…make sure you sign up with them before you have to make a claim. After my experience with BBCat and the storm damage to the roof, I decided to switch to Hagerty as soon as the car was repaired and reappraised. Unfortunately, they turned me down because of the storm damage claim. They won’t consider giving me a policy for at least 5 years. Doesn’t matter that the claim had nothng to do with any driving situation or that it was a freak act of nature; that makes me a bad risk, I guess.
Interestingly, it’s the only claim I’ve had in over 20 years of owning collector cars and the first claim of any kind I’ve had for close to 30 years. So to keep the universal synergy intact, it will also be the only chance Hagerty ever had to sell me a policy.
Who else is out there that people have had good experience with?
I hate to hear stuff like this. I have never had a claim so I can’t speak of who is good. I can’t believe you are a risk because a tree limb fell and damaged your car. I would not give Hagerty a second chance either. I think most insurance companies can rob you without using a gun. Here in SC I found out that your credit score is figured into your premium formula. I wondered if people with good credit drive better. Just another way to get more money.
Steven
I’ve been using State Farm forever. I had to file a claim when my 4Runner was rear-ended, while parked, by some psycho while he was trying to get back onto the street, since he had driven up onto the sidewalk. Yeah.
State Farm gave me a list of body shops that were on their preferred list. I picked one. I paid my deductible and in exchange got towing to the shop, repairs (new tire, tailgate, bumper) and a rental car while they were doing the work. It was pretty painless.
I’ve since added my Cougar and Bronco, no hassles. One thing though, I dunno if I’d get as much for the Cougar as I should, if something went down. Can’t say for sure until it happens. Hope it doesn’t.
But yeah, nothing bad to say about State Farm, after using them for over 20 years now.
Same here for State Farm. When my Ranger got hit and the guy ran, it was all covered under my comprehensive policy. Of course, being in New Orleans, I consider that and uninsured motorist just as mandatory as liability coverage.
Another vote for State Farm. I have the entire fleet (6 cars, 4 of which are classics) with them as well as my house. Dad has his entire fleet (4 classics and a daily) and his house with them. Ditto for my brother (lost count on how many in his fleet) sister and mom.
That’s pretty lousy from the customer perspective, but I guess Hags can do whatever they want since they’re the new black in collector car insuring. Or, have been for the last few years.
I change companies every year, but had good luck with Nationwide when my 'vert was vandalized by crackheads. Got a brand new top with no premium increases afterward. Pretty nice service.
Another vote for American Collectors. I also was referred to them by USAA. It dosen’t give us USAA members any discount but we are assurred that we are dealing with a reliable and reputible company otherwise USAA would not recommennd them. I do think USAA gets a commission for a portion of the premium. Signing up with Am. Collectors is fairly painless with only a few photos for your first car and after that none was required for me. I have one E-cat and one G-car insurred with them and price is $440. You get 5000 miles per car plus some other perks like free towing etc. Luckily I have not had any claims so I cant speak of trying to collect on any claim.
I was going to go with Hagerty but my agent at State Farm got me a classic car policy with the same coverage as Hagerty with an agreed value for less than Hagerty and the Normal policy I already had though State Farm. Of course mileage is limited to 7800 a Year.
I just submitted an on-line application to American Collectors. Agreed value of $35K, 5K miles per year, 100K/300K coverage w/ $1K deductible. $288.00 per year. Now we’ll see what happens.
I just got an e-mail from American Collectors stating that they won’t insure BBCat unless it is stored in a locked garage rather than in the locked enclosed trailer. So I guess the Crossfire is going to get kicked out of the garage at least until we move our store in June. Then I can move the Cougar to the new store and put it on a storage lift when it’s not in use. Meanwhile, they want a written statement that the Cougar will be stored in the garage and a picture of it actually in the garage.
It looks like I am the lone wolf here. Hagertys quote was $107 less a year than State Farm with better coverage. Been with them for 3 years now and not a single problem. Insured my car for my declared value with no questions asked only a picture. They even have a parts locator service and found me a part for my Torino GT I had been looking for!
Nah, you aren’t alone on this, not by a longshot. Most people, including myself are very happy with Hagerty (and I’d bet that this is one of the reason Bill wanted to get a policy with them). Most people though, are not trying to get a policy written with them after having a claim with another classic car insurance carrier. Every insurance company has their rules for what they will write and what they will not, just surprising they elected not to in Bill’s particular case.
Part of what ticked me off was that the person I spoke to at Hagerty kept referring to the storm damage as an accident, as if it was a road accident. I made it clear in my comments on the application that it was storm damage, but they said it would have to “clear my record”, which would take 5 years. They do have a good reputation and that IS why I wanted to do business with them, but they aren’t the only good company out there so I’ll just go with someone else.
Really? I have my Cougar insured with Hagerty for 14K. 180 bucks a yr. No deductable and flat bed towing. When we switchedto State Farm for our house, the garage and 2 daily drivers BOTH with full coverage AND Michigans fantastic “No fault” insurance they wanted almost 500 bucks a year to insure my car! Mayhaps I need to talk with someone else there…
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