Classic Car Insurance

[Gene-73]

With my 73 restoration coming to a close I'm needing to bump up the valuation of my insurance policy. Currently insured with Hagerty but I saw Ryan's post about Condon and Skelly, so I started shopping around for quotes. So far I've compared Hagerty, Condon and Skelly, and Grundy. Premiums vary quite a bit for equivalent coverage with Grundy being the lowest out of these three.

Premiums are one thing but what really matters is when you need to make a claim. Was wondering what company others are using and if you've had any experience with their claims process. Any recommendations?

[roadking77]

Good point about the service after the fact. Fortunately I have never had to use mine. I do have Grundy, one of the things that steered me their way was the relaxed attitude about using the car. I spoke to a rep on the phone and other than daily driving they encourage a person to get their cars out and use them.

[ryeguy2006a]

Same with me here. I'm very fortunate that I haven't had to experience their service after a claim, but I really enjoy their relaxed attitude towards the mileage on the car. There aren't any caps or real restrictions. What sold me on the company was they were the only ones that would issue me collector car insurance when I had my 1976 T/A when I was under 25. That and they have some dad joke humor built into their call center services which I find as an added bonus.    And to boot they have had the best price that I could find.

[Warren Seale]

I have my insurance through the Corvette Museum Ins Co.  It is underwritten by American Modern.  They will insure any car even if it is not a Corvette.  My entire fleet listed in the sig. below is insured through them. 

https://www.ncminsurance.com/

I've had to get a tow fee paid when my 96 TA had an Optispark failure.  I paid the tow company out of pocket then contacted the insurance co.  I was reimbursed for the full amount in a couple of weeks.

[stros]

I’ve used Leland-West for the past 7 years and they allow me to drive the T/A 2x/week to work (whenever I go back to the office).  3000 miles per year.   I’ve got a $47K stated value policy for about $400/year.  They didn’t raise my rate after my 1st claim last year.  The claim process was handled ok. 

[Gene-73]

Thanks everyone for your inputs. Today I made the switch from Hagerty. Based on the quotes I received, I first went to sign up with Grundy since they quoted the lowest but the premium ended up being $150 more than the quote so passed on them. Ended up going with Condon Skelly which was the second lowest quote I received and no drama with the policy setup.

[FormTA]

That's what I have. They actually told me I was insuring my car too low. But I told them I was good with the amount I picked. Seemed like really nice folks on the phone when I spoke to them multiple times just getting information.

Here's hoping we never have to use it!

[ryeguy2006a]

Good to hear Gene! They have been the only company I've used for my classic car insurance. They won me over when no one else would even consider insuring my 1976 T/A because at the time I was under 25. The issued me a policy with no drama just like you said.

[76 - 455 - 4]

Interesting, I have been with Hagerty for 15.5 years. I just received a quote from Condon Skelly for my six vehicles, with identical coverage and values. CS was $125 MORE per year than Hagerty.
Guess I will stick with them. Priced Grundy as a comparison last year, and they were more too. But I don't remember by how much.
Like most insurance, probably comes down to the bean counters and credit score stuff and which State you reside in.

[roadking77]

76-455, being that you have been with one company for that long I am not surprised that they would have a better rate.  I do agree that this is a subject that is like comparing apples to oranges. Its interesting to see what everyone has, also if anyone has ever had to file a claim and how it was handled. But, everyone has a different circumstance, location, past driving record, age, etc.  All of these effect the final price. I was at a show this weekend and the subject was brought up. One guy said he checked around and Grundy (which I also have) was the cheapest, the guy next to me said Condon Skelly!  I am happy with where I am, but it may be worthwhile to check with all of the major carriers to get the best deal. I think in the long run, they are all comparable.

[ryeguy2006a]

Gene, I can't remember where you are located, but Condon and Skelly also have a discount for if your car is stored during the winter. I can't exactly remember what they call it, but I remember that knocked a good amount off of my policy too. Being in NY, I really only drive it from May to October.

[Meshuga T/A]

Grundy

[76 - 455 - 4]

Well, as a follow up, after filling out the form from Condon Skelly's website to get a quote, I now get 2-3 emails from them per day, and at least one phone call per day.
So beware of giving them your personal information.
Not cool.

[76455sd]

My car insurance came up for renewal. For the longest time classic car insurance companies didn’t want to operate in MA due to heavy state insurance regulations so I really didn’t look into it. I got an online quote from Hagerty and it was 1/2 what Liberty Mutual (insurance for my and my wife’s dd) was at. So I made the switch. Do you guys use hagerty? Any issues?

