DENIED by American Hobbyist Insurance!

Dont waste your time. Go with Grundy- no mileage restrictions and you just need to have the garage in a garage when you arent using it- which you should be doing anyway....

 

First off, thanks for all the replies and advice here with all of the insurance carriers out there from everyone.

I spoke with a woman in the underwriting department about the rejection of my application, the original guy who did the processing was on vacation. She was very polite and explained to me the following rejection reasons:

1. "Older vehicle(s) for regular use" - Since my 1992 daily driver or any of the other 2 daily vehicles are not newer than 10 years old, they ASSUME that my '62 will be my backup transportation when any one of them dies. Unless I own a vehicle that is newer than 10 years old, any future application could be rejected for this reason.

2. "Excessive annual mileage for a collector car." - When I asked about the no limit mileage they state on their website her explanation of that essentially said that they expect their policy holders to drive their insured cars as little as possible.

3. "Minimum Driving Experience." - She stated that they require a minimum of 10 years driving experience. When I told her I've been licensed continuously since I was 15 (12 years) and have a spotless record, she stated that it didn't matter because my driving experience "is too close to the minimum."

4. "Low value collector car." - I was told my car really isn't a "collector car" because the stated value is only $6000.

So according to them, by reasons 1-4 I don't "present an acceptable risk profile". At the end of the conversation I thanked her for explaining this all to me and told her that I was disappointed that I would have to take my business elsewhere. Things got really quiet and I could tell she was offended by what I said as if I was expected to keep begging for them to take my money. The whole process was quite unpleasant and I'm actually glad I'm not giving them my business in the end.

So that concludes my fun with American Hobbyist. I'm sure for some of you the service and coverage is probably just right, their quoted rates in my case were cheaper than Grundy by about 30%. For the younger crowd I wouldn't waste my time unless you have over 20 years driving experience, a brand new car as a daily driver and don't drive your $10,000+ car you want insured.

 

Bummer.

 

I started out with Hagerty. Great company! With my 57 they were reasonable, but when I added the 34 they got to be expensive. So I switched to American Hobbyist. Premiums were less than half of Hagerty... same coverage. After a slow response from AH on a potential claim where another car struck mine, I decided to look around for a closer company.

Grundy was from my state, and their premiums were even less than AH!! So that is where I am now. Have never filed a claim with them but I know people who have and they said they were very good at responding and covering. Both cars are well insured, garage kept and well maintained. Mileage runs about 1500 per year for the 57 (don't go far at 6 mpg ) and about 2500 for the 34.

I have friends who have State Farm coverage for their old cars, but very few others have insurance with non collector car insurance companies. Lot of adjusters who work for companies like Allstate, Nationwide, etc. don't have a clue about the value or cost of repairs to a hotrod, streetrod or a custom. You're better off with a insurer who specializes in collector car polices. just my.02

Good luck with your search.

 

So, in essance, there is no mileage restriction.

I had Hagerty for many, many years.
Readers digest condensed version.......My excessive mileage was posted in a magazine once. Hagerty called me on the carpet about it. I said something to the effect, so I can't go on Power Tour or any long distance car shows or events with your coverage cuz normally one PT is a 6-7,000 mile round trip. She kinda stamered and stated well I guess you can, we really don't have a exact mileage restriction, we just don't want folks to use it like a daily driver. I told her I don't, as you know I have a daily driver. I thanked her for calling, end of story, nothing ever came of it. A couple of years later when I determined Grundy was less expensive, I switched.

No where in Hagerty's policy (the one I had, and probably still do) did it ever state a mileage restriction.

 

I just got my Edsel registered and got off the phone with Hagerty 5 minutes ago.

Are you sitting down-- it's $25 PER YEAR to insure!!!!!!!

That's garaged, minimal use and I have other cars on the policy but my god, $25 PER YEAR!

Even the person on the phone laughed and had to re-enter it to make sure it was correct. We finally decided the only explanation was that they just must feel sorry for anyone who has an Edsel.

Actually they calculate it fairly, unlike most insurance companies. Most Ins. Co's charge you based on the number of cars you own. If you have 3 cars you pay about 3x the rate. Are you going to get in 3 accidents at once? No. Are they exposed to 3x the liability if you have 3 cars? No, there is only one ass for all of those seats.

The way Hagerty (and maybe others) figures it is that there is only so much liability to go around and the only increase in risk is for the additional comp. coverage. An Extra $4k= $25.

 

I just got a letter dropping my Car from American Hobbyist for similar reasons. Screw them. I'll give Hagerty a try.

 

You were insured with them and they dropped you? What specific reasons did they give you?

I sent in my paperwork to Haggerty, waiting to hear back from them myself.

 

"they expect their policy holders to drive their insured cars as little as possible. "

Insurance companes suck ... Hagerty, American Hobbyist, Grundy... you ever see the size of their buildings? They love you if you don't drive your car, or get in an accident... but get in an accident, and FU you have violated the terms of their policy... not only do you need an insurance policy, you need a F'n lawyer. Sue the bastards....
Insurance companies suck.... oh, did I say that..?

 

I guess you have been cancelled by them all !!! ... I hope you have your lawyer on full-time retainer

 

I would suggest trying your local farm bureau insurance agents. THey have plans that will cover your car and they use agreed values.

 

Is American Hobbyist an alliance vendor still??

