If you have spent $30K, $50K, or $100K on a custom conversion, the last thing you want is to find out after an accident that your policy only covers the base vehicle. Van conversion insurance is one of those topics that gets skipped during the excitement of planning a build, and getting it wrong can cost you tens of thousands of dollars.
We build custom van conversions in Encinitas, CA, and this comes up in almost every client conversation. This guide covers what a converted van actually needs, what it costs, which carriers write it, and how to get a yes after a carrier has told you no.
One thing up front: this is practical information from a builder, not insurance advice. Rules vary by state and by carrier, and the person who can actually bind a policy is a licensed agent. Use this to have a better conversation with one.
Why Carriers Tell You No, and How to Get a Yes
The most common complaint from van owners is not the price of coverage. It is being told, repeatedly, that nobody will write the policy at all.
There is usually a specific reason, and it is fixable.
Most carriers will only write a conversion as a Class B motorhome once it has permanently installed kitchen facilities and a permanent sleeping area. Both, not one. A van with a removable bed platform and a camp stove in a milk crate is still a cargo van as far as an underwriter is concerned, no matter how much you spent on it. Add a fixed bed and a mounted galley with a sink, and the same van becomes a motorhome that the same carrier will quote.
That single distinction explains most of the rejections van owners run into. Before you conclude that no one will insure your build, check it against the list:
- Permanent sleeping area. Fixed bed or a permanently mounted convertible platform. Not an air mattress, not a slide-out cot.
- Permanent cooking facility. A mounted cooktop or range, generally with a sink and a water supply.
- Permanently installed, not portable. Fixtures should be fastened to the vehicle, not set on the floor.
- Documented value. An itemized build sheet and receipts, so the carrier can rate something other than the base van.
If your build meets all four and a carrier still declines, the issue is that carrier’s appetite rather than your van. Move on to one that writes self-built conversions. That is a very different problem, and it is solved by a phone call rather than by more construction.
Why Standard Auto Insurance Is Not Enough
A standard auto policy covers the vehicle as it left the factory. That is the whole of it.
If you buy a Sprinter for $55K and put $60K into a custom conversion, your van is worth $115K. Your auto policy still sees a $55K cargo van. If the vehicle is totaled, you get paid for the base van and nothing for the conversion.
Your electrical system, cabinetry, plumbing, and solar are simply gone. An insurer has no obligation to cover modifications it was never told about.
This is the single biggest insurance mistake van owners make, and it happens constantly.
What Insurers Actually Look At
When you tell an agent you have a van conversion, these are the questions behind the questions:
- What kind of conversion is it? Interior living space is routine. Major structural changes to the body or frame raise flags. They want to know you have not compromised the vehicle’s safety.
- How old is the van? Older vans often cost more to insure because repair and parts costs are higher relative to value.
- What is it worth now? A $20K base van converted for $40K is a $60K vehicle. The carrier needs an accurate number, because that number is what gets paid on a total loss.
- How is it used? Primary vehicle, weekend rig, or full-time residence. Usage moves the rate more than almost anything else.
- Where does it park? A locked garage rates better than street parking. Full-timers in campgrounds get rated differently than someone with a driveway.
- What custom systems are in it? Solar, lithium batteries, propane. These are improvements rather than red flags, but disclose them. An undisclosed system is a reason to deny a claim later.
Types of Insurance for Converted Vans
Standard Auto Insurance
Liability, collision, and comprehensive on the vehicle itself. For a converted van, it covers the base vehicle and none of the conversion work.
When it works: a very minimal build, like a bed platform and some storage, where you are comfortable absorbing the loss. For anything beyond that, it falls short.
RV or Specialty Vehicle Insurance
The right answer for most conversions. These policies are built for modified vehicles and cover the agreed value of the van plus the build.
You and the carrier agree on a total value upfront. With receipts and documentation showing a $60K conversion on a $55K van, the policy covers $115K. Choose agreed value over actual cash value, which depreciates your build every year.
Carriers that write converted vans:
- Roamly: built specifically for van lifers and self-built conversions. The most conversion-literate option on this list.
- National General (an Allstate company): agreed-value policies and long experience with custom vehicles.
- Progressive: RV insurance that can cover converted vans, and one of the larger carriers in this space.
- Good Sam: RV-focused, with programs aimed at full-timers.
- State Farm: some agents can write specialty vehicle or RV endorsements for conversions. Varies by agent and region, so it is worth asking yours directly.
- Proper Insurance: short-term rental coverage for Outdoorsy and RVshare. The right call if you rent the van out, not a primary personal policy.
Regional and local carriers are sometimes more willing to work with custom builds than the national names. Worth a call if the big carriers are not cooperating.
Contents and Personal Property Coverage
Your policy covers the vehicle and the conversion. It generally does not cover the laptops, cameras, climbing gear, and tools inside it. Homeowner’s policies usually exclude items stored in a vehicle or cap them at a few hundred dollars.
Some carriers offer a personal property add-on in the range of $50 to $100 per year, covering roughly $500 to $2,500 of contents. If you are full-time, or you keep expensive gear in the van, an inland marine policy or a personal property rider is the better route.
