Insurance recommendations

-

'73red-duster

FABO Gold Member
FABO Gold Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2006
Messages
11,298
Reaction score
43,223
Location
Fair Grove,Mo.
After having auto insurance through The Hartford for the last 25 years, when I purchased this home, I went to them for home owners insurance. Their rate was pretty much inline with the others I checked with, and I was told by adding a home owners policy, that would get me a discount on my auto policy. Just received my new statement, and my reward was a $600 a year increase. Almost $2,000 a year for my '17 Ram, and my '86 Olds, and '73 Dart Sport. The last two, I probably didn't drive 500 miles this year. Haven't had a ticket, or accident in years, plus my credit score, (which I was also told affects your rate) is over 800. I talked to them and the reply was nothing they could do, so now I'm insurance shopping. Planning on checking with State Farm tomorrow. Any other suggestions.
 
After having auto insurance through The Hartford for the last 25 years, when I purchased this home, I went to them for home owners insurance. Their rate was pretty much inline with the others I checked with, and I was told by adding a home owners policy, that would get me a discount on my auto policy. Just received my new statement, and my reward was a $600 a year increase. Almost $2,000 a year for my '17 Ram, and my '86 Olds, and '73 Dart Sport. The last two, I probably didn't drive 500 miles this year. Haven't had a ticket, or accident in years, plus my credit score, (which I was also told affects your rate) is over 800. I talked to them and the reply was nothing they could do, so now I'm insurance shopping. Planning on checking with State Farm tomorrow. Any other suggestions.

I’ve had good luck with Progressive, also the Hagerty coverage applies for the multi car discount...
 
I think the current insurance business model is to get new customers with low rates, and then creep up the prices. In a few years, the price is much higher than when you started. If you don't notice and just pay, they're happy. Liberty Mutual did that to me with no claims on my record.
Where I live, it appears that auto insurance is very profitable, whereas homeowners not so much. Everybody wants to sell me cheap auto, but when I ask about homeowners, they dummy up.
I went back to USAA, but you need to be a member. Their rates aren't the lowest, but the service has always been terrific.
My daughter uses an independent agent who represents several companies, and gets great rates, with Met Life right now, I think. Maybe try that route.
 
I have GEICO and they can't be beat for price, in NY anyway.. My classics are with J.C. Taylor of PA. I've had them for 30 plus years, and their rates have been the best. Have never had a claim with either, so I can't speak to that.
 
Just switched from Hagerty to American Collector Ins. For my 69 Dart and 68 Barracuda. Hagerty kept going up every year. I saved 325.00 year.
 
Just switched from Hagerty to American Collector Ins. For my 69 Dart and 68 Barracuda. Hagerty kept going up every year. I saved 325.00 year.

I know the the owner, Mr. Hagerty. He was at my shop about two weeks ago. He just started building a new "garrage". Its two, thirty two car buildings and that's just at his main house.

Guess who pays for that?

I will take full credit for wrecking his brother in law tho. When I met him he didn't even like custom cars/trucks. Now his wife hates me and his truck is in my shop more than his own driveway...

They are a super cool family and no, my cars are not covered by them.

:thumbsup:
 
I just switched from Hagerty to American Collectors a couple months ago as well. Better coverage, at a lower cost.
 
Thanks for the replies. As said, I’m going to check with State Farm, and my nephew is going to hook me up with his independent agent. I have Progressive on my 2013 Impala, because it has a salvage title, and Hartford wouldn’t insure it. It has gone up every 6 months at renewal. I would like to get everything under one agent.
 
Another vote for GEICO. Had them almost 30 years and they are fantastic.
 
I would like to get everything under one agent.

It wouldn't hurt to check with Geico. We've had them for years. Great customer service, no hassle claims, we had 3 claims on the same vehicle lol, and not one glitch, and they weren't little claims either. One for over 6K, another for around 3500 and the last one was 5200, we have 3 less rebel deer roaming the woods up here.
 
This is good to hear. I have progressive and after almost 30 years I am looking elsewhere.
 
This all really depends on the type of vehicle you insure and how much you care about it being repaired. Cheaper insurance companies like Progressive and Geico are cheaper for a reason. They typically force shops to use aftermarket parts, recycled parts and generally minimize the claim severity every chance they get. Premium insurance companies like Erie, or Acuity have standards for parts usage that make repairing your vehicle "better" for the vehicle owner (oem parts for safety items like headlamps, sheet metal, mechanical parts, and structural items).

Funny how insurance companies somehow dictate how cars get repaired. Geico and State Farm will flat out refuse to pay any diagnostic fees attached to any claim. They expect body shops to keep all of this equipment in house which these days isn't even remotely feasible. They will pay you .5 labor for a pre and .5 labor for a post scan. These are all the reasons why they are cheaper.
 
