I just wanted throw in some comments, and I am trying not to get on a soapbox - I own an insurance agency (but we don't write personal insurance), so I know something about "insurance".
Even as a agency owner, I had to use my Allstate agent to get my collector/ classic cars placed me Hagerty. When I called Hagerty directly and did not yet have a policy they were very standoffish. However when I already had a policy and needed a change or when I was adding a car they were excellent, great price etc...
Keep in mind that Hagerty is a program manager for an Insurance Co. and they are set up to insure collector and antique autos, not everyday use type autos. Therefore they have the requirement for the car to be garaged and a second car that is insured and available for everyday use. They don't get the rates the regular personal auto insurers charge, and really need to keep strict guidelines in place to keep the rates down for those of us that only use the cars for "pleasure" use.
I am waiting for my Speedster from Beck, due in about 4 weeks, and I am hoping, and expecting to add it to my Hagerty policy. I'll let everyone know how that goes.
I just wanted throw in some comments, and I am trying not to get on a soapbox - I own an insurance agency (but we don't write personal insurance), so I know something about "insurance".
Even as a agency owner, I had to use my Allstate agent to get my collector/ classic cars placed me Hagerty. When I called Hagerty directly and did not yet have a policy they were very standoffish. However when I already had a policy and needed a change or when I was adding a car they were excellent, great price etc...
Keep in mind that Hagerty is a program manager for an Insurance Co. and they are set up to insure collector and antique autos, not everyday use type autos. Therefore they have the requirement for the car to be garaged and a second car that is insured and available for everyday use. They don't get the rates the regular personal auto insurers charge, and really need to keep strict guidelines in place to keep the rates down for those of us that only use the cars for "pleasure" use.
I am waiting for my Speedster from Beck, due in about 4 weeks, and I am hoping, and expecting to add it to my Hagerty policy. I'll let everyone know how that goes.
Even as a agency owner, I had to use my Allstate agent to get my collector/ classic cars placed me Hagerty. When I called Hagerty directly and did not yet have a policy they were very standoffish. However when I already had a policy and needed a change or when I was adding a car they were excellent, great price etc...
Keep in mind that Hagerty is a program manager for an Insurance Co. and they are set up to insure collector and antique autos, not everyday use type autos. Therefore they have the requirement for the car to be garaged and a second car that is insured and available for everyday use. They don't get the rates the regular personal auto insurers charge, and really need to keep strict guidelines in place to keep the rates down for those of us that only use the cars for "pleasure" use.
I am waiting for my Speedster from Beck, due in about 4 weeks, and I am hoping, and expecting to add it to my Hagerty policy. I'll let everyone know how that goes.
It seems as though different people have had very different experiences with Hagerty. I only know about mine. When I first contacted them, they had some "questions" which I answered honestly. Then they gave me a quote. Then I sent the check. Then I got a phone call saying they were sorry but my use did not fit their underwriting guidelines. I suppose my main criticism is that, if my use was not going to fit their program -- fine. But, why not say that in the initial phone call, when I answered their questions; and before I sent a check assuming I was going to get a policy? Then, from that point forward, there was NO talking to them. It was a stonewall; and there was NO WAY they were going to write the policy, no matter what I was willing to do to meet their criteria. I even asked them what their underwriting guidelines are -- and nobody would give me a straight answer on that either. If I had to read between the lines, I'd say they had another agenda. I live in New Jersey, where many insurance companies are not even willing to write auto. Perhaps that was the real reason. I don't know. All I know is that what I told them I was going to do with the car is no more than most of the people, whose posts I read on this site, do with their cars. I'm with Chubb, at twice the cost. But that's fine. They know what they're getting into; and I don't have to worry about a coverage denial after an accident.
It's beginning to sound like, based on some of the posts which have been written for this thread, Hagerty is in transition in their underwriting policies. Perhaps they want to limit their business to true classics, which they may consider to have less exposure to potential losses.
Herb- your experience with Hagerty was probably not an exception, but you made two good points. One, NJ is a tough state for insurers to write personal auto insurance in, probably due to the rates allowed by the insurance department, many insureres have had a difficult time making a profit on personal auto at the rates allowed. Many insurers have left that product line in NJ (so it is a more limited pool of insurers). Second, Hagerty actual uses a "Chubb" held insurance company, the underwriting criteria is just different. Probably due to their plan and rate filings in the state.
Still, Chubb is a quality insurance company and you can "use" the car any way you choose without worry with regards to restrictions.
Still, Chubb is a quality insurance company and you can "use" the car any way you choose without worry with regards to restrictions.
My former policy was written by Glens Falls Insurance and I think the parent company was CNA, at least according to the paperwork in my file. Is Hagerty an independant?
I stand corrected. Glen Falls is a subsidiary of CNA, not Chubb. I was thinking Great Northern (not Glen Falls), which is a Chubb company. Hagerty is a program manager / MGA for Glen Falls/ CNA. That means they have underwriting authority to write insurance (rate, quote, bind, and issue policies and probably claims handling) on behalf of Glen Falls, within specific guidelines. I guess they could have more than one carrier for their program.