I'm posting this after I researched using past threads, googled reviews for multiple collector car insurance such as Grundy, Hagerty, J.C. Taylor and My company American Collectors which is American Bankers Insurance of Florida.
My renewal just came in the mail with my normal rate annual increase this year policy total adding up to $552.80, this buys me (300,000 bodily and property damage liability), (1,000 Medical payments), (300,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist) and coverage for $21,500 which is about $5000 more than what I built it at just in case of total loss. With mileage tier of 2500 miles which never gets achieved anyways. I chose this company 5 years before joining this forum and feel I may be taken for a ride. I hope one person can say they had great results with this company. Or should I leave this company behind and use another?

 

Does American Collectors have destination limitations? I know that my policy with Hagerty, if one reads the fine print, says that I must only drive to shows. One of the reasons I'm switching to Grundy. I got a quote and I think it's around $180 twice a year with a policy that sounds very similar to yours.

 

My Cutlass has a burn down value of 35k and the insurance through State Farm is a whopping $164 a year. It's very cheap.

 

@Macadoo- I read the policy and there are no restrictions mentioned for destination and I believe I asked the question before signing with them and they said no restrictions for travel which was a important reason for signing!

 

@z11375ss- Some companies will only pay for a damaged quarter panel replace with a bad blend of paint color, opposed to paying for an entire paint job. Which may result from out of pocket expense. If that's the case I would rather just have the cutlass under my daily driver insurance company.

 

I have American Collectors and have had two towing claims this year. The customer service was very good and they paid them very promptly. I don't think I have had that kind of premium increase.

 

@redoldsman- I think we are allowed 3 tows per annual policy. Going to check for sure.

 

State Farm changed from3 years ago I am still dialing mine in but set price 15k
180 a year 2500 mile restriction was 7500 before so I am double checking
Must be in garage during storage

90% show club use 10% as a joy ride option from what I gather they just don't want it left Un garaged or in Walmart parking lot front row

 

Sean:

They do allow three tows per policy year and I think the $$ limit is $750.

 

Get apples to apples quotes from the other Classic car insurers for an agreed value of the $21.5k with your 100/300 and uninsured motorist. Go from there. I agree it should not be that much.

 

I think that you are being taken for a ride by someone.
I'm with American Collectors and I have my Olds valued with them at 20K (replacement cost, not actual), with towing and 2000 miles driving per year.


I just re-upped with them for $179 a year

 

Yep, you guys better believe I'm going to call around! My driving habits have been remarkable for several years before I signed with them, the only difference is my location. I'm going to find out more about this. Thank you all for the input, I'll post when I learn more.

 

I take it back. I found my Grundy quote and it kinda' stinks. 100k bodily and property, 40k uninsured motorist for $446 per year at agreed value of 14k (which isn't as much as I have in it).
I'm going to keep looking but I need a switch soon. I'm going to try Taylor next.

 

Hey Chip, could you give us a breakdown of your coverage is it's not asking too much.

 

I need to find the paperwork at home. I'll let you know as soon as I get a chance. I'm working some crazy hours right now.

 

I am currently with State Farm
And this is a lot more money covered and less yearly then me just curious if it's year different or maybe age I guess

 

From what I gather, the main points are:
1. Age of driver
2. Infractions
3. amount of coverage
4. number of drivers (and their infractions)
5. Area where you live?
6. Yearly miles
7. Storage environment
8. Amount of selected deductible

I had a speeding ticket about 20 years ago and have never had any claims and still...I quit the American Collectors online quote tonight when it went over $500 a year.

 

No worries

 

I just redid my Grundy online quote and it's $254 per year. But it doesn't look like I can get more than 40k uninsured/underinsured coverage.

