Insurance company recommendations

[jaybee47]

Am asking for recommendations for insurance companies that would cover multiple antique/vintage vehicles, perhaps the cheapest premiums, best reliable service, etc. Thank you.

[Pep C Strebeck]

I am sure that you will get a lot of different responses (just like the "best oil" question) about which one are the best. I have had Hagerty for more than 20 years and have never had a problem. The rates are affordable and the coverage and customer service is very good as well. I have 4 cars insured with them (and 1 tractor). The policy also includes $750 of coverage for spare parts and tooling that you own. I have a couple of "choice" items (tooling) that I added a rider to the policy for and that only raised the premium less than $10. Also, if the vehicle is "not-driven" or "non-driving" the rate will be lower but the coverage the same (1 car covered this way), but the "non-driving" status can be changed with a phone call. All-in-all, I am very happy with Hagerty.

[Steve Jelf]

...you will get a lot of different responses...

Yes, this question always brings a lot of differing opinions. I Use Hagerty, which doesn't have the severe driving restrictions of some others and is reasonably priced. I've never had a claim with them, but have heard from others who have and are very satisfied.

[Rob]

I’ve used Hagerty several years. I had my first and only (knock on wood) claim last year. They sent an adjuster out within the week, and followed with a check for the estimate, telling me if repairs were more, give them a call to reopen the claim. Turns out they slightly overpaid the costs. My premium has not gone up since.
I’m very satisfied.

[browning]

I probably have over a half dozen antique cars and trucks insured with Hagerty. I have only had one claim for a broken (stone chipped) windshield on my '68 Roadrunner. The Hagerty adjuster sent me a partial check before I even had estimates "so you don't have to use your own money for a deposit, if it is required." They have been extremely prompt and courteous in every case. They get my vote.

[NHUSA]

I just moved Auto insurance from Prudential to USAA because of a very large increase for no reason.
When I went shopping I found that Hagerty had great prices and better coverage for my T and A so I went with them for the antiques.
They were very easy to work with and I like that there were no restrictions

[KeithG]

I have been with Hagerty for about 10 years and have 6 collector cars insured with them. I've had one claim (damage from a broken rear axle shaft) and it was handled promptly to my complete satisfaction. I completely recommend them.

Keith

[FreighTer Jim]

Avoid Grundy


FJ

[Scott_Conger]

My story is very similar to Keiths

We have JC Taylor, 5 cars, one claim (resolved quickly and for more than I put in for as I was doing work and adjuster told me to do the job "right" and come back with ALL the expenses I anticipated).

Love 'em.

[kelly mt]

I have four T's with American Collectors. Never had a claim, rates are low and customer service is good.

[John kuehn]

I have Haggerty which works well for me. Very reasonable.

[Duey_C]

I'm gonna dare post. I had state farm liability for the 24 T, 20 years ago. Was same as the insurance he put on a model A. Cake.
Dave retired and when I went to check insurance for the 18 in 2016, they had no clue how to insure an antique...
American family took care of the 18 for a year and were closed when I stopped in to re-up/make certain.
Needing to know, I headed to the bank and he uses Hagerty. Boom done.
Got OFF of Hagerty's Club and save $70.00 bucks a year but if you tour, you may want in the club.
My two little penny's.
Like I've spouted-off before about this, thank you for bringing this up!
The more "collectibles" that end up here, the more I NEED better insurance and quite embarrassed that I don't have it.
Didn't think I could afford it back then but now? For heaven sakes Duane, insure this stuff wherever you can.

[Mopar_man]

Why no Grundy?

[Terry_007]

I see you posted the same question the AACA discussion form and have a lot of replies there. Looks like J.C.Taylor is receiving a lot of compliments, and as I responded to you on that forum, they will always be my first recommendation. They are outstanding supporters of the old car hobby. The question gets asked very frequently here and on many other forums, and the interest seems to be price - however if you are interested in performance, that's the right focus. I can tell you from personal experience, and from many friends in the hobby, that J.C. Taylor provides outstanding customer service and claims response. I've seen them in action many times.
Let us know of your decision.
Thanks,
Terry

[DLodge]

