Auto insurance

[Jim]

Need your input.  The insurance provider we're currently using to insure our Nissan NV 3500 passenger van will only insure it as "commercial vehicle"....even though we're not using it for anything other than personal travel and towing our camper.

 

The rate for this insurance is $1300 annually.  I had him price the same year GMC Savana van and it came in at $641 annually. ($500/$1000 deductible).

 

I'm wondering if everyone is paying the commercial rate?  Did you have any problem insuring your 3500 as a personal vehicle?  If you KNOW you're not paying for commercial insurance, could you share the name of your provider?  I'd like to price shop.

 

Thanks.

[ASD Dad]

Travelers Insurance.  No issues at all insuring it as a passenger vehicle.  I've had them for over 10 years and they've been fantastic to us.  Over 3 accidents (not one that was our fault) they were super fast with claims as well with no increase in our premiums.  Two of the claims they had to step up and not only cover us but go after the other people since they either had no insurance or not enough.  Still no issues on our end.   

 

I honestly cant remember what we pay for insurance but it was not much more vs. my Toyota Tundra truck.  

 

Now the state of South Carolina will let me register my van as a "bus" or commercial vehicle since it holds more than 10 passengers!  I can even get special plates that will let me park in certain commercial loading areas.  The plates are really expensive and I happen to really like my current plates so I am not getting them.  

[Psyched]

We insure through USAA. If you have access to them, they are absolutely fantastic. Probably the cheapest, but pretty close and absolutely the best service and dependability of any insurance company. They financed the NV and insure it as a private vehicle without any questions.

 

www.USAA.com

[Jim]

I appreciate the responses.  The agent I've been working with has requested their underwriter review this issue - which is something I thought he was gonna do a couple years ago.  In the meantime, I'll be chasing down the leads you've provided.  Thank you!

 

Update: the insurance agent notified us that their underwriter reviewed the issue and they revised our policy!  We're now classified as a personal use vehicle and it lowered our premium over $500.  Whew!

Edited April 8, 2017 by Jim

[goingape]

We insure through USAA. If you have access to them, they are absolutely fantastic. Probably the cheapest, but pretty close and absolutely the best service and dependability of any insurance company. They financed the NV and insure it as a private vehicle without any questions.

 

www.USAA.com

I use USAA too. Before purchasing my 2015 NVP I got a quote for insurance. After I made the purchase and went to update my policy with my new NVP they gave me a hard time about insuring it. I only use it for personal use ( i have a big family) .

[klp0445]

Can anybody tell me if they actually got theirs insured thru USAA? They will not insure mine. What Insurance company will insure this for personal use?

 

[cojo]

We've recently insured our 2018 2500 cargo van through USAA for personal use. It took a bit of convincing on our part as I believe their computer system automatically considers the NV a commercial vehicle. We had financed the van through USAA and the loan was held up for this same reason. This was frustrating, but in all the years we've been insuring/banking with USAA, this is the first time we've had a problem.

 

I recommend that you call them back and push the issue. Also mention that it won't be registered as a commercial vehicle. 

[klp0445]

Ive called them back several times today and they wont even let me speak to a supervisor !  Ive been with them for 42 yrs ! So now I have to look elswhere and will probably have to move my other car also since I wont be able to get the multi car discount

[klp0445]

Ours is the NV 3500 SL passenger so maybe that makes a difference with USAA. they said it came up as a bus

[cojo]

At this point, I'm not surprised that their 'computer' says its a bus. From looking at some of the replies above, its clear that USAA has insured NVP's in the very recent past. Be insistent that it is not for commercial use and its simply to haul your family around. Maybe don't request to speak with a supervisor, but instead ask if there is someone else you can speak with who will help.

[andy_george]

I’ve had Progressive since day one and never had an issue. I did have to explain that it was purely for private use, but it was never talked about after that.

[DesertTed]

We have ours with Geico, but the circumstances are a bit different. We're insuring the '16 3500, the '17 2500 and the Lance trailer with replacement coverage. AND we're full-timing, which makes it more expensive. We're paying about $3K a year with generous coverage.

 

I'm sure there's cheaper out there, but I haven't gotten around to shopping. The full-timing thing is always a pain as there are some insurers that won't cover that-like USAA and Liberty Mutual.

Ted

[klp0445]

Thanks for all the input. Geico and Progressive would not insure it as a personal use van. I finally called Farmers and there was no problem at all.The rate was $570 for 6 months.

[ASD Dad]

Been with Travelers for many years and love them.  No problems ever and they went above and beyond for several accidents that were not our fault.