How's Lelandwest Auto Insurance?

[Discseven]

Am thinking about switching from Metropolitan to Lelandwest car insurance. Their annual premium seems too good to be true---$376. with $250 deductible, standard coverage, 3000 annual mile driving / no commuting, modified '80 911. Before diving in, am inclined to know what this company is like. In particular, how do they manage things when a claim is made?

[javadog]

I was one of their biggest clients for years, back when Holly Bromberg was still alive and involved in the company. Their staff was always quite professional and I never had any issues. I also never had any claims.

[Porchdog]

I'm thinking of changing my insurance as well. How does Leland West establish "value" for your 80 SC? (currently a point of contention with my long time State Farm agent).

What's the deal with "no commuting"? My PA Antique tags nominally allow me to drive the car to work once a week - which probably translates to a dozen times a year. I will most often bring it to work if I am attending a car-centered event after work. We also pick days when we bring our classic/antique cars to work.

[Rick Lee]

I had LW for my SC when I was tracking it. But I ran up against the mileage limit pretty quickly because they would not let me deduct on-track mileage, even though I had a separate track insurance policy for when I was on the track. Pretty sure I had to send them lots of photos, including one of my odometer.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I had them with my 911 and RX7, they were way cheaper than the other options with a PCA discount. No claims but zero complaints about their service, and I liked that I was still allowed to commute several times per week (unlike Hagerty).

[rfuerst911sc]

You might want to look into Grundy agreed value policy , I used them when I had my SC . Fortunately never had a claim but online reviews always seemed to be positive . At the time ( about 5 years ago ) the stipulations were the car had to be parked in an enclosed garage and driven no more than 3K a year . But I believe they now offer policies without the mileage stipulation but not sure . If nothing else it's another data point to compare .

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by javadog

I was one of their biggest clients for years, back when Holly Bromberg was still alive and involved in the company. Their staff was always quite professional and I never had any issues. I also never had any claims.

Hey Java---"Biggest clients" = impressive. Seems like you know/knew this company well. Would you say insure or not with them? (If you have vested interests... pls say so.)

Originally Posted by Porchdog

I'm thinking of changing my insurance as well. How does Leland West establish "value" for your 80 SC? (currently a point of contention with my long time State Farm agent).

What's the deal with "no commuting"? My PA Antique tags nominally allow me to drive the car to work once a week - which probably translates to a dozen times a year. I will most often bring it to work if I am attending a car-centered event after work. We also pick days when we bring our classic/antique cars to work.

Not sure if linking to Leland west through national PCA website matters... but that's how I connected to them. Perhaps LelandWest tracks and "recognizes" such things in some special way. On site, an online form is completed... an immediate quote results. Among other things asked of... commuting or not, modified or not (they do not ask what modifications exist which seems odd---perhaps that's a matter of detail dealt with later), annual driven mileage, coverage & deductions wanted... the typical stuff an agent would ask. Unusual is their query concerning car value---they label that fill in space as "Agreed to Value." My assumption is this self-determined $ amount being the value they will pay out for the insured car if totaled. Probably a bit of fine print attached to this item.

With my having an '85 3.2 in an '80 911, I tried spec'ing an '85 with all other profile data the same. Annual premium doubled.

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I had LW for my SC when I was tracking it. But I ran up against the mileage limit pretty quickly because they would not let me deduct on-track mileage, even though I had a separate track insurance policy for when I was on the track. Pretty sure I had to send them lots of photos, including one of my odometer.

This raises a fine point... and it's this: how will the deal close? I don't mind providing photos or anything requested. As far as I'm concerned, the more on record with an insurance co. the better. What is a point of contention (with me at least) is when a company sells you on one price, then finds a way to up it prior to closing the deal.
.

[LWJ]

I had them. They were cheap. Something, however, caused me to move. I don't recall. It was significant.

[SCadaddle]

I've had my 82 SC and my 92 Miata on my USAA policy with only liability and uninsured motorists for the past several years, at a yearly cost of about $600 for both. A month or so ago when the policy for my 6 car fleet came up for renewal I looked into who USAA used as a "collector" car insurer, and they hand that off to American Collectors. So I inquired with them, and upped both the liability and uninsured motorists property damage along with adding comp and collision with Zero deductible to the tune of an agreed values of 40k on the SC and 5k on the Miata for right at $418 a year. That's $325 for the SC and another $93 for the Miata.