I have been with Hagerty for years. As I recall, one of the deciding factors for me was permitted use of the vehicle. Missouri has a generous policy on historical plates (thanks to the late Bud Barnes, State Representative and also old car hobbyist and Model T owner). He rewrote the historic vehicle statute to include the standard items (car shows, parades, car club tours, driving to maintenance facilities, etc.) plus 1,000 "personal miles" a year (i.e. if it's a nice day and you want to go for a drive in your historic vehicle, go ahead). You're supposed to keep a log of personal miles driven but (1) no one does, (2) Model T owners can't, and (3) no one ever asks for it. Hagerty has a similar policy on permitted use of the car, I believe. In any case, I have been happy with them. No claims, but good customer service for routine stuff.

[Steve Jelf]

The Hagerty "Club" Duane mentioned, is what they call their roadside breakdown coverage. A good thing to have if you drive far from home. I found that out the hard way.

I was lucky these guys stopped to help, because I thought I'd save $70 by not being in the "Club" (I thought it was just a fancy magazine). From now on I'll spend the dough.

[jaybee47]

Thank you so much to all for your valuable replies. I will certainly follow up and request quotations from the recommended companies.

[TWrenn]

OK, I'll throw in my "two cents", fwiw.
Keep in mind when choosing an insurance company, and for that matter, inquire with your CURRENT company, this question:
If you are in an "event" so to speak, in which you "give rides", be it gratis, or for a fund raising thing for the sponsor, you better make sure your insurance company will cover it. Because MOST do not! You can have riders sign all the "hold harmless clauses" you want, but in the end, if there's someone getting hurt, you'll spend your life savings defending everything you're possibly going to lose anyway. And most likely, the event organizers so-called laibility insurance coverage will not cover you either.

As understand it, from a club friend who did the research, here's one company that will cover you giving a ride in a parade, or to that local community group who charges a buck or two to help their cause. Just sayin'. Here's their website: www.condonskelly.com

I understand they too, are very reasonable in price. I plan to switch this spring when I bring my cars out of mothballs.

[KeithG]

Another interesting tidbit concerning collector car insurance companies. We go to Hershey almost every year and both J. C. Taylor and Hagerty are always there. Taylor drives their T Depot Hack and Hagerty has a team there. The Hagerty team has a plan and for at least a couple of times, they bought parts at Hershey and put together a car and then they drive it back to their place in Michigan, or at least they try to drive it back.

Anyway, they are both active hobbyists like we are - committed, so to speak. They have skin in the game & are not just pencil pushers in an office somewhere.

Does anyone know if any other collector car insurance companies are present at Hershey or other large events?

Something to think about.

Keith

[FreighTer Jim]

Why no Grundy?

I was recently contacted by the owner of a frame off restored 1907 Thomas Flyer.

Grundy insured both him and a well known national carrier.

The carrier tried to drive his vehicle.

The driver put a rod thru the block & the pan
which destroyed the engine.

Grundy rejected his claim without even notifying his actual insurance company.

The national carrier ( who was/is also insured by Grundy ) also denied his claim.

Following my advice - he contacted his insurance company directly and is currently negotiating.

I can’t comment further.


FJ

[mdsBob]

Why no Grundy?

I was recently contacted by the owner of a frame off restored 1907 Thomas Flyer.

Grundy insured both him and a well known national carrier.

The carrier tried to drive his vehicle.

The driver put a rod thru the block & the pan
which destroyed the engine.

Grundy rejected his claim without even notifying his actual insurance company.

The national carrier ( who was/is also insured by Grundy ) also denied his claim.

If you had been the transporter would your insurance have covered the claim?

[FreighTer Jim]

Why no Grundy?

I was recently contacted by the owner of a frame off restored 1907 Thomas Flyer.

Grundy insured both him and a well known national carrier.

The carrier tried to drive his vehicle.

The driver put a rod thru the block & the pan
which destroyed the engine.

Grundy rejected his claim without even notifying his actual insurance company.

The national carrier ( who was/is also insured by Grundy ) also denied his claim.

If you had been the transporter would your insurance have covered the claim?

I don’t drive customer’s cars.

Vehicles are driven or rolled to the back of my trailer - all vehicles are winched in and out of the trailer by wireless remote control unless transferred by rollback.


