Some adventure enthusiasts buy coaches or school buses and convert them into recreational vehicles with living spaces. After conversion, they are referred to as "skoolies." Whether you hire a company that specializes in converting buses into RVs or do it yourself, you need to have specialty skoolie insurance coverage to protect yourself, your passengers, and your investment in your bus conversion.
One of the best ways to get difficult-to-find coverage is to work with a local independent insurance agent. These agents can be an excellent resource for bus conversion insurance because they have access to policies from many different companies. But first, let's take a closer look at converted school bus insurance and why it's important.
Key Takeaways - 2026 Converted School Bus (Skoolie) Insurance
A skoolie is an RV or motorhome that was converted from a commercial bus or school bus.
Skoolies must be insured during every phase of the conversion process.
If you live in your skoolie as a permanent residence, you'll need a full-timer's policy.
Working with a local independent insurance agent is strongly recommended, as they can shop and compare skoolie insurance quotes from multiple carriers near you to find the best rate and coverage fit.
What Is a Bus Conversion (Skoolie)?
A bus conversion involves converting a commercial bus or school bus into a recreational vehicle. Converting a bus into an RV requires seat removal, among other changes, to add living, sleeping, and cooking amenities as well as a bathroom.
Skoolies are typically broken into the following categories:
- Type A: 20-25 feet
- Type B: 25-35 feet, dog-nose style
- Type C: 35-45 feet, traditional style
- Type D: 35+ feet, flat-nose style, most spacious
For more on how skoolies compare to other RV and camper types, see our full guide to types of RVs and campers. From the perspective of an insurance company, a bus conversion must meet certain criteria, typically including the following:
- A refrigeration appliance
- Bathroom facilities
- Heating and air conditioning
- Cooking appliances
- A drinkable water supply
- A 110- to 125-volt power supply
It's typically easier to get RV insurance for your converted bus if you hire a professional to complete the conversion for you. However, many people enjoy the challenge of converting a bus to an RV themselves. If you choose to convert a bus into an RV, it might be wise to consult an insurance professional before you begin.
An independent insurance agent can help you learn about the requirements insurers set so you can qualify for the bus conversion insurance you need. If you have already completed the conversion or are in the process of converting a bus into an RV, a local independent insurance agent can still be an excellent ally. Your agent has access to multiple RV insurance quotes and carriers and can find the coverage you need for your bus conversion.
What Is Converted School Bus Insurance?
Converted school bus insurance is a special type of RV insurance designed to protect certain types of motorhomes that were once school buses or transit buses. A bus conversion may produce a Class A motorhome if the vehicle was assembled on a commercial bus chassis, depending on its amenities and overall space. Commercial transit bus conversions may also qualify for this type of coverage.
Converted buses must be insured as motorhomes rather than travel trailers because they are driven instead of towed. A converted bus insurance policy can protect your vehicle from many standpoints, including liability, collision, and more.
What Does Skoolie Insurance Cover?
Your converted bus insurance policy may include some or all of the same coverages found in a typical RV insurance policy. These are often the following:
- RV liability insurance: This coverage is required in most states and can reimburse you for the cost of bodily injuries and property damage to others.
- Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your vehicle from a collision with another object, regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive coverage: Pays for damage to your vehicle due to a non-collision event, such as a flood or theft.
- Medical payments coverage: This pays for medical expenses related to injuries to you or your passengers after an accident.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorists insurance: This pays for expenses related to injuries or property damage if you are in an accident caused by a driver who does not have sufficient insurance, or if you're the victim of a hit-and-run.
- Towing and roadside assistance coverage: This can pay for the cost of professional towing and other roadside services in the event of a breakdown.
- Full-timer insurance: This coverage may be necessary if you live on your converted bus full-time or travel a certain number of days out of the year.
- Personal belongings coverage: This optional coverage can pay to repair or replace your personal belongings kept on board.
- Equipment coverage: This optional coverage can pay to repair or replace special equipment for your motorhome.
- Attached accessories coverage: This optional coverage can pay to repair or replace attached accessories like satellite dishes and awnings.
- Storage/lay-up coverage: This optional coverage can protect against incidents that occur while your skoolie is stored during the off-season.
