Fiat Spider insurance - again

[wikkid]

I didn't want to hijack the VIN/DMV thread, so here is my question about insurance:

Red, are you dealing with a specalty collector car insurance company, like Haggarty or Taylor?

Collector car insurance is cheap and good, and they know our cars.

If you are dealing with your conventional insurance company You will be paying way too much.

But can you use a specialty insurer when you plan to drive the car more than on specialty times (to meets, shows, parades, etc?) I mean, I suppose you could always get the specialty insurance then drive as much as you want, but in case of problems, will the insurance co. still come through for you if you were, um, er.... just out running the engine to keep it in shape - ahem! ?

Also, would odometer readings factor into the issue? Are you limited as to annual mileage by the specialty car insurers?

Bottom line: what would be best for a Fiat Spider that is going to be driven regularly, but not necessarily as a primary car, in NY state? Because otherwise, NY state will be painful, for standard insurance. Very painful.

[WYSpider]

I think with my Hagerty submission I said I was going to drive 3,500 miles / year. In the application they wanted to know that I had a car younger than my Fiat that was going to be used as my daily driver.

The price for Hagerty with $0 deductible and a car value of $7,800 was about the same as liability only for the Fiat from State Farm.

[Exit98]

Wikkid,

The Haggarty folks are real good, and I imagine the other specialty insurers are too.

I don't think there is any specific mileage limitation on my policy. They do want assurance that the car is garaged and as stated above, that it is not a primary vehicle. I carry maximum coverage on my family vehicles and Haggarty matches my coverage limits on their policy. It is also a "stated value" policy without deductable. My stated value is $10K.

In NJ the QQ antique plates the state issues have strict usage limitations. Sundays and car events only and so forth. But I have never been bothered by the police while driving around, and I've never heard any one else having such problems either.

On the other hand though, if I actually used my Spider as a regular car, or didn't have a garage for it, I'd be uncomfortable maintaining specialty insurance. Lying to insurance companies to save a few premium bucks, aside from the ethics, just doesn't make sense. When the day comes, you don't want them having a reason not to pay a claim.

[Deerslayer]

I just insured my '68 with Haggerty, but was told that if I used it for running errands and it got hit in the grocery store parking lot, they would cover it, but might drop me. I am expecting a call from their underwriters to help me understand the dos and donts.

[brad131a4]

I have a value based insurance for both a 76 spider and a 73 450sl. Carrier is some company that I've never heard of before but since Grundy stopped insuring cars with a deducible under $2500 dollars I can't be to picky.
They gave me the same pleasure car contract as Grundy. I can drive my car unlimited miles, everyday if I want. Just not to work or for local errands. Now if I'm at a car show or driving to one and stop at a store for supplies that's different and there is no problem with the coverage.

[wikkid]

If you can think of the carrier name, please pass it on. They may not write NY state policies, but you never know.

[LStevens]

To answer your question whether it's ok to have classic insurance on your car and drive it more than what they say you can, I think that will be a chance you take. As far as rates I got a good one from "American Collectors Insurance" I've included some details below:

Copy from a previous post: On recommendation I called "American Collectors Insurance" for a quote. Using my current insurance coverage of $300K, for FULL coverage with ZERO deductible and insured for $20K, the yearly premium for my '74 Spider is only $211/year. Grant it the yearly mileage limit is just 2500 miles, that works perfect for me as I doubt I'd drive it that much anyways.

Since the rate was so good I then asked about my '79 Honda Civic CVCC Wagon which I also restored. With my current insurance I was paying $250/yr for one way coverage (liability ONLY) for it. The quote I got for Full coverage, ZERO deductible and insured for $6K only added $62 to the premium. So for both cars FULL coverage, ZERO deductible and the value I've placed on them, I'm only paying a whopping $273 per year! That's only $23 more than what I was paying for the honda alone with just liability.