How do I insure my Skoolie?

In this blog post, we will answer the following question: How do I insure my Skoolie? We will explain how you can find cheap Skoolie insurance and help you better understand what it can cover. 

How do I insure my Skoolie?

To insure your Skoolie you will have to do some research. The school bus is too big to be considered a normal vehicle, which is why most insurance companies will consistently refuse to insure you. It is not impossible to get a contract but you must turn to companies with access to a wider range of products.

Insuring a bus is easy for a business. On the other hand, for an individual, it gets tough. Since very few people buy heavy vehicles for personal use, insurers are not used to this kind of business.

It is therefore essential to choose insurance adapted to your vehicle. To do this, take stock of your needs:

  • The Skoolie: its value, its date of entry into service, whether it is approved or not, where it is parked, etc. ;
  • How often you’re using it: private trips only, home-to-work trips, business trips, trips abroad;
  • What your needs are: the levels of guarantees, the options, the goods contained inside the vehicle.

All of these criteria are important in choosing the right Skoolie insurance! In short, if your vehicle is old or of low value, third-party or third-party insurance is sufficient. On the other hand, if your vehicle is new or has value, opt for comprehensive insurance! In all cases, a civil liability guarantee is a legal minimum to have in order to be able to circulate legally.

How to find cheap Skoolie insurance?

Finding inexpensive insurance for your Skoolie, whether approved or not, is no small task: each insurer is free to set its prices and does not have the same options.

Before taking out Skoolie insurance, it is essential to take stock of your needs:

  • the approval or not of the vehicle;
  • the value of the vehicle;
  • the value of the development to be insured;
  • the desired level of protection: third party, third plus or all risks;
  • the options: breakdown assistance, replacement vehicle, etc.

Once these needs have been defined, all you have to do is compare the offers: at the same price, two different insurance companies do not offer the same guarantees or options! Pay close attention to the amount of the deductible and the levels of support, especially with regard to the contents of the Skoolie. 

Don’t hesitate to compare offers through an insurance comparator, then compete for a better price or higher protection.

A piece of advice: it is easier to insure a Skoolie if it has been registered as an RV.  To be considered a motorhome, the Skoolie must have all of the following amenities:

  • seats and a table (the table can be retracted);
  • a bed or bunk obtained by converting the seats;
  • a kitchen area: electric or gas;
  • storage spaces.

What does a Skoolie insurance cover?

Insurers generally offer different formulas to insure your Skoolie. From the most basic to the most complete, here is what they can offer you:

  • third party insurance or civil liability: this is the legal minimum for vehicle insurance. It covers the material and bodily damage that you could cause to others (driver, passenger, pedestrian, etc.) in the context of an accident for which you are responsible. It does not cover any damage you may suffer. It is ideal for very tight budgets or for old or low-value vehicles (to be supplemented with other warranties if desired).
  • third party plus or “comfort” insurance: a compromise between third party insurance and comprehensive insurance. This is basic insurance with additional guarantees such as theft, fire … With always the possibility of adding other guarantees. This is generally 20% cheaper insurance than “all risks”.
  • all risks: the most complete, covering a maximum of risks for yourself and for others. In addition to civil liability, it often contains a cover for theft, fire, glass breakage, natural disaster, storm, attack, etc.

You can also take insurance by the mile but very little is used when travelling in a Skoolie where you can cover great distances.

Additional protection available for Skoolies:

Depending on your needs, other additional protections can be added to your coverage. They may even be included for free with your basic coverage!

  • “Travel expenses” protection: if you are deprived of your vehicle for several days following a covered accident, it covers certain additional costs incurred to continue your trip or return home. For example, it could cover certain additional costs incurred for accommodation or meals.
  • “Insurance for roadside assistance costs”: this covers the costs of roadside assistance, for example, in the event of a fuel failure or a puncture.
  • “Modification to compensation” or “Compensation without depreciation” protections: similar to replacement cost protection, it protects the sums invested in the purchase of your trailer or motorhome.
  • Repatriation guarantee for trailers: if the vehicle towing your trailer is stolen or suffers a total loss accident, this additional guarantee will cover the costs incurred to bring your trailer back to your home.

Take notes before choosing your Skoolie insurance

Before even putting different insurers into a competition to study their rates, it is essential to establish an inventory of your needs and your situation.

It is, therefore, necessary to determine:

  • the use of the Skoolie: occasional, periodic, all year round, loan …
  • the identity of the Skoolie: date of first entry into service, approval or not, heavy goods vehicle or less than 3.5 tonnes, brand …
  • the destinations: Note that for trips to Europe from the US, most insurance companies insure you for 3 months of travel. Depending on the negotiations, this can extend to a year.
  • your needs: desired levels of guarantees, options, how to insure personal effects and the contents of the vehicle, etc.

Note: Be sure to check the countries authorized by the green card when travelling abroad. Indeed, insurance/assistance will cover you in countries where the green card is valid and 90 days in unrecognized countries. Often, the United States and Canada are not on this list. 

Also, list your equipment and personal effects that will be transported in your Skoolie with a quick estimate of their value. Do not hesitate to check with your current insurer before approaching other companies. Indeed, if you have been a customer of his for a few years, he has the advantage of knowing your file and may possibly offer you an advantageous rate.

Going on an adventure with your Skoolie, especially when you cross the borders and you leave for a while, involves its level of preparation and risks. But good news: in addition to the liability coverage, there are additional protections to be well protected.

What is it exactly? Additional protection for your caravan, tent-trailer or motorhome as well as for the goods that accompany you on the road. This type of product allows you, among other things, if an accident or disaster occurs, to continue your trip without breaking your head.

Let’s say you’ve been on the road with your family for three days and you have an accident with the trailer. Everyone is fine, but your RV cannot continue in this state. In this type of situation, if you benefit from enhanced protection, you will be reimbursed for the costs to allow you to continue your trip up to the amount determined in your contract. 

Conclusions

When you take out insurance for your Skoolie, whether you go for a simple third party or fully comprehensive, insurers offer other options for maximum coverage. The easiest way to insure your Skoolie is to register it as an RV. Otherwise, you may have a difficult time finding a company to insure your converted school bus

Please let us know if you have any questions, comments or tips on how to insure a Skoolie. 

FAQ on How do I insure my Skoolie?

What is covered under RV insurance?

The following are covered under RV insurance:

  • Collision and rollover risks”, which covers damage caused by a collision for which you are responsible or when you are the victim of a hit and run;
  • “All risks except collision or upset”, which covers damage such as fire, theft, vandalism and broken glass.
  • “Specific risks”, which is a less expensive alternative to the “All risks except collision or upset” coverage. The protections are however less extensive: they do not cover, among other things, vandalism and glass breakage.

Is a Skoolie considered an RV?

Yes, A Skoolie is considered an RV. They have become popular recently and are nothing more than converted school buses. They are spacious and offer plenty of room to decorate and furnish as you may please. 

Are Skoolies worth it?

For many people, Skoolies are totally worth it. A Skoolie offers a way to always be on the go without sacrificing the comforts that a home offers. School buses are also a blank canvas – once the seats are removed the possibilities are endless. The design will depend on the number of people that will be accommodated on the bus, as well as their lifestyle and needs.

Are Skoolies safe?

Compared to other RVs and vehicles, yes, Skoolies are safe on the road. The school bus is a heavy vehicle with superior construction. Its robust construction, it’s simple and accessible mechanics make it a very reliable vehicle. An abundance of used parts, at affordable prices, is available to bus owners. 

References

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!