FJ

[mdsBob]

[/quote]

I don’t drive customer’s cars.

Vehicles are driven or rolled to the back of my trailer - all vehicles are winched in and out of the trailer by wireless remote control unless transferred by rollback.


FJ
[/quote]

The question wasn't whether or not you drive customer cars.
The question was: Would your insurance have covered it?

[FreighTer Jim]

Your question doesn’t apply to the service I provide for the reason I stated.

End Of Discussion


FJ

[mdsBob]

Your question doesn’t apply to the service I provide for the reason I stated.

End Of Discussion


FJ

I think your response provides the answer to my question.

[Chris Instness]

I have Grundy and thankfully I have never had to make a claim, however, I have been happy with their prices as well as their customer service if I have to contact them for any reason.

[Walter Higgins]

Grundy also covers my collector cars and for the several years I have been with them my experience has been good.

Grundy insured both him and a well known national carrier.

The national carrier ( who was/is also insured by Grundy ) also denied his claim.

FJ

Since you have a firm opinion on who does not provide the best insurance for commercial carriers, with whom do you insure your operation for the collector cars in your care and custody?

[FreighTer Jim]

Grundy also covers my collector cars and for the several years I have been with them my experience has been good.

Grundy insured both him and a well known national carrier.

The national carrier ( who was/is also insured by Grundy ) also denied his claim.

FJ

Since you have a firm opinion on who does not provide the best insurance for commercial carriers, with whom do you insure your operation for the collector cars in your care and custody?

I form my opinions based on first hand experience.

Some transport companies rely on vehicles driven on and off and/or in and out of open and enclosed trailers - it is customary and necessary
for operations.

In the case I reference - the vehicle owner drove his vehicle into the trailer at pick up - he had instructed the carrier expressly NOT to attempt to drive his vehicle.

The vehicle was transported to a concourse judged event - the carrier employee asked folks passing by if they knew how to drive the car - one of these folks happened to be the car owners friend - he declined and told the carrier employee he should not try to drive the car.

The employee tried - damaged the engine - did not contact the owner - loaded up the car and it was returned - no one from the carrier notified the owner of the damage.

When the car owner discovered the damage - he contacted the carrier - they denied the claim in writing.

Then the owner contacted Grundy who denied the claim without formal written notice.

Then the owner found Grundy insured both
him and the national carrier.

Acting on my advice - he contacted the company
who actually issued his insurance and found out
they had received no claim or notice regarding
the incident - so he filed a claim directly.

My insurance carrier is Progressive.


FJ

[Walter Higgins]

I form my opinions based on first hand experience.

Some transport companies rely on vehicles driven on and off and/or in and out of open and enclosed trailers - it is customary and necessary
for operations.

In the case I reference - the vehicle owner drove his vehicle into the trailer - he had instructed the carrier expressly NOT to attempt to drive his vehicle.

The vehicle was transported to a concourse judged event - the carrier employee asked folks passing by if they knew how to drive the car - one of these folks happened to be the car owners friend - he declined and told the carrier employee he should not try to drive the car.

The employee tried - damaged the engine - did not contact the owner - loaded up the car and it was returned - no one from the carrier notified the owner of the damage.

If you weren't a party to the claim, none of that is first hand experience. As you have described above, you didn't witness any of it.

[FreighTer Jim]

I was contacted by the owner.

I was provided with his account along with photos.

Based on that - I formed my opinion.

My opinions are based upon first hand experience.


FJ

[Walter Higgins]

I was contacted by the owner.

I was provided with his account along with photos.

Based on that - I formed my opinion.

My opinions are based upon first hand experience.


FJ

That's called "forming an opinion based on the description provided by someone else" who also apparently was not present for what actually happened.

That would be kind of like me having dinner with Sir Edmund Hillary's sherpa that stayed behind at the base camp and him telling me the tale of what it was like at the summit of Everest and then me telling everybody else.

[DLodge]

That's called "forming an opinion based on the description provided by someone else" who also apparently was not present for what actually happened.

Isn't that pretty much what all of us here on the forum do every time we read a post? This is a discussion forum, not a court of law.

[Walter Higgins]

Isn't that pretty much what all of us here on the forum do every time we read a post? This is a discussion forum, not a court of law.