[nUcLeArEnVoY]

I used  my Hagerty insurance recently when some as*hat clipped the the driver's side corner of my T/A's front bumper while at my gym. I didn't get to see it happen, and didn't even notice the damage until days later but I was able to deduce that it happened there.

Hagerty used to have their own recommended or endorsed body shops for collision repair, but since COVID, and how hard it is to even find a shop that will work on older cars; now they just have you find your own. First, they have you send photos of the damage and they come up with a repair estimate (which is usually way off base, and their parts recommendations or where they recommend getting the parts is not nearly as thorough as a seasoned enthusiast), which you then bring to your preferred body shop who takes things apart, assesses damage, and communicates with Hagerty for additional repairs and parts to add to their initial estimate to make a final repair bill. All the while, you're just paying your deductible.

$500 later, I got a front bumper repaint since my bumper wasn't even gouged and didn't need replacement; a replacement headlight retainer panel and hardware; new correct orange transparent plastic bumper retainers; and even snuck in a new pair of grilles. Hagerty didn't ask a single question and made the process pretty smooth.

I'd recommend them.

I have my current value set for 35K, which keeps me at $110 a month. The only reason it's so high is because I live in Miami Dade County/South Florida. You think that's high? I pay $186 a month with GEICO for my beater 2017 Spark, which is just an econobox hatchback that's not even worth 10k. I'm 37 years old with a pretty good driving record. Insurance is absurd down here because we have a really bad uninsured motorist problem. It's kind of a problem that feeds itself - people can't afford high insurance, so they don't get insurance, which contributes to the high insurance. I'm getting pretty sick of living down here, working on changing that in a few years.

[5th T/A]

I have used Hagerty since I purchased my 1980 TA in February of 2020. I think I am paying roughly $500 or $600 a year. I do have an agreed upon value of 35K, what I paid for my car and engine, but not including all the funds I have invested. I believe the cost is somewhat based upon the agreed value. I have not filed a claim, fortunately have not needed to. So I have no experience with how well they handle the process.

Last year there was a local Hagerty representative that gave a presentation at my local Pontiac club. He asked for a count of hands of people in the meeting that were using Hagerty and about 2/3rds raised their hands. I think about two said they had filed claims and they both said they were happy with the process and settlement. This is in Northern Illinois.

Part of the Agreement is you join Hagerty drivers club for a small annual fee that includes a quality monthly publication that I really enjoy reading.

In answer to your question I am happy based on everything I just mentioned. You can always pick the brains of other classic car owners where you live.

[roadking77]

I suppose this is kind of a rehash, I will start by saying my son has Hagerty on his 04 GTO. He tried a couple of other classic insurers and no one wanted to give him coverage. He about gave up and called Hagerty. It was no problem. He does not daily drive it but does carry regular tags and registration (though in MD he could opt for 'classic car tags'. I forget what he pays but I do know that his yearly bill now is about what he was paying in 2 months with his previous.

I have Grundy. Never made a claim thankfully and am very happy with them. I just revised my policy this past spring when it was do. I upped my agreed value to $60k and my yearly premium is $225. I am ready to call and add my '79. I was told it would probably go up another $100 with that car on it.

[stros]

Hagerty wouldn’t let me drive it to work at all even with my secure company parking garage, whereas Leland-West would (mentioned earlier in this thread did for half the price of Hagerty).  I haven’t filed a claim though.

[tinpusher]

I have State Farm here in Texas, the only restrictions are that it would not be used as a daily driver. Two classics with them, 1979 TA and my 1974 TA. If I remember correctly, the 79 is insured for 35k and the 74 is valued at 65k, the premium for both runs about $650 for the year.
I didn’t know my normal carrier would cover my classics…might check it out with your current provider.

[76455sd]

Thanks guys I appreciate the feedback.  Liberty was about $1000/year and they use comparable/replacement value for valuation as opposed to a specified value. Hagerty is ~$550/year and I set a value at $20k for my ‘02 WS6 convertible.

Most of the premium covers damage/injury to others which is compulsory in MA. My ‘16 Hyundai Elantra daily driver is ~$1200/year.  I asked the agent if there were other options that might be cheaper for the daily drivers.  He checked and other insurance companies refused to insure the Hyundai because it’s one of the top 3 models stolen in the US. I got a laugh out of that.

Nice to hear good things about Hagerty and saved about $500.  Looks like a good switch.