Most skoolie owners layer their RV insurance policy with a separate renters insurance policy, which can protect their personal property and liability. If you have homeowners insurance, you also have liability and personal property coverage.
An independent insurance agent can help you build a complete skoolie insurance policy. They can also determine if it's possible to combine your bus conversion insurance with other policies to get RV insurance discounts and savings.
Commercial Vehicle Insurance: Covering Your Bus During the Conversion
When asking how to insure a skoolie, it's important to understand that the bus must be protected during the actual conversion phase. The bus must be insured as a commercial vehicle for personal use while it's being converted to a skoolie. Commercial vehicle insurance for the personal use of a skoolie typically costs $200 to $600 for six months of coverage.
This coverage must be purchased the moment you drive the bus home. Your commercial coverage for skoolie personal use will cover physical damage to your vehicle and liability. Once the conversion process is complete, you'll transition to an RV or motorhome insurance policy and cancel the commercial vehicle coverage.
Why Skoolie Insurance Can Be Difficult to Find
It can be difficult to find insurance carriers that offer non-professional bus conversion coverage. Some will only provide it under certain conditions. The following are our top picks for the best converted school bus insurance companies this year:
- National General/Good Sam
- Romaly
- RVer Insurance Exchange
Though Progressive and Allstate used to offer skoolie insurance, they've since stopped writing new policies. Progressive has also reportedly begun dropping existing policies on skoolies.
School bus conversion insurance, in particular, can be difficult to find as insurance companies often favor commercial bus conversions. Carriers also make a distinction when underwriting coverage for a school bus vs. a transit bus, which can affect your coverage eligibility.
Insurance requirements vary from state to state as well, so make sure you discuss your coverage needs with an independent insurance agent. They can help you find skoolie insurance companies that cover DIY conversions.
Key Eligibility Factors and Documentation for Skoolie Insurance
There are several skoolie insurance requirements to be aware of when shopping and applying for coverage. However, keep in mind that these requirements vary considerably by carrier.
- Some insurance companies will accept a bus conversion if the bus was used commercially but will not offer insurance for a school bus.
- Some insurers will only consider you for coverage if the conversion was done professionally, but not if you did the conversion yourself.
- The insurance company may also consider the bus's age, make, and model. Some carriers will not insure buses older than 20 years.
- Other factors that may affect whether you can find school bus conversion insurance could include the type of motor and whether the bus has a manual or automatic transmission.
- In many instances, the insurance carrier may require an appraisal before it will consider providing insurance.
- Another major consideration for skoolie insurance is the mechanical soundness of the vehicle.
Additionally, the following bus conversion insurance documentation is required by most carriers:
- Interior photos (e.g., bathroom, kitchen, sleeping area, VIN plate)
- Build receipts
- Certified weight slip
- Statement of use change
- Registration
Consult with a local independent insurance agent to determine if your bus conversion will qualify for coverage with most insurance companies, or if you need to make adjustments first.
How Much Does Skoolie Insurance Cost in 2026?
Skoolie insurance costs an average of $200 to $600 per six-month coverage term. If you've been asking, "How much does bus conversion insurance cost?" you can also choose post-conversion liability-only coverage for $400 to $800 per year, or full coverage for $800 to $2,000 per year. A full-time endorsement adds an average of $100 to $400 to your policy premiums per year.
A skoolie owner in Washington state pays an average of $61 per month for their coverage from National General. A Texas skoolie owner pays an average of $100 per month for their coverage from Progressive.
The cost of your converted bus insurance policy may vary based on many different factors, including the following:
- The make and model of your bus
- Whether you converted the bus yourself or hired a professional
- Whether you live on the bus full-time
- The value of any property stored on the bus
- Your personal claims history
Your independent insurance agent can help you find affordable bus conversion insurance near you.
How to Get Insurance for Your Converted Bus: A Step-by-Step Guide
Wondering how to get insurance for a converted bus? Just follow these easy steps:
- Re-title your bus as an RV with your state's DMV.
- Gather the required documentation (i.e., interior photos, VIN, build receipts, and weight slip).
- Contact specialty carriers or an independent insurance agent to compare rates and policy options.
- Be transparent with your carrier or agent about your bus's conversion status. This will affect the type of policy and coverage you need.