This all really depends on the type of vehicle you insure and how much you care about it being repaired. Cheaper insurance companies like Progressive and Geico are cheaper for a reason. They typically force shops to use aftermarket parts, recycled parts and generally minimize the claim severity every chance they get. Premium insurance companies like Erie, or Acuity have standards for parts usage that make repairing your vehicle "better" for the vehicle owner (oem parts for safety items like headlamps, sheet metal, mechanical parts, and structural items).

Funny how insurance companies somehow dictate how cars get repaired. Geico and State Farm will flat out refuse to pay any diagnostic fees attached to any claim. They expect body shops to keep all of this equipment in house which these days isn't even remotely feasible. They will pay you .5 labor for a pre and .5 labor for a post scan. These are all the reasons why they are cheaper.
None of that has been my experience with Geico. In fact, this last deer hit in Kitty's car a couple years ago, (04 Ford Escape 160K) and we KNEW it was going to total. But he wrote it up so that it didn't and didn't short cut anything. It came $5 away from a total, but they fixed it. I had a check the same day the adjuster came out ON THE SPOT.

Back in February, 2015, we totaled my 04 Ranger (140K) in Macon. Other driver at fault. TWO DAYS after the accident, the adjuster was at my front door with a check that was about 300 bucks less than high retail and it was nowhere NEAR high retail. It was a nice little truck, but it had chips, scratches and a few small dents. Everything worked though and it was loaded. They didn't try to lowball me or anything, AND I had a loan on the truck and paid it off and was still able to buy my 75 F250, Gladys.

In 2002, shortly after we moved out here, Kitty backed into my 63 Dodge M37 military Power Wagon. HARD. Did over 4K$ damage to her Corolla. I mean son, it pushed the driver's rear corner even with the bottom of the rear glass. You hear what I'm sayin? lol It put a SMALL scratch on the M37's bumper. The adjuster couldn't believe it until he looked at the corner of the bumper and saw the red paint from the Corolla. They DID want us to use their approved shop, but also told us we could use who we wanted. Just so happened I grew up with two brothers that own probably the best body shop in Macon and they happened to be Geico approved, so it worked out. They approved all new Toyotee parts, no questions asked.

Maybe it's a location thing? I don't know. But we've always had stellar service with Geico.
 
Last edited:
2018 Camry, 2006 Tundra and my 66 Barracuda are right at $1800 year. The Toyotas are insured by Farmers and the Barracuda is with Grundy.

It's all a scam!!
 
Something I just learned last week - maybe helpful to some others.

I have my 3 Dodges with Hagerty. Two of them only have comp on them as they are not driven (and have not been for 28 years). The 71 Demon 340 is getting close to being done but likely not ready until next spring. The 72 Demon (avatar) has been covered so I can drive it this past year. The other (3rd) car is waiting his turn....

Now that old man winter has arrived here in Michigan, I called Hagerty to drop the insurance back to comp only on the 72 and I was told nope, they do not offer "seasonal" coverage! Once you sign up for a given level, you cannot drop it back until your next 1 year renewal! Huh? So I'm supposed to pay full coverage for a car not being used for 6+ months? Yes, "we do not offer seasonal coverage. Never have." News to me!! Years ago, I covered my cars with full coverage in the summer and dropped them back to comp in the winter with my carrier at that time. Thought I was doing something right moving them to Hagerty a few years back. I just got the 72 running last April and added full coverage to it then (my renewal date is in October so it just renewed). And now I can't shut it off until next October or if I do, it has to stay off until next October!! So much for Hagerty and their slogan of "understanding" how these old cars are (barely) used.

Guess what I'll be shopping for this week for these 3 cars.....

Oh, and 1 other thing...I had checked with American Collector and when I told them the 71 Demon 340 was in the process of a full restoration, they asked if the engine was in the car. I apparently said the wrong thing..."no, it is on the engine stand being rebuilt to go back in it." So I was told "Since there is no engine in the car, we cannot cover it." Really? I scratched them off the list....on to the next company...
 
None of that has been my experience with Geico. In fact, this last deer hit in Kitty's car a couple years ago, (04 Ford Escape 160K) and we KNEW it was going to total. But he wrote it up so that it didn't and didn't short cut anything. It came $5 away from a total, but they fixed it. I had a check the same day the adjuster came out ON THE SPOT.

Back in February, 2015, we totaled my 04 Ranger (140K) in Macon. Other driver at fault. TWO DAYS after the accident, the adjuster was at my front door with a check that was about 300 bucks less than high retail and it was nowhere NEAR high retail. It was a nice little truck, but it had chips, scratches and a few small dents. Everything worked though and it was loaded. They didn't try to lowball me or anything, AND I had a loan on the truck and paid it off and was still able to buy my 75 F250, Gladys.

In 2002, shortly after we moved out here, Kitty backed into my 63 Dodge M37 military Power Wagon. HARD. Did over 4K$ damage to her Corolla. I mean son, it pushed the driver's rear corner even with the bottom of the rear glass. You hear what I'm sayin? lol It put a SMALL scratch on the M37's bumper. The adjuster couldn't believe it until he looked at the corner of the bumper and saw the red paint from the Corolla. They DID want us to use their approved shop, but also told us we could use who we wanted. Just so happened I grew up with two brothers that own probably the best body shop in Macon and they happened to be Geico approved, so it worked out. They approved all new Toyotee parts, no questions asked.

