insurance on restored 1978 Westfalia

[AJPinVT]

I just switched from USAA to Grundy for my '77 Campmoblie after a pretty extensive restoration. I was shelling out about $350/yr for full coverage through USAA for book value of around $6500. With Grundy I've coverage for agreed value of $30,000 for $205/yr. Like Skills said, no mileage or use restrictions, just can't be a daily driver (must have a different registered vehicle for each driver in house), and must be kept in garage (had to include photo of bus in garage).

[VWSunny72]

Check out this recent thread on insurance:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=673554&highlight=

FWIW, I recently got a "stated value" quote from Safeco that allowed me to use Sunny as a daily driver for an annual cost of ~$1,000. I am currently using state farm and they swear that while my value is only listed at $3500 (vs my stated value of ~$20k), they will pay the full amount if an accident occurs and i show them current values via completed eBay sales. They don't do stated value policies for cars newer than 1970 (no idea why). Anyway, I am skeptical that it won't be a fight if/when that happens, so will eventually switch to Safeco. Thanks for reminding me.
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I am owned by a 1972 Westy named Sunny. She has a 1979 2.0L engine w/ dual Weber IDF 40s.

[SamboSamba22]

There really is a lack of companies that are willing to meet this needed criteria. I have insurance through USAA, whereas their collectors insurance is branched through American Collectors insurance.
Agreed upon value of $22k, annual cost of $300. Mileage restrictions of 5k miles, to shows, nice days, leisure cruises, and as stated NO CAMPING.
Who here on the Sambo works in the insurance world to fill this void?!?

FWIW, prior to switching to collectors insurance, the appraised value of my bus with monthly payments for liability at $33 stated the bus was worth 1100...
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The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.

Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44412.png]Click to view image[/URL]
March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44414.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[aeromech]

I had a good conversation with Steve Kent this morning. From what he said it sounds like I'll call American Collectors via USAA. That's what he uses. I do have a garage so they can Zillow me all day long if they want to. After the call I'll come back with results. Thanks everyone for your input.
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Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[SGKent]

[aeromech]

This is news to me
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[SGKent]

[richparker]

I don’t understand the issue people are having with insurance. Is it because many are calling companies that specialize in classic cars or is it a state issue?

When I was with State Farm, I was able to get an agreed value with regular full coverage with no limitations. I have since switch all my cars and my house to Liberty Mutual and I was able to get all the same policy’s I had with State Farm, even got a higher agreed value. All it took was a bunch of pics and a few classified ads of the same year and model bus. All three of my cars have the same coverage, full comp and collision with $250 deductible and $0 glass deductible with a $30k agreed value on my bus. ~$2400 a year for all 3 policy's. $65/month for each vehicle seems like a small price to pay to me.
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’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[aeromech]

One of my customers who has a beautiful 1974 bus came back to the dirt lot to find a flat bed tow truck about 2 minutes away from taking her bus.

Her bus was featured in the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park for about 6 months last year.

_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[SGKent]

[plywoodkid]

SGkent speaks the truth.

American Collectors is a third party from USAA.

They cover travel to any club event or gathering. Also, they allow one day a week for normal driving. On my policy, I cannot exceed 7,500 miles per year my Agreed Upon Value. And yes, no camping trips. I day camp at the beach, so I’m covered.

I don’t daily drive it anymore so that’s fine. But when I daily drove, it was Farmers that I paid about $115 a month for an agreed upon value of $25K. Outrageous for my age and a great driving record.

The truth of the matter is no one likes to insure for Agreed Upon Value.

[Abscate]

Remember that each State regulates insurance policies so Grifter Insurance in State A may have completely different policies and conditions in State B.
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.ssS!

[scubasteve321]

I was denied and denied and denied again calling around due to getting a red light ticket for turning right on red without fully stopping (camera ticket), losing the fight against it, not paying it, then getting my license suspended due to non payment of ticket

I reinstated my license ASAP (within a week)

That was two years ago, but, in many insurers eyes, they just see suspended license, and bundle me in same category of all other reasons license may be suspended without any consideration of circumstances

tldr; I have an agreed value policy with State Farm, for both my 71s, limited mileage at 2,500 a year, 'garaged', 35 a month for each bus,

I was with geico paying 140 for one bus, and they were only going to pay me for the MSRP when it was new MINUS depreciation

State Farm's agents are levels above anyone else I've dealt with, I'd suggest calling a local state farm office, not sure if their corporate number holds up and of course ymmv
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1971 Campmobile Tin-Top
1971 Campmobile Pop-Top
1974 VW Bus

[jtauxe]

[TrollFromDownBelow]

[Mberglo]

I've been using Hagerty for 20 years. They've come through on my one claim. I recently updated the value of my bus to $35k, based on their valuation page. They didn't even request photos. I think it was $240 per year. I keep it garaged, but have no limitations for usage, so long as it's not my daily.

Why would anyone care if you use it for camping? I'd be more worried about driving through Atlanta than I would sitting under a tree for a weekend.

[SGKent]

The camping exclusion is in most agreed value policies. They have it on their web pages too. The problem seems to be that if they make an exception and insure one for camping they must insure all or someone claims discrimination. Some people park near a trail head in the boonies and wander off for a day. That doesn't work for the insurance companies with the lower risk policies.

The policy came in today. It is an American Bankers policy thru Geico Portfolio, and has exclusions for racing and off road use. Premium was $528. I keep premium coverage on my policies so that reflects that. The prior policy pigged backed off my daily driver coverage and the premium was $300 a year so this isn't bad.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Slip356]

I worked in the insurance industry for 50 years prior to retirement 3 years ago.
Here’s my take. The person you talk with on the phone is a salesman, not an underwriter. Underwriters make the final decisions, not the salesman.
You might need to fight to speak with an underwriter but it’s what you need to do to get the facts.
If an agent tells you something that seems fishey, have him put it in writing.
Be sure you understand the difference between ‘stated’ and ‘agreed’ value coverage. It’s well defined in above posts and is critical you understand.
You want agreed value only and be certain to understand the limitations of what your buying or you will get screwed when you have a claim.

[SGKent]