Glenn has run into an unusual insurance issue. He writes, “I was informed today by my MAJOR Antique Auto Insurance Co. that my newly purchased CJ3B is not acceptable under my Antique Auto Policy because it has a factory installed winch along with a trailer ball. I have been with this (Unnamed right now) company for about 25 years. I have insured several Willys vehicles over the years, never with a problem until now. To quote the underwriter employee:
Glenn,
We appreciate your longevity with (hidden), but although it is a collector vehicle, given our low rates we need to be sure the vehicles we insure are not be used for work purposes, i.e. to tow or haul anything, plow anything, pull anything with a winch, etc… We insure many types of vehicles, but the usage of each vehicle is the primary concern. This is why when we see vehicles with the type of equipment that is included on this Jeep we require the items be removed.
You can read more about it here: http://z4.invisionfree.com/CJ3B_Bulletin_Board/index.php?showtopic=5351
I left a reply on the 3B page, but will repeat a little here.
Get some pictures from your literature file that shows the items, and factory pictures showing the items installed on the Jeep.
That shouldn’t be too difficult.
Had problems getting antique tags due to the draw bar. Sent them (PennDot) 15 pictures, and included the order sheet showing the thing as a factory-installed option.
Let me know if I can help.
Seems some of them do get a little bit too paranoid these days don’t they? lol
Last time I chatted with one of my friendly reps at Hagerty the young lady casually
asked in the conversation, as she was entering data, “how do you drive it.” I actually
made her laugh out loud when I replied in complete seriousness… “Well, it has this
thing called a steering wheel, and then there is a seat, and some pedals….”
I think one simply has to be persistance and get an operator/representative that
still has some common sense and can use it. Of course, having a whole big stable
of similiar vehicles already insured probably doesn’t hurt a bit either…. they seem to
like the annual premium check I have to write out to them:)
Yeah Hagerty has been great, until I recently saved a ’52 Willys truck that was buried in a mechanic’s garage. The insurance co automatically assumed I was using it for hauling because a PO had built side bed boards and the garage I got it from had put a few things in the back. Silly me. I should have emptied it out first before taking pictures. It sounds like we may have a solution though.
Go with State Farm. They are cheaper and no hassles. They have an antique and classic program that is hard to beat.
Hi All, Thanks for the good suggestions. I really wanted to get everyone thinking about this problem. In my state, and I’m sure others are similar, antique plates get you reduced rates, cute low numbers, and no need for annual safety inspection. That last item gets lots of misuse from folks with clunkers avoiding costly inspections. We frequently see old pickups with snow plows, for example, doing business for CASH. Now, to get those plates, first of all they had to lie to the municipal officials, and secondly they had to show an insurance card. Those insurance cards have been fairly easy to come by, and you can see how our Antique Auto Insurers could be subjected to claims frequently. I expect my problem is just the tip of the iceberg. Look around your world to see if similar infractions are happening. We need to help police our own ranks. My Jeeps are collector cars just like my ’53 Mercury Convertible. They are used in tours, exhibitions, parades and such just like the law I helped write 50 years ago says. I may be forced to change insurers, but a letter to the company president is on its way. Stay tuned AND keep an eye peeled. Thanks, Glenn