How Much Does Van Conversion Insurance Cost?
Plan for $1,000 to $3,000 per year for a converted van with full coverage. For a conversion valued at $80K to $100K including the vehicle, expect roughly $1,500 to $2,500.
Rates track usage more closely than they track the conversion itself:
| How you use it | Typical monthly premium |
|---|---|
| Secondary vehicle (you have a primary car) | $40 to $80 |
| Part-time, weekends and trips | $60 to $120 |
| Full-time living | $100 to $180 |
Individual coverages, roughly:
| Coverage | Typical annual cost |
|---|---|
| Liability | Included in base rate |
| Comprehensive | $150 to $300 |
| Collision | $200 to $500 |
| Personal property add-on | $50 to $100 |
What moves your number:
- Total insured value: a $40K van costs less to insure than a $120K van.
- Coverage type: liability only is cheaper, and defeats the purpose of protecting a conversion.
- Driving record: this and your annual mileage matter more than whether the van is converted.
- State: California runs higher than average.
- Full-time vs part-time: more miles and more exposure means a higher rate.
- Deductible: moving from a $250 to a $1,000 deductible can cut the premium meaningfully, if you have the emergency fund to back it.
Get quotes from at least three carriers before committing. Rates for converted vans vary more between carriers than they do for ordinary vehicles.
Does the Platform Change Anything?
The underwriting questions are identical whether you are insuring a Sprinter, a ProMaster, or a Transit. What changes is the number.
A Sprinter conversion carries the highest insured value of the three, because the base vehicle costs more and Mercedes parts and labor cost more to repair. A ProMaster or Transit build with an identical interior will usually rate lower simply because the total value is lower.
Carriers rate the combined value of vehicle plus build. The badge on the grille matters only to the extent that it moves that total.
Liability, Collision, Comprehensive, and Uninsured Motorist
Liability
Covers damage you cause to other people and their property. It does not cover your own van.
Every state requires it. As of January 1, 2025, California requires minimum limits of $30K/$60K/$15K for bodily injury per person, per accident, and property damage, the first increase since 1967 under SB 1107. Even at the higher minimums, those limits are very low for a high-value conversion. Most van owners should carry at least $100K/$300K/$100K.
Collision
Covers damage to your van from an accident regardless of fault. On an RV or specialty policy, collision covers the conversion value, not just the vehicle.
Comprehensive
Covers theft, vandalism, hail, fire, falling trees, and broken glass. For a van that parks at trailheads, campgrounds, and city streets, this is the one that earns its keep. Break-ins are common and an electrical fire, while rare, can total a build.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist
Covers you when the other driver has no insurance or not enough of it. A meaningful share of California drivers are uninsured, and this coverage is inexpensive relative to what it protects. Skipping it on a six-figure van is a bad trade.
Bottom line: if you have invested in a quality conversion, carry all four.
Liability When You Live In It
If someone is hurt at or near your van rather than in a collision, a visitor slipping in your shower or catching a shock from a loose wire, vehicle liability may not respond. This corner of the market is genuinely murky.
If the van is your primary residence, some carriers will suggest adding renter’s or mobile-home liability to cover injuries on your property, typically $100 to $300 per year. It is uncommon, and worth asking about if you are full-time.
Most van dwellers rely on vehicle liability alone. That is a personal risk call, not a rule.
Getting Your Conversion Value Covered
Documentation is where this is won or lost. No carrier takes your word that the conversion is worth $60K.
What Carriers Want to See
- Itemized build sheet: every component, system, and material with costs attached. This is the foundation of any claim for conversion value.
- Receipts and invoices: electrical components, cabinetry, appliances, plumbing fixtures, solar, batteries, heaters. Keep all of it.
- Photos: before, during, and after. Progress photos of the work being done are strong evidence of scope and quality.
- Professional appraisal: some carriers require or strongly prefer a third-party valuation of the finished conversion.
- RVIA certification: the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association certification can ease underwriting or improve rates with some carriers. Not every builder carries it and it is not always required, but it can help.
Why Build Documentation Matters
We provide detailed build documentation to every client: itemized component lists, progress photos at every stage, and a complete record of the systems installed. That is not only for your peace of mind during the build. It is the paperwork that lets you insure the van for what it is actually worth.
If your builder does not provide this, proving conversion value to a carrier gets considerably harder. When you are planning your build, factor in how well documented the process will be.
What to Have Ready When You Call for a Quote
Have this in front of you and the call takes fifteen minutes instead of three rounds of phone tag:
- Vehicle details: year, make, model, VIN, mileage, and value as base vehicle plus conversion cost.
- Usage: primary, secondary, full-time, or part-time, plus typical annual miles.
- Parking: where it sits most nights.
- Custom systems: “aftermarket solar and a lithium battery bank” is enough detail for most agents.
- Driving record: accidents, tickets, and violations over the past three to five years.
- Domicile state: your registration state, which is not necessarily where the van is right now.
Be accurate about usage. Claiming part-time weekend use while living in the van full-time is the kind of thing that surfaces during a claim investigation.
Thinking about a van conversion? We handle everything from design to build to documentation, so your conversion is insurable from day one. Call us at (714) 257-5446 or email hello@emerycustombuilds.com to start the conversation.