- Compare quotes from at least three different carriers to find the best price.
An independent insurance agent can compare skoolie insurance quotes from multiple carriers in your area. They can also help you learn more about RV insurance and how to insure a skoolie the right way.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Skoolie Insurance: Which Do You Need?
Full-timers need a full-time RV endorsement for their skoolies, which costs an average of $100 to $400 per year. Full-time skoolie insurance provides liability coverage similar to homeowners insurance policies. Your skoolie's full-time status may be verified by your carrier based on your mileage or your declared primary residence.
FAQs About Converted School Bus (Skoolie) Insurance
What is the average cost of skoolie insurance per month?
Full coverage for a post-conversion skoolie costs an average of $67 to $167 per month ($800-$2,000 per year). Liability-only skoolie insurance costs an average of $33 to $67/ per month. If you're asking, "How much does bus conversion insurance cost?" the average rate during conversion under a commercial vehicle policy ranges from $33 to $100 per month.
Which insurance companies cover converted school buses?
National General and affiliate Good Sam Insurance are a couple of the best converted school bus insurance companies. Roamly and RVer Insurance Exchange are specialty skoolie insurance companies that cover DIY conversions. Progressive no longer insures converted school buses, and Allstate has stopped writing new policies.
Do I need commercial vehicle insurance during my bus conversion?
Yes, you need coverage from the moment you drive the bus home. Commercial vehicle insurance for personal skoolie use covers liability while the vehicle is not yet classified as an RV. The average cost ranges from $200 to $600 per six-month term. Transition from commercial auto coverage to an RV policy once the conversion is substantially complete.
What documentation do I need to get my skoolie insured?
Typical bus conversion insurance documentation required includes interior photos of amenities (e.g., bathroom, kitchen, sleeping area, and water supply), VIN plate photos, build receipts, a certified weight slip, and a statement of use change. Some carriers require a mechanical inspection of the skoolie. Keep in mind that skoolie insurance requirements can vary considerably by insurer.
Can I get full coverage insurance on a self-converted school bus?
Yes, though it's more difficult to insure than a professionally converted bus. In terms of bus conversion insurance, some carriers only insure professional conversions. An independent insurance agent provides access to specialty skoolie insurance companies that cover DIY conversions, provided the bus meets required amenity standards.
What is full-time skoolie insurance and do I need it?
Full-time skoolie insurance is an endorsement for those living on the bus as a primary residence or traveling beyond a set number of days per year. It adds personal liability coverage similar to homeowners insurance. The average cost adds $100 to $400 per year.
How do I register my converted school bus as an RV for insurance purposes?
Skoolie insurance requirements vary by state, but often include a DMV inspection, certified weight slip, proof of required RV amenities (e.g., bathroom, kitchen, sleeping area, water, power), completed title transfer, and a statement of use change. Many states require conversion to be substantially complete before reclassification. An independent insurance agent can help you find out how to insure a skoolie in your state.
Will my skoolie qualify for insurance if the bus is older than 20 years?
Some carriers will not insure buses older than 20 years regardless of conversion quality. Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), make/model, and mechanical condition also influence bus conversion insurance eligibility. An independent insurance agent can identify specialty carriers willing to underwrite skoolie insurance on older vehicles.
Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent to Get Skoolie Coverage?
Finding skoolie insurance can be a challenge. You can spend a considerable amount of time looking for companies that provide specialty insurance for non-professional bus conversions, especially school bus conversion insurance. Fortunately, a local independent insurance agent can help you find the right coverage when you're searching for school bus conversion insurance near you.
Independent insurance agents can research dozens of policies from multiple carriers in your area and can often find non-traditional coverage and discounts. They can access specialty carriers (e.g., National General, Good Sam, and Roamly) that are not available direct-to-consumer, and can navigate state-by-state variation in coverage and eligibility requirements.
They'll shop and compare quotes to find you the absolute best deal for converted bus insurance. And down the road, they can help you update your coverage as necessary.
Sources
https://www.progressive.com/answers/insurance-for-converted-school-bus/
https://www.thezebra.com/resources/home/school-bus-conversion/
https://www.skoolielivin.com/school-bus-conversion-insurance/
https://trailandsummit.com/how-to-get-insurance-on-a-skoolie/