In the simplest terms possible, van life insurance is a policy designed to cover the van lifer under a specific set of circumstances against damage to property, total loss, or bodily injury. Van life insurance works just like any other specific insurance policy like house insurance, except it is considered that your van is moving and may be subjected to additional risks that a stationary house is not!
Why do we need any insurance policy?
Because in most states it’s required by law to cover a certain amount of your liability. More importantly, your rig is an asset, it cost money to buy and costs money to run. It has a certain value attached to it. In the event of an accident, your van life insurance will ensure you are indemnified, that is, compensated to the worth of the loss.
Aside from a small deductible, having adequate van life insurance means you wont struggle to replace your van or rectify any damage as the funds will be supplied.
To summarize you need van life insurance to protect yourself in tragic events like these:
Jarrod Tocci's van gets stolen
Alex & Emma's van goes up in flames
Daphne Sasson's van gets totaled in a T-bone accident
Liz Creason's van gets destroyed by a tornado
When researching van life insurance you'll often see companies categorize RVs/ vans in 3 categories: Class A, Class B, Class C.
Class A RVs,
also known as motorhomes, are large living quarters built on a bus or truck chassis. These huge behemoths can often sleep 6 (or even 8!) and can weigh up to 30,000lbs. Class As are desirable for their amenities, fully fitted kitchens with top rated appliances, spacious bathroom, or wet room areas and plenty of living space.
These machines are comfortable for large families. Add to this the ability to tow a trailer or even another vehicle with a Class A motorhome and you can see why they are so popular!
The downside of the Class A is the low mpg, and the size may be an impediment in some parking situations and also the cost. Some states require a commercial truck license to drive them!
Class B RVs
Class Bs are built on a van chassis, and are smaller, more compact, and more driveable. Fitting usually into one parking space, these campervans are also kitted out with everything the van lifer needs but in a smaller area.
Most stealth vans are Class B too, due to their size and ability to blend in as an ordinary van, especially in built up and metropolitan areas. They also get much better milage than a Class A.
The downside of a Class B van? Limited living space is the only one we can find. Class B make the best conversion vans, are easily sourced and can be very affordable.
Class C
is also a category of motorhome. Smaller than a Class A and bigger than a Class B, Class Cs are those cute little motorhome vans, like mini-Winnebago’s (or mini-Winnies) and are very modest and tidy looking. Basically, Class C vans are smaller versions of Class As, still full of facilities just contained in a smaller space.
Your self build conversion is insured in the very same manner as a factory build van.
Be sure to keep your receipts for items used in the conversion, invoices for work carried out and labours costs, and take photographs of the appliances and fittings. You will need these to prove the overall worth of the van and determine the insurance limits required.
