classic car insurance

[Herman]

Who has had any experience with JC Taylor, Grundy Haggarty, Heacock?  I have had quotes from all and Heacock appears to be less expensive than the others...opinions appreciated

Herman clc19416

[jp70deville-CLC #24151]

Herman

I just got my 70 CDV last fall, and I searched relentlessly for the best price...and agreed value.  I can tell you that also last fall, while traveling on business towrds Dayton, where I live in the Super Trooper State of Ohio, I receieved  TWO tickets in 4 days (one I vehemently travelled to fight, due to the inaccuracy of the trooper)..for the record, I have never had any before. When I was getting quotes, most of whom you mention would not give me the time of day due to these infractions. Hagerty, on the other hand, gave me agreed coverage for my car for 10K..I paid 7...put in 3K.  I did give them a lengthy explanation in being turned down from other companies, which  more or less, said, "I am going to be driving my classic Cadillac down the Highway, not my BMW, this car is is as valued as my spouse...Hahaha)..My yearly premuim , based on 1,500 miles per year, at $10K agreed value is, $137.00 a year. I am one of the chairman for a Concours show we have in the Akron/Canton area that I live , and Hagerty has always been a major sponsor, but due "tough advertising times", they droppped us and I will say a lot of my fellow board members asked us all to drop them, but I won't...I had a breakdown 2 weeks ago and they were superb.....
I hope this helps

[David Greenburg]

Here's another vote for Hagerty, which I've had for years.  Rates are very reasonable, and you are not restricted to "car club activities and parades etc." as long as you stay under your annual mileage cap.  And I did have to make a claim once as a result of an engine fire, and the customer service was fantastic; prompt payment with no hassles to the shop of my choice for repairs.  I wish they insured modern cars as well.   

[Otto Skorzeny]

Hagerty always gets high marks form people on all fronts. JC Taylor also has a good rep. A restoration guy I know insures all 15? of his personal collection through Taylor.

The other two are both underwritten by Zurich Insurance Companies which is also a very reputable insurance provider so I don't think you'd have a problem with them either. The customer service might not be as good as Hagerty, though.

[35-709]

My '35 and previous old cars have all been with Hagerty and I am very happy with their rates and service.
Geoff N.

[srk1941]

I've had Hagerty for ten years, and though I've never had to file a claim (knock, knock) they've been great.

[okccadman]

I've been with Haggerty for over ten years and currently have 6 cars with them.  On May 16, my 70 Coupe de Ville and 56 Coupe were both at my house when a sudden baseball sized hail storm came up.  An adjuster looked at the cars on May 20 and my checks were sent yesterday.  Everyone at Haggerty has been nothing but professional, friendly and extremely helpfull !!!

I give them my highest reccomendation.

By the way, the 70, which was being prepared for paint and a top was deemed a total loss and no question was made as to the agreed value.  I am keeping it and going ahead with the planned cosmetic job (just a lot more work now!)  They promised to reinsur eit fully when repairs are made as well.

I got the 56 in the carport but she still gut some damage to the decklid and tail and back up lenses.  All in all it coould have been worse, my neighborhood is a sea of blue tarps, roofing trucks and cars with little or no glas sleft.

[Kevin M. Parkinson]

I have been with Hagerty for 9 years.  I am not aware of any annual mileage cap that a couple of you have mentioned.  Is that an addition to your policy that brings the rate down even more?  I have 5 cars on the policy with full coverage, no deductibles, plus the flatbed towng and pay under $300 per year. 

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

As I've stated previously on this forum, Hagerty gets my vote!

Top customer service and professional people to handle any problem.

Mike

[TonyZappone #2624]

This discussion has come up many times before.  I have been with J.C.Taylor for about 45 years.  I have had great treatment from them, including a $22,000 repaint for paint ruined by acid rain.  The discussion that keeps coming up is about milage restriction and use restriction.  I spoke to Roy Graden who was representing Taylor at the Easter Fall Meet of the AACA at Canandaigua, N.Y just yesterday.  I  asked him about use and milage restrictions  He said that that they had none:  common sense prevails.  You don't drive your car to work on a daily basis.  You don't leave the car parked overnight in a dangerous neighborhood, etc.  again they have treated me very well over the years, I recommend them highly.

