Purchased my SMB in 2010 used in California. Had to register it in CA as a passenger van as it was by the original owner. Was told I could appeal but didn't as I was moving to Colorado. Tag price was 500ish dollars for first year. Was insured as a van then with State Farm as State Farm stated it was licensed as a Van and had no permanent toilet. Moved to Colorado.
Once in Colorado tried to rego as an RV. CO stated since it was a van in CA it must be a van in Colorado. Of course I could appeal but was told good luck with no permanent toilet. Riva sticker? didn't care. Tag price was 110$. Insured with Liberty Mutual as a van and worth only a 2 wheel drive passenger van that Ford manufactured. Was told no RV possibility as it didn't have a permanently mounted toilet, no propane, etc, etc, end of discussion.
After a few years Liberty Mutual had doubled the rates (still spotless driving/claims record) shopped several front range insurance companies all of which flat said no if it's not the 2 wheel drive van that left the factory and defiantly not as an RV. Called Progressive RV division on a recomendation, at this point I'm with Progressive with all the other cars in the family (see price gouging above), they claimed Progressive didn't recognize Sportsmobile as an RV builder, the van doesn't have a permanently mounted toilet and that I'm clearly trying to pull something on them trying to make a panel van an RV. Then I called the Progressive regular division to try to insure as the basic van everyone thinks it is. That conversation stopped immediately when I stupidly said it was 4x4 and was told Progressive will never insure a modified suspension vehicle. THEN, I went on Progressive RV website and filled out the forms which had an option for SPROTSMOBILE AND 4X4. So that is where I've been stuck for the last few years. Registered in Colorado as a regular van and insured with Progressive as an RV but with a value of a fraction of what it would be worth on the #Vanlife market.
Not going to lie, I've been jealous of those folks that post how they have a 80k dollar stated value policy, as a 4x4 RV, and that it's cheaper per year than their car policy. I just haven't been able to find the person/company that would wright me that policy.
If anyone has a solid recommendation I would appreciate it. By solid recommendation I mean a person who wrote the policy not just the name of a national company.
Apologies for the rant
- Eric
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2005 SMB RB 4x4 6.0 PSD
A rocket on the pad is safe,
but it's not what rockets are built for.
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