TheSamba.com :: View topic - Insuring your occasional driver without a garage

Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:42 am

I think I did a pretty thorough search before posting. I doubt I am the only one who has tried to solve this and am looking for suggestions.

I have a 71 Ghia (and a 71 Fastback that isn’t roadworthy YET).

It is not my daily driver, but I do drive it to work every week or so in good weather. Hagerty gets really squeamish when I said drive it to work.

It is not garaged. Hagerty, Grundy, Leland-West, and Classic Auto Insurance all say I’m not eligible if I’m not locking it up in my garage.

My regular insurance, Allstate, will not insure me for more than the depreciated value of the car ($100).

Has anyone solved this problem? Appreciate the feedback.

Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:49 am

I have not seen this before. Geico lets me insure my bus and street rod as occasaional drivers. I don't remember being asked if they are garaged. I shuffle my vehicles around so much they could all be garaged, at any given time

Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:00 am

It's called risk. You have to shoulder some of the responsibilty of minimizing it. The insurance company is going to assign a dollar value based on the info you give them. Collector car insurance is cheap because the cars are not subjected to the same risk factors as one that is not securely stored then daily driven. Based on you r description af how you are using your car, you will be classified as daily driven. That being the case you should be able to get a professional appraisal of youu Ghia. With the appraisel in hand go to your agent and ask for an agreed value policy and stated mileage. It will at least guarantee you will get back the value if your Ghia is totaled or stolen.

Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:45 pm

Add Chubb, Condin and Skelly, and JC Tailor to the list of dry holes. I also talked to my insurer (Allstate) about an assigned value policy and they don't offer it. Replacement value is Kelly Blue Book.

Also spoke to GEICO. They want me to do liability only.

This is very annoying. If I go to the 7-11 to get milk and get smushed by some bonehead driver, Hagerty's won't pay me for the value of the car because they don't want me driving to 7-11, and Allstate will only pay me $100.

Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:48 pm

RodneyW wrote: Add Chubb, Condin and Skelly, and JC Tailor to the list of dry holes. I also talked to my insurer (Allstate) about an assigned value policy and they don't offer it. Replacement value is Kelly Blue Book.

Also spoke to GEICO. They want me to do liability only.

Talk to State Farm.

Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:11 pm

progressive just put almost 10K into mine. i was rearended and not my insurance but they knew right off the bat that to was a classic and worth money. i have heard they are pretty good.

also try rallye insurance.

Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:48 am

RodneyW wrote: Add Chubb, Condin and Skelly, and JC Tailor to the list of dry holes. I also talked to my insurer (Allstate) about an assigned value policy and they don't offer it. Replacement value is Kelly Blue Book.

Also spoke to GEICO. They want me to do liability only.

This is very annoying. If I go to the 7-11 to get milk and get smushed by some bonehead driver, Hagerty's won't pay me for the value of the car because they don't want me driving to 7-11, and Allstate will only pay me $100.

Kelly Blue Book only lists car values from 1989 and up so I dont think they get the $100 Replacement value from Kelly Blue Book.

Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:40 am

Decide what amount you want to insure it for. Find an independant insurance agent locally and ask for a stated value policy. The stated value determines your premium. Or if you don't go with an independant agent try State Farm or American Family. Both have those policies. However, make sure the policy doesnt say " the lessor of" replacement cost or stated value. It is also wise to get a professional apraisal. I always also give my agent photo documentation and a complete detailed build list of the parts you have incvested in it. My list is about 10 pages long. In event of theft or total loss the stated amount is what it is insured for. If damaged or partial theft, it's documentation that would establish the quality of repair or replacement. Keep all your receipts. Some policies might have a annual mileage limit. And some policies might not want it to be your primary transportation. Just keep checking. The $100 policy is bogus.

Sat Feb 21, 2009 6:31 am

ALLSTATE does offer agreed value policys in SC
I just got my 62 fully covered for an agreed value of $5000.00
every option on the policy inc rental car.
$14.00 less than just liability every 6 months.
there is a mileage limit but my agent didnt want to know the mileage of the car in case I wanted to drive it every day.(and I do)
everything I own is insured by ALLSTATE,it may have had something to do with it?

Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:48 pm

Thanks for all the suggestions. It may just be my specific Allstate agent. I contacted a State Farm agent, and I got a quote to cover my Ghia properly. I may give Allstate one more shot before switching my whole world to State Farm.

And I do hope anyone reading this thread takes a moment to make absolutely certain their car is covered and you understand the limitations of your policy. I did not as well as I thought I did.

Sat Feb 21, 2009 8:26 pm

My insurance company asked how many miles per year I'd be driving my Beetle (and the camper for that matter). Since I usually pedal to work, 3k is about the average. They will also insure it for replacement value, provided I send them documentation and photos of the completed car/s.

Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:19 am

did you try the VA Farm Bureau? I have had insurance through the NC Farm Bureau for 15 years and have never had any issues. They insure all 4 of my cars and my home!

http://www.vafb.com/insurance.htm

Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:04 am

I just noticed that I never came back to close the loop on this one. When faced with my imminent departure, Allstate suddenly realized they could cover the Ghia and at a better rate than my standing offer from State Farm. Lot more work than it should have been, but check that off the list.

Wed Apr 15, 2009 3:41 am

I've had AMICA since the '70s, never had a problem. 1-800-24amica

Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:26 am

Tried AAA? I have them and it's not a problem.

Mitch

Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:32 am

i have state farm and they have no problem with recreational insurance (less then 7500 miles per year) and no garage needed.

in the winter i drop the insurance down to parking insurance and it's half the price...

Thu May 21, 2009 9:36 am

I use Safeco it cost me $200.00 a year for $20,000.00 I just have a car port to park it.