MTFCA Forum

Does anyone know of insurance company that would insure a Model T?

I have Hagerty good folks

JC Taylor
Norm

I just added mine to my auto insurance. The agent didn't bat an eye.

I have JC Taylor.......very reasonable rates and simple process to get coverage.
I have no experience with claims......so far.

Sorry to say that a number of the companies that insure vintage/antique cars will not cover drivers under a certain age and you may need to have 10 years driving experience before the will. Check the web sites for the ones listed above for example. Some also have minimum value and storage restrictions.

I’m with Intact in Canada. Had they not changed their minimum age requirement months before I got my antique car, I don’t know what I would do.

I had to laugh that Hagerty wouldn’t insure under age 25 (in Canada atleast) while also having an awards program for drivers under 20!

He is between 15 and 16 so may have to look into other insurance company's, not the major ones that cover antique/vintage/classic etc cars.

I went online and did a search with the question, “who insures antique cars” and a lot of auto insurance companies appeared that insure classic cars. Try it. Jim Patrick.

Check with the insurance company your family has for their cars. Under age drivers (16 to 25) can sometimes get a "rider" policy added so they are covered when driving but the car may have to be titled in an adults name.

I just called my regular insurance guy and explained what I have and what I wanted to do. I drive my T less than 50 miles a year and only around town here where I live. Gave me a pretty good rate. Car is valued at 6-8k.

Guys,
I don't want to cause a debate and almost erased this three times and kept it to myself, but I had Hagerty too. I had full coverage on my TT and not a single at-fault auto claim in several decades when Hank and I went on our little runaway thrill ride together.

After I reported the incident, my local agent smiled big told me "the issue was a very simple straight forward claim that would be settled very fairly in 24-48 hours".

Without getting into the particulars, the folks at Hagerty are very nice..., until you have a claim and deal with their adjuster. I initially thought maybe it was just my bad luck to deal with the particular adjuster that was assigned to my claim. After they paid the claim, my education still wasn't completed. My experience taught me the insurance companys are not "like a good neighbor" and you are "not in good hands".

This has been a game changer for me. If it wasn't for Hank and I having some very fruitful candid conversations, the truck would have already been sold after he masterfully repaired and put it into better condition than it was before the accident. I must say I am still thinking very serious about getting rid of some of my old toys and pursuing other interests and hobbies with my wife in retirement..., the lake has been calling us for a couple years.
From the heart and just being honest.

I have my antique cars insured by Condon Skelly, I have been very happy with them.

12 years ago I stupidly scraped and pushed in the rear passenger side of my 1971 Plymouth GTX show car on one of those gas pump post barricades. Condon Skelly sent a local rep out to my house to assess the damage. I had already asked around and picked a shop to do the repair work, and when I told the rep asked who I had picked, he said "good, he's the best in the area". They covered the full cost of the repairs with no questions or hassles. The repairs came out perfect, you can't tell that the incident ever happened.

Thank you all for the advice! How do I get a title for an old car like this?

look at the laws in your state for title info.

Jonah D'Avella wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 11, 2020 9:20 am

Thank you all for the advice! How do I get a title for an old car like this?

Depends what state you're in. Some are a nightmare, others are fairly easy. It's always been very easy for me in Michigan.

I have had Formost insurance through J.C. Taylor for almost 30 years. Full coverage. I have never needed it for an accident caused by driving my car, however, on an out of state tour I had an accident where the deck lid fell on my hand when I was removing a tool. It almost cut off the tip om one finger and I had to go to the E.R. They stitched up the finger, which fortunately was not broken. The bill was $1,000. My medical insurance would not cover it because it happened with the car. I contaced Formost and they paid $900 toward the bill then my medical insurance paid the other $100. So I am very satisfied with the company.
Norm

Not to change the thread but what happened to Norman is the new standard. Friend of mine drove his modern car from Key West to Birmingham non stop. His wife went to doc with back pain . She told doc that hurt after the trip. His med insurance would not cover it. Had the file a claim with car insurance.
Same thing if you get hurt working on your car or someone else car. Dan

I have insured my 23 touring with Condon and Skelly for 43 years. The car can be driven all 12 months of the year, but this is only true for certain cars. They ask if the car has been modified to increase horsepower. I don't know if a hottsr c
I never thought about submitting a claim when I sliced my thumb when mounting my slow moving sign.

