislation to remove all 2 cycle engines
from the streets. They would likely do it by restricting any
replacement of the original engine. And...... probably making
the owners pay for special costly permits.
I can't seriously attribute the too high cost of fuel as some ploy
to get -us- off the road, though. The fuel companies and oil
suppliers will charge whatever the market will bear... It's
happening to all prices in general and down here in Flo-uh-duh,
to property values. If people are willing to pay more, they'll
charge more.
SUV (Stupid Useless Vehicle) sales are down, as noted by
the latest reports from all manufacturers. I guess the big impression
they leave, is the hole in the owner's bank account, rather than of
awe in the observer's eyes. |
niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 9:21 am: | |
I think the cost of my bus insurance is reasonable when compared with the cost of almost every other personal expense I incur - $2300+ per year for agreed value 300k, full coverage, 500k liability (or was it 750k - don't remember), $0 deductible - is not an outrageous price for the coverage - I guess no one has a 16 y/o with a new Mustang huh? - BTW probably the greatest influence upon your rate in todays market, (besides your driving record) is your credit history.
On the other topic - the government cannot legislate 2 cycle engines out of exixtence (technology cannot be legislated) - they can, however, legislate performance standards - if you have noticed, at a time when all types of rec vehilces and watercraft are going 4 cycle to meet emission standards, evinrude has come out w/ a new technology 2 cycle outboard that evidently has met the new standards AND improved performance - US engineering is impressive, but like our country in general, needs a challenge in order to show our true capabilities - this country in almost 230 years has never failed to overcome the 'real' problems of the day, and succeed when the need is great -
I don't believe there is any conspiracy concerning private motor coaches by any business sector or government agency/beaurocrat/politician - the truth is that our little hobby when compared with motor vehicles as a whole or our total contribution to pollution is tantamount to the wave created by throwing a grain of sand into a swimming pool (olympic sized) - I just feel we are not a target -
okay I'm done ranting now - when is cocktail hour?
Niles |
niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 9:31 am: | |
Forgot that insurance includes towing too - |
Nick Morris (Nick3751)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 12:36 pm: | |
GMAC told me they wouldn't renew my coverage on my silversides....after a little doing, cause it's just a shell now State Farm has me covered $460 a year (that's with state min coverage). |
CoryDaneRTS
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 5:15 pm: | |
I have watched over the past 10 years as the EPA has been maneuvering to get rid of the old "poluting" cars.
Have you noticed any cars from the 70's or 80's lately? There are very few in my area.
My Mechanic has to be trained for the EPA testing so he can manipulate the cars to pass the test. It seems the EPA instructor likes to talk, and he comes back with a lot of info on how the EPA will be getting rid of those "poluting vehicles". Buses, commercial or private, are not exempt.
As far as a SUV (Stupid Useless Vehicle) goes, they have a place. Sort of a pickup/mini van in one.
Mine carries my Greyhounds around, carts stuff from the local Menards and lumber store, hauls groceries and pulls the boat besides keeping me from getting stuck in snow in the winter and gets comparable gas mileage to my car. On top of all that, it is quite comfortable and attractive inside.
As the newer All Wheel drive vehicles improve, the SUV may become less appealing.
To keep on topic, SUV's are under fire from the EPA as well as all other modes of transport. It is not a stretch of mind, to imagine that the insurance industry will have a hand in eliminating some vehicles. they are restrictive in their own ways on cars as well, ie: various pricing guidelines.
I actually miss seeing some of the cars of the past, especially when I see these little, aerodynamically rounded, and not particularly attractive cars running around town.
So Far My insurance co is happy insuring the bus and has made no statement about limitations - YET.
Lets hope GMAC is just limiting the funds that they COULD be reaping and not causing an industry trend.
cd |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 7:59 pm: | |
Niles-
For your entertainment:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2001a/pr024-01.html
Higher pollution standards for all vehicles can take us off the
road with the older 2cyl engines we now use.
