Auto insurance

Insurance for your van home will vary depending on your driving record, van, state, claim history, and insurance company. 

Van life is gaining popularity, and some have chosen an alternative to the big, expensive, converted campervans. The alternatives are minivans, small cargo vans, and even cars.

Most people assume that if property inside their vehicle is stolen or damaged in an accident, that their auto insurance will cover those personal belongings, but, surprise, it doesn’t. 

If you are in an accident where your vehicle is damaged, but also your belongings, regular auto insurance is only going to cover the vehicle. That could be devastating, especially if everything you own is in your van.

It's important to have your van AND your belongings properly insured. 

Insurance requirements vary by state and insurance company. This information may be helpful to you, regardless of what company or state you insure through.

It’s important to understand the different types of insurance coverage available and their significance in protecting your van home. There are three main types of coverage you should consider:

Liability Coverage:
Liability coverage is required by law in most states and is designed to protect you financially if you cause an accident that results in injury to someone else or damage to their property. It generally includes two components:

1. Bodily Injury Liability: This covers medical expenses, legal fees, and potential compensation if you injure someone in an accident while driving your van.

2. Property Damage Liability: This covers the cost of repairing or replacing someone else's property if you accidentally damage it with your van.

Collision Coverage:
Collision coverage is specifically designed to cover repairs or replacement costs if your van is damaged in an accident with another vehicle or object, regardless of who is at fault. It helps pay for repairs to your van or its replacement if it is deemed a total loss.

Accidents can happen on the road, and repair or replacement costs can be substantial. Collision coverage provides peace of mind knowing that your van can be repaired or replaced if it is damaged in a collision.

Comprehensive Coverage:
Comprehensive coverage is coverage for damages to your van that are not the result of a collision. It typically covers incidents such as theft, vandalism, natural disasters, falling objects, or damage from fire, but again only damages to your van.

Additionally, there is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage protects you if you are involved in an accident caused by a driver who doesn't have insurance or has inadequate coverage.

The state you insure in has specific minimum coverage requirements. Having liability, collision and comprehensive coverage is often referred to as Full Coverage. It’s something required by lenders if you have a loan on your van.

There may be options within your state to change the classification of your van to a recreational vehicle (RV). You would need to check with the Dept of Motor Vehicles in your state for their requirements. Generally, for a vehicle to qualify as an RV, it needs to have sleeping, cooking, and bathroom facilities at a minimum. 

It’s important that you share the details about how you use your van. Some people say not to tell an insurance company you live in your van, but you are risking not having a claim paid or having your insurance canceled because you were not upfront and honest. 

You may have to check around to find an insurer that understands your unique situation. Not all insurance companies will find you insurable. 

A term you will need to know is ‘garaging address’. This does not mean you are keeping your van in a garage. This term is an address where you park your vehicle overnight. Vehicle insurance rates are determined by where you live or park overnight. Things like crime and theft rates for the area as well as the number of claims in your zip code are factors. If you are traveling full-time, some insurance companies don’t consider you to have a garaging address, which may mean they will not insure you.

Personal Belongings

If you have a home base address, like a family member or friend’s address you use for legal purposes (driver’s license, etc.), you may be able to get a renters insurance policy. This should cover your personal property anywhere in the world, including all the contents of your van.

When you talk to an insurance agent, tell them you travel but your home base is this address and where you consider home.

A rental policy covers more than you may imagine, and the location of the property essentially doesn’t matter. It even covers Credit Card or bank fraud and counterfeit money. 

Have Evidence

It is important that you have evidence of your personal property. 

• Take pictures and videos of the inside of your van to document what you have.

• Keep copies of receipts for your valuables (think camera equipment, laptop, smart phone, jewelry, etc.). Tip: Take photos of your receipts and keep all the receipt photos in a folder on your computer. Make sure it is stored in the cloud with something like Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive. Then if your computer is stolen or damaged, you still have access to this information.

Roadside Assistance

Many auto policies have an option to add roadside assistance. If you don’t have a Roadside Assistance policy through your auto insurance, consider getting something elsewhere. 

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. This post should not be taken as insurance advice or used as a substitute for such. You should always speak to your own insurance agent.