Speedster Insurance!!

I wanted to let you all know that AAA is now insuring all types of vintage vehicles...call and ask for a rate on your speedster, we got a rate quote of $202.00 per year to insure our speedster with an agreed value of $22,000 and the coverage was awesome. Just thought let you know.

Hey Esther!

Thanks for sharing that insurance info!

Great timing esther. Just started looking for coverage - this is definitely the cheapest that I've seen. As soon as I unload the speedster I'll run down and get it.

grant

Do you know if they require that you have another car or whether they have a mileage restriction? I ran into some problems insuring my car since it is my primary vehicle.

Seems that they are able to do that for the CA AAA members. I contacted the NY AAA since my policy was due for a renewal. They actually broker it thru Hagerty.

I don't know if you have to have AAA in order to get it but I don't think so...the gal that helped me her name is Tiffany and her number is 1-760-930-7532 , this is her direct line, we were with Hagerty and I just had to renew at 402.00 per year, so yeah we are saving a lot!!!

Esther, thanks for the lead!

Tiffany would like anyone in the state of CA that would be interested in insuring collector cars to contact her - see number above post. Unfortunately, she cannot do anything else for the other 51 states, so please contact your own AAA state rep.

Guys/Gals:
Just spoke with Tiffany. She can ONLY write insurance for cars From Bakersfield to the border - National City I think. But what a great deal: $18000 Agreed Value for $182/year!!!!
Thanks Esther.

This topic is back!! Turns out that the agent, Tiffany, has been operating under a mistaken approach to our cars. No matter how often the word 'REPLICA' is mentioned, nor the term Volkswagen, she has been quoting and writing policies for coverage of GENUINE classics NOT replicas. Turns out that the coverage of $18K for a replica is $350/year not the $182 quoted.
just a word to the wise.

HA! So repairing a real one (for which parts are long gone/NLA) is 1/2 the cost of repairing a fiberglass replica!

Yep...pretty brain dead, huh?!!
Makes no sense to me either, so later today I am going to go down to my local AAA and try and get the skinny - gave up attempting to deal with Tiffany.

I'm not getting the greatest line of communication with her either. I needed insurance right away to get my car home. Come to find out she had to give me regular coverage $$$$$ because the "vintage or classic thing" had to be approved. She told me she would convert the coverage back yesterday. She has yet to give me a direct answer as to whether I am insured or not. I will let you know.

Warren: If you have regular car insurance on your other cars you are automatically covered in the speedy for 30 days. I am getting a quote thru mercury, but will probably go with Richardson. Will keep you informed. Also, a problem with AAA - VERY difficult to get hold of the insurance section; Tiffany also difficult after the policy is cut; her boss is also difficult to deal with (polite way of saying it!!).
Later.

Try State Farm... best deal around for unrestricted use and a national company with an agent in your town. (You'll need to place a primary car with State Farm)

I had arranged to go with Hagerty through the Richardson agent but by the time they had thrown in all the "start up" fees (meeting me at Vintage to take photos was to be $150) my initial total was $600+.
I called Hagerty directly and got the same coverage for $352 for 12 months.

I am using AON Collector Car Insurance. My rate is $246/yr w/o any mileage limitations or multi car mumbo jumbo, etc. If memory serves me, I had to send them some photos of the car with the application and we agreed upon the value over the phone. Overall, relatively painless.
www.aoncollectorcar.com 877/765-7790

My other vehicles are insured through Travelers, via AAA. In SC AAA uses 2 insurance companies, one of which is Travelers. Neither company will insure a "kit car".

Chuck

Thanks for all the info. I just got a letter from AAA stating that the policy (which I never approved) was now cancelled as per my request, BUT there was a $41 charge for the time the policy was in effect!! I am having the credit card company credit the amount back and we should have some fun over the next few weeks. Would NEVER use AAA again after this fiasco!!

Grant...We just received our policy in the mail on Saturday and guess what!! It will cost us $389.00 per year not the 202.00 that we got quoted and we had given her a check for the 202.00 ,the caca will hit the fan this a.m. when she gets in her office, we would of never switched from Haggerty to save 13.00 and I'm really pissed!!! I just calle AON and we have to get the quote thru their web site, so I'm working on that...sorry for the wrong lead but I too was misled..Esther

Hi esther -not a problem - the price seemed like such a deal and the info was appreciated. It seems like Tiffany just made mistakes, but she is VERY slow cleaning up her mess. I am in discussions with the Credit card company now. When I tried online quote from AON I could not get the correct car code for a replica(5) on the drop down menu so I will have to call them later this AM.

regards
grant

Esther

I told Tiffany to make her original quote good at $216. She FAXed papers to sign that indicated $216. I re-iterated that the car is a 67 VW, a Speedster replica, not a classic. We will see. No problem with the tip. You did good. If she blows this one, I will let you know and ask you guys who is the right agency to go with.

In the not to distant past, I was a AAA of So Cal insurance rep. Trust me on this, the rates in the $200+/- range for liability with physical damage coverage are not accurate. The cars are being underwritten incorrectly and hence the sales reps are binding policies that are being underwritten and issued at different premiums. In the event that the policy "slips through the cracks of ignorance" the claims process will be excruciating. The policies discussed above are subject to the following guidelines on the standard AAA of So. California auto policy:

The year built per AAA of So California underwriting should be the year of completion of the "kit car", not the titled year of the donor vehicle. Furthermore, the rating system of "kit cars" does not take into account their relative ease of replacement vs. comparable authentic 356's. The rating system actually rates "kit cars" on a similar criteria as high performance or exotic vehicles. I believe the Cobras have influenced this method. Additionally, AAA of So Cal does not issue agreed value policies on "kit cars". The policies are "limit of liability" policies where the amount of the value of the vehicle is determined by various means so that the most the insurance company is liable for is the LESSER of: policy limits or actual cash value (market value) at the time of loss.