 

Ive had great luck with Grundy,even when I was in the stereo biz I dealt with them from the shop end also...good people,and seemed to understand what cars are about

 

Point taken. I KNEW I should have my wife do all my wheeling and dealing..........

Seriously, Thanks for the clarification.

One other point I found interesting. My son at 23 was allowed to drive the old car as well. We told Hagerty and they said "no problem as long as he's been licensed for at least 5 years."

I also found out through my "normal" insurance agent that insurance companies also look at credit history, employment and such when deciding to take you as a customer or not.

 

Grundy has been good to me also. Full coverage was about $96 a year with an agreed value of $5k for my '47 Ford.
My 59 Elky was around $225 a year with an agreed value of $15k

 

I have Hag but am not real happy about the prices. More than double of ANPAC that I had but had to change when switching all of business to one place.

 

Go to Hagerty!!! Full coverage with an agreed to, non-depriciating, value of your car. If you make improvements you can change the agreed to value. I pay only $220.00/per year, at $90/month your getting raped!!! I would switch and tell your current agent to Fuck Off for not looking out for you. Some agents don't care about finding you the right insurance, and will sell you anything!

 

I have had a policy with American Collectors Insurance. They are based on NJ I believe. I have an agreed value for total loss. They also cover spares, parts, etc. I have my car registered with Year of Manufacture Plates in NY, and ACI's restritions are in line with NY. Restricted use "2500" miles per year, garaged when not in use. Use for events, tours, displays, club activities and occasional other pleasure use (no daily commuting) . I have never had a claim, and their renewal form wants od mileage. Over the past 5 years, my average has been about 2400, some years higher some lower. No comments from them so far. This past year, I put 1800 miles on it with a trip to a National Club event held in North Carolina, I drove and additional 1500 miles on pleasure drives and shows swaps etc. I guess I will wait to see what happens at renewal time when I put my milage down. The coverage costs (about $130.00) were comparable to Hagerty and Grundy when I checked with them. At the time, Grundy did not do business in NY so I chose ACI. Way back when
I aslo had insurance through JC Taylor (think they are still in business)
and Zurich, which it think has gone out of the collector car business.

 

I have State Farm and I have never had any trouble at all. I totalled one car, and they gave me a check with the full value of the vehicle, no questions or trouble, they even gave me a rental car for as long as I needed one until I found the right "new" car. The key to getting the best service and rates for car insurance is to use a local agent. Go meet him and get to know him. They can tell you about "loopholes" that no one would ever tell you over the phone. Put a face to your policy number, he's not stupid. He knows you're buying his clothes, his house, his cars etc. He wants you to be happy and to continue to be customer. I have no mileage restrictions, and my newest car is a 65. Support your local agent, not some insurance vulture that stalks shows.

 

Just got my Hagarty renewal in the mail today. '66 Olds Tornado, '46 Pontiac Woody and a Zipper Lakester was $668 for full coverage and a combined agreed value in excess of 100 grand. The full coverage is necessary for an umbrella policy. Still cheap in my book.

 

Not to say ANYTHING bad about ANYONE but, the FIRST thing an insurance company does is run a credit check, then if that's OK they run your license. Any trouble on either and they won't touch the policy. Somehow they relate credit to driving and responsibility. Let's see....... clean driving record, responsible and hot rodder...... one of those doesn't fit

 

Hummm? State Farm charges me $408 for $9600 "agreed value" on my '68 F-100.

I would love to go to Grundy or Hagerty but I must have 2 "late models" since my wife actually lives with me. But we just don't need 2 daily drivers.

 

I tried American Hobbiest first too, they returned my whole packet because I didn't provide a plate number. It screwed me out of going to a show because they returned everything without a simple phone call first. In Ny. state you have to have insurance before you can get plates. When I called to ask why they returned everything and delayed the process by another week of mailing the packet back and forth, she didn't want to hear anything. Thankfully she returned my check with the packet, I promtly tore it into thinking of the lovely lady on the other end of the phone.
I called Haggerty and had insurance 3 days later !

 

Wow, shooting 0/2 with a nice rejection letter from Grundy:

1. Vehicle badly rusted, damaged, modified and unrestored.
2. Vehicle not a collector.
3. Value is unrealistic.
4. No club use or affiliation.

They would have saved paper and ink with just a post-it note in the envelope with "FAIL" or "SHITHEAP" written in a nice red sharpie. Shall I go for 0/3 with a Haggerty application?

 

I use Grundy, unlimited miles 60,000.00 value 350.00 a year. I love them.
You might be right about the credit and points on the licence. My friend has his chevy covered with the same policy and valu but his credit ain't near what mine is and his premium is like 700.00 a year.

 

I have american collectors $224 year full coverage $12,000 value 1960 ford wagon modified 429/c6 trick paint wheels etc. under 10 k year miles. second car covered 1969 tbird full coverage $5000 value $22 year stock

 

Got a call and a denial from Haggerty this morning because the car has a hidden tow hitch on it. Apparently if your vehicle has the ABILITY to tow a trailer, they won't want to cover you, even if that trailer is for going to an event. This is becoming pretty rediculous.

 

DrDano.....How about posting a photo of this car? Something's getting lost in the translation

 

We need pics. What the fuck are you trying to insure here?

 

I guess it wasn't hidden very well.