I spent two years converting a 2012 International bus into a tiny home, complete with a roof deck and a wood stove. When I finally called to insure it, I was rejected by 14 different companies in a single morning, with one agent laughing and saying, “We don’t touch anything with a stop sign arm.” I was sitting in a $40,000 home that was legally uninsurable, meaning I couldn’t register it or drive it.
Key Takeaways
- The “Commercial Chassis” Problem: Insurers see a commercial bus VIN and panic, assuming it’s for hauling people, even if you gutted the seats.
- The “Pro-Build” Requirement: Most carriers (like Progressive) now require the conversion to be done by a professional shop, not a DIYer, to minimize fire/electrical risk.
- Wood Stoves are Dealbreakers: If you have a wood-burning stove or a roof deck, your pool of insurers drops to almost zero.
- National General is the Leader: As of 2026, National General (often via a broker) remains the most consistent option for self-converted Skoolies.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is the “Unacceptable Risk Profile.”
Skoolies are the black sheep of the insurance world. To an actuary, a DIY Skoolie combines the weight/damage potential of a commercial truck with the fire risk of a homemade house.
Furthermore, “School Bus” VINs are often flagged in databases. If you try to insure it as a “Commercial Vehicle for Private Use,” you lose coverage for the contents (your kitchen, bed, laptop). If you try to insure it as an RV, they ask for a “Conversion Affidavit” proving professional installation of plumbing and propane.
The Investigation (My Analysis of 3 Carriers)
I called the big names and the niche players to see who accepts a 40-foot DIY bus.
National General
- The Verdict: The best bet.
- The Process: They required five photos of the interior and exterior. They explicitly asked, “Is there a roof deck or wood stove?” (Saying yes to either usually triggers a rejection).
- The Cost: High. About $2,800/year for full coverage on a $50,000 value.
State Farm
- The Verdict: Agent Roulette.
- The Reality: State Farm does not have a hard “No Skoolie” corporate policy, but local agents have discretion. I called three agents; two said no, one said “maybe if you bring it in.”
- The Catch: They often only write it as a commercial vehicle, meaning no “Personal Effects” coverage.
Good Sam
- The Verdict: Hard No.
- The Experience: Even though they partner with National General, their frontline sales scripts often auto-decline “Converted School Buses” before even running the quote. You have to bypass Good Sam and go directly to a broker.
[IMAGE: Photo of a yellow school bus halfway painted white, with a rejection email overlay]
Comparison Table
| Feature | National General | State Farm | Progressive |
| Accepts DIY Skoolies? | Yes (Restrictions apply) | Maybe (Agent dependent) | No (Pro build only) |
| Wood Stove Allowed? | No | No | No |
| Roof Deck Allowed? | No | No | No |
| Valuation | Agreed Value | Stated Amount | ACV (Chassis only) |
| Insurance Type | RV | Commercial/Personal Auto | Commercial Auto |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Remove the “Killers”: Before you take insurance photos, remove the wood stove. Take the ladder off the roof deck. Paint the bus (it cannot be “School Bus Yellow” in many states for non-school use).
- Call a Broker: Do not call Geico directly. Call a broker like Kelly Newsome or AIS. They know which underwriter is approving Skoolies this month.
- Get a “Motorhome Title”: In your state (or Vermont/South Dakota), retitle the vehicle from “Bus” to “Motorhome” before applying for insurance. This changes the registration code and helps bypass auto-rejections.
- Agreed Value Appraisal: You need an appraisal to prove your $5,000 bus is now worth $60,000. Without it, they will pay you scrap value for the bus in a total loss.
FAQ
Can I lie and say it’s a van?
No. The VIN decoder will show “International/Blue Bird Bus.” Lying is “Material Misrepresentation” and voids the policy instantly.
Why does a roof deck matter?
Liability. Insurers are terrified you will get drunk, fall off the roof, and sue them (or your guest will).
Does Roamly insure Skoolies?
Generally, no. Roamly focuses on Sprinters/Promasters. They have historically avoided the heavy-duty bus chassis market, though this changes year to year.