I have insured my 23 touring with Condon and Skelly for 43 years. The car can be driven all 12 months of the year, but this is only true for certain cars. They ask if the car has been modified to increase horsepower. I don't know if a hottsr c
I never thought about submitting a claim when I sliced my thumb when mounting my slow moving sign.

Adding to my earlier post - I added my Model T to the same insurance policy that covers my other vehicles - Auto Owners - From November thru March I get a reduced rate as I choose to put it into "storage." It's my choice to do so and I could keep my insurance fully active year around if I wanted. My policy includes roadside assistance and all the rest. I've never had an issue with my T but thru the years we've had a few deer strikes and a couple of totals with our modern cars, all of which were handled to my satisfaction.

I checked into Hagerty but they had more restrictions and cost more than Auto Owners.

Jonah D'Avella wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 11, 2020 9:20 am

Thank you all for the advice! How do I get a title for an old car like this?

Jonah

This is from TN gov't site, DMV. Gives the info on how to title and register your T, taking into consideration that you acquired the '26 touring without a valid title on that particular vehicle to use for registration and title in your name, then again, due to your age, you may not legally obtain a title.

In Tennessee, unless a child is legally emancipated, it is unlawful for a child under the age of eighteen to be the registered owner of a vehicle.


https://secure.tncountyclerk.com/forms/ ... cation.pdf

Until it is titled/registered, I don't think you can get insurance anyway.

Followup to Mark's statement, you should be able to insure the unregistered vehicle under your homeowner's/rental policy, which is generally very inexpensive. Typically these policies cover aggregated personal property up to a certain value. You might need to increase the level of coverage to include your T while it's parked or you are restoring it and getting the title. This is property insurance only and offers no liability coverage if you have a mishap driving your T. jb

When I bought my "Pile of rusty parts" I had a bill of sale but the car was not registered. Every state has it's own rules concerning registration and insurance, so what I did here in California might not apply where you live, but at least it is something which might be of help where you live. In our state we have the Department of Motor Vehicles. This is where we take driver's tests and also where we register our cars. In order to get a registration or have one renewed, we must show proof of insurance. We also have what is called "Non Operation" With a Non Operation certificate, you must pay a minimal fee I think it is $5.00. This will keep everything valid until the car is ready to drive. Then one has to apply for insurance and the insurance company will notify the department of motor vehicles that the car is insured. They will also give you a card which indicates the policy number and dates of insurance. You take the title, the proof of insurance and the certificate of non operation in and get the car registered and pay the fees.
Now in my case, I had no title. We have a company in town called "Tag Stop" For a reasonable fee they will search to see if your car is titled to someone else, and if it is clear, they will apply for the certificate of non operation for you. So the first thing I did when I bought the pile of parts, was call the Tag Stop. They came out and looked at my engine number and proceeded to clear the title and got my car registered as "non operation" . They also check for unpaid fees and penalties which might need to be paid before it is registered. I did this before I started the restoration, because I didn't want to end up with a car I could not register. Everything passed, so I proceeded for about 10 years restoring the car and then got the insurance and paid for the tags and I was ready to go.
Anyway, this process might be different where you live, but someone who lives there would be able to help you.
Norm

Please don't laugh...

I have mine listed with USAA as one of my daily drivers (<1000 miles a year)... they're not as cheap as Hagerty, but I had a lengthy discussion with them when I got the policy for it, and they said they were good with it. I asked that they were sure it was a Nineteen Fifteen Model T touring, and they paused, then said, yes, A 1915 Ford Toruing car, Then they asked if there were any accessories or modifications I wanted as a rider...

