FL Insurance and Registration Process

[yrless]

Hopefully here in the near future I will need to complete both acts. One registration process that was brought to my attention is Titles Unlimited. Apparently they can title the car in the state it was purchased and then it is just the matter of taking that to a local FL registration office for transfer - seems simple enough, but time will tell...

What recommendations are there for insuring these cars in FL ? Nationwide has already let me know that they do not insure kit cars. They recommended Progressive, but what other options exist and what are the major constraints put forth by the companies ?

Thanks in advance !

[Joe Smith]

yrless, try

American Hobbyist Ins.
Suite H
2501 SE Aviation Way,
Stuart, FL 34996-4017

800-395-4835

I'm paying 469.00 per year with an
agree value of 28,500 on my car.

(no mileage limit.)

They only insure in Florida.

[Campy]

I am insured through Progressive. It is expensive and I plan to go with another company when my policy expires.

As far as registration. You will need a title and some way of identifying your vehicle. I used the Manufacturers Certificate of Origin. You will need to complete some State required forms. One of which is the declared value and the other is the application for cert of title w/o an exsisting registration. When I registered my SVM Cobra this April for the first time, I did not have to prove any value, etc. Use your best judgement. There is an affidavit you will need to sign where you state that the "vehicle is operable". This is to be signed by the builder. Kinda funny if you think about it. Some of the forms need to be notorized. Go to the State of Flordia Dept of MV Web Site Click Here

This link will take you to the title app page in pdf format.
Click Here
Good luck and let us know how you do.

[yrless]

Sounds like there may be some large variations with insurance rates. I will let you know how I do with these two companies. Obviously age and driving record will have some impact, but at least I will be able to report a relative price difference.

Thanks also for the titling information !

Jamie

[eticket]

I have Haggarty for about $670.00 a year on an appraised
vale of 45K, with unlimited milage. Parrish quoted me about
$700.00 with 2500 miles a year. Parrish said they could
bring it down to about $400.00 a year if I had an onboard
fire suppression system. State Farm wanted to base it like a BMW or Vette at that value, like an everyday driver, for about $1100.00. Good Luck with who ever you choose, and hope you don't ever need it.
Mike

[etimothy]

I have Parrish Heacock for my insurance. Good rates especially if member of SAAC. As to registration, Be sure to have official weight on title or from a certified scale. Reg. fees in FL are based on weight. They sent me to the local recycler to drive over crushed cans etc. to get a weight They wouldn't take my word (the scale was 30 lbs less than my guess.

[aumoore]

etimothy
Now I know why I am not making any money off my used Beer Cans. The scales are short changing us

[SEADOG]

State Farm insured my Lonestar Replica. I have my other cars insured with them also. $1400 a year with $35,000 coverage.

[gkmatthew]

Insurance: I'm with Allstate. As opposed to many of the other insurers (Parish, etc.), Allstate covers you WHILE ON TRACK -- as long as you're not "racing." This means you're covered while participating in open track events! Other insurance companies do NOT cover you while on track, even if you're just doing a parade lap!

Registration: For me (in FL) it was simple. Go to your local license plate office. They'll give you a bunch of forms. Fill 'em out as best you can. Call your local police, and have them send out an "inspector" (the guy who came to my house was from the "police auxiliary", and seemed most concerned with whether or not the VIN plate was attached to the chassis). Then take all the forms back to the licensing office. They'll relieve you of 6% of certain items (NOT the total value of the car) such as chassis, engine, tranny. It helps if you encounter a helpful clerk at the licensing bureau.

[gkmatthew]

When you take all your paperwork (and there's really not all that much) to the license bureau, be sure to take along a CERTIFIED weight slip on the car.

[yrless]

GK -

Thanks for the feedback. Three questions: How did they figure your tax if they did not do it for the price paid for the car ? Did you need an itemized list with prices ? Where does one get a car weighed and certified ?

[gkmatthew]

I'm assuming you're working with a kit (for which you've made a variety of individual purchases).

They'll tax you on what you spent for major components. The forms they'll give you include the things they're worried about (chassis, etc.). These forms are geared towards the old kit cars of the 1960's, so you'll find some anachronisms (sp??). For example, I spent a TON of money on mail-order reproduction wheels. But, the tax list doesn't include wheels. I didn't feel any compulsion to volunteer.

Go armed with all the receipts applicable. When I went to the license bureau, I had my receipts separated into two piles -- one which I KNEW applied to items on their list, and another pile "just in case."

As to the weighing and certifying, all I can recommend is "ask around" your area. I happened to know ahead of time where such a facility was in my area, so it was a non-issue for me. Best bet -- when you first go to the license bureau to get your various forms, ask THEM -- they're the ones who want the info, I'm sure they can tell you where to get it done.

[David Niblett]

I have had several people tell me that things work out a lot better when you go through a title company that will get the car titled as a 65,66,67,etc and then you can just transfer the title to FL. This is how I planned on doing this based on my neighbors advice (he is an insurance adjustor and she is an agent for Allstate).

This is for several reasons. 1) Emissions - if it's titled as a 2001, and you are in an emissions testing area, you must comply (so I'm told). Also if you sell the car to someone that lives in such an area they will have to comply. 2) Most cars over 20-25 years old are considered "classic" and most agency's will only insure for stated value. This they say is an absolute must. Otherwise if you have to file a claim, they may opt to try and have it fixed, and you all know they will pick the cheapest way out there. If it's a stated value, they should simply stroke you a check for the value.
3) DOT, the taxing and anal-retentive qualities of the agent you get will highly effect the tax and such you pay. If it's just a transfer, life is much simpler. This isn't so bad now that FL dropped that outrageous fee for transfering a title.

Just some food for thought.

--
David