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Guest mercman86

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Guest mercman86

My '66 Ranchero runs and drives like a dream. I spent a lot of time and money to make it drivable. However, its not pretty. Not too bad but not done yet. Anyway I called up my agent and set up a policy, sent him photos and warned him that the car does not look pretty. He assured me that it would be no problem and that he has insured cars that looked much worse. I pay him and all is good. Untill I get a bill a month later for 500 bucks for the same policy. OK, someone made a mistake. Call them up and after being put on hold several times, some wise guy comes on the line and told me that my original Antique policy was cancelled because they suspected that i was using the car as a daily driver and was trying to fradulently insure it as antique for the low rates. I reminded them that it was registered as an antique and it would be illeagle for me to do so. Also I still have my 2004 F-150 on my policy as my daily driver. On hold again..... "sorry the car doesnt have a show quality finish so it does not qualify as an antique." So it is insured for storage, but I cant drive it unless i call em up, tell them its on the road and i have to call immediently when it is placed in storage. ANyone else run into this BS or am i just out of luck untill i can afford to have it painted.

Thanks in advance!

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You should contact J.C. Taylor, Grundy, or Hagerty Insurance. A quick google search should locate them for you. One of those should be able to take care of your insurance needs for a reasonable price.

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Guest palosfv3

I experienced a similar issue when I went to insure my 52 Lincoln. The underwriters are scrutinizing everything. Add to the fact that all underwriters don't have the same knowledge or experience. Right now most major insurance companies are tightening up because claims have been paying out more than they take in in premiums. They have made a tremendous amount of money over the last several years because of their investments which have allowed them absorb the premium loss and post a significant profit. The loss of the investment revenue stream is going to result in increased premiums from all carriers on all types of insurance. The time is just around the corner.

Call your agent and get him involved .He can request a review of the underwriters decision and if he is a large agency he carries some clout. If he says he cant do anything get another agent. Drop me a line if you need further help.

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Go with one of the companies that specialize in antique car insurance like Taylor. I have been with Taylor and have insured some pretty ugly cars and trucks over the years.

My 66.

My66.jpg

It's a 20 footer

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State Farm does not have a clue when it comes to collector cars and the exposure they actually have. Their rates reflect that.

Tri-State Insurance of Minnesota. Top notch collector car insurance, they handle our area, I'm near Chicago also

A fraction of the price and they get IT.

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Guest mercman86

Thanks for all the imput guys. I have contacted my agent personally after dealing with the main office. Due to his rude comments and overall attitude of "who cares" i have contacted another state farm agent and I am waiting for her to contact me. The issue that really had me burned up was that they bluntly accused me of fraud. I know we are all in tough times but really, come on! Me and my family have been with state farm for over 50 years, me and my folks have been with the same agent for over 20 years and for them to have the nerve to accuse me of being dishonest has really got me thinking of leaving them permanantly. If the other agent is unable to insure it, JC taylor is my next stop. My boss uses them and from what i hear they are pretty good. But i will contact the others for a quote. Once again thank for the advice! Heres a picture, NOTE: I am NOT RESPONSIBLE for the spraypaint primer, the moron i bought her from did that, not me!!

P1000803.jpg

She'll look like just like Jim's when shes all painted up!

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Suck up the money you've paid in over the years, walk away from State Farm and never look back. There are too many insurers specializing in antique car insurance to put up with any company's or agent's crap when trying to insure an old car that is not being used as daily transportation.

Make sure the original agent knows beyond any doubt why you are leaving State Farm (and his agency), and that you will tell friends, family, anyone who will listen, about their/his poor customer service. Any businessman knows word of mouth, either good or bad, is very effective advertising. When a 20-year customer walks away angry, that is not good for business.

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Guest mercman86

Couldn't agree with you more. However, If I cancelled the policy on my Ranchero, I would probably keep my other pickup, boat and camper with them just because i always have that horrible feeling of "what if?" and the fear of being dropped because of an accident or somthing. If the other state farm agent is able to insure my ranchero, i will probably switch to her agency for all my vehicles becuase i really cant say anything terrible about state farm itself, just that my agent is a total jerk and acts like his you-know-what doesent stink.

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Watch State Farm's rates on collector cars. They are nuts. I was able to put a higher agreed value on both of my cars. Got away from the calling every six months for driving and non driving nonsense and actually insured two vehicles for the price of one compared with State Farm.

THEY DON"T GET IT. Or should I say they want your money!!

Tri- State Insurance of Minnesota satisfied customer.