Both cars are kept in a locked garage and the mileage limit terms are 2500 miles/year, with an option to increase the mileage up to 7500/year. I can "pleasure drive" them when I want but no coverage for any kind of racing or DE events. Up to $250 towing coverage on each car and all kinds of out of town hotel/rental car coverage. I got a LOT more bang for the buck in a policy and saved almost $200 on a years worth of insurance between the two. A couple weeks later I got a letter from USAA letting me know that "American Collectors Insurance" was in their opinion a stand up operation and that they have full confidence in their business. For the OP--- American Collectors is based out of New Jersey but underwritten by some Bankers Insurance outfit out of Miami. If anyone wants the contact to the Agent I spoke with over the phone and via email shoot me a p.m.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I had them with my 911 and RX7, they were way cheaper than the other options with a PCA discount. No claims but zero complaints about their service, and I liked that I was still allowed to commute several times per week (unlike Hagerty).

Thanks for input Matt.

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

You might want to look into Grundy agreed value policy , I used them when I had my SC . Fortunately never had a claim but online reviews always seemed to be positive . At the time ( about 5 years ago ) the stipulations were the car had to be parked in an enclosed garage and driven no more than 3K a year . But I believe they now offer policies without the mileage stipulation but not sure . If nothing else it's another data point to compare .

Just did online quote with them. Cannot say Grundy coverage matchs Lelandwest's exactly. Data each company wants is different. Grundy annual premium = $510. Is indeed good to have to compare---thanks Rfuer.
.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by LWJ

I had them. They were cheap. Something, however, caused me to move. I don't recall. It was significant.

Originally Posted by SCadaddle

I've had my 82 SC and my 92 Miata on my USAA policy with only liability and uninsured motorists for the past several years, at a yearly cost of about $600 for both. A month or so ago when the policy for my 6 car fleet came up for renewal I looked into who USAA used as a "collector" car insurer, and they hand that off to American Collectors. So I inquired with them, and upped both the liability and uninsured motorists property damage along with adding comp and collision with Zero deductible to the tune of an agreed values of 40k on the SC and 5k on the Miata for right at $418 a year. That's $325 for the SC and another $93 for the Miata.

Both cars are kept in a locked garage and the mileage limit terms are 2500 miles/year. I can "pleasure drive" them when I want but no coverage for any kind of racing or DE events. I got a LOT more bang for the buck in a policy and saved almost $200 on a years worth of insurance between the two.

Will research American Collector later today. Post what I find. Thanks SC!

Edit: checked them right away. Their online offered premium is $432. Should note their query form asks few questions compared to other companies. Can't say if this has any implications---am just making note. What coverage this premium provides is unknown.
.

[SCadaddle]

Karl,

I'll p.m. you my American Collectors Insurance Agent's contact info. I didn't do any of the online quote stuff---told him what I had with USAA and what I wanted from them. Real personable fellow that worked with me via phone and email.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Porchdog

I'm thinking of changing my insurance as well. How does Leland West establish "value" for your 80 SC? (currently a point of contention with my long time State Farm agent).

What's the deal with "no commuting"? My PA Antique tags nominally allow me to drive the car to work once a week - which probably translates to a dozen times a year. I will most often bring it to work if I am attending a car-centered event after work. We also pick days when we bring our classic/antique cars to work.

That's where I ran into a problem with Leland West. Not the driving restrictions but the value. Holly was in charge then. He would only insure my old 911S up to $35,000 when I'd already turned down 50K. This was back in the years when early 911 values were just taking off. So, I moved to Hagerty, who monitored the market better at the time.

Never had a claim with either, so can't comment on that.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Discseven

Hey Java---"Biggest clients" = impressive. Seems like you know/knew this company well. Would you say insure or not with them? (If you have vested interests... pls say so.)

I have no vested interest in the company and I sold off my car collection, so I haven't used them for about 4 years now. My relationship with them went a long ways back, when Holly was still the guy agreeing to the values. I never had a problem with the values I wanted, Holly was always very accommodating.

At one point I had so many cars with them that they had to do something different with my uninsured motorist coverage. I don't recall the details.