(ooops. I'll bet that didn't cheer anyone up....) |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 8:17 pm: | |
Hmmmm.....
"Some states have passed strict emissions regulations that crimp
their sales, with California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and
Vermont banning the registration of new diesel cars. (Owners can
generally register used diesels in those states.)"
http://www.patriotblog.com/index.php?id=550
I didn't know that... Is it true? |
Mike (Busone)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 9:07 pm: | |
Of course they don't want diesels in those states. If you are getting 40% better mileage they loose out on the gas tax. Funny how it is all the states run by enviro-nazis. |
CoryDaneRTS
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 10:41 pm: | |
Gonna take my bus off the road by enviromental issues, .... BRING IT ON!!
My bus was designed with a second life as a cabin.
With all this enviro mumbo jumbo and increasing new laws against fossil fueled vehicles, I put forth a bit more effert in the design for a second life after road law.
Gonna BAN my bus, C'mon, lets dance.....
cd |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 10:50 pm: | |
Har!
Hey CD.... You doin' the tango?
If we wait, we can register the bus as an antique and circumnavigate
all the "rules". |
Mike (Busone)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 11:55 pm: | |
After you park it you can still run the egnine to as a generator. Make sure it blows lots of smoke. |
Johnny
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 11:31 am: | |
My 1979 Cadillac passes smog (IM-240 roller test) for a 95 model, despite making roughly 3x the factory power...as of now, my bus (over 8600GVWR) and my wife's Blazer (diesel), & my F-350 (both) are exempt. They may not be for long, though. |
CoryDaneRTS
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 16, 2005 - 8:39 pm: | |
HMMM, Register as an antique.
I thought if it were reg as antique, you could only put so many miles on it and cant live in it.
Perhaps I am wrong.
Good idea though
cd |
Stan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 16, 2005 - 8:49 pm: | |
I think every state has diffeent rules. Some only allow you to drive an antique license in a parade but Arizona used to have an antique plate that was sort of like a vanity plate. It costs the same as a regular plate but just identified the vehicle as being over a certain age. |
rsmoore
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 16, 2005 - 9:46 pm: | |
I have had restored plates on my 4104 for the last 8 years. In Washington state, the rules are that you can only use the vehicle for special occasions, parades, rod runs, going camping, and shows, but no stated mileage. You can not drive it to work every day. The state patrol in our area say any time you drive an old vehicle, it is a special occasion. You also beat the license fees they are after in our state. The vehicle has to be 30 years old to qualify. There are also special stated values for insurance purposes available. But every state is different. |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 17, 2005 - 7:20 am: | |
Google away:
antique vehicle registration
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=antique+vehicle+registration |
Jtng
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 17, 2005 - 7:41 am: | |
RS-
It looks like the converted bus (RV) would fit Washington state's
description of use....
http://www.dol.wa.gov/vs/specialtyplates/reqantique.htm
It's not being used "daily"; it's for "the enjoyment of others
without compensation", and what the hell..... you were just
testing it out....
(do that Google search, adding your own state abbreviation at the end) |
Vin (Billybonz)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 17, 2005 - 10:37 am: | |
In Illinois the deal is as follows:
Antique Vehicle License Plates are issued for a five year registration period expiring Dec. 31, 2009. To qualify for Antique Plates, motor vehicles, including motorcycles, must be more than 25 years old. Firefighting vehicles must be at least 20 years old.
Vehicles displaying these plates may only be driven to and from an antique auto show or exhibition, service station or demonstration. The mechanical and physical condition of the vehicle, including brakes, lights, glass and appearance, must be the same or as safe as originally equipped. An antique vehicle may be a "bona fide replica" - an exact copy of the original in design, frame and mechanical operation. "Facsimiles" - close, but not exact, reproductions of the original - do not qualify for Antique Vehicle plates.
Historical License Plates, representing the model year, may be displayed on an antique vehicle, provided the owner has valid, current Antique Vehicle Plates. Plates and registration must be kept in the vehicle at all times.
Seems that these rules are not aggressively enforced.
Bones |