You're right, this isn't a court of law and I'm not a lawyer. It doesn't take a lawyer (or even a third grader, really) to see that a reckless statement was made by Jim Jarzabek.

That may be what you do when you read a post, but the topic of reader's post reading habits was never raised. The statement that FJ made as a basis for bashing a reputable insurer (and supporter of the hobby) is his claim that it was based on "first hand experience".... that in reality was something like three people down the line from where the event occurred and from a biased source.

So if I come along on a hauling recommendation thread and say, "Avoid FJ" and then back it up by saying I was told a story by a guy that read on a forum a post by a guy that heard a story that FJ dumped a customer's car in the desert and abandoned it and make the claim that it's solid because it was my "first hand experience", that's perfectly acceptable? Is that me forming an opinion based on an actual first hand experience or is that someone with no experience and far-removed from the event parroting what others have said?

[DLodge]

So if I come along on a hauling recommendation thread and say, "Avoid FJ"....

I thought this was a hypothetical discussion....

[Walter Higgins]

I thought this was a hypothetical discussion....

[Novice]

I have had Classic Car Insurance for many years before I got My first T. Full coverage,towing,glass,fire U name it. They also insure Classic collector cars that are less than 20 years old. Only requirements. Car is Garaged and You have another car for general transportation. I pay less for four old car's than I pay My Regular driver.

[Bob McDaniel]

If they all have the same service and the price is fair it looks like things are equal other than restrictions. I have an old truck registered as "Antique" that sometimes we used to pull a trailer to take an old car or truck to car shows sometimes over 100 miles from home. Most companies will not cover the trailer and none would cover the car on/in the trailer so I would shop around to other insurance companies and found out they might cover the trailer but still would not cover my other car in the trailer so I had to keep insurance on each one. None of them would cover me if I hauled a car that did not belong to me even if I did it for free. I have had a lot of different companies over the years and when I needed to file a claim which was rare, I had problems with some like Allstate and my agent at State Farm that took peoples money and went to the State Pen and a few others that always try to make you take 25% of the cars value after they total it for a broken tail light and glass damage.

I never had a claim on my collector car insurance so do not know how they will be if and when that happens so can not say anything bad about any of them first hand. Every story has two sides but we tend to listen to what someone we don't know anything about says and trust them before we would trust a big company. Now we have this great thing called the internet where we can read all sorts of stuff from all sorts of people who claim this and that but we all know some people are not very trustworthy and some are just looking for attention so who do you listen to? The phone is your friend. Call the company and ask a lot of questions and find out what is NOT covered and what restrictions they place on you. That will tell you who to trust more than anything. Then get quotes from the ones that fit YOU. With that said my choice has been Hagerty because they are easy to deal with and have very low rates but I never have had a claim so do not know how they will be at that point other than what others say about them. So far I see only good reviews but am not reading them 12 years after I took out my policies either. You can't please everyone so one bad review is not always the reason to run away from someone. I once got a bad feedback on ebay because I would always refund any over payment of postage by putting it in the box in cash when I shipped the item and someone said they almost tossed the box out with money in it! Some times you just want to shake your head and laugh

[Scott_Conger]

So, it boils down to choice: perceived value vs cost. Market forces drive service/price.

It's great that we have so many choices. Imagine if insurance was provided by only one source, and the coverage was what they said it was and not necessarily what you wanted.

[Novice]

SOUNDS LIKE MEDICARE.

[DLodge]

... Imagine if insurance was provided by only one source, and the coverage was what they said it was and not necessarily what you wanted.

Gee, we could call it "Autocare for All" and people could run for president on the issue.....

[Scott_Conger]

Dick

I would bet that if you like your car insurance, you could keep your car insurance, though in the end I think it would also double the price without controling repair costs.

[Bills Auto Works]

Quote: Bob McDaniels
"My agent at State Farm that took peoples money and went to the State Pen"

What is it about State Farm Agents Bob?

About 15 years ago while I was in the process of consolidating my house & business onto the same land thus eliminating paying rent on a building, I was having a hard time contacting my SF agent to get the new place insured. It turns out he got arrested for "Offing " his wife & stuffing her in the trunk of his car!

God bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/thr ... ed.614419/