Wanted Left rear clip, maybe.

Well, the “adjuster” came by and looked at the car. Not a positive visit by my rules. She asked no questions and only took photos of the car. Several items I pointed out did get noticed, but it looks like it will be a hard fight to get satisfaction. I should hear next week where I stand, or at least an update.
 
I had this same problem with a Healey that came in for repairs after a wreck... Normally an owner has the right to take the car to whoever they want for repairs... of course this all depends on the insurance carrier and the state you reside in... I have never "usually" had an issue with stated value policies written under companies like Heacock or Hagarty... but I have had all kind of problems with companies like State Farm who say that they offer stated value policies and then do everything they can to avoid paying out. The Healey in question was t-boned in an intersection by someone who ran a red light... they had no insurance. The owner was insured (Hagarty) but didn't go out and get an estimate and instead just let the "adjuster" determine the damage. Initially the adjuster was just going to total the Healey... I was asked by the owner to establish that the car could be repaired and what the actual costs would be. The initial estimate by the adjuster was light by about $10K. The particular adjuster had ZERO classic car experience and was just "cold called" by the insurer. In the end, the car was repaired and the owner was only on the hook for the deductible.

I have made it a point at the first instance of problems to go to my state insurance commissioner.... This has had the effect of correcting the "problem" in most instances. The problem is, that in most cases, insurance adjusters have absolutely no clue what is involved in making repairs to anything more than 5 years old... their first instinct is to just total the car and minimize losses to the insurance company. Classic car insurance through a reputable company understands, in most cases, that the repairs are in a different class than modern cars. That's not to say I haven't had problems with them too.

The best course is too be armed with an estimate from a specialist body shop or restorer and have that in hand before the "adjuster" ever shows up.

The problem is that most owners think that having an insurance policy protects them, while the insurance company's interests are best served by limiting payouts...

The key is knowing your rights and the terms of the policy... and then not taking any crap.
 
State Farm, Farmers, AAA offer agreed value policies in California and likely elsewhere. U.M.P.D. is limited in California to $3500 and you're own collision to the limit of your agreed value or in classic car or Hagerty case stated value.
As this was of real interest to me I'd chat with Dale A. about limits and fine details of coverage's and carriers. How they handle the claim the payment etc. Some of you may recall a former Lord Rootes car that showed up on Co-part.
That car was pictured in damaged condition in the owners driveway. The insurance company used the high bid to leverage the total loss/buy back for the owner. There's a wide variety as to what tricks they will play to cheap out.

I've sent and laughed off repair estimates of client and my personal vehicles. Dropped them off at my shop of choice and told the company to work it out with my chosen shop, period.
Daniel is faced with finding someone to arm wrestle with two adjusters. Property damage is most often a split limit in California in 5000, 10,000 25,000 50,000 or 100,0000.
Those are the amounts GEICO sells. Hopefully it's not the lower amounts.
 
My experience has been that the only companies that really honor "stated value" policies are companies like Heacock and Hagarty... Zurich American is another. There are few others as well... in most cases all it takes is an estimate from a licensed shop and pictures and they just send a check... Often, if there is additional hidden damage, an additional explanation and claim are required and then they cut another check... sometimes they need a little convincing, But they generally live up to the policies. State Farm and Allstate are among the WORST companies to deal with. This is why I suggested that you contact the state insurance commissioner... This is the entity that makes sure that companies abide by their policies and agreements... State Farm and others will sell "stated value" policies, but will then dispute the values and try to get you to accept an outside appraisal of the car's worth.... Often by people that have no idea what the car is, or what it's really worth. But that's why a stated value policy with State Farm is so much cheaper than one from Heacock or Hagarty.. 20 years ago I had a policy through State Farm along with my regular cars and homeowners on a Healey...the cost to insure the Healey was less than $100 a year... when I reinsured the car through Zurich American it was $600 a year... when it was damaged in an accident, they mailed me a check for the repairs... previously with State Farm for a no fault claim I went through absolute hell to get reimbursed for a claim..

cheaper isn't better... you get the service you pay for.
 
We had our Beams insured with J.C. Taylor with stated values for quite a few years. They're agents for Zurich. I had one claim back in the 80;s that was the result of a 17 year old that decided to park the family pick up in front of our first Harrington even though I had parked it in a Sears parking lot where there was nothing even close. He backed the trailer hitch of the truck thru the grill opening and once he saw what he had done he decided to pull up which destroyed the grill along with a lot of sheet metal, moulding and bumper damage. His company contacted me and said an adjuster would show up to see the car. When he showed up and I opened the garage he said "that's a Harrington". I was ready for anything and that shocked me. Turned out he was a corner worker at Mid Ohio and a fellow SCCA member and had seen us at several other events so he told us it would be fixed regardless of cost. A local Tiger owner became a Hagerty agent so we switched over to Hagerty. A few years later in the late 90's four of our cars set thru a flood at a garage of a rental house. Doug @ Tiger Auto wrote estimates and since the cars had high enough stated values to cover repairs the cars are still on the road with no evidence of taking a bath. Other residents weren't as lucky as their cars were totalled. FYI, State Farm classic insurance agents now write the policies thru Hagerty. The two companies partnered together in 2021 and State Farm will offer the service thru out the U.S. by sometime in 2023. Hagerty also bought a classic car insurance company in Canada. We now have 5 Beams and an old Ford conversion van that we restored and all are insured thru Hagerty. Hagerty also has a great road service plan and will also insure your spare parts. We have 20K coverage on our parts since we have many NOS parts. If you don't have classic car insurance I highly recommend doing it. It takes away a lot of hassle and worry if damage occurs.
 
