Needin'Advice
Observer
Well, after quite a few years of wanting, wishing, contemplating and researching, I have finally obtained our family adventure vehicle. I flew across the country and drove it home. All is well…EXCEPT…Insurance(and gas mileage, but that is no surprise).
I called around and even looked at some threads on here and other forums to see what my options were in terms of insuring this thing before I went off to buy it. Although I had a few initial roadblocks, I was convinced that getting insurance for this thing might be a little bit of a hassle, but still totally doable.
Now I am much less optimistic. Let me be clear that up until now, all the agents that I have spoken to, I have been honest with. This is a van, not a camper and it has a lot of aftermarket parts and a reasonable amount of money wrapped up in it. I would like it to be covered for what it is worth(in other words, what I paid for it).
The plan is seating for 7 and room for bikes, coolers, camping gear, whatever. We will surely sleep in it from time to time, but do not have plans of a full blown camper conversion.
Here is what I am running into. To cover it under an RV policy, it needs to have a sink/plumbing, separate heating/cooling system(not the vehicle system) and 110v electric. It does not have these things, nor do I want it to(at least not the plumbing/water). One agent mentioned a commercial policy, but it was rejected by the underwriter, presumably for the lift kit. One company even classified it as a “monster truck”.
Hagerty won’t cover it because it isn't at least 25 years old(classic car designation?) and also said it is not the type of vehicle they cover.
It seems I can’t get coverage as an RV, which makes sense to me, because it isn’t one. I can’t seem to get coverage as a commercial vehicle nor can I get it covered as a personal vehicle with additional accessories.
I feel like I am down to the option of just cold calling an agent and simply saying a have a Ford Econoline van, that’s it. If they ask about modification, I will just have to lie. I will then at least have coverage. But, what happens in the event of a claim…will they deny due to the status of the vehicle? Probably.
Here is where all of you come in. I need help…specific help. As mentioned, I have searched and have tried most of what I read worked for other people. I am not trying to be rude here, but please do not tell me to just call my agent and tell them it is a van with $20k of accessories. I have spoken with numerous agents and my agent has spoken to numerous agents. None of them can or will cover it under these terms.
What are my options? State law requires insurance. As much as I want it covered for what it is, I am almost to the point of just meeting state minimum requirements and just hoping nothing bad ever happens. But I am having trouble even getting that.
Please give me names of companies, specific coverage language, etc…
Sorry this post is all over the place, but I am short on time to type it and I am certainly frustrated with this process and having trouble organizing all my thoughts. Am I going have to give up this sweet rig and let someone else figure it out?? I hope not!
Thank you in advance.
I called around and even looked at some threads on here and other forums to see what my options were in terms of insuring this thing before I went off to buy it. Although I had a few initial roadblocks, I was convinced that getting insurance for this thing might be a little bit of a hassle, but still totally doable.
Now I am much less optimistic. Let me be clear that up until now, all the agents that I have spoken to, I have been honest with. This is a van, not a camper and it has a lot of aftermarket parts and a reasonable amount of money wrapped up in it. I would like it to be covered for what it is worth(in other words, what I paid for it).
The plan is seating for 7 and room for bikes, coolers, camping gear, whatever. We will surely sleep in it from time to time, but do not have plans of a full blown camper conversion.
Here is what I am running into. To cover it under an RV policy, it needs to have a sink/plumbing, separate heating/cooling system(not the vehicle system) and 110v electric. It does not have these things, nor do I want it to(at least not the plumbing/water). One agent mentioned a commercial policy, but it was rejected by the underwriter, presumably for the lift kit. One company even classified it as a “monster truck”.
Hagerty won’t cover it because it isn't at least 25 years old(classic car designation?) and also said it is not the type of vehicle they cover.
It seems I can’t get coverage as an RV, which makes sense to me, because it isn’t one. I can’t seem to get coverage as a commercial vehicle nor can I get it covered as a personal vehicle with additional accessories.
I feel like I am down to the option of just cold calling an agent and simply saying a have a Ford Econoline van, that’s it. If they ask about modification, I will just have to lie. I will then at least have coverage. But, what happens in the event of a claim…will they deny due to the status of the vehicle? Probably.
Here is where all of you come in. I need help…specific help. As mentioned, I have searched and have tried most of what I read worked for other people. I am not trying to be rude here, but please do not tell me to just call my agent and tell them it is a van with $20k of accessories. I have spoken with numerous agents and my agent has spoken to numerous agents. None of them can or will cover it under these terms.
What are my options? State law requires insurance. As much as I want it covered for what it is, I am almost to the point of just meeting state minimum requirements and just hoping nothing bad ever happens. But I am having trouble even getting that.
Please give me names of companies, specific coverage language, etc…
Sorry this post is all over the place, but I am short on time to type it and I am certainly frustrated with this process and having trouble organizing all my thoughts. Am I going have to give up this sweet rig and let someone else figure it out?? I hope not!
Thank you in advance.
