Insurance nightmare - please help

[JabsZA]

Apologies if this is technically not a technical post...BUT I am at my wits end.

I have recently relocated to NY(Brooklyn) from Dallas, Texas.
Per the due process, i had to inform current collectors insurance (Grundy) of the change.

Long story short - not only is my policy up for renewal but they have suddenly informed me that they cannot any longer continue offering me coverage as i only have 1 daily driver (4Runner) in the household, in addition to my classic.

Their expectation is that each licensed household member has to have his/her own daily driver. So in my case, two cars. I tried to explain that living in NY / Manhattan / Brooklyn and having just one daily driver is already a luxury as it really is a nice to have, not a must have. Public transport is available to fulfill day to day needs etc...

They would not hear any of it.

I then tried with American collectors insurance - same end result.

SO - either i lie and indicate that there is only 1 licensed driver in the household (me), or find an insurance that can apply some common sense.

Any advice????

[aread]

Originally Posted by JabsZA

SO - either i lie and indicate that there is only 1 licensed driver in the household (me), or find an insurance that can apply some common sense.

Any advice????

Not saying you should lie, but the memory is a funny thing ya know.

[DaveMcKenz]

Lying could get them to take your premiums, but if you have a significant claim, they will check your other cars and drivers.
Good luck,
Dave

[tirwin]

I shopped around classic car policies a couple of years ago. I could not find a single company that didn’t have the same provision about 1 other vehicle for every licensed driver in the household. I thought it was strange that many of them went out of their way to tell me my teenage daughter couldn’t drive the car until she was 25 (even with my permission) but they also wanted to run her background as part of the process. Point is, they always seem to stick to their rules no matter how illogical. I wouldn’t hold my breath that you’ll find a reasonable thinking company. That’s just not in their nature.

Another idea is to insure the car with a regular (not collector car policy). The main thing you want is agreed value anyway. Maybe try to find a local independent insurance agent who can work with a variety of underwriters to get what you need. Your premium will likely be the same or higher than a regular car policy though.

[Dpmulvan]

Or you could buy another 4 runner and drive it upstate to my house.

[mepstein]

Don't lie on your insurance. It can come back to bite you - hard.

[faverymi]

I have some friends in Manhattan with a classic car and no daily.

No nightmare here.... Just first world problems

Doable, you have to insurance shop and don't lie.

PM if you want some of their info.

[NYNick]

Why not split your insurance? Two companies? And just garaging those cars has got to be expensive!

[gomezoneill]

Talk about culture shock. Texas to Brooklyn.

[DanielDudley]

Try Hagerty, or get a local agent to handle your insurance policies.

I have Hagerty, and have had better luck with them, but I also buy all my insurance through a local agent, and I still make out better.

[livetopedal]

Same problem here in Philadelphia. I could not find a company that would insure the 911 on a classic policy without a primary driver for both my wife and me. Lucky for me a friend was looking to unload an old Volvo for $500. So now we are a 1-car family with 3 cars.

The problem now is that my daughter just got her permit, so to keep the 911 on classic insurance I will need another "primary" driver.
Anyone got a $500 944 or 924 they want to unload?

[GeorgeM]

Sent you a PM.

[Zaz]

I assume you have the whole garage thing straight with these co's, cuz not one of them would insure my 911 unless it was parked in my personally owned garage / property or in a fully staffed/monitored 24/7 garage. At the time, my secure underground garage space (in Manhattan) didn't suffice as it wasn't staffed.

[JabsZA]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

Or you could buy another 4 runner and drive it upstate to my house.

HA! The boss at home would wring my neck.

[kyngfish]

I had my car insured by Geico. It wasn’t agreed value but according to them they go on the NADA value which is currently fairly close to actual value of the car. Works just like standard insurance. I did switch it over to an agreed value policy now that I drive it less miles. GEICO sometimes can be a pain, but overall the cars get fixed to your satisfaction if something happens.

Geico also has a “classic” insurance partner called American Modern that isn’t bad. Before I got my garage I had my policy with them and they took no issue with me storing it in my in laws’ garage.

[JabsZA]

Originally Posted by Zaz

I assume you have the whole garage thing straight with these co's, cuz not one of them would insure my 911 unless it was parked in my personally owned garage / property or in a fully staffed/monitored 24/7 garage. At the time, my secure underground garage space (in Manhattan) didn't suffice as it wasn't staffed.

This was also a pain in the rear for a few months - but whilst the car was still in Dallas, i looked high and low and eventually found a place in NJ. prostoragenj.com. As you can see, they have all the bells and whistles.

Prices are really not bad - $175/month + tax. It is a bit of a drive from my house..but luckily the public transport connections gets me to within 500 feet to the place.

[SOAZ]

Try CHUBB as well.

[nb6179505]

i think the reason we all are looking for collector car/hotrod insurance is because of the agreed upon value, if our cars get totaled we want to ensure that they are giving us what we are asking

typically collector car insurance policies like hagerty to name one, need you to limit miles, simply have that car for pleasure driving (you have a separate daily), and you prove its worth something, proven through pictures, vin, etc

I recently looked into this because in 2019 california is allowing us to only have to do evap/ gas cap tests for emissions on cars older tham 35 years if they have collector car insurance...i have an 84

try other companies, most larger insurers do not give you an agreed upon value...i daily my car, panamera turbo when it rains, but i started the search, panorama advertises leland west, they'll insure with agreed upon value and unlimited mileage

like anything shop around, don't get salty, insurance companies don't always make the rules and definitely not the rates

[JabsZA]

Originally Posted by nb6179505

i think the reason we all are looking for collector car/hotrod insurance is because of the agreed upon value, if our cars get totaled we want to ensure that they are giving us what we are asking

typically collector car insurance policies like hagerty to name one, need you to limit miles, simply have that car for pleasure driving (you have a separate daily), and you prove its worth something, proven through pictures, vin, etc

I recently looked into this because in 2019 california is allowing us to only have to do evap/ gas cap tests for emissions on cars older tham 35 years if they have collector car insurance...i have an 84

try other companies, most larger insurers do not give you an agreed upon value...i daily my car, panamera turbo when it rains, but i started the search, panorama advertises leland west, they'll insure with agreed upon value and unlimited mileage

like anything shop around, don't get salty, insurance companies don't always make the rules and definitely not the rates

Thanks - Ill give Leland a try.

[LIRS6]

When I was looking (fall 2017) I had been on the Leland website, and from what I recall they were very restrictive regarding use of the car, but by all means check them out. I went with Haggerty; they accepted my valuation ($50K) without hesitation. I did give conservative approx annual mileage figure, and yes I have a locked garage and noted that the vehicle is not driven Dec/March. I advised occasional commuter use which they took no issue with. Although my local insurance broker was involved, I ended up doing the application on the phone directly with Haggerty which enabled me to easily discuss my needs. Good luck!

Good luck