Maybe it's a location thing? I don't know. But we've always had stellar service with Geico.


I honestly doubt it is based on location other than each state has different title branding laws and total loss thresholds. Geico is in the top 5 in the country as far as market share and they send all of their adjusters to the same training center in Texas I believe. I would say mostly had to do with year of vehicles being repaired. A lot of the parts usage comes down to the shop also. If they get a set price for some junk part laying in a yard 4 states away they can still approach OEM dealers for price matching opportunities that are really becoming the norm. GM pays it's dealers back THOUSANDS of dollars on conquest parts they sell. This is to keep them competitive in the collision world. Also good for you that Toyota has one of the best price matching programs around. When you look at a 2021 SUV worth 40k and they use aftermarket and used parts on their estimate is where it becomes challenging for collision shops. Also the biggest point of the issue is look who is "assessing" your damage... and insurance company... not a repair center. This is true with Progressive and Geico. They absolutely do not accept estimates from body shops in anyway unless they are part of their DRP program. Also even being part of that program the shop written estimates are vetted in a 2 hour window from the time the vehicle enters the shop. Glad you have good service from them though. Around here when we see a Geico adjuster car pull in we cringe and say the sleeze bag is here HAHA
 
non of the collector car co have seasonal coverage. that is already considered in their rate
 
I checked with State Farm today. They offer collector coverage for my '73 Dart Sport and '86 Olds. Those two, my '17 Ram, plus my Impala that Hartford wouldn't cover, still came back at about $400 less per year. Home owners came back just a little below, but with better coverage. Still have a few more to check with, when time allows.
 
I have the geico gecko....I insure my dart with liability only coverage. Collector or even full coverage wants to get into the value of the car and too much scrutiny and blah blah. If it's my fault, I'll eat it and fix or replace my own car. All I need is for it to be towed home and the other party covered and it'll be OK. If it's their fault, their insurance is going to pay and if they are not insured then I'm taking it from someone or something.

So far for the past decade I've been blasting down the highway with liability coverage and no problems. I also daily drive my dart and I don't have anything newer than 1975 by design so I don't need mileage restrictions like some collector insurance try to dictate. I park the car outside and it's a scruffy dog outside, so I don't need a collector insurance company telling me I have to garage it.

Geico is very transparent and explain things clearly and I have not had any price creeps with them.
 
non of the collector car co have seasonal coverage. that is already considered in their rate
I checked and found JC Taylor allows the coverage to be dropped back to comp only when you want. And cheaper than Hagerty. Still looking into details with them but they are the leader so far.
Progressive is who I have for my regular cars. The gal I spoke to gave me good rates for the old Dodges but could not explain how they determine value in a total loss or accident situation, even with Stated Value (not to be confused with Agreed Value used by the collector car companies). Obviously new cars depreciate from a Stated Value but these old cars are way past depreciation...they would only stay even or go up. I'll call back and see what I can learn from another rep.
 
I checked and found JC Taylor allows the coverage to be dropped back to comp only when you want. And cheaper than Hagerty. Still looking into details with them but they are the leader so far.
Progressive is who I have for my regular cars. The gal I spoke to gave me good rates for the old Dodges but could not explain how they determine value in a total loss or accident situation, even with Stated Value (not to be confused with Agreed Value used by the collector car companies). Obviously new cars depreciate from a Stated Value but these old cars are way past depreciation...they would only stay even or go up. I'll call back and see what I can learn from another rep.

Funny how the vehicle value depreciates but the rates continue to climb.
 
I have the geico gecko....I insure my dart with liability only coverage. Collector or even full coverage wants to get into the value of the car and too much scrutiny and blah blah. If it's my fault, I'll eat it and fix or replace my own car. All I need is for it to be towed home and the other party covered and it'll be OK. If it's their fault, their insurance is going to pay and if they are not insured then I'm taking it from someone or something.

So far for the past decade I've been blasting down the highway with liability coverage and no problems. I also daily drive my dart and I don't have anything newer than 1975 by design so I don't need mileage restrictions like some collector insurance try to dictate. I park the car outside and it's a scruffy dog outside, so I don't need a collector insurance company telling me I have to garage it.

Geico is very transparent and explain things clearly and I have not had any price creeps with them.
You should add uninsured motorist and comprehensive. It's not costly at all and can save your ***.
 
You should add uninsured motorist and comprehensive. It's not costly at all and can save your ***.
One thing I have always stressed being in the collision industry is RENTAL coverage. It is usually very cheap and if you ever need a rental car after an accident it is covered for a certain time limit and daily rate. Some shops offer free loaner cars but then you are at the mercy of their work load and schedule.
 
jc taylor said my stock 318 dart didnt meet there guide lines. also in ny if dont have liabillty coverage you need to turn plates in
 
-
Back
Top