VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions Insuring an Unrestored Antique Car

A recent thread on insurance prompted me to write this. I bought a 36 sedan project car earlier this year, primarily because I had several extra 36 parts sitting around I wanted to use. My objective has been to restore the car mechanically so it is drivable, and do nothing to the body. The body has rust, primer, a little paint, body filler and dents. I thought it would be kind of cool to drive it with the body as I found it, and maybe someday work on getting the body restored.

The car is now drivable, so in Kansas I need liability insurance for a title and registration. Hagerty, JC Taylor, and another specialty company would not insure it because the body is not restored, and they require collision coverage. I called State Farm and sent them pictures. At the time, I did not have the hood or front fenders on. They insured it with liability only, and all was well and I got it titled and registered. A couple weeks later I got a notice that my insurance was going to be cancelled. I was told by the agent that it was cancelled because the engine was exposed. So, I put the hood and fenders on, sent more pictures, but was notified that insurance was denied because the car was not restored. That's all the explanation I could get from the agent.

I can't be the only one around who wants to drive an ugly car with liability only insurance. I will call some more companies, but I'm wondering what others are doing for insurance on cars that are not "restored".

Below is the work of art I'm talking about. Now who wouldn't want to insure this fine automobile?

I LOVE the patina on your car! It would cost a fortune to replicate. ;-)

Both of my old, ugly trucks are insured by JC Taylor. I had no problems getting the insurance.

Maybe the agent you are working with has a wild hair where the sun doesn't shine.

Cheers, Dean

Grundy insured mine during the restoration process, even when it wasn't painted. We just increased the agreed value each step along the way.

I had the 48 insured through Farmers for years...They never asked to see it

I would check again with Hagerty. They have insured non-restored vehicles for me. Grundy may be another possibility. Think it depends on who you talk to at each company as I have had mixed reaction sometimes. Collision coverage might be a problem as it would be nearly impossible to recreate what is there now if there were damage.

Collectible car insurance full coverage is far cheaper then liability only on an everyday car. I think by asking for liability only you are creating a red flag with collectible car insurance companies.

I have a 1950 Chevrolet 3600 pick-up. The petina looks just like your car. Insured with J.C. Taylor full coverage. I sent them a picture and nothing was said. However, I had 6 other cars insured with them prior to me adding the pick-up.

Nice, solid car, the first car my Dad owned.

Yes, I also believe "liability only" on a collector car is raising a red flag.

Any future pics sent to ANY insurance company should be the pic you provided here.

No sense giving anyone any reason to deny you coverage.

FULL COVERAGE on a collector car is NOT expensive.

A good pic and full coverage should get you covered.

I use "The General" for all my liability only" cars...Never had a problem...Cheap, too...! Bump into someone, their right on it...

I would call JC Taylor or any of the other collector car insurance companies and talk directly to them and explain your intentions plus offer pictures of it assembled. Tell them you don't want full coverage until it is restored. I know that JC Taylor offers insurance for cars under restoration.

I think the key is the words for you are, " being restored and enclosed storage" or words to that effect.

My 40 and 41 project are both insured by Hagerty and I've had no problem with them. 'course they haven't been anywhere in years.

In NC there is a huge tax advantage if the car qualifies for and has an "antique" or "horseless carriage" tag, maintained mainly for show, not used in everyday travel and is insured.

Good luck with getting it insured.

Charlie

BTW: A "powder puff" paint job would work wonders to the appearance of the 36. I think that is what is used on 36 pickup/coupes. See how they turned out! Wow! No WWs or accessories needed on those buggers.

Note: "Buggers" in the above paragraph is used respectfully and admirably. As in, "Just look at that little bugger" when one sees a cute little puppy or something like that. Certainly not to be compared with your very best, all time nose pick. No sir. I thought maybe I should clear that up.

Whatever the end result may be with your insurance project, let us know what you did and how you did it.

A bit off topic here... I'd seen a chevy in similar condition at a "Good Guys" car show...The interior had been redone, but they'd left the body in your condition and what appeared to have been added was several coats of wax...Looked really cool...! IMO

Thanks for all your suggestions. Back when I started looking for insurance, I called Shelter first because they insure my daily drivers. My agent was out and did not return my call so after a week that ticked me off and I started looking elsewhere. (Found out later he had a death in his family). When he did call me back I had already talked to Hagerty, JC Taylor and got the temporary insurance with State Farm. He did tell me, however, that he worked with Hagerty when insuring older cars. Since others have had success with Hagerty insuring cars during the restoration process, I'm going to call my agent again and tell him the situation and see if he can make more progress with Hagerty than I've been able to.

Or possibly "clear coat" ? I have seen that done in the past, fact is, I saw it on Gas Monkey garage with a '49 or '50 Olds.

Eastwood advertises something they call "Patina Preserver" which is probably just a clear coat.

great looking car! eastwood has great products.

Success. My Shelter agent was able to arrange coverage with Hagerty. It's not liability only like I was wanting, it includes liability and a fixed amount of coverage. Probably for the best, if I crash or a Kansas tornado comes through, now I can get reimbursed some.

Good for you. One less thing to worry about now.