TheSamba.com :: View topic - Nevada insurance for fiberglass-body dune buggy (not sand rail)

Sat Feb 06, 2021 10:02 am

Recently moved to Reno NV area and my wife contacted AAA to move insurance of our Manx-style dune buggy (fiberglass body) from CA to NV so that we can register in NV.

They said that AAA does not insure dune buggies in NV.

As I recall, CA registration considers a sand rail as a "dune buggy" and a Manx-style dune buggy as an "other", and we were able to insure/register in CA as an "other".

Is it the same in NV? I might have to call AAA again to clarify that it is not a sand rail...

Thoughts?

Best,
Thom

Sat Feb 06, 2021 12:55 pm

Funny when I wanted to insure my Dune Buggy (A SPCN) Califunkyou AAA build a wall so high against my ability to insure it IT really caused me to move my insurance from AAA..... Caught a glance at computer screen one day in office trying to get new truck insured (which they screwed up too) and there was a notation on my account that said "Do not insure dune buggy, "looks dangerous".... WHAT?

What made it even worse, I was a 35 year loyal member at the time....

Dale

Sat Feb 06, 2021 7:33 pm

Seems like it might be time to shop around for insurance. For the buggy do a search for insurance discussions on this forum. I use Hagerty for my classics and have never had any issues. Good luck.

Sun Feb 07, 2021 9:28 am

Farmers has seen a thing or two. Then had to underwrite thru progressive.for my tube frame. At a lower cost than progressive was currently giving me.

Sun Feb 07, 2021 11:07 am

Manx-style dune buggy as an "other", maybe classified as a kit car.
when I get my build done, it will be registered as a 69 bug.
it will have a type 1 boll joint front end, a type 3 rear torsion and automatic
and a 1.8 type 4 engine.

and welcome to Reno. from Lemmon Valley

Sun Feb 07, 2021 12:53 pm

halfassleatherworks wrote: Manx-style dune buggy as an "other", maybe classified as a kit car.
when I get my build done, it will be registered as a 69 bug.
it will have a type 1 boll joint front end, a type 3 rear torsion and automatic
and a 1.8 type 4 engine.

and welcome to Reno. from Lemmon Valley

Just besure that you are not violating a state vehicle code registration law.... In Cali if you misrepresent the body style its a fraud and you can end up in court and loose your "kit" car.... In Cali to register as a "bug" it has to have physical appearance of a bug....

In Cali if it don't look like a bug, it is SPCN (SPecial CoNstruction)...

Just be careful how you tip toe through registration process...

Dale

Sun Feb 07, 2021 3:59 pm

unless Nevada has changed in the last few years, been doing it since 1970, if you have a good VIN plate and title that's all you need. a lot of bugs sold here with no title have had the VIN cut out of the pan and put on a buggy. I built a lot of buggies from 70 to 74 for the farmers outside of Vegas. made like flatbeds trucks for tending the fields.

Thu Feb 18, 2021 8:48 pm

Hagerty limits your usage of the insured vehicle, can't be a daily driver, mileage & storage limitations; cruise, parade & car show use...

BNC

Fri Feb 19, 2021 4:23 pm

didget69 wrote: Hagerty limits your usage of the insured vehicle, can't be a daily driver, mileage & storage limitations; cruise, parade & car show use...

BNC
Hagerty wont insure a dune buggy anyway.

Fri Feb 19, 2021 7:45 pm

shermer-high wrote: didget69 wrote: Hagerty limits your usage of the insured vehicle, can't be a daily driver, mileage & storage limitations; cruise, parade & car show use...

BNC
Hagerty wont insure a dune buggy anyway.

And on this comment here, you would be 100% INCORRECT.

Hagerty WILL insure a 'Manx-style' fiberglass bodied buggy. NO Off-road use, street use Only. I have word on this straight from Hagerty, 3 years ago.

bnc

Fri Feb 19, 2021 7:50 pm

Nevada requires it to be titled under Special Construction Vehicle requirements - a buggy CANNOT be legally titled in NV as a '19XX Volkswagen Beetle, Bug", or otherwise...

http://www.semasan.com/semaga/TagTitleToolbox_NV.pdf

bnc

Mon Feb 22, 2021 6:47 am

didget69 wrote: shermer-high wrote: didget69 wrote: Hagerty limits your usage of the insured vehicle, can't be a daily driver, mileage & storage limitations; cruise, parade & car show use...

BNC
Hagerty wont insure a dune buggy anyway.

And on this comment here, you would be 100% INCORRECT.

Hagerty WILL insure a 'Manx-style' fiberglass bodied buggy. NO Off-road use, street use Only. I have word on this straight from Hagerty, 3 years ago.

bnc
I was told years ago they would insure a real Manx not Manx style. Maybe it has changed since then.

Fri Feb 26, 2021 7:30 pm

shermer-high wrote: didget69 wrote: shermer-high wrote: didget69 wrote: Hagerty limits your usage of the insured vehicle, can't be a daily driver, mileage & storage limitations; cruise, parade & car show use...

BNC
Hagerty wont insure a dune buggy anyway.

And on this comment here, you would be 100% INCORRECT.

