Insurance Woes. Does Anybody Have Suggestions?
Progressive sent me a Dear John letter a few months back, saying they are no longer covering any converted buses. My converted 1989 MCI-96A3 was previously insured with Progressive. I recall it was quite a challenge to find insurance for my bus in Massachusetts in the first place. Post by: scooter01922
The bus wasn't really slated to go anywhere, so I wasn't too worried at the time and figured I'd find something. Now, it seems my only option from calling around is National General Insurance. However, after receiving a quote and sending them pictures of the bus as requested, they have informed us that they will not cover any converted transit buses. They said they will only cover school buses.
Frankly, I'm a wee bit upset that we are currently required to have insurance, but somehow, it's okay for nobody to provide insurance for vehicles that have been legal all along. Our bus is legally titled as an RV. Don't even get me started on how well transit buses and Skoolies are built compared to a traditional RV. Do any of you have any valid options for insuring a converted bus these days?
Post by: freds
Call them back and argue that it's not a transit bus but a charter or intra-city, over-the-road bus. A transit bus would have another door mid-chassis.
Post by: scooter01922
The guy was adamant, in that they only covered converted school buses.
Post by: luvrbus
Try State Farm. They handle the process with photos. Progressive will cover the bus if it goes through an agent. Here in AZ, Progressive is asking for a commercial policy. The price is not that bad for a commercial policy. Insurance Companies are getting a little gun-shy on writing a full coverage policy on a bus conversion, as they been burned too many times in the past with bogus claims.
Post by: Runcutter
I agree with Fred. That is not a transit bus. It's an over-the-road coach (converted if that's true). Entirely different creatures. In your area, a quick call to Jim Michaud at Michaud Bus Sales, a Bus Appraiser in Brentwood, NH, may get you insights into local insurance agents and companies that can help.
Post by: luvrbus
Commuter buses are classified as transit buses by some insurance policy writers. MCI has the transit bumpers, and I can tell you they don't install transit bumpers on a bus just for looks. Those bumpers are functional but, in my opinion, ugly.
Post by: thomasinnv
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Phil Lyons has been a Bus Nut and moderator of the BCM forum for many years. He and his wife Ginni live in the central highlands of Arizona. Phil’s day job is in IT Security and Ginni is a retired Registered Nurse.
They are the proud parents and grandparents of daughters, granddaughters, and two spoiled dogs.
Phil and Ginni are part of a bluegrass/gospel trio called Copper Mountain String Along, are members of Bethel Baptist Church in Prescott Valley, and volunteer and serve in various capacities in the church and the community.
RVing has been part of their lives for over 35 years, and they both hope to enjoy the bus lifestyle for many more years.
You can contact Phil via email at
Phil@BusConversionMagazine.com
to open the company's website.