65beam said:
We had our Beams insured with J.C. Taylor with stated values for quite a few years. They're agents for Zurich. I had one claim back in the 80;s that was the result of a 17 year old that decided to park the family pick up in front of our first Harrington even though I had parked it in a Sears parking lot where there was nothing even close. He backed the trailer hitch of the truck thru the grill opening and once he saw what he had done he decided to pull up which destroyed the grill along with a lot of sheet metal, moulding and bumper damage. His company contacted me and said an adjuster would show up to see the car. When he showed up and I opened the garage he said "that's a Harrington". I was ready for anything and that shocked me. Turned out he was a corner worker at Mid Ohio and a fellow SCCA member and had seen us at several other events so he told us it would be fixed regardless of cost. A local Tiger owner became a Hagerty agent so we switched over to Hagerty. A few years later in the late 90's four of our cars set thru a flood at a garage of a rental house. Doug @ Tiger Auto wrote estimates and since the cars had high enough stated values to cover repairs the cars are still on the road with no evidence of taking a bath. Other residents weren't as lucky as their cars were totalled. FYI, State Farm classic insurance agents now write the policies thru Hagerty. The two companies partnered together in 2021 and State Farm will offer the service thru out the U.S. by sometime in 2023. Hagerty also bought a classic car insurance company in Canada. We now have 5 Beams and an old Ford conversion van that we restored and all are insured thru Hagerty. Hagerty also has a great road service plan and will also insure your spare parts. We have 20K coverage on our parts since we have many NOS parts. If you don't have classic car insurance I highly recommend doing it. It takes away a lot of hassle and worry if damage occurs.
Click to expand...
:)
 
Austin Healer said:
My experience has been that the only companies that really honor "stated value" policies are companies like Heacock and Hagarty... Zurich American is another. There are few others as well... in most cases all it takes is an estimate from a licensed shop and pictures and they just send a check... Often, if there is additional hidden damage, an additional explanation and claim are required and then they cut another check... sometimes they need a little convincing, But they generally live up to the policies. State Farm and Allstate are among the WORST companies to deal with. This is why I suggested that you contact the state insurance commissioner... This is the entity that makes sure that companies abide by their policies and agreements... State Farm and others will sell "stated value" policies, but will then dispute the values and try to get you to accept an outside appraisal of the car's worth.... Often by people that have no idea what the car is, or what it's really worth. But that's why a stated value policy with State Farm is so much cheaper than one from Heacock or Hagarty.. 20 years ago I had a policy through State Farm along with my regular cars and homeowners on a Healey...the cost to insure the Healey was less than $100 a year... when I reinsured the car through Zurich American it was $600 a year... when it was damaged in an accident, they mailed me a check for the repairs... previously with State Farm for a no fault claim I went through absolute hell to get reimbursed for a claim..

cheaper isn't better... you get the service you pay for.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I use Hagerty. They let you decide who is best to repair the classic vehicle instead of the cheapest Bondo shop.
 
Bob brings up a good point. The cheaper stated value AKA State Farm, Farmers, AAA, Allstate have 0 coverage for car parts, which are not covered on your typical homeowners policy. Speciality writer's like Hagerty have sub limit for car parts the example is 750 included. Farmer's purchased JC Taylor to allow their captive agents a new market. AAA are employees Allstate and State Farm purchase their book of business from the parent company to service.
You don't save 15% by not having an agent. If you deal with a big company agent ask.
Lots of way to buy smarter plus knowing the company. One has a 50 over stock H.P. drives up the premium by moving into their modified rate. Same one has a multi vehicle discount which can add a vintage motorcycle at a 1500 dollar value and if you have 2car insured the overall price drops. All you need is a year make and model and as I learned sell a CT 110 the premium went up! Add back a roller CT and add it bang less premium. Someone told their bean counters, they can only drive one at a time:)
 
Timely update for all...I went to visit dale, and he reccomended a frame shop that he trusts and uses. I'll be contacting them later today. And picked up a few items at the club swap meet, trunk/boot lid, bumper overriders, fan pulley just because.
 
Danno66 said:
Timely update for all...I went to visit dale, and he reccomended a frame shop that he trusts and uses. I'll be contacting them later today. And picked up a few items at the club swap meet, trunk/boot lid, bumper overriders, fan pulley just because.
Click to expand...
Good you are making progress... Hopefully will be resurrected even better than before
 
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