Full-Time vs Part-Time
Part-Time Use
If the van is a secondary vehicle used for trips and weekends, this is straightforward. Most RV and specialty policies are designed for exactly this. Premiums are lower because the van spends more time parked and covers fewer miles.
You can often keep the van on a standard auto policy with an RV endorsement, or move to a standalone RV policy.
Full-Time Use
Full-time changes the math. When the van is your residence, carriers see more miles, more nights parked in unfamiliar places, and more property at stake.
Some carriers will not cover full-time van dwellers at all. Others, Roamly among them, are built for it.
If you live in the van, confirm the policy covers:
- Full-time residence use: not all policies allow it. Ask specifically.
- Personal belongings: standard auto will not cover your laptop, clothing, and gear.
- Roadside assistance: full-timers depend on the van running. Worth the extra cost.
- Total loss replacement: enough coverage to replace vehicle and conversion, not a depreciated market value.
Lowering the Premium
- Raise the deductible. Going from $250 to $1,000 cuts premiums meaningfully. Only do it with an emergency fund behind it.
- Bundle. Home or renter’s insurance with the same carrier usually earns a multiline discount.
- Safety discounts. Anti-theft devices, dashcams, and clean-driver discounts all move the number.
- Pay annually. Paying in full is cheaper than monthly installments.
- Requote every year. Rates move. Switching carriers at renewal is easy and often worth a few hundred dollars.
California Notes
Most of our clients insure their vans in California, so a few state specifics.
Registration vs Insurance Classification
California does not require you to register a converted van as an RV in most cases. Your Sprinter, ProMaster, or Transit can stay registered as a standard vehicle. Your insurance classification is a separate question.
You can carry RV or specialty coverage on a van registered as a standard vehicle. The DMV classification and the policy classification do not need to match. What matters is that the policy reflects the van’s actual use and value.
We have a separate guide on registration and titling if the DMV side is what you are working through.
California Requirements
Every vehicle must carry minimum liability. As above, the $30K/$60K/$15K minimums are far too low for a high-value conversion. If someone hits your $100K van carrying only state minimums, their policy will not come close. Carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
Proposition 103
Prop 103 requires California insurers to rate primarily on driving record, annual mileage, and years of experience. California also fully prohibits credit-based insurance scores in auto rating, one of only four states to do so. That works in favor of van owners with clean records and lower annual mileage.
Common Mistakes
1. Not Disclosing the Conversion
Modifying the van without telling your carrier risks a denied claim. Failing to disclose a conversion can be treated as material misrepresentation, which is grounds to deny the claim entirely.
2. Underinsuring the Build
Saving $200 a year on premiums is a false economy. If your conversion cost $60K and you insured it for $30K, you eat the difference.
3. Assuming Homeowner’s Covers Contents
It almost never does for items inside a vehicle. Read the policy. Most exclude vehicle contents entirely.
4. Skipping Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Cheap coverage against a common risk. Do not skip it.
5. Not Updating the Policy After the Build
If you insured the van before the conversion started, the policy still reflects the base vehicle. Once the build is done, update it with the full value, documentation, and photos.
What to Document During Your Build
Whether you are doing a DIY build or hiring a professional shop, keep records of everything:
- Every receipt: parts, materials, appliances, fixtures. Cloud copies are ideal.
- Progress photos: empty van, insulation, framing, electrical rough-in, plumbing, cabinetry, finished. Date-stamped is better.
- An itemized build sheet: every component with its cost, broken out by system.
- Labor costs: a professional builder’s invoices serve as documentation. For DIY, record hours and tasks.
- Appliance serial numbers: fridges, heaters, cooktops, inverters. Useful for both claims and warranties.
- A professional appraisal: locks in the value and gives you standing if you ever file a claim.
We include build documentation as part of every project. When we hand over your van, you get the records you need to insure it properly. Our completed builds show the level of detail that goes into each one.
How to Get Insured, Step by Step
- Confirm the build qualifies. Permanent sleeping area and permanent cooking facility, per the checklist at the top of this page.
- Finish or nearly finish the build. Most carriers want to see a complete conversion before issuing a specialty policy.
- Gather documentation. Build sheet, receipts, photos, appraisal.
- Quote at least three carriers. Start with Roamly and National General for conversion-specific coverage, then compare Progressive, Good Sam, and your own agent.
- Disclose everything. Solar, electrical, plumbing, structural changes, added weight, roof-mounted equipment.
- Choose agreed value. Avoid actual cash value policies that depreciate the build.
- Review annually. Update the policy when you add upgrades.
Protect the Investment
A custom conversion is a serious investment. The build runs $15K to $100K+ depending on scope, and the base vehicle adds another $30K to $70K. Van conversion insurance is what keeps that from evaporating in a single afternoon.
Get it sorted before you hit the road, and keep the documentation current so you can prove what the build is worth if you ever need to.
Ready to start planning your build? We handle conversions on Sprinter, ProMaster, and Transit platforms, and we make sure you leave with the documentation you need to insure the van properly. Tell us about your build and we’ll get back to you with a custom estimate.