Auto Insurance give me a headache!, Classic companies don't want you to drive. Options

[nycchef]

i have full insurance with allstate now but am going over to heritage america. seems like no problem with agreed value (yet) and mileage is variable. quote was $104.00 and conditions were
1 garage
2nd car for every licensed driver at the adress
this is what they have told me so far. friend has vintage chevy with them for years and tells me they have never checked on the milage. will post again when i switch over. may be different on the west coast.

[blitZ]

I attempted the collector car route and just decided it won't work for me. Most of the agents I spoke with flat out stated, the car will NOT be insured while engaged in a high speed activity. This include autocrossing, which really isn't high speed. If you do have an accident while AXing, no collision or liability, it just isn't worth it to save a few bucks.

Thanks for the State Farm tip, going to try them out. Progressive just treated the 914 add on like another car.

[pfierb]

I am banging my head against the wall (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) . Finishing a a restoration of a LE bumble bee and want to change insurane from liabilty to full coverage.

All the collector car companies will not cover the car if you drive it to work (not even occasionally).

Regular companies will not do a aggreed value on older cars. I am afraid if I get into a wreck they'll give me $500. for my old car.

I am thinking of just continuing liability only and taking my chances.

How do you insure your 914?

I use the Hartford...no problem with agreed value .....unlimited mileage and reasonable for my 73 2.0 ....They also insure my other two cars.

[GaroldShaffer]

I attempted the collector car route and just decided it won't work for me. Most of the agents I spoke with flat out stated, the car will NOT be insured while engaged in a high speed activity. This include autocrossing, which really isn't high speed. If you do have an accident while AXing, no collision or liability, it just isn't worth it to save a few bucks.
Thanks for the State Farm tip, going to try them out. Progressive just treated the 914 add on like another car.

This is not just a car collector policy thing, as far as I know there is NO insurance policy that will cover your car while doing these things. YMMV what that is what I found while shopping around.

[AvalonFal]

'74 2.0L insured with Hagerty with an agreed price. Cost is about $125 per year with roadside towing. No hassle at all. Can't be primary vehicle (had to send them the VIN's of my other cars), but no mileage limits.

[Howard]

I attempted the collector car route and just decided it won't work for me. Most of the agents I spoke with flat out stated, the car will NOT be insured while engaged in a high speed activity. This include autocrossing, which really isn't high speed. If you do have an accident while AXing, no collision or liability, it just isn't worth it to save a few bucks.
Thanks for the State Farm tip, going to try them out. Progressive just treated the 914 add on like another car.

This is not just a car collector policy thing, as far as I know there is NO insurance policy that will cover your car while doing these things. YMMV what that is what I found while shopping around.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) They can even deny your claim if you are street racing or timed rallying, but absolutely assume you are on your own when the car is on the track or A/X parking lot.

[jhadler]

I made sure not to mention autox. Which honestly is what I got the car for.

Again: State Farm.

Best thing about State Farm, I'm fully covered at an Autox. And I have it in writting. A letter from my agent confirming coverage at autox events. No, it does not extend to DE's and TT's. That's okay, I know when I go to the track, I pays my money, I takes my chances. But it's to know that State Farm will cover me at any autox event.

Question for Howard: Is this letter worth the paper it's written on?

-Josh2

[GaroldShaffer]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) That is not what they told me three years ago. I guess I need to ask again.

[jhadler]

I think the key here is to be VERY specific. Bring with you a copy of the rules. Garold, you run SCCA events, so bring the Solo Rules. And specifically point out the description of Solo events in the rule book. It is specifically worded to avoid insuance killers like "high speed" and "race".

The selected quotes from the SCCA Solo Rules:

SR 1.1

A Solo Event is any event (where an event is considered to be an entire program of competitions) in which one automobile at a time is timed over a clearly defined course, with elapsed time and appropriate penalties for course deviations being the determining factor for awards. This shall not preclude the running of more than one car at a time, provided they are separated on course by adequate time and distance to eliminate any possibility of a passing situation.

And

SR 1.4

A Category II Solo Event is non-speed driving skill contest such as, but not limited to, autocrosses and slaloms. These events are run on short course that emphasize the driver's ability and the car's handling and agility. Competition licenses are not required, and hazards to spectators, participants, and property do not exceed those encountered in normal, legal highway driving. ...

Of course, all agents are different, but I doubt they would issue me that letter unless it was okay to do so. I did make sure that they had a very clear understanding of what an autox event was.

-Josh2

[Howard]

I made sure not to mention autox. Which honestly is what I got the car for.

Again: State Farm.

Best thing about State Farm, I'm fully covered at an Autox. And I have it in writting. A letter from my agent confirming coverage at autox events. No, it does not extend to DE's and TT's. That's okay, I know when I go to the track, I pays my money, I takes my chances. But it's to know that State Farm will cover me at any autox event.

Question for Howard: Is this letter worth the paper it's written on?

-Josh2

I know this is against our nature, but stop and ask for directions. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Read the 'exclusions' section of your policy. It will probably contain words like 'prearranged speed contest' or similar. BTW, there's lots of other shit in there, too. If you carry passengers for hire, rent your car out, etc.

The letter? Even if the policy won't cover the damage, your agent may be personally on the hook.

Each policy, each state have different wording. READ YOUR POLICY AND CALL YOUR AGENT OR COMPANY FOR QUESTIONS, BUT REMEMBER THE ACTUAL WORDING OF THE POLICY TAKES PRECEDENCE.
No matter what you read on the internet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dead horse.gif)

[byndbad914]

some good info here - and thanks to Howard for the professional advice! I am going to be finishing the V8 race car and was just trying to figure out how I was going to insure it against theft and cruises to the Ruby's on Fridays, so this was quite helpful to me as well! I know on the track I am SOL, but was worried about what to do if the car gets stolen or hit on the street.