2 drivers
300k bodily/property
up to 2500 miles a year including pleasure cruising
16k agreed value (if I can get that)

I'm calling them tomorrow

 

Mac, I was told to look up sold and listed cars to find the price range that fit my car. If they felt I was high I would need a appraisal done

 

American Collectors Insurance


Full coverage (their words) $179 per year
-$20K for the cutlass
-$100K uninsured motorist
-$2.5K medical (I have my own health insurance through my company)
-towing up to 3 times a year ($250 covered for each tow)
-2500 miles a year driving limit. Driving is limited to "to and from car shows" and "limited driving to make sure that the vehicle stays in running order" I have to admit that I love that loophole.

 

I'm hoping the agreed value is negotiable. I'll see what they say on the phone. Nada says 4500-17,500 or something like that.

When I originally went with Hagerty, my agent gave me a "wink wink, nudge nudge" on the driving destination issue, which I don't think would hold up in court.

 

American collector's tells me to use it in conjunction with car shows or having fun. Do not use it as a commuter vehicle.

 

Okay here for s mine State Farm

15k agreed value might bump it up to 20k
2500 mile limit per year
Here is the break down
Bodily injury per person 100,000 per accident 300,000 property damage 50,000
UNINSURED MOTOR VEHICLE 100,000 per person 300,000 per accident
BODILY INJURY
UNDERINSURED MOTOR VEHICLE 100,000 per person 300,000 per accident
PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION $3000
COMPREHENSIVE $100 DEDUCTIBLE ACV
COLLISION $500 DEDUCTIBLE ACV
EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE
This will be the $ 14.64 per month

On the form I put 90% show/club and 10% driving for pleasure

My agent basically said can not be a daily driver at this rate but if I wanted to drive it as a DD we could isure it that way it would just be more expensive

35 years old
Over 15 years with no infractions ( knock on wood )
Salt Lake City Utah

 

State Farm.
For a couple of reasons:
1. We have our other cars and homeowners through SF and like the agent and service

2. They've always paid the very few claims we've had without bumping rates

3. They were less expensive on the specialty cars than any of the so-called collector car insurers but with 2,500 mile limit and not as daily driver. Around $170/yr. That was a big surprise as I did not think they would cover a specialty car like a street rod.

4. We carry minimal PL PD Uninsured on all cars and home but do have a million dollar rider on top of both homeowners and auto insurance. Specialty car is included in this. It is a lot cheaper than paying higher coverage within individual policies!

5. I look at the coverage some here are quoting--particularly on medical and can tell you that you will run through that 9-20k limit so fast you won't believe it. Then what when someone you hurt has continuing medical bills? Outta your pocket that's what. Are you prepared to pay that kind of money to save a little on insurance?

6. One downside to State Farm is they required a professional appraisal of car value that cost me $150 if the specialty car was over some minimal amount like $15k or so. I don't remember the exact value. The 36 Chev appraised at $48 k and when the Olds convertible is done I expect it will be around $30-35 k. so will probably require another professional appraisal. Also vehicle has to be garaged in locked building. Another downside they won't cover it until its running and licensed. If it catches fire or your shop falls down around it while being built you are out of luck. I buy specialty insurance while the car is being built once I get more in the build than I can afford to lose and then I drop it when I get the car licensed. And, no, your State Farm homeowners won't cover a 'project' car in the build stage in your garage or shop.

In the end just being sure you are covered by a reputable company is the critical thing. We are discussing marginal issues of a few hundred a year. Without insurance or with insurance that won't pay or delays payment and fights you at every step on a claim life becomes just plain miserable. Imagine having some injured person's claims adding up to several hundred thousand or millions hanging over your head and no coverage or even a question of whether your insurer will pay the stated coverage in full in a reasonable time!!!
Jerry

 

try heacock was quoted 150.00 annual with 6000 mile restriction and payouts equal to my regular auto.

 

I just tried to call American collectors at 6:30 pm central time from two different phone lines and did not even get their after hour recording! The phone just rang until it eventually stopped. What the heck would happen if I needed a response back asap. I just tried Grundy and at least it sends me to automated prompts. At least I know my answer now with american collectors!