Hagerty WILL insure a 'Manx-style' fiberglass bodied buggy. NO Off-road use, street use Only. I have word on this straight from Hagerty, 3 years ago.

bnc
I was told years ago they would insure a real Manx not Manx style. Maybe it has changed since then.

I confirmed 3 years ago with Hagerty Corporate - they WILL insure Manx clones, street use ONLY.

bnc

Fri Feb 26, 2021 7:37 pm

halfassleatherworks wrote: unless Nevada has changed in the last few years, been doing it since 1970, if you have a good VIN plate and title that's all you need. a lot of bugs sold here with no title have had the VIN cut out of the pan and put on a buggy. I built a lot of buggies from 70 to 74 for the farmers outside of Vegas. made like flatbeds trucks for tending the fields.

Current standards - it's Special Construction in NV.

http://www.semasan.com/semaga/TagTitleToolbox_NV.pdf

No ifs, ands, or buts.

What was done 40-50 years ago, using VW VIN & calling it a Volkswagen Bug, no longer flies.

bnc

Sat Feb 27, 2021 8:02 am

if you want to get down to brass tacks and nit picking, it will be a Reconstructed Vehicle. because it is all VW Parts and is a currently titled 1969 VW type 1 bug.

"Reconstructed Vehicle.
Any vehicle which shall have been assembled or constructed largely by means of essential parts, new or used, derived from other vehicles or makes of vehicles of various names, models or types, or which,

if originally otherwise constructed, shall have been materially altered by the removal of essential parts or by the addition or substitution of essential parts, new or used, derived from other vehicles or makes of vehicles."

"Specially Constructed Vehicle. Any vehicle which shall not have been originally constructed under a distinctive name, make, model or type by a generally recognized manufacturer of
vehicles."

Sat Feb 27, 2021 9:27 am

halfassleatherworks wrote: if you want to get down to brass tacks and nit picking, it will be a Reconstructed Vehicle. because it is all VW Parts and is a currently titled 1969 VW type 1 bug.

"Reconstructed Vehicle.
Any vehicle which shall have been assembled or constructed largely by means of essential parts, new or used, derived from other vehicles or makes of vehicles of various names, models or types, or which,

if originally otherwise constructed, shall have been materially altered by the removal of essential parts or by the addition or substitution of essential parts, new or used, derived from other vehicles or makes of vehicles."

"Specially Constructed Vehicle. Any vehicle which shall not have been originally constructed under a distinctive name, make, model or type by a generally recognized manufacturer of
vehicles."

Waiting to see if Nevada DMV has different interpretation/opinion.... Keep us updated...

Dale

Sat Feb 27, 2021 9:47 am

I have dealt with them before and if you go by the wording of the reg you will win

from the NV DMV

CHAPTER 482 - MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAILERS: LICENSING, REGISTRATION, SALES AND LEASES

GENERAL PROVISIONS

NRS 482.100 “Reconstructed vehicle” defined. “Reconstructed vehicle” means any vehicle which shall have been assembled or constructed largely by means of essential parts, new or used, derived from other vehicles or makes of vehicles of various names, models or types, or which, if originally otherwise constructed, shall have been materially altered by the removal of essential parts or by the addition or substitution of essential parts, new or used, derived from other vehicles or makes of vehicles.

[Part 1:202:1931; A 1951, 165; 1953, 280]

NRS 482.120 “Specially constructed vehicle” defined. “Specially constructed vehicle” means any vehicle which shall not have been originally constructed under a distinctive name, make, model or type by a generally recognized manufacturer of vehicles.

[Part 1:202:1931; A 1951, 165; 1953, 280]

Mon Mar 01, 2021 11:50 am

My Imp is NV titled as a "1967 assembled vehicle." It's a '67 pan and drivetrain with a '69 body. None of my local offices (State Farm, Farmer's) could insure it as a street buggy. I went with Progressive and it's pretty inexpensive, but I only have max liability, no collision or theft (assessed value.) East California might more.

Tue Mar 02, 2021 7:07 pm

halfassleatherworks wrote: I have dealt with them before and if you go by the wording of the reg you will win

from the NV DMV

CHAPTER 482 - MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAILERS: LICENSING, REGISTRATION, SALES AND LEASES

GENERAL PROVISIONS

NRS 482.100 “Reconstructed vehicle” defined. “Reconstructed vehicle” means any vehicle which shall have been assembled or constructed largely by means of essential parts, new or used, derived from other vehicles or makes of vehicles of various names, models or types, or which, if originally otherwise constructed, shall have been materially altered by the removal of essential parts or by the addition or substitution of essential parts, new or used, derived from other vehicles or makes of vehicles.

[Part 1:202:1931; A 1951, 165; 1953, 280]

NRS 482.120 “Specially constructed vehicle” defined. “Specially constructed vehicle” means any vehicle which shall not have been originally constructed under a distinctive name, make, model or type by a generally recognized manufacturer of vehicles.

[Part 1:202:1931; A 1951, 165; 1953, 280]

... so, you're basically saying that according to NV, it's not a Volkswagen Beetle...

Good. Perfectly clear.

bnc

Wed Mar 03, 2021 1:18 pm

Hagarty will insure. I have Hagarty on my Cali SPCNS Manx clone. As someone else noted, it is not for a daily driver. Weekends, cruising, etc. I had the insurance with in an hour of calling.