Searching for a Camper Van

[Lifemagician]

Now that the vehicle is in the last stages of purchasing, it is time to follow up all those insurance companies, which I have been assured will insure vehicles for non-residents, and / or vehicles purchase through the process I am using (more of that later), to get some quotes. I had spoken to some of these previously, though not in detail.

Eight telephone calls (so far), and more than an hour on the phone (thank God for toll free numbers), I can finally see light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, it is not a train!

Some of the hurdles I stumbled upon....

• vehicles no older than 20 years
• drivers no older than 70 years
• only insure RVs (for non-residents)
• do not handle commercial policies (conversion van)
• do not issue policies in that State
• only insure for 48 contiguous States

... until I got onto one company who are sending me quotes.

I am open to opinions as to how much a vehicle needs to be worth, before getting full comprehensive insurance. Is there such a thing as 'fire, theft and third party damage' insurance, in the USA?

Lifey

[Midwest Michael]

Fire, theft, and 3rd party damage would generally fall under "comprehensive" insurance. There is separate coverage for "Collision" for if you run into another car. Generally you get both if you want "full coverage."

There's not really a figure for when its worth it to get full coverage. It just is something you have to look at the cost to buy it vs. what you'd end up getting paid out if you need to use it.

[Lifemagician]

Michael, what I guess I meant is...

What percentage of the vehicle's value needs to be reached, before it is no longer economical. One quote I have is more than 25% of the cost of the vehicle.

Lifey

[glc]

If you are talking about the quote you sent me, over half the cost is for the insurance required by law - the BI-PD, UMBI, and MED-PAY. The COMP is worth it, the COLL you need to think about.

[Southwest Dave]

I don't think this can be answered in 'percentages', it's a case of Pros and cons for each scenario [like cost v piece of mind] and deciding what you are comfortable with as Michael suggested.. You could look at it that if insuring yourself [collision] is 25% of the overall cost alone, you have 4 years to remain claim free before 'breaking even' on what you would expect to get paid out. [Well not quite including rising insurance prices and value depreciation] Just a simple 'fender bender' with a grill and head lamp could become quite costly to repair yourself and if the vehicle were to be written off in an accident within 15 months, you need to know that you could forgive yourself for not taking out the collision insurance. [?]

[Lifemagician]

A wholesaler came in and wanted the van... on a day when the salesman with whom I had been dealing was on a day off. And it was sold. The cheque for the holding deposit has been returned.

Back to where I started.

Lifey

[Southwest Dave]

Sounds like a poor excuse doesn't it ? If a vehicle has a deposit on it then it is marked up as such and the staff should know. It's sounds like a case of he didn't wan't to miss out on a sale prior to the inspection and grabbed the cash. The old saying "One in the hand beats two in the bush' springs to mind. The very least I would have expected is for them to contact me, tell me the situation and tell me they needed things hurried along or he will have to sell.

One thing for sure, another one will turn up !!

[95 Econoline]

Heres an option you can look into.

http://www.youtube.com/user/tylerdur.../1/u9ICbjchDkI

[Lifemagician]

The search has continued over the past few months. Many have taken part in it, including members of this site. For all of which I am eternally greatful. If it were not for their help, I would not be this far down the road. I have also gleamed much valuable information from other forums which have discussed this topic for non-residents.

Seems there are at least three States which do not require proof of residency. In an interesting post on another forum, I read about the benefits of looking for a vehicle in FL. And, on top of that, my daughter and her family are in the process of moving to Ft Lauderdale (where her husband, whose contract with Mercedes Benz had expired, was 'snagged' by AutoNation).

All the bits are finally coming together. This morning I spoke for more than an hour with a delightful gent at customer service of Progressive Insurance. I called to request help with getting a quote online, and ended up explaining my situation. He was able to anticipate my needs / wants, and make all sorts of suggestions which I had not even considered. The sort of customer service one dreams of. None-the-less, basic insurance - not comprehensive - is more than 50% of the total cost of the vehicle. (More than six times as much as I pay at home for comprehensive insurance on a car insured for almost six times the value of the van.)

Have not yet managed to get on to the appropriate person at the dealership. Have emailed. Am hoping that son-in-law will check it over and take it for a test drive... but I am quietly confident. Beautiful van with low mileage, despite its age. So guys.... need good vibes! I gotta succeed this time. It is only ten weeks to my departure.

Lifey
Heading for the Horizon

Edit: seems that by going down a different route, different State, same insurance company, full comprehensive insurance is half that mentioned above.

[Southwest Dave]

..........but the van was withdrawn from sale a little over 12 hours ago [48 hours after being listed] and is listed as 'Pending'. I presume they are waiting for funds to be cleared or an inspection, but as you haven't been able to get in touch, I'm doubting it's you, is it ?

Good vibes coming your way and everything crossed !!!!!

Dave.