insuring whittier cars that are driven daily

[Badger]

Looking to put insurance on my '89 CSX-VNT. Please don't flame me but I use the car as a daily driver. I want to insure the car for the stated value of the car. NADA says that the current low retail for the car with Recaro's is $4,620 and the average retail is $7,586 so I figure since the car needs paint and is a good "20 footer" that the car is worth about $6,000.......round a bout.

The problem is specialty insurances such as Hagerty and Grundy won't insure it because I drive it daily (even though it's less then 8,000 miles annually) and because the car is not in a locked garage.

Everyone else (triple A, Mercury, Allstate, etc.) will not tell me what the car's worth if it was a total loss unless it is in some kind of accident where there is an actual total loss. Right now, it doesnt seem they consider it worth much more then an '89 turbo shadow!

How do I know how much insurance to put on it if the insurance company can't even give me an idea what they consider the car worth

Im considering getting the car professionally appraised (that will cost me $200 or so) and perhaps that will help if something unforseen should happen or if I can find a company that will use the appraisel amount as the stated value of the car so if its totaled, I would get the appraisel amount.

Does anyone have anyexperience in insuring Whittier cars that are DD?

thanks......

[glhs571]

My car is a DD and I only have liability insurance on it. I should have full coverage but I dont. Maybe that is something I should look into.

[2.216VTurbo]

Badger, your car have an 87 CSX rear bumper on it? Saw a CSX-VNT car today I'd never seen before on Rosemead Blvd in Pico Rivera...

[johnl]

I am no exppert but what the appraisal in advance does is set up your argument with the insurance company when and if you have to make a claim. Talk to your agent and tell them exactly what your problem is, just like you did it here. Give them a copy of your appraisal and tell them that you expect that kind of valuation if and when there is a claim. If your agent can't assure you, in advance of policy purchase, that you will paid the true value, based upon your honest and above board appraisal, then find another agent. The agent is supposed to work out and document this honest and correct issue that you prudently raise in advance of a problem.

[Badger]

So far, it seems that there might be a few insurance companies that will take the appraisers word as the worth of the car. Those companies are: Gieco, Farmers, and AIS. I should know more later today. For GLHS owners, triple A does have collecters car insurance for cars '88 and earlier. I didnt inquire more about it because my CSX would'nt qualify. Im learning as I go here but its time consuming. Will update this thread as I find out more.

Alan, nope that wasnt mine. I actually have the correct rear on my car and its still in one piece.....although I cant say that for the front spoiler =(

[ScottD]

Keep in mind that stated value can be challenged. For example, if you insure your car with Grundy for $10k and your garage burns down, Grundy should give you $10k with no problem. However, if some idiot rear ends you, their insurance company might challenge the stated value of $10k.

I don't know if I'd trust Allsteal or Rape Farm to give me a stated value policy they'd stand behind. Hagerty and Grundy are reputable, but as you mentioned they require the car to be kept in a locked garage and not daily driven.

If you want to drive it daily really your best option may be to prepare significant documentation to justify it's worth in the event you do have a loss. I have an insurance article posted under the help section here that might help you.

[WickedShelby88]

He mentioned Farmer's which is supposed to be pretty good. State Farm I would be weary of. Make sure you have something in writing before you go through with anything, but in the mean time if your driving the sucker you better get comprehensive on it.

[oldgregg]

The one thing your guys are overlooking is that insurance companies will sell you insurance for whatever amount you want, but it's totally up to them how much of that amount they want to pay out in the event of a loss, total or partial.

[86Shelby]

Get the agent all the documentation for the car you can. That was the biggest thing that helped me out when I had a total loss on my GLHS which was my DD.

[Badger]

Well......guess Gieco can be scratched off the list. They have Collecter type insurance but just like the other "collecter" type companies, you cant drive the car on a daily basis and the car must be in a locked garage.

So now its down to Farmer's (still waiting on if they will actually take the appraisel as stated value) and AIS (broker) using Mercury. If I got insurance through them, I would pay an initial payment and make an appointment to have a someone from their company look at they car and tell me what they consider it to be worth. Then, knowing that amount, I could either stick with them or cancel at that point and get the majority of my money returned.

[WickedShelby88]

Yeah no offense in this case, but they figure if it was worth collecting the owner could afford not to drive it everyday. I ran into the same crap with my SVO.

[oldgregg]

Well......guess Gieco can be scratched off the list. They have Collecter type insurance but just like the other "collecter" type companies, you cant drive the car on a daily basis and the car must be in a locked garage.

Even though not insurance, that's why I opted out of the antique plates I was offered by my state.

No weekday or weekend driving unless it's to or from a car show or car event where the car is entered.

Kinda puts a damper on enjoying your ride eh?

[rare_ram]

No weekday or weekend driving unless it's to or from a car show or car event where the car is entered.

WHAT!!?? You can't just cruise??? That's just stupid. VA allows you to drive up to 250 miles from your home unless it's to a show, then it's unlimited.

[ScottD]

+1!!!!

The one thing your guys are overlooking is that insurance companies will sell you insurance for whatever amount you want, but it's totally up to them how much of that amount they want to pay out in the event of a loss, total or partial.