TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:04 pm

I was just informed today the Condon & Skelly will not insure my 73 Thing as a collectible car. Has anyone else had this problem with Condon & Skelly? I am checking with other companies that insure collectibles and if I find one that will insure the Thing that company is going to get my business for my other three cars as well.

Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:45 pm

I use these guys: http://www.americancollectors.com/

Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:56 pm

I'm with Hargarty. Technically limits the use of the vehicle to parades, special events, and maintenance (Note: grey area). Luckily haven't had to find out if they'll come throungh in the event of a claim.

Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:22 pm

I haven't done it yet, but a friend has his older Dodge insured with Grundy and says he's very pleased.

Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:49 pm

I'm with Hagerty. Very easy to deal with.

Fri Jan 13, 2012 5:09 pm

I use jc taylor antique insurance

Fri Jan 13, 2012 5:24 pm

I use Hagerty and love them. And the is a difference between collectible, classic, vintage, etc - they will insure new cars that have been modified or things like Ferraris.

Before I hooked up with them, I was being raped by Progressive and then State Farm with our buggy.

Per Hagerty's site -
Quote: Do I qualify?
Hagerty's ability to offer low premiums and generous benefits is a testament to our clients — some of the most responsible drivers on the road today. In order to continue to offer the competitive rates Hagerty is known for, we must consider several important factors in the approval process:

Qualifications for our program include:
Usage
Hagerty provides coverage for collector vehicles that are used on a limited basis — e.g. club functions, exhibitions, organized meets, tours and limited pleasure driving.

Storage
Collector vehicles must be stored in an enclosed and secure structure when not in use. Qualifying storage locations include private residential garages, private pole buildings or barns and rental storage units.

Driver eligibility and driving history
Generally, one or two minor traffic violations or accidents are acceptable. We are not able to offer coverage to drivers with a serious infraction within the past 5 years, such as an alcohol-related offense, reckless driving or an excessive speed violation.* All household driving records are subject to review by an underwriter.

Regular-use vehicles
All household members with a valid driver’s license must have a regular-use vehicle for daily driving. Motorcycles and public transportation are not considered regular use vehicles for our program. Applicants must also maintain regular-use insurance in his or her own name.

Vehicle types
Hagerty offers full coverage for many types of collector vehicles .

Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:15 pm

I understand the "collectable debate" but they had no problem insuring my 1983 380 SL Mercedes which I consider no less "collectable" than my Thing.
Both cars are in excellent shape but not technically show cars even though the Mercedes has won a best in class award at a show. I plan to show the Thing mostly because of it's uniqueness and general quality of the restoration.
I would think that they would take into consideration that I have three other cars insured with them not including mine and my wife's daily drivers. I don't know how many cars they think one person can drive especially since both of us are retired and don't do any "daily" driving. The Thing meets all their other requirements including locked storage. I consider any car that if kept in good shape and gains in value every year to be a collectable.

Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:48 pm

My brother has a bunch of cars insured with Hagerty. He said they'll insure just about anything as long as it's driven 5000 miles/year or less.

Fri Jan 13, 2012 7:16 pm

I use JC taylor for my 79 bug which is about same collectability as the thing I would think .They to ask for less then 5,000 miles a year .But as for the last ten years never asked for milage accept when I signed up .Agent said its a rough estimate 4000 one year 6000 next not a problem so the agent has said.I think I'm insured for $6000. it costs me just under a $100 a year.

Fri Jan 13, 2012 7:55 pm

I was going to go with Hagerty but they had a list of rules. Had to be in the garage they didnt want you to drive it except to events. I said how about to walmart and they said no. Went with state farm for 200 a year.

Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:01 pm

Haggerty's has long been the insurer of choice for the VW Thing and other "classic cars" If you follow their criteria they pay claims just fine and the premiums are low...

Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:48 pm

[email protected] wrote: I use jc taylor antique insurance

Tell me something about them...
I just did a quote with them... $75 a year! Whoa! (Liability) 1974 Thing

Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:57 pm

No matter who you insure your VW with or what it's insured as, make very sure you have an "agreed value" policy.

This means both you and the insurance company agree on what the car is worth BEFORE some moron blows a light and destroys your baby.

Otherwise the insurance company will do their best to pay you $1000 and walk away.

Yeah, it's kinda a hassle getting the car appraised and taking pictures and providing receipts but it's all worth it if, God forbid, the worst happens.

Eric

Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:18 am

The State of West Virginia classified my '73 as a classic and I have a classic plate on it without use limitations. State Farm issued my policy for an agreed upon value of $ 10 K. My policy cost between $ 55 and $ 60 each 6 months. $ 300 K / $ 100 K liability.

I do have my home, camper and 5 other vehicles insurred through State Farm.

Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:58 am

dells68 wrote: I haven't done it yet, but a friend has his older Dodge insured with Grundy and says he's very pleased.

Your friend's good experience may have been with the original Grundy. As of late 2011, Grundy's collector car policies were picked up by Philadelphia Insurance. I've been trying for 2 months to have them do a simple addition to my policy, and so far have heard nothing, despite trying to call them every week (most calls go to a queue that after 20 minutes on hold I hang up) and email (none ever answered). I'm switching to someone else as soon as I can shoot some recent pics of my cars. If it's this hard to do something as simple as add a car, I can't imagine how difficult it would be to file a claim!

Grundy's non-collector car policies are still with Grundy, and they're great to work with. Unlike Philadelphia, they actually answer the phone and email.

Craig

Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:56 am

this is what safeco says is a classic car for insurance reasons and what they charge me

Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:57 pm

77kafer wrote: I use these guys: http://www.americancollectors.com/

Ok, I notice that there was a lot of good discussion reference the various insurance classifications.

When I owned my thing from 1980 to 1994, I insured it using regular vehicle insurance, on my regular policy as vehicle #3. It was on the road as my daily driver from 1 May to 1 October every year. Even tho it was completely restored while I was stationed in Germany, I only had the required liability insurance on it.
When I got the '77 Beetle in 1999 with 20.4 miles on it, I put "collector car" insurance on it. Two years ago, I contacted the insurance folks, and asked if it would be possible to add my '96 Golf Harlequin on the policy. I explained that it was # 142 of the 200 run, with a total production of 264 vehicles, she said "hold on a minute" she returned to the line and asked me to email 2 photos each of all 4 sides of the vehicle, one of the unmolested dash (stock sound system) and one showing front and rear seats. I have agreed value of $6500. no more than 4,500 miles per year, no more than 1 day per week to work, for $128.80 a year.

So with any insurance company, a VW Thing that is not a daily driver should qualify for collector car / antique car insurance.

Sun Jan 15, 2012 1:20 pm

I really didn't intend to start such a discussion as to whether the Thing is really a classic, but it has been interesting. I would still be curious to know if there are any other Thing owners out there that have insurance with Condon Skelly. I still think the Thing qualifies under their criteria. Below is copied from their web site. Note Special Interest.

Classic Insurance Services We Offer:

• Collector Car Insurance, Antique Car Insurance & Classic Car Insurance
• Classic Truck Insurance and Classic Motorcycle Insurance
• Collector Special Interest and Modern Classic Insurance
• Street Rod Insurance, Hot Rod Insurance, and Custom Vehicle Insurance
• Kit Car Insurance, Replica Insurance, GTO Insurance
• Edsel Insurance, Packard Insurance, Old Car Insurance
• Chevelle Insurance, Firebird Insurance, Studebaker Insurance
• Vintage Fire Truck Insurance, Tractor Insurance, and Military Vehicle Insurance
• Vehicles under active restoration also may qualify for coverage

Sun Jan 15, 2012 5:09 pm

We have ours insured thru Grundy. No questions or problems. :D :D