Commercial Insurance for Entertainer Coach

[Dakell12]

Does anyone have any information on a suitable insurance company for me? I am trying to start a business running bands around the country on my bus, and am having a hard time locking down the right insurance.

[Ednj]

call these people, they will help.
Thum Insurance
800-866-0777
www.thuminsurance.com

616-957-2400
fax 616-957-1204
do I get a referral?

[skipn]

Dakell12,

   I take it you are talking commercial insurance versus RV insurance?

   If it is Commercial you can google "bus insurance" and get a lot of hits for commercial.
   Then is is a matter of shopping around....
   Or PM Busted Knukle on what he uses...
 
  FWIW
  Skip

[Dakell12]

Sure Ednj, what's the name?

[tekebird]

new operation:  Expect to pay 15k a year for minimum coverage

[captain ron]

new operation:  Expect to pay 15k a year for minimum coverage

He's talking about hauling 6 or 7 people not 46

[tekebird]

unless you get limo tags, which would be difficult for a bus 15k....it's a combination of passengers as well as whata big @$# vehicle can do to others damage wise.

that 15k would be from any of the large reputable carriers.

and that was 3 years ago.

you will also find alot of carriers will not insure units older than 15-20 years for this type of business.

[Dallas]

I'll let you decide for yourself what you need. Have you checked out the FMCSA website for the appropriate designation for your service?
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/spanish/MotCarrofPassengers_index.htm

This website is for Mexican crossovers, but I'm too lazy to dig up the proper URL for your needs. You can do that.

Dallas

[skipn]

Since Dallas started down the 2 lane road here is probably more info
than you want to deal with.........


http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/NewEntrant-faq.asp

If your bus is for hire and you are crossing state lines well........... this is a start

Skip

[jackhartjr]

More like $9,000.00 to $11,000.00 in todays market.  I am in the safety end of the business and see the premiums all of the time.
Right now they are making money on the stock market, when that changes...and it is very cyclical...it will go up about $3,000.00 give or take a little bit.
Find an agent that knows buses.  PM me if you would like, I'll point you to a couple!
Jack

[NJT 5573]

Progressive writes nationwide. They do commercial as well as private and you can get a quote from progressive.com online fairly fast. They may be a little high, but they sure have a nice online site to pay and update etc. that is the best I have ever used. They left a few back doors to help you get to your account if you don't remember all the BS some sites put you through.

Get ready for alot of paperwork for your drivers files to stay DOT compliant. You should also buy  a coach that has a current/recent DOT Annual Inspection.

[belfert]

Is a current/recent DOT inspection really that valuable when buying for commercial use?  I assume the buyer will take it to a bus garage for full inspection by a bus mechanic as a condition of purchase.

It seems to be that buses in commercial service are often put up for sale if they won't pass the next DOT inspection and aren't worth fixing to the current owner.  Some things that will ground a commercial vehicle might not affect a bus conversion not subject to DOT regs.

[tekebird]

 Dakell,

what insurance carrier do you use for your Charter Bus operation?

What insurance carrier/coverage have you been using for the past year or so on your entertainer?

[captain ron]

Call the Prevost service center in Nashville and have them put you in touch with some of the guys that run an operation like you want to. I talked to a guy there that was getting his bus worked on that does what you want to do. I know there are many more. I wish I could remember his name because he could be of great help to you in other ways to.

[Len Silva]

Dakell,

I commend you for trying to do it right. I know that there are some entertainer operations running up and down the road as RV's with no CDL, no inspections, no commercial insurance.