Question about the QQ Historic plates in NJ?

[bugnout247]

Hey guys, I have noticed from looking at all the pictures of Fiats in New Jersey that many of you have QQ plates. I'm probably gonig to pick up a Fiat in a week or so and have all my ducks in a row for the usual routine of insurance/registration/inspection. I tried Googling info about the Historic Plates and from what I gather it seems like a really good deal. So I'm wondering what the process is for getting these Historic "QQ" plates? Are there limitations on the mileage you can drive? I think I read that you're only supposed to use the car to get to and from auto shows, so do any cops bother you guys if you use it for personal use?

I am also wondering what insurance I can get for a historic car? Are there limitations on the kind of insurance you put on a car with Historic Plates? Can someone please walk me through the process? I'd really appreciate it.

[donm]

I can't speak about NJ but I can tell unless you're using the car as a daily driver, antique plates are a great deal. I have them on my '80 Spider and the cost is way cheaper than it would be with regular plates.

I live in MA and the requirement here is that the car be at least 25 years old, and their are some limitations on how much you can use it but they're fairly vague. Basically, the regulations say something like, you can use the car for club meets, parades and shows, and that you can "road test" the car anytime.

I think the most important thing is that is says the car is not to be used primaraly for transportation and that suits me just fine because I have 2 daily drivers at my disposal. I think you'd be asking for trouble if you were to use the car for commuting.

I go with Haggarty insurance and they seem just fine, although I've never had to test them.

Don

[wikkid]

Check the NJ DMV web site. In NY, there are antique cars, and there are historic cars. Two slightly different things; for a Spider in NY State, Historic would be the preferred route. As to the insurance, you are supposed to also keep the car in a locked garage.

[Exit98]

Hey Bug,

Have you been to the NJFIATS.ORG web site yet?

We are having our monthly breakfast Sunday morning and we'd be happy to meet you there, with Spider or without. Where are you by the way (in Central NJ)?

I'd be happy to walk you through the DMV process. It's quite easy these days. The QQ plates are great, and despite all the mileage and other restrictions we all drive our Spiders pretty much at will and no one seems to bother us. As a matter of fact I happen to know a certain NJ police officer who routinely commuted to work in his.

You will be very happy about the insurance. Its less than $200 per year with full agreed stated value coverage. There are a bunch of companies, but I've got to say, I'm with Haggarty's and they are great. And I follow the collector car hobby pretty closely and they have an amazingly good reputation. My coverage is extensive and I think its like $170 a year.

Best to send me a PM or for that matter give me a call. I did what you are doing last March. You need some pictures of the car when you go to register it. Better check the website. You need a front and a back I think. I had pictures but not the correct view and had to go back again. I had my car shipped from California and had the title overnighted to me, so by the time the car was delivered I had all my ducks in order. Plates, Registration, Insurance and so forth. I went home at noon and met the truck, he rolled it off the trailer onto my driveway. I slapped the plates on, and drove it back to work.

My phone is 908-489-6090

[bugnout247]

Yeah actually I did check out the NJFIATS.org website...pretty cool. In fact, it's one of the places I saw all the cars with QQ plates that made me want to ask this question. Can't do any weekend breakfasts right now, can't do much of anything with my weekends since I've been studying for my CPA exams for ages now and will be for probably close to another year. I live in Hoboken now, but will be moving to the Westfield area of suburbia when my lease is up so that's why I'm getting the car now.

$170 a year for car insurance is the RIGHT price! That's what I'm looking for : ) I am just worried that with such cheap insurance, would I be leaving the door open for disaster to strike? Are there any significant reasons that the insurance is so much cheaper, reasons that would bite me in the ass in a worst case scenario? Liability insurance through Progressive in Hoboken for this car is $110 a MONTH, so I feel like there has to be a catch.

Also, I thought I read somewhere that you had to go to Trenton in person to get this QQ Plates transaction completed? When I purchase the car I'll probably call the insurance company (Haggarty's) to have coverage for the drive home. I'll temporarily slap on old NJ plates until I get home to park it in an outdoor gated lot. What would be my next move from there? A visit to Trenton with the title, photos, and proof of insurance or...?

[wikkid]

I don't think there's a "catch" to the type of insurance offered by Haggarty's and others. The risk is low, so premium cost is low. They are insuring people who are supposed to be driving their cars relatively little, only for pleasure drives, taking great care of their vehicles, and even if you declare the car's value at $10,000, that is a pittance compared to a "comparable" new roadster.

[Exit98]

Hey Bug,

Collector car insurance is cheap for the reasons wikkid said. Low risk.

I carry significant libility insurance on my regular cars. With NJ Manufacturers Ins. Co. which happens to be rated the best in the country btw. Haggarty's matched all my liability limits, which are considerable. I sent them a copy of my existing coverages and they matched them.

There are requirements about garaging and so forth, but talk to them, they are definitely car guys. I think you will be pleased. Also, there are some mileage restrictions but not onerous. You can call them now if you want, just to chat. They are very accomodating.

I just read an article in Sports Car Market this month about a McLaren F1. It suffered a serious engine fire. It's a + $1 Million dollar car. Haggary's flew it to the factory in England and supervised it's entire rebuiding. Didn't cost the owner a dime. The lawler handling the claim for the owner could not believe their performance.

When are you getting your car? Where did you find it?

Good Luck

Unless something has changed since March you don't have to go to Trenton. I just went to my local DMV. But check first things might have changed. It was a simple process, there is no vehicle inspection, and you never have to do it again. Sweet.

[baltobernie]

Doug brings up a good point. The liability limits you purchase for your Fiat should match those of your other cars.

The biggest reason collector car insurance costs so little is that you're required to have at least one other car with "regular" insurance, and the secure parking for your Fiat that Doug mentions. I've also seen posts on this forum suggesting that Hagerty, etc. do not insure younger drivers.

[NJFIAT1981]

Hello Bugnout,
Welcome to the site. Glad to see another Spider owner in NJ.
Doug is right. QQ plates are easy. Here's what you need to do. Take a pic from each side of the car for MVC. Get insurance ( I use American Collectors in Cherry Hill NJ) and go to a regional MVC agency. They will give you plates and a temp registration card (They mail you an original) Don't slap on a set of old plates and drive it. Bad idea and very costly if you are caught (Tickets, police impound etc)
MVC charges you a one time registration fee (You never have to pay it again) No inspection is ever required. It's a really good deal.
Give the cpa studies a break and come to one of our breakfasts. Great group of guys and lots of info. It's an all around good time. Welcome to the site. George