Grant....I called AON this morning and got a quote of 396.00 with the coverage of 300,000 combined , for that amount your better of calling Hagerty. Tiffany called and she apologized ,she had made a mistake when she quoted us all the price and AAA will be having a meeting in regards to this fiasco, so next time they will do it right!!! Hope this will be helpful:) Esther

ok guys i am confused
r u saying aaa is out of touch
the insurance companies mentioned in this thread other than aaa are new to me
how well do they step up to the plate for coverage.
aaa and allstate have been exemplary for me with accidents, thefts and repairs
what are the historical records for payments to insured parties
thank u
gerd

Gerd... the reason why we choose Hagerty is because Vintage Speedsters recommended them , never had a claim with them , so I don't know how they are as far as getting the claims done. And no I don't think that AAA is out of reach, but again it all depends on many factors. Make sure that you fully understand what you will be getting from them when you call them , some Company's don't understand the replica thing. I did call on AON and it was actually the same amount as Hagerty but Hagerty does include earthquake. Good luck bye

I just researched Hagarty, JC, AON and American Collectors and found out that most of them have limited coverage of replacement value. A couple wouldn't pay out more than $15,000 replacement in case of total loss. They all have limited milage (2500 to 3500 miles a year) and require locked garages. I'm having a SAW Cabriolet built but Intermeccanica must fall into the same Insurance category with a need for coverage of $35K and above. I haven't yet checked into standard new car coverage if I can register it as a 2006 Porsche but it couldn't be much worst than the $525 to $ 829 that was quoted. Any IM owners out there that can recommend a company that insures in Florida.

Have you tried Grundy?

Not yet. I want to pick up the car at SAW and drive it back to Florida. To drive back I'll need insurance in effect 'cause I don't feel like taking the chance without it. So far American Collector's will insure ahead of time once I send them pictures, bill of sale and Certificate of Origin. Steve at SAW said he could send those items out before pickup so I could get plates and insurance.

Just got the "oops" call from my State Farm agent. To qualify for the cheap coverage they quoted me two weeks ago ($202/yr, agreed value $35K) the chassis would have to be 25+ yrs old. I guess a cut and welded VW pan is somehow a lower risk than a new tube frame chassis. As an all-new car, they tell me the Beck doesn't qualify for any special coverage. Any of you with State Farm find a cheaper category?

Tiffany from AAA finally got back to me today. She said she had made a mistake with the quote and that the premium would be $416. She also said she would refund all money and cancel the policy. I think that is more than fair on her part. She is probably getting thumped enough from her people. For those of you in CA, I just got a quote from Barlow for $316. Good numbers and no restrictions.

Warren
what is history on claims payment?

...I would imagine that the rarity of repro-Speedster claims at any particular company (other than the more popular specialty carriers like Hagerty), a history would not provide any significant trend other than just how they handle them case by case.

Just my .02 centavos!

Gerd - Didn't ask that question, but Jonathon said he covers about a hundred Speedies. Give him a call 800-558-7772

Responding to Dan Palmquists post from a few days ago. He stated Auto Club does not have "agreed upon value". That is incorrect.
" Agreed Upon Value" under their recently issued Collector Car policy means a value that you the Speedster owner and the underwriter "agree" upon. Once that value has been established then your car is insured for that amount. For example: You just bought a new Speedster from JPS for $25,000. and you show the car and the receipt to the insurance company. You know the car is worth 25 and if the underwriter agrees, the car is covered for 25. If it gets stolen next week and is never recovered you will get 25. The premium is dependent on the deductible, the number of miles you drive, your driving record, etc. The Auto Club policy is not the cheapest or the best but you MUST be an Auto Club Member to buy it so their market/sales strategy is designed toward a very loyal following and sometimes price is not the most important factor. The recent incidents with three Speedster owners were very bad mistakes by an employee that will not happen again. There was no excuse for it and I am not defending her. No matter who you buy a policy from, ask questions and lots of them. Insurance contracts are complicated and it is ultimately your responsibility to know what you bought. I am an Auto Club employee but I do not sell car insurance and I did not buy their policy. I bought another policy because I wanted unlimited mileage. Lets get back to fun, see you in Coronado!

With all due respect to all parties, the statement I made references the provisions of the STANDARD auto policy issued by AAA of
So. California with no mileage or use restrictions.

"The policies discussed above are subject to the following guidelines on the standard AAA of So. California auto policy:"


I did not discuss the recently available collector car policy due to my limited information on this product's contractual obligations.

Well....this has certainly opened the proverbial can o'worms!! I spoke with Ross Zimmerman of AAA yesterday and he has arranged for the policy that I applied for to be issued for the original quoted premium of $182/yr for $18,000 agreed upon value. This was more than fair and I am accepting the policy. From everything I have gathered, the coverage is relatively new to AAA and mistakes were made. At no time was it ever anything other than unintensional mistakes, generally caused by a willingness to help. We are all familiar with the mistakes and problems associated with rolling out a new product or service and , at least for me, it has been satisfactorily resolved.
I still think it is a good policy and is definitely priced competitively with other collector policies.

My 2 cents worth.

Hi Grant
any mileage limitations?

Mangoman!

Thanks for the heads-up on the AAA insurance - I think I'll check it out!

Peace - Out!

Mileage from 2501 to 5000. I have no idea what I will drive this year - we will see.

...1st year of owning a Speedy, I'm guessing at least 10,000 miles!