Wow. Just... totally... WOW.

Not that any of the vintage or antique insurance companies are better or worse, but they will cover my car if a SHTF event happens with the T.

If you are a USAA member, ask them. You might be pleasantly surprised.

I'm with Hagerty, as Farm Bureau wouldn't insure me as they considered my TT a kit car. Since my TT came from the factory with a bare frame and since it now has a cab and bed it's a kit car in their eyes. I pointed out that it won't go much faster than a bicycle and they said it didn't matter. I think I pay $175 for $6500 stated value for year round full coverage.

I have Hagerty and no claims. Most of what I have heard about Hagerty is good, but I too resent being forced into their "club". The benefits of Hagerty's club only duplicate what we have with AAA for our other cars. Hagerty requires that the covered vehicle be parked/stored inside a real building. They will not allow the vehicle to be stored in an open carport or in a trailer.
Part 2: If the OP wants to title the vehicle in his 15 or 16 (I forgot which) year-old son's name, in almost all states he will have to wait until the young man is 18.
Part 3, If you want the T to be covered by your homeowner's insurance, you should specifically list it on your homeowner's policy. There will likely be an extra charge for this coverage which will only cover fire/wind and non-flood water damage. It will almost certainly not cover the vehicle when it is being driven.

RE If the OP wants to title the vehicle in his 15 or 16 son...
The OP is the 15/16 year old, not the father.
When I looked that the Hagerty web site, parking in driveway, open shed and couple of others were on the list as being OK. I got a note from the Northwest rep. after I checked the prices on line, told him I would be interested in the insurance but had no use for the "Package" except towing, but even at that, for the 45 extra you only get 20 miles.

Just providing an experience testimonial for the purpose of assisting with the initial question.

I insure my other hobby vehicle, a 1954 Chevy Bel Air, through JC Taylor / Foremost Insurance Co.. When I put my 15 T on the road, I will insure that as well.

My 54 has an agreed upon value policy of $10k. I live in PA and the total policy with PA particulars and limits matching my regular drive policies costs me $115 per year and hasn't changed in years. (Just sharing as point of reference). Remember ** an agreed upon value policy is an agreement of value between you and the company. When you exercise your policy, the 'value' of the policy is reduced the cost of the repairs, until your car is made whole again. (very important point).

Around 7 or 8 years ago, I was in a hit-n-run accident with a drunk driver. Driver hit my rear bumper, bounced off and left. (he was caught and jailed).My rear bumper & bumperettes were mangled, bumper brackets bent beyond repair, drive rear fender tweaked, but not enough to warrant body work on an original paint car.

Even though it was not my fault, I ran the accident through my policy. (even though the adjuster sent out by the other driver's company's dad was a president or something in the classic Chevy association). JC Taylor made me whole. The adjuster took care of everything, let me choose the vendors for the repair (original bumpers straitened and rechromed by Librandi Chrome Plating a top notch firm) and let me purchase other replacement parts from wherever I wanted. The repair work was done by an excellent local shop that 'didn't do estimates'. my adjuster talked through the expected repairs with him and cut a check that the adjuster estimated would likely cover the repair. If repair had gone over his estimate, another check would have been cut. ONCE THE CHECK WAS CUT, lets say it was $3,000, the insured value of my policy was reduced by $3k. IT was made whole once repair work was done. That taught me that you had better insure the car for a value that could cover you in the event of a major accident. Good lesson. JC Taylor went above and beyond, and gave me piece of mind while i was heart broken over the damage to my baby (we've been together 24 years by now). Based on this experience, I anticipate always staying with JC Taylor.

Regarding underage insurance... for a period of time, your guardian (father, mother, etc.) may have to 'own and insure' the car and allow you to drive it (if their policy would allow that - you of course do not want to commit insurance fraud). This is one was to insure a car as a young hobbyist.

Hope this helps.

Hope this helps