Continental Western Group

Ten Roundwind Rd. PO Box 500

Luverne, MN 56156-0500

1 800 533-0303

ps. Mercman I'm 20 minutes from you

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Guest mercman86

Im gonna give J.C. Taylor and Tri-State a call. I bumped into an old shop teacher of mine the other day and he has his '48 Packard and '48 cadillac insured with Tri-state. I contacted another SF agent and they gave me the same answer "not painted nice, not an antique." Larry recomended a couple guys so ill probably call them to for the heck of it.

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Alex,

You may want to also check with Country Companies/Financial we have all our cars, motorcycle and home owners covered by them. Have not had one problem with their coverage.

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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mercman86</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I contacted another SF agent and they gave me the same answer "not painted nice, not an antique." </div></div>

Wow. Wonder what they'd think of our July/August 07 cover car- the unrestored Oldsmobile Limited from the Swigart collection.

But just because we are <span style="font-weight: bold">AACA</span> members doesn't mean we know a damn thing about <span style="font-weight: bold">antique</span> cars.

To quote West regarding William Swigart in his Updraft of that issue:

<span style="font-weight: bold">"I admire him for recognizing that the car's original condition was important enough to never lay a hand on it."</span>

I guess State Farm Mutual Insurance Company would see that car as a pile of junk and refuse to insure it. Anyone who owned and could see the intrinsic beauty of that car wouldn't be fooling with a mass-market insurance underwriter to insure it though, would they?

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Guest mercman86

Makes me wonder how many good looking, freshly painted cars that are actually painted up road hazard wrecks have "antique car" policies from state farm. People who actually take the time to make their cars safe and roadworthy, but the paint just looks cruddy or that they dont want to ruin an old cars natural potina are treated like scam artists.

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Guest Plymouthy

had similar issue here with a general insurance company..seems not so long back they did a change in how and what they consider antique/classic and stated value etc. do go with a speciality insurance company as suggested...they also have requirement for any licensed driver in the household to have a prime auto for them too drive..two drivers, two daily diriver cars etc and so on...as for the guy who added a third car, two drivers in household, it is a risk question they must ask, but never have I seen them assume at the higher rate and bill you as such...I have 12 insured vehicles..never do I get that run around..

Edited by Peter J.Heizmann (see edit history)
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I have my 37 Chevy p/u and 55 Ford convertible insured as antiques with State farm but they would not insure my 65 country squire as a antique,the only reason I can come up with is the 65 does not have as nice of paint like the other two. It has a aged repaint from many years ago and is not beat up,I did have regular plates on it at the time and do have historical plates with YOM plates too so maybe I should try again.

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Does anyone have Haggerty? I have two cars tagged historic with State Farm along with an antique motorcycle. The bike costs me almost as much as all three would with Haggerty according to the online quote. They will also cover my other vehicles that are not on the road, parts and tools.

I talked to one of their reps and he made all the right noises about occassional personal use, etc.

Any feedback from Haggerty customers?

Thanks

Zimm

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Guest rbl2

I have Hagerty. I am very pleased with what it costs. I have yet to have to file a claim, fortunately, but did call them for wrecker service one time when I couldn't get a wrecker. They had one within 30 minutes of my call.

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You'll never know if the company is any good or not until you have a claim. I've seen JC Taylor in action several times and they are my own personal choice for that reason.

Terry

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I have Hagerty for a 55 Pontiac, Amphicar and 72 Corvette. I had Taylor for many years (zero claims), but they wouldn't insure an Amphicar or my Corvette. I believe they now finally insure Corvettes? Recently bought an electric car and neither Hagerty or Taylor will insure them (any brand, year, type, etc). I went to Grundy for that car which they insured, however Grundy won't insure an Amphicar. My opinion is:

Grundy: seem to be the friendliest from any I've dealt with.

Hagerty: overall they are ok but don't insure all antique vehicles.

As Terry stated you really won't know until you have a claim.

Edited by Peter J.Heizmann (see edit history)
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I have had my '70 Riviera insured with State Farm for several years.

They didn't seem concerned at all about the car needing paint.I sent photos into my agent for his files.

It also has MN Collector plates.

I came across this thread while researching alternatives for coverage on this car.

In talking with my agent recently, I am not feeling real confident about their idea of agreed value.

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Just curious why the agreed value scares you? We may value our stuff a bit low as compared to numbers you may see on a TV auction, but, we set it at a number we could live with in event of a total loss.

Not once has TSI asked for a professional appraisal so we must be setting them about right.

I'm more concerned about letting the insurance company decide what to cut the check for even if I overpaid THEM for years.