 

Lol with State Farm I have my agents cell and house number from day one I have been with them for a total of 18 years left once for cheaper rates but found out I want covered as well

 

I submitted an app to Grundy this afternoon. I called first and after about a ten minute hold, was helped by a very nice guy.
The breakdown:

300k bodily/property
100k un-under insured
up to 2500 miles shows or pleasure
750 towing and labor
locked garage
2 drivers, both over 50
driver B (the wife) speeding ticket 3 years ago
driver A (me) speeding ticket more than 20 years ago (again, knock on wood!)
I had to have at least 300k bodily/property on my DD from Geico (weird but true)

$256 per year.
I was satisfied until I read Jerry's post above about paying millions out of pocket. Now I'm just going to turn in my licence and ride my bike

 

That's a great relationship you have with your agent. House number is kinda rare!

 

Lol he does it for any one he is a great agent.

 

All the regular daily driver companies quoted me $1500 annually for burn it to the ground replacement cost.
JC Taylor burn it to the ground...$260 annually, stated value and weekend warrior use. 300/300/100, uninsured, full comp, 24hr flat bed towing. This includes: I'm able to chose the parts and the repair shop. The repair is guaranteed to surpass my inspection or they do it again on them. This includes repainting the entire car.
I have seen JC Taylor in action, in person. Buds 55 was rear-ended hard by a texting punk while he was behind a school bus with its red flashing lights on!
He has a House of Colors custom mix and flip flop phantom flames. The rear was crunched pretty bad. His neck was in rough shape too(no head rests or seat belts in a 5).
He was able to choose who he wanted to do the repair. He was able to visit the shops and research out who knew their stuff about piecing back together a formally mint 5. Then they said if the paint isn't to your liking they would have the shop repaint the entire car. Thats a 12-15K paint job. 3K in paint alone.
Results speak for themselves. I saw it before and after. It even moved the body on the frame and peeled open pinch welds it was hit so hard. I combed over it I can not tell and I know body work.

 

I'm going to call this insurance company tomorrow. I like the sound of this. This is what I'm worried about. Thing is I painted my car and I had to fix a small rust spot on the lower front corner of my drivers door that popped out about a year after and this paint blends very well. But the price of paint by DuPont is not getting any cheaper. If somebody jacks my car in a quarter panel I just want to rest easy knowing all the money I have been investing in an insurance company is going to pay off for me! I'm dropping my collectors insurance in August that's when my policy expires and moving on. So far I've narrowed it down to Taylor and Grundy, after the phone call to Taylor I'll make my decision.
Thank you
Sean

 

From JC Taylor website...

"I agree that my vehicle(s) will be used mainly in exhibitions, club activities, parades and other functions of public interest and will not be used primarily for the transportation of passengers or goods"

This is why I applied to Grundy. Grundy clearly states that the car can be used for pleasure cruising as long as it's not a DD. The wife and I like to go for long (1000 mile) trips in the summer.

 

That is definitely very important to know, thanks for pointing that out Mac.

 

Those terms are the same, just said differently. Pleasure cruising is not the transportation of people per se, like a commuter vehicle is. Call and ask them about it if you're concerned. All collector policies want you to not use it as your main car and lock it up.

 

I've had JC Taylor and what they are trying to say is you can't use it for a DD. They don't mind cruising or long trips. They are reasonably priced. I use Safeco and they are priced well, I've had 2 DD car claims for major hail damage and both times they paid the claims with no issues. I've also had 1 claim on the house. They are also the least expensive insurer for first time drivers and college kids.

 

As long as it's not a wink-wink, nudge-nudge, like Hagerty.

 

I have Grundy and they have been great. I asked last year before our Mother Of All Road trip about using up all my mileage (4000 miles estimated) the lady at Grundy said don't worry about mileage it's only a figure that we use when setting up your account and not set in stone have a good trip...So we did....Tedd

 

That is interesting on the mileage Tedd. I just renewed for the second time with American Collectors and they have never asked to my odometer reading