After a few days, I was successful in getting appropriate insurance for my van!
Here's how it went down:
After Progressive, who insures all my other vehicles, indicated that they would not offer a policy to cover the van, I called local agents for State Farm, Allstate, and Farmers. After discussing what I had and what use I intended, only the Farmers agent was interested in figuring things out.
They understood and confirmed in writing:
- that a camping van is different from a cargo van or an RV.
- that I intend to use the van for regular personal vehicle activities
- that I intend to take the van off of improved roads
- the extent of modifications to the van (from what was delivered to SMB from Ford)
- the added value these modifications represent
Lucky for me, the three previous owners of my van were very diligent in keeping receipts for items purchased and labor performed. I scanned all of these and sent this to the insurance agent, who then took that to the underwriter.
We then filled out a "Customization Report" which specifically lists the major items and systems which differ from the Ford factory equipment (camper conversion and it's elements, 4x4 system and it's elements, bumpers, etc). This report also includes the total replacement value of the customizations. I signed it and now it's part of the policy documents. If I ever add another big ticket item, I should send them a copy of the receipt to add to the file.
In WA, there is typically a $10k limit on the customization they will insure. But my documentation was awesome so the underwriter and agent authorized my customization coverage up to the balance of my purchase price minus the current value of the base vehicle.
Now that we had documented what I have, the underwriter took about 2 days to contemplate it all, then confirmed that they would offer me a policy. I then chose coverage limits and deductible amounts, paid the down payment, and I was set.
At the end of the day, the premium cost is about 50% higher than my 2004 Tacoma 4x4, but I have higher coverage limits on the SMB.
Now to go get weighed and smogged!