While looking for insurance for my truck, I learned very quickly that “ambulance” is a four letter word to many insurance companies. I first contacted my local Hub International agent and made the mistake of mentioning the word “ambulance” when I first inquired about coverage. None of their carriers would even bother to quote it.
I then contacted a State Farm agent I knew who had handled several policies for my family. I initially described the truck as a work truck that I was converting into an RV and inquired if this was something State Farm could insure. I wasn’t trying to hide anything, but wanted a chance to discuss it before just getting an automatic no. Once we got on the phone to discuss the details, I was able to take the time to fully describe the project and inform him it was a decommissioned ambulance. He was rather enthused about the project as it was more interesting than insuring another Chevy pickup. I also made it clear that I didn’t want it insured as an ambulance, since it no longer was and was never going to be used in that way; speeding through traffic, running red lights, carrying critically ill or injured patients, etc. When an ambulance gets in an accident, it has to be returned to service, assuming it’s not totaled, which is unsurprisingly an expensive proposition as ambulances require extensive documentation and the services of trained emergency vehicle technicians as opposed to regular mechanics. As one might expect any of the ambulance or medical parts of the truck command a premium price. In my case, I would just want it repaired to essentially make me whole again.
I also had the city provide a letter stating that the ambulance had been decommissioned and all emergency equipment and medical supplies had been removed or disabled. It had to go through a review by the underwriters, which included me sending in photos documenting that the emergency light and siren controls and radios had been removed, but I finally got an offer of coverage as a commercial vehicle.
Once I have the truck converted and re-titled by the State of Michigan as an RV, the cost of my policy will come down, though even as a commercial vehicle it seems reasonable to me. It’s important to note that like most auto insurance, the contents of the vehicle are not covered. Contents are actually covered by your homeowners or renters policy. I don’t entirely understand it, but it’s something about not being able to combine risks. As the contents of my truck will include most, if not all of my worldly possessions, I will have to maintain a renters policy.