Hagerty It was another perfect July in Northern California. Clear skies and the intoxicating aroma of pines, firs, and laurels were wafting through the breeze. Daniel’s senses were always heightened on this drive through Mendocino National Forest because everything poured into the cabin of his Ford Model A. The big inline-four strumming its song, the vibrations through the cold steel of the steering wheel—this was Daniel’s run through heaven. On July 27, 2018, a wildfire broke out. That was common here. But the flames overwhelmed emergency crews. By the year’s end, nearly two million acres were scorched from more than 7,900 individual fires. The state declared it “the deadliest and most destructive wildfire season on record.” Daniel had to declare his Model A as a total loss. With traditional car insurance policies written by mass-market companies, the replacement value is equal to a third-party book value that car dealers, manufacturers, banks, and municipalities use. But what is acceptable for a 10-year-old Honda Accord with 120,000 miles has no correlation to a collector car, let alone a pristine pre-war American car that could not be serviced at the local Ford dealer. Collectors like Daniel skip those insurance companies entirely, and wisely. We spoke with a real Hagerty customer and a Hagerty Licensed Sales Agent to learn about the product. Car insurance is complicated and varies widely from person to person and place to place, so when it’s time to choose your policy, work directly with an insurance company or consult a licensed agent yourself. “I have had Hagerty for years,” Daniel told us. “They handled my recent claim for the total loss of my prized Model A in the recent Northern California wildfires. They were by far the easiest insurance company to deal with,” he said. Redding Hotshot crew member at the 2018 Mendocino National Forest fire. BLM, Colby Jackson Hagerty is altogether different. Instead of relying on depreciated values for common vehicles, Hagerty’s Guaranteed Value coverage let Daniel set the value of his Model A before disaster struck. He was paid in full, not a dollar less, without any further hassle. Every Hagerty policy comes this way. This is car insurance that protects your vehicle for what it’s worth. Not every vehicle needs to be a high-priced classic to be eligible. Take the 1975 International Scout owned by The Drive‘s Executive Editor Andrew Collins, who admits it’s on the “rougher end of a rolling restoration.” It’s not original—between previous owners and his own modding, the thing is now sitting with a four-inch lift, aftermarket bumpers and wheels, custom exhaust, and some unique paint choices. To make valuation even more complicated, he never actually bought it; the “purchase price” was a straight trade for a beat-up old Toyota Tundra. Andrew P. Collins “I was on the cheapest insurance package from one of the big carriers,” Collins said. The thing about that is—mainstream insurers aren’t in the business of considering unique vehicles like this. They’ll just move to cut the smallest and quickest check possible. Hagerty, on the other hand, is equipped to properly document non-standard classics and make sure owners are made whole again if the worst should happen. With a combination of car-expert agents on staff and deep records on classic car values—Hagerty Valuation Tools are the gold standard of antique car value data—Hagerty is in a superior position to underwrite vehicles like this that don’t fit neatly into prescribed boxes. In a phone call about this Scout with Hagerty, Manager Max Hansen explained how the insurer gets even more specific on the valuation of a modified vehicle: “If something were to happen where there was damage to the vehicle, you’d be able to get that same aftermarket bumper, and not OEM. You’d be able to get that suspension replaced as-is, versus us just getting you replaced with stock if your suspension got wrecked. And so a couple of things kick you into “modified,” which would be engine modifications that increase your horsepower, and then suspension is a big one … as we work through this, once we shift into “mod,” you’re no longer relegated to hard value recommendations. It allows us to accommodate the value of those into what your vehicle should be. You don’t want to be overinsured because then you’re going to pay too much, but we want to make sure that you’re not underinsured.” As a specialist in classic cars dating back decades, Hagerty’s market data is unmatched for its accuracy and trim-specific coverage. Hagerty Valuation Tools are at the heart of every policy. The agreed price is only part of the extensive research that goes into Guaranteed Value coverage. Hagerty Price Guide, which has been published since 2006, monitors three major data sources. Since the majority of classic cars trade hands privately, Hagerty Price Guide analysts pay close attention to such sale prices through the company’s insurance data. Auction prices are a smaller but very visible part of the market, and Hagerty often sends specialists to inspect auction vehicles in person to best understand the real-world conditions and configurations of the cars. Finally, Hagerty uses a broad network of reliable dealers to provide detailed sales information for this corner of the market. Using the data, Hagerty grades each vehicle, down to the exact trim level, according to four levels of condition. The best is Concours, which has zero flaws. These are the cars that are more perfect than they were brand-new and command the highest values. The second rank is Excellent, which is what Hagerty experts deem is award-winning for a regional or local show, or even a previously Concours-graded vehicle that has been slightly worn or aged. The third rank is Good. These cars run well and they have only minor cosmetic flaws that most casual car spotters wouldn’t immediately notice. A car in Fair condition has more significant physical flaws such as chipped paint, a worn interior, or other problems that are plainly obvious. Just as every collector brings a unique perspective to the car community, so too do their cars. Hagerty Fortunately, not every classic car incident involves a vehicle being totaled like Daniel’s Model A—but hard-to-find parts can make damage repairs a real challenge for traditional high-volume insurers and repair shops. Hagerty understands this and has the infrastructure in place to help fix cars that mass-market insurance companies won’t touch. Beyond the Guaranteed Value, Hagerty customers can expect authentic parts and a service experience that will do the job right the first time. The most surprising part? Hagerty can increase your Guaranteed Value over time, depending on the restorations and repairs that you make along the way–no evidence required. That’s because Hagerty claims specialists are car enthusiasts who do not read from call-center scripts. They are willing to help track down rare and hard-to-find parts to return your vehicle to its pre-accident condition, whether they are original, fabricated, or completely custom. That is just one of the perks of choosing car insurance that is built for drivers. Hagerty The benefits continue when joining the Hagerty Drivers Club, which brings more valuable services at a low annual fee. Members can post unlimited listings on the Hagerty Marketplace and search for an unlimited number of vehicles listed on the Hagerty Valuation Tools database. The esteemed Chilton library of automotive manuals, diagrams, and educational materials is included. Roadside assistance with up to 100 miles of towing with a guaranteed flatbed and soft nylon straps is always available. VIP discounts and early access are available to Hagerty events like the Amelia Concours, Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, and RADwood. Finally, members receive print issues of the Drivers Club magazine, which are written, edited, and produced by pro automotive journalists. No one desires to call an insurance company. But when your prized vehicle needs the expertise it deserves, Hagerty is always ready to get you back on the road.
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