Converted School Bus Insurance

Some adventure enthusiasts buy coaches or school buses and convert them into recreational vehicles with living spaces. After conversion, they are referred to as "skoolies." Whether you hire a company that specializes in converting buses into RVs or do it yourself, you need to have specialty coverage to protect yourself, your passengers, and your investment in your bus conversion. 

One of the best ways to get difficult-to-find coverage is to work with a local independent insurance agent. These agents can be an excellent resource for bus conversion insurance because they have access to policies from many different companies. But first, let's take a closer look at converted bus insurance and why it's important.

What Is a Bus Conversion?

A bus conversion involves converting a commercial bus or school bus into a recreational vehicle. Converting a bus into an RV requires seat removal, among other changes, to add living, sleeping, and cooking amenities as well as a bathroom. From the perspective of an insurance company, a bus conversion must meet certain criteria, typically including the following:

It's typically easier to get RV insurance for your converted bus if you hire a professional to complete the conversion for you. However, many people enjoy the challenge of converting a bus to an RV themselves. If you choose to convert a bus into an RV, it might be wise to consult an insurance professional before you begin.

An independent insurance agent can help you learn about the requirements insurers set so you can qualify for the bus conversion insurance you need. If you have already completed the conversion or are in the process of converting a bus into an RV, a local independent insurance agent can still be an excellent ally. Your agent has access to multiple RV insurance quotes and carriers and can find the coverage you need for your bus conversion.

What Is Converted School Bus Insurance?

Converted bus insurance is a special type of RV insurance designed to protect certain types of motorhomes that were once school buses or transit buses. A bus conversion may produce a Class A motorhome if the vehicle was assembled on a commercial bus chassis, depending on its amenities and overall space. 

Converted buses must be insured as motorhomes rather than travel trailers because they are driven instead of towed. A converted bus insurance policy can protect your vehicle from many standpoints, including liability, collision, and more.

What Does Bus Conversion Insurance Cover?

Your converted bus insurance policy may include some or all of the same coverages found in a typical RV insurance policy. These are often the following:

• RV liability insurance: This coverage is required in most states and can reimburse you for the cost of bodily injuries and property damage to others.
• Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your vehicle from a collision with another object, regardless of fault. 
• Comprehensive coverage: Pays for damage to your vehicle due to a non-collision event, such as a flood or theft. 
• Medical payments coverage: This pays for medical expenses related to injuries to you or your passengers after an accident.
• Uninsured and underinsured motorists insurance: This pays for expenses related to injuries or property damage if you are in an accident caused by a driver who does not have sufficient insurance, or if you're the victim of a hit-and-run.
• Towing and roadside assistance coverage: This can pay for the cost of professional towing and other roadside services in the event of a breakdown.
• Full-timer insurance: This coverage may be necessary if you live on your converted bus full-time or travel a certain number of days out of the year.
• Personal belongings coverage: This optional coverage can pay to repair or replace your personal belongings kept on board.
• Equipment coverage: This optional coverage can pay to repair or replace special equipment for your motorhome.
• Attached accessories coverage: This optional coverage can pay to repair or replace attached accessories like satellite dishes and awnings.

An independent insurance agent can help you build a complete converted bus insurance policy. They can also determine if it's possible to combine your bus conversion insurance with other policies to get RV insurance discounts and savings.

Why Bus Conversion Insurance Can Be Hard to Find

It can be difficult to find insurance carriers that offer non-professional bus conversion coverage. Some will only provide it under certain conditions. 

School bus conversion insurance, in particular, can be difficult to find as insurance companies often favor commercial bus conversions. Insurance requirements vary from state to state as well, so make sure you discuss your coverage needs with an independent insurance agent.

Consider the following when trying to insure a converted bus:

Consult with a local independent insurance agent to determine if your bus conversion will qualify for coverage with most insurance companies, or if you need to make adjustments first.

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How Much Does Bus Conversion Insurance Cost?

The cost of your converted bus insurance policy may vary based on many different factors, including the following:

• The make and model of your bus
• Whether you converted the bus yourself or hired a professional
• Whether you live on the bus full-time
• The value of any property stored on the bus
• Your personal claims history

Your independent insurance agent can help you find affordable bus conversion insurance near you.

Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent to Insure a Converted Bus?

Finding skoolie insurance can be a challenge. You can spend a considerable amount of time looking for companies that provide specialty insurance for non-professional bus conversions, especially school bus conversion insurance. Fortunately, a local independent insurance agent can help you find the coverage you need.

Independent insurance agents can research dozens of policies from multiple carriers in your area and can often find non-traditional coverage. Your agent can shop and compare quotes to find you the absolute best deal for converted bus insurance. And down the road, they can help you update your coverage as necessary.