Has anyone ever filed an insurance claim?

[traindriver]

I'm in the final phase of insurance shopping for SP1591. The finalists are Condon/Skelley, American Collectors and American Hobbyist. My wife's family owns an insurance agency and has quoted me $800/yr through Condon/Skelley. They are underwritten by Metropolitan, a well known company so I would guess claim service is good.

Am Collectors and Am Hobbyist are unknown to my insurance in-laws but the rates are good (approx $300/yr). Has anyone had to file a claim with either of these two companies? How was their customer service, hassle factor...etc?

There are some other choices, in particular CHROME, but they want all of my insurance business to write the Cobra, which would be needless to say politically incorrect.

Thanks,

Chuck Kendall

[Dwight]

I'M INTERESTED. GOT TO GET INSURANCE NEXT MONTH!

[cdog]

The problem with all of the collector car companies is the same -- you cannot use the car for anything except car shows and the occasional cruise.

If it gets stolen out of the Wal Mart parking lot, you're not covered. But they are agreed value policies, which is good.

My question is: Has anyone ever filed a claim with a major company? How did they value your car?

I know many states title them as a "1965 Shelby Cobra", where others title the car as a "2003 Constructed Vehicle" or something along those lines...How does someone like Country Companies determine value? Especially seeing as the car is neither of those things...

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Being an insurance auto appraiser and car nut,maybe I can shed some light on this subject.....

I have my 65 Fastback insured thru Condon/Skelly as a classic car.It is thru my local insurance company that insures all my other vehicles and house and other items,they act as an agent for C/S. If I ever have to file a claim (hope that never happens),it will be handled thru my local insurance office where I am insured,by the local adjuster/appraiser (me or the other guy in the office).

Most if not all classic car insurers operate this way.....Most will insure at an "agreed on" price and charge you accordingly....

My Codon/Skelly policy states that the car be used for shows, cruising,parades and only pleasure use....2500 mile limit per year.Exclusions include any kind of "organized" racing or for any kind of comercial use (going to and from work or used in you work)...This is pretty much the industry standard and common on most policys.....

Yes,if you do have Comprehensive Coverage and it is stolen at Wal Mart,than it IS covered up to the agreed value....Collision covers any type of collision,your fault,my fault,nobodys fault.....comprehensive covers pretty much everything else (fire,lighting,windstorm,theft,vandalism,etc.).

On an "agreed on" value,you are charged so much per thousand dollars of value.On my 65 Fastback,they told me they would insure it for $10,000.00 sight unseen,anything more they would require 35mm photos of the car (four corners),the interior,and the enigne compartment,which I supplied with the amount I wished to insure my car for,after seeing the photos,they had no problem with my amount and I have been insured with them since 1995. Just paid my yearly premium last month and after two years I have recieved a 10% discount each year for never filing a claim.... I actually have higher limits than my personal vehicles and still pay approx. 35% of the premium yearly of my lowest personal vehicle.....You can also insure the paint job with some companys,stating an amount if it is ever vandalized or has to be repainted for whatever reason....
Hope this helps

David

[traindriver]

Thanks David for your insight...I spoke with my insurance brother-in-law today. Apparently Condon/Skelly has 2 specialty programs, the Authentic Antique (like your Mustang) and the Modified. The Antique has a strict 2500 mile limit with use only for shows, events and the occasional cruise. The Modified program (for replicas, kits, street rods) can go to 7500 miles and has no use limitations except for racing and commercial. I got $45k worth of coverage w/ $1k deductables and 5000 miles for $640/yr. Probably go with that and keep the family peace.


Regards,

Chuck

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Chuck;

My premium on the agreed on price for my Mustang is comparable to your premium, dollars per thousand dollars of covergae,but I have a $500.00 ded. So for,I have had very good service and very few questions from C/S and have not seen another company beat there rates yet.They may be out there,I have just not have found them and right now,I'm not really looking,I"m very happy with my rates/coverage....

David