Thanks

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Guest mercman86

When I set up my original policy, my agent just asked me what I thought the car was worth and thats what they would insure it for.

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Guest Bluesky636

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ted sweet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">still not same as agreed upon value, stated value only caps the most you can receive, the payout is determined at claim time and maybe less. </div></div>

And you just KNOW that you will get that full stated value, right? wink.gif

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Guest mercman86

I did an online quote with JC taylor today for the heck of it and I was quoted 60.00 a year for full comprehensive and collision. Not bad, but i am still going to call around for other quotes.

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Guest 55olds98holiday

I've been with Grundy for the last 3 years, very reasonable,very few restrictions, easy to work with.

Edited by Peter J.Heizmann (see edit history)
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  • 3 months later...

In my 35 years of doing this I have owned many cars and appraised many cars, and also had to act as an expert witness in court for guys who had their cars insured with conventional insurance companies. These type of companies have no clue about collector cars, seldom pay up without a fight and seldon pay the full amount.

We are blessed with a number of great specialty insurers in the industry that are exactly the opposite. Grundy, Haggerty, J.C. Taylor, American Collectors, etc. etc are all good. and the rates are super low, as their loss ratios are really low. My advice to anyone, don't trusts the company that insures your home or late model car with your collector car, go with a specialist.

Edited by Peter J.Heizmann
Bob, You make good points however we will not allow the negative naming of any vendor on this forum. Thanks in advance. (see edit history)
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Folks,

I "re-titled" this thread as the referenced Insurance Vendor in the original thread title and negative comments in some posts directed at them will not and cannot be tolerated due to possible legal actions. Thank you in advance for understanding.

Peter J.

Edited by Peter J.Heizmann (see edit history)
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  • 1 month later...
Guest Mandelinawhite
My '66 Ranchero runs and drives like a dream. I spent a lot of time and money to make it drivable. However, its not pretty. Not too bad but not done yet. Anyway I called up my agent and set up a policy, sent him photos and warned him that the car does not look pretty. He assured me that it would be no problem and that he has insured cars that looked much worse. I pay him and all is good. Untill I get a bill a month later for 500 bucks for the same policy. OK, someone made a mistake. Call them up and after being put on hold several times, some wise guy comes on the line and told me that my original Antique policy was cancelled because they suspected that i was using the car as a daily driver and was trying to fradulently insure it as antique for the low rates. I reminded them that it was registered as an antique and it would be illeagle for me to do so. Also I still have my 2004 F-150 on my policy as my daily driver. On hold again..... "sorry the car doesnt have a show quality finish so it does not qualify as an antique." So it is insured for storage, but I cant drive it unless i call em up, tell them its on the road and i have to call immediently when it is placed in storage. ANyone else run into this BS or am i just out of luck untill i can afford to have it painted.

Thanks in advance!

You may check this online-autoinsurance.net for more information.

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Guest mercman86

Thanks for all the imput guys!

Sorry its been a while and I figured i should tell everyone that after much thought I decided to stay with state farm. My main reason was that I was able to get my agent to match the competiton. JC taylor quoted me at about 55.00 per year and Hagerty was about the same. Since I started this thread, my cars been painted and put back together. From state farm I am covered for up to $8,000 for collision or any other damages while it is in storage plus all the standard coverage while it is in storage eg.. rodent damage, fire the building falls on it ect ect... So for all that im paying 58.XX per year. For as much as its driven thats fine with me. Its stored indoors, in a gated yard in a safe area so im not too worried about somthing happening to it. Havent made a claim but we'll see what happens if and or when that happens.

once again, thanks again to everyone who gave advice!

Alex

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Guest Bluesky636
Thanks for all the imput guys!

Sorry its been a while and I figured i should tell everyone that after much thought I decided to stay with state farm. My main reason was that I was able to get my agent to match the competiton. JC taylor quoted me at about 55.00 per year and Hagerty was about the same. Since I started this thread, my cars been painted and put back together. From state farm I am covered for up to $8,000 for collision or any other damages while it is in storage plus all the standard coverage while it is in storage eg.. rodent damage, fire the building falls on it ect ect... So for all that im paying 58.XX per year. For as much as its driven thats fine with me. Its stored indoors, in a gated yard in a safe area so im not too worried about somthing happening to it. Havent made a claim but we'll see what happens if and or when that happens.

once again, thanks again to everyone who gave advice!

Alex

If it is not an "agreed value" policy, it is worthless as far as antique coverage goes. You will never get full value back if something happens.

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