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Old 04-14-2020, 10:37 AM   #1
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Insurance

I will soon be the owner of a new MB Sprinter. The plan is to have a Sportsmobile penthouse installed and a local builder complete the rest. It is straightforward to purchase insurance when buying a fully completed van from someone like Sportsmobile or Winnebago but not as easy if you manage the project yourself. Let me know if you have any recommendations for securing insurance after purchasing a bare van and then having it built out on your own.

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Old 04-15-2020, 06:14 AM   #2
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You might want to check with your insurance company what requirements are needed after things are built out to have it insured as a motorhome. Most times it includes having more than one of the following permanently installed: stove, toilet (or cassette toilet) and/or plumbing/water system to qualify.
On a side note.....go CCV for the pop top, you’ll be much happier, and while the van is in CO, check out AVCrig for your interior build out.
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Old 04-15-2020, 09:25 AM   #3
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Thanks for the response. Yes, I plan on going through the process of having the vehicle licensed as an RV after toilet/sink/beds/stove, etc are complete. My insurance company already indicated they would not cover the completed vehicle. Also, thank you for the additional CCV and AVCrig info.
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Old 04-15-2020, 11:07 AM   #4
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Insurance

Time to find a new insurance co.....
I could be wrong, but I think many of the online insurers (progressive, geico) are not equipped to cover these types of aftermarket builds.
Find and interview some local insurance agents to find a good fit. Not only is it good to provide the insurance co. a comprehensive list of upgrades, it’s often beneficial for agents to be able to put eyes on what they are covering to make sure you are getting the proper coverage and policy available. I’m with Farmers, but there are some other threads on here about the subject with recommendations
Here ‘tis.....

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...-smb-5412.html
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Old 04-15-2020, 05:50 PM   #5
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Progressive has a Sportsmobile category on their online website. I was able to get quick insurance when I purchased my van right through the website. Not sure how the rates stack up as I did not shop around and only needed 2 months of insurance.

BTW, when I cancelled the policy because I drove out of the US to Belize, I had to call them. The young man originally said I would have to pay $30 to cancel as that is what I owed them for the portion of the month I had used the policy. When I explained my circumstances, he pre-dated the cancellation a couple of days for me so that I got a refund of $18 instead. When I asked for his name to send a thank you to Progressive, he said no need, the world is about to change (which it has with this pandemic) and good luck.
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Old 04-15-2020, 06:50 PM   #6
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Insurance

Right....but I think the point was that the op doesn’t and won’t have a full SMB buildout when it’s done, so he’s trying to find a suitable solution to get it properly insured as an RV with an unknown or otherwise “home” build.
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Old 04-15-2020, 09:36 PM   #7
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Similar build plan as you. Sprinter cargo 144 std roof. The van top install was just completed by CCV. We have done a portion of the work ourselves (windows, insulation, heater), seats and track through Base Fab, and will hire upholstery and some metal fab. We were able to get insurance through good Sam. We were upfront stating several different companies we were going to do work and provide products for the build. The insured us with a stated value of $105k.

Current build
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Old 04-16-2020, 12:26 AM   #8
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We have a 144" Sprinter that we purchased from a dealer, then delivered to SMB for the conversion (including penthouse). Since you are completing your own conversion, this is quite a parallel situation.

We insured through Recreation Insurance Specialists and ended up with Progressive. This agency is recommended by the RV Lifestyle folks of YouTube fame. We found them to be quite knowledgeable and that they understood what we had. I think it is worth at least a conversation with them to learn what they can do and what you need to do.
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Old 04-16-2020, 12:18 PM   #9
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Geico covered my SMB as an RV and lowered my premium as a result of low annual mileage.
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Old 04-23-2020, 01:09 PM   #10
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I did a lot of research after my MB Sprinter was converted. In CA, Progressive offered the best coverage and price.
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