After Holly died, I move one car (a Lamborghini) over to Hagerty Private Client Service, as the value had gone up significant;y and Holly's partner wouldn't word with me on the value I needed. The book values of that particular car lagged way behind market prices and there were very few of them in existence, so he didn't have a book value to support what I told him it was worth. You won't likely have this issue.

I was with them so long that they quit asking me for annual mileage certifications.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by SCadaddle

Karl,

I'll p.m. you my American Collectors Insurance Agent's contact info. I didn't do any of the online quote stuff---told him what I had with USAA and what I wanted from them. Real personable fellow that worked with me via phone and email.

Got it. Appreciate that SC

Originally Posted by pwd72s

That's where I ran into a problem with Leland West. Not the driving restrictions but the value. Holly was in charge then. He would only insure my old 911S up to $35,000 when I'd already turned down 50K. This was back in the years when early 911 values were just taking off. So, I moved to Hagerty, who monitored the market better at the time.

Never had a claim with either, so can't comment on that.

Interesting. From online form I gathered one could self-determine value. Then company would adjust premium accordingly. Now, speaking with an agent seems necessary to sort out what's what. Your input is appreciated PW.

Originally Posted by javadog

I have no vested interest in the company and I sold off my car collection, so I haven't used them for about 4 years now. My relationship with them went a long ways back, when Holly was still the guy agreeing to the values. I never had a problem with the values I wanted, Holly was always very accommodating.

At one point I had so many cars with them that they had to do something different with my uninsured motorist coverage. I don't recall the details.

After Holly died, I move one car (a Lamborghini) over to Hagerty Private Client Service, as the value had gone up significant;y and Holly's partner wouldn't word with me on the value I needed. The book values of that particular car lagged way behind market prices and there were very few of them in existence, so he didn't have a book value to support what I told him it was worth. You won't likely have this issue.

I was with them so long that they quit asking me for annual mileage certifications.

I gather that's a "no comment" as to whether to insure with them or not---and that's fine. When I speak with them, I will be asking for "Javadog treatment." Perhaps with only one car in hand I won't see full Java-treatment. (Better to ask and run risk of getting a yes than never having asked.) Thanks for comeback Java.


FYI, am also on hunt for health insurance. Dealing with car... much simpler.
.

[unclebilly]

Why not hagerty? I have had hagerty for several years, I have 4 cars on my policy including my 60 Baja Bug.

[Mike Andrew]

I looked at LW, Grundy and Hagerty a year?? ago at renewal time with Hagerty. Hagerty was my best fit based on agreed value of $45K and use though slightly higher premium. SC has appreciated nicely and agreed value is important to me and also the least driving restrictions.
Best pal had his '86 flooded in his below grade garage and Hagerty fixed it to the tune of $8K. Flooded again last year(new garage above grade now) and it had water in the glove box. They were out in a few days, totaled it, hauled it away and put a check in his hand within 10 days of the flood. Impressed me and definitely factors into my decision to stay with them even though they were marginally higher in premium

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Why not hagerty? I have had hagerty for several years, I have 4 cars on my policy including my 60 Baja Bug.

Originally Posted by Mike Andrew

I looked at LW, Grundy and Hagerty a year?? ago at renewal time with Hagerty. Hagerty was my best fit based on agreed value of $45K and use though slightly higher premium. SC has appreciated nicely and agreed value is important to me and also the least driving restrictions.
Best pal had his '86 flooded in his below grade garage and Hagerty fixed it to the tune of $8K. Flooded again last year(new garage above grade now) and it had water in the glove box. They were out in a few days, totaled it, hauled it away and put a check in his hand within 10 days of the flood. Impressed me and definitely factors into my decision to stay with them even though they were marginally higher in premium

I checked Hagerty and found them a bit more expensive than LW. That said, to save a few hundred annually on premiums and then face obstacles when a claim is made... not worth it IMHO. And so the reason for my questioning LW's claim servicing. If LW has excellent claim servicing with lowest premiums and an acceptable agreed upon value... is a simple decision. Am going to call LW Monday to discuss value, modifications, and claims attention. Also going to call American Collectors---TY SC. Post comments on those discussions afterwards.
.

[wildthing]

I think they declined me for declaring that I take my car to Autocross...

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by wildthing

I think they declined me for declaring that I take my car to Autocross...

Not surprising Wildman!