[Misfit]

I'm with American Collectable Ins. Co. They have been good to me for 5 years now, although I've never submitted a claim.

The car is fully covered with a few extras like towing and parts, no deductible on anything and with an agreed value.

No usage restrictions other than it has to be enclosed in a garage while on the home property. No restrictions for traveling or parking at shows and such. Just common sense. A few of us still have it.

We'll see if the time ever comes to make a claim, which I hope never happens.

It runs me $190/year in Ft Lauderdale.

Fins

[D.Yaros]

I too have American Collectible, and have been with them for a few years.  No claims, and no complaints.

[fnoti]

Haggerty is what I use for my 59 Coupe.  I lover the fact that they give me 3 tows a year for free.  Each time I've dealt with them they have been great and I was able to speak to a customer service rep on a sunday afternoon!

[Art Director]

JC Taylor has advertised every month for many years in The Self-Starter, therefore supporting the CLC financially. They deserve high consideration for your insurance.

[Gary H]

I have been in this hobby for only about 15 years. I started with JC Taylor, then when I needed to increase value, they required a formal appraisal from a "certified" appraisal firm. Not wanting to pay more for the appraisal than the insurance would cost, I switched to Haggerty. I did not have problems with either firm, but also no claims. In doing annual shopping for insurance some five years ago, I discovered that Grundy was significantly cheaper, and at that time was selling a better package with the the "Agreed Value" protocol.  I went with them, and since that time, have had two claims (nothing too serious, but a couple of thousand dollars damage to my car(s)). In both cases, I had the check in hand within 5 days - no questions asked. The policy does not limit me to any type of mileage restriction, or any other type of serious restriction other than what would be expected of a "hobbyist car". I cannot drive it to work daily, but other than I cannot use it for my daily driver, and all drivers must be over 25 years old, there are no limits.  I drive the cars 5K miles per year. Insurance is only really determined to be of any value when you have a claim. In both of the cases, that I have had, Grundy has been exceptional. Also, I have not seen any increase in premium because I have had claims. I still annually shop for prices, and Grundy has still been the best buy for me.
Gary H.

[marty55cdv]

I also use Grundy, no claims, but I like the fact that there is no mileage restriction, if you want to take your car for a Sunday drive or once in awhile to work they have no problem with it. They also insure you, if you are hurt at a car show, cruise night etc.

[Barry M.Wheeler #2189]

Just a quick note about all the TV ads about car insurance... I asked my State Farm agent how they can make all those claims of saving hundreds of $s per year against what you are paying now.
He said, "It's real simple. They lie."
I've been with State Farm since 1968, and have had three agents retire in that time. Two were my best customers at my clothing business. The few claims I've had with them have been paid promptly with no complaint by them. One was a claim that they paid for a new wiring harness for the 1941 BECAUSE IT WAS STOLEN FROM THE BACK SEAT INSIDE THE CAR, inside the garage. I got a check for $550 to replace it after turning in a report to the police. If the harness had been in the garage proper, I would have gotten zip as my homeowner's has a $500 deductible.

The coverage at $10K agreed value for the 1941 is about $135 per year. I have the '79 covered as a regular auto at $268 per year full coverage.

[herman]

Thank you all for your suggestions.  I too had JC Taylor on two classic cars years ago and up until 2 years ago had Haggerty.  This is 2010 and I was shopping for Insurance again,  I am looking to insure for $75,000 and called all the big companies, Jc Taylor, Haggerty, Grundy, American ?, AAA and Heacock.  All required an appraisal for anything over $30,000 and AAA and one of the others had a deductible.

By nearly $100.00 Heacock was cheaper than the cheapest insurer.  They agreed on $75,000 after sending pictures and did not require an appraisal, so I am going to give it a try.  I live in CA  where rates are generally higher but they still came through

[Bill Podany #19567]

To all fellow members:

The quality of your insurance company is only verified when you have a claim.  As an owner of award wiiining Cadillac's which have unfortunately endured unfortunate accidents, including serious fire damage and personal emergency room care, Hagery Insurance was been outstanding in every regard.  I could write a book on these extraordinary and costly experiences.  I have never had an insurance company that I trusted, and at age 64, the only exception is Hagerty. 

Bill Podany
Knoxville, TN