Insuring An Antique Motor Home

[JeffsMagicBus]

   Hello!
I live in Tennessee and I just got an antique plate for my '75 TMC MC-8 Crusader. It was already registered as a motor home. I decided to go that route when a nosey neighbor(s) turned me into codes for having my 11+' tall factory 4x4 truck here but that's another story in itself. I told the codes guy that "there are no commercial vehicles here and that further communication regarding this matter will not be necessary". If they continue to bother me they can be a codefendant in the harassment case I'm considering taking my Homeowners Association to court over.   
Can anybody out there in bus land recommend an insurance company that they are using or have used that would write a policy on an antique motor home? Any leads will be greatly appreciated. Here's a link to a photo album of my Crusader if any of you might want to check it out:
http://cid-c6ec323e6ef26dd8.spaces.live.com/default.aspx
Thanks For Your Time And Best Wishes To Your And Your Family.

[tekebird]

your problem may be that it is not an antique motorhome, but rather a classic bus with a conversion.

mANY STATES WILL NOT ALLOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO BE LICENSED IN THE CLASSIC OR ANTIUE CATAGORIES ( SOME DO)  sorry about the caps but don;t want to retype.

get a mototorhome registration for it and you are free from commercail vehicle issues.  also a private coach and not for hire badge would add to your safety.

I thought you have been trying to sell it....have seen it on ebay I thought a few times

[TomC]

Progressive insurance.  Good Luck, TomC

[HB of CJ]

Hope things work out OK with you.  Lots of us have had showdowns with the homeowner's/property owners ASSociations.  Yeah, Progressive Insurance, a private motorcoach license and leaning on your personal insurance agent just might work.

[kyle4501]

In SC, there are different rules for antique plates that limit use of the vehicle. . . 

Good you can make it work for you in TN. If you are putting less than 3000 miles per year on it, Hagerty might be a good place. . . . .

[JeffsMagicBus]

  Hello!
I appreciate the input from everybody and will try Haggerty first. I think I saw their ad in Hemmings Motor News at one time or another. I'm aware that I have a BUS CONVERSION but one is NEVER to use the "B" word while at the DMV! The TN law about registering antique vehicles says a "motor vehicle" and that's all it says. It doesn't matter if it's a motor home or not as a vehicle is a vehicle. One could argue that since the seats were removed that the body has been modified but my interpretation is the interior is not the body and since I haven't modified the body in any way whatsoever that was that. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't really care at this point. I like the old bus look and the cool windows and that's precisely why I choose the Crusader! Well that and the fact I couldn't afford a new Prevost! I could never understand why anybody would buy a DC-3 and try to make it look like a Lear Jet! Just buy the jet people...
Yes I've had Whippoorwill Lodge on eBay before. I was trying to generate a trade more than to appease the natives. I have a tentative offer to trade it for a 1986 Chris Craft Commander 336 Mid Cabin with twin Mercruiser 454's in it which is a decent and fair offer since it comes with a custom made $10K aluminum trailer. I might end up keeping the MC-8 to simply annoy whomever keeps complaining about it and I'll be taking my time on finishing it. Sure it's ugly to some people but it isn't about them any way! I could have easily sanded it down myself and primed it 2 years ago but I'm waiting to do the exterior last so that the commies in my neighborhood can enjoy looking at it like it is for as long as possible. I don't get mad when I can get even in such an easy and fun way. I'm a really nice guy but they've dicked with the wrong dude.
I can only use the coach for general transportation on Saturday and Sunday but it can be used in parades, show, tours, and other such activities. I told the lady at the DMV that I heard about a cross country tour, a show in Texas, and a parade in Illinois. She looked at me kind of funny and smiled, little did she know I was serious, IF only I could afford the fuel! As another bus nut once told a cop who pulled him over in reference to his antique tag, Every time I take my bus out it's a parade and a show in itself.
I can always go register it normally if and when I ever become a full timer or if I want to joy ride in it on the weekdays. As long as it's not being used for general transportation and you are just joy riding in it they can't even say anything to you for driving it at any time. Of course if you act rude or the cop has had a bad day look out but that applies to any situation if you think about it. They don't have a yearly mileage limitation here on antique tags either but an insurance company most probably would. Some companies will not even write an antique policy unless you have antique tags. Your looking at a couple hundred a year for an antique policy compared to about a grand a year for a regular policy.
I'm sure if I trade it for the Commander they'll have to make up some new rules for it too but it will also be Grandfathered in so big deal. They can complain and make up all the rules they want to but I'll be letting a judge decide if their selective enforcement rules are legal or not. I told the HOA to go lay down after they gave me until 2/08 to move the coach. It's still here so I guess they took my threat to sue them seriously. They said the Crusader was unattractive to which I replied: "Then Don't Look At It"!
   One Day Alice! One Day... Oh The Joys Of Owning Such Fine Toys! Too bad I can't afford it but I have it and it's paid for!
             I'll quit rambling on now and let you go.
                                                                   Take Care,
                                                                                    Jeff

[jackhartjr]

Jeff...you and I will make good friends!  We think quite a bit alike!
Jack

[JeffsMagicBus]

   Hello Jack!
There's nothing but maybe a SKY VIEW more awesome to look at than a SceniCruiser except maybe a SceniCruiser on a low boy!
                                      Leave The Driving To Us...
                                                                           Yee Haw!