Date:         Mon, 07 Oct 1996 21:04:58 -0500
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Thomas D. Hanlon" <HANRAN.INC@internetmci.com>
Subject:      "House Tags," "Motor Homes," and Insurance

-- [ From: Thomas D. Hanlon * EMC.Ver #2.3 ] --

Listees,

Prompted by the discussion on the list about motor homes, house tags and
insurance, I called my insurance carrier here in Texas, GEICO, and
explained that upon registration of the vehicle, I had failed to specify
that my Vanagon was a Westfalia,"a motor home' and certified as such by the
California Department of Motor Vehicles in the state in which I bought the
vehicle. There is even a tag on the front door post declaring that the ID
decal is the property of the State of California. I've seen similar posting
by other states, but I never paid much attention to them. I told her the
vehicle had beds, refrigerator, stove, running water when it was parked and
a "personal convenience," as necessary.

The nice lady on the other end of the line said she'd call me back, and
late this afternoon, on the same day I inquired about the definition of my
vehicle for insurance purposes, she researched the topic and telephoned
with the pleasant news of a reduction in premium of about 45 percent for
the year.

I registered the car as a private vehicle, not unlike my "regular" car, so
appearantly the Texas DMV is not involved in the definition of a Vanagon as
anything other than a motor vehicle.  I have not researched the "open
container" ramifications of my windfall, but I feel certain that any rural
justice of the peace would accept the definition posted on the door frame. 

Now, for all of you guard house lawyers, here's the question, "Is the
Westfalia, for purposes of "a man's home is his castle," a "home" or just
"wheels?"

In any case, I suggest that each Westy (camper, retrofitted-do-it yourself
vehicle) owner check with his insurance carrier BEFORE querying the DMV,
Highway Patrol, Department of Public Safety, or any other organization
which issues license plates. I chose not to muddy the water by inquiring of
the authorities if there were a classification of licenses in Texas for
mobile homes.  If there is, I'll let others worry about it.

 A refund is in the mail.

Tom Hanlon
Austin, TX
'84 Westy, "Chester W. Nimitz"