Buying Insurance in the US

[n/a]

I've made a deposit for a 1970 MB 280SL and now it's time to buy insurance. I have a few leads online, but would feel more confident to hear from people who might have had experiences with these companies.
The ones I found are AON Classic Cars and Insurecom.com.

Can anyone recommend other companies based on your own experience?
Thank you.

ps: If of any use, I currently live in the state of Florida.

[n/a]

Look at these guys. I have my insurance through them. Reasonable when you have antique tags.

http://www.jctaylor.com/

Shawn Rock
Philly, PA USA
1968 280 SL 4 speed

[France]

Dear GC,

I too live part time in FL (Sarasota).  My husband and I have insured our classic cars (which we use as daily drivers when we are there) with Collectors Insurance Company in New Jersey. Google their website and check it out:  my 280SL costs $151 a year for 2500 miles a year, and you can add miles for very reasonable cost.  Cost of insurance depends on the appraisal value of the car.  If you have a showroom-quality car it will cost more, but mine has an apprised value of $20K, and that's the cheapest insurance I've ever had.  I had an old Jag in Calif, and that was $1200 a year (!!)  which is part of why I don't live there any more...

Good luck!



Trice
1968 280SL US, signal/bl leather, auto

[rwmastel]

quote:mine has an apprised value of $20K

Trice,
How did you get an appraised value?  When I bought my car I needed a value for the insurance company.  They wouldn't take the purchase price as a true value, they needed an independant appraisal.  I had to get a mechanic at a small independant MB specialty shop to write a value on a plain piece of paper and sign it.  Very informal, but he was very reluctant to do it.  Where and how do people get their cars accurately appraised?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[France]

Hey, Rodd,

Good to be back again after multiple travel and computer problems...

I hate to tell you, but the appraised value was furnished to the insurance co by yours truly.  They did not require a formal (or in your case a reluctant blank-page)appraisal.

We have had reason to talk to these people several times on several topics over the last 10 years, the latest of which was my worry that I would go over my 2,500 before the year was up.  Every conversation has been very cordial, kind,  and sensible.  In December I asked what I should do if thought that I might go over, and the company rep said that they didn't routinely police that, but if it happened chronically they would have a conversation with me... but that if I thought that I would go over, or wanted to go over the 2500 limit, I should just call them.  The add-on cost for additional miles was peanuts.  

Wow. Only in America.





Trice
1968 280SL US, signal/bl leather, auto

[n/a]

same thing here for the value....I gave it myself, the higher the value I give, the higher the premium....
I could have given 50k, but then again, I would feel it everymonth I write a check to the insurance company....

Fabrice
Silver 1971 280 SL
New York City

[J. Huber]

Hi. I use American Collectors out of NJ. Prior to finding this very reasonable rate ($140-ish), I had more traditional insurance. They required a professional appraisal. They are around, at least here in California. Basically, the guy comes out, takes a long gander, goes back and researches the market, and writes a little blurb on nice letterhead. Not a bad little business, really! Cost me about 70 bucks I think...

James
63 230SL

[dldubois]

I've also got mine w/ American Collectors.   www.americancollectors.com.   I pay about $150 a year for $20k in coverage.



Dana

1970 280sl Ivory 4spd
Corinth, TX

[n/a]

I'd like to see some input from Tom Collitt in CA on this subject. His 280SL was stolen and stripped just a few weeks after the restoration was fininshed. He had one heck of a nightmare with the insurance company. They didn't give him near enough money to put it back the way it was, even with all of the proper documentation.

tom in CA (hanson)

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I have used Haggerty's Classic Car Insurance for the last couple of years and found them to be extremely reasonable. It is up to you to determine value and pay accordingly. For $25,000 in coverage I pay about $200 a year. Also for $15 they offer a decent roadside service including towing.

HK
280SL71
387/255

[mwtea]

I am curious to hear any feedback on Grundy.  I considering a policy with them right now.

The interesting thing about their policies is that they allow unlimited yearly mileage.

[n/a]

Thank you all for the responses.
I ended up buying insurance from Hagerty (http://www.hagerty.com/). They quoted $215 a year for $26,000 with liability limits of $100K/$300.
-gabriel