[Healeys] Insurance on daily driver classic cars

[Editorgary at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/15/07 7:34:15 PM, healeys-request at autox.team.net 
writes:


> Check Hagerty Insurance.
> Alan Schultz
> 
> Atkinson, Robert wrote:
> > I can't seem to find the right combination of insurance coverage: I
> > currently have "Classic Car" insurance which is very inexpensive but
> 

Robert, shopping around is definitely a good thing to do, but since you do 
want to use the car as your everyday car, I doubt if any of the classic car 
insurance companies will give you the coverage you want. I know that most classic 
car policies, including Hagerty, require that you have another car that will 
be used for daily errands, commuting, etc. and will only insure your classic 
car for hobby use. In addition, some have specific limitations on usage -- can't 
be used to commute, for example, so don't expect to claim on it when it's 
stolen from the company parking lot during business hours -- and/or on annual 
mileage.
Instead, I think you may have to talk to one of the standard companies such 
as AAA, Firemans, or State Farm, and ask the agent if they offer an "agreed 
value" policy with standard road coverage on a classic car. I understand that 
some of the general auto companies are now doing that. In almost all cases, they 
will require pictures and a written appraisal to establish the car's value. 
Failing that, you may be able to get a "stated value" policy for what you 
consider a fair price for the car from a mainline company, but keep in mind that the 
company is not obligated to pay that stated value on your claim unless you 
can prove that it will cost you that much to fix or replace the car. Therefore, 
if you do get a stated value policy be sure that you've provided the agent 
with a written appraisal from an appraisal company that your insurance company 
will accept, so that they've got proof on file of the value and condition of the 
car before any claims are made. 
It can be very difficult after that fact to establish value for a car after 
it's been totalled, and impossible if it's been stolen. 



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