Car Insurance

"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01)
12/10/2013 at 09:17 • Filed to: None

So, as some of you know, I'm most likely going to buy a Baja Bug. As with every car, I need to insure it. I wanted to go with Hagerty for insurance, but I just called and they said they can't insure anything that looks like a dune buggy. Pretty stupid if you ask me. Does anybody know a cheap but good insurance company that will cover a Baja Bug?

DISCUSSION (18)

Party-vi > Big Bubba Ray
12/10/2013 at 09:20

How old are you? Do you have any incidents within the last 3-5 years? Most classic car insurance companies will take you if you're 25 or older and have at most one incident (accident, ticket) within the last 3 years. Then there's pictures of the vehicle to submit, rough value of each part (drivetrain, suspension, paint, interior, etc.), quite a bit of paperwork. For Sweden and Raphael Orlove should be able to help here (but I think Raphael doesn't have classic insurance).

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Big Bubba Ray
12/10/2013 at 09:21

"Won't insure anything that looks like a dune buggy" is covering their ass against people with tube-steel frame sandrails. As the Baja mostly just has lift and some body extras, try just insuring it (I guess not with Hagerty) as a Beetle. If they get fresh, point out that it is not in any way structurally or safetywise compromised from original (except ride height, and they can't really enforce that).

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Big Bubba Ray
12/10/2013 at 09:22

I know it's weird but my Montego is through my normal State Farm insurance.

They CRUSHED Haggerty's rate(and all other "classic only" insurance companies). The trick was I had the multi-car discount and my home-owners discount so it was a huge advantage. They insured the car to the NADA value for me (which was 3x what I paid for it).

Big Bubba Ray > Party-vi
12/10/2013 at 09:46

Unfortunately I'm only 22. I called Grundy on the chance that they would insure me. They don't accept anyone under 25. And I'm accident free for the last 3 years. First accident was a tiny fender bender.

Big Bubba Ray > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
12/10/2013 at 09:47

Ya I think they are covering their asses too. I called my current insurance company and asked what it would cost for liability for a beetle. Didn't mention that it was a Baja. I'm still waiting on a quote from them.

Big Bubba Ray > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
12/10/2013 at 09:48

Wow, I'm surprised they beat Hagerty. Hagerty seems to have pretty damn good rates on their insurance. I'm trying to get a quote right now from State Farm and see what they say. I'll probably just leave out the fact that the beetle is a Baja!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Big Bubba Ray
12/10/2013 at 10:02

I would lol, they may want to see it in person/pictures at certain angles though.

When I say beat Haggerty I mean was like $95 cheaper!

Party-vi > Big Bubba Ray
12/10/2013 at 10:11

It might be difficult to get classic insurance on your own then. Could you have one of your parents sign up and add you as a driver? That might not fly either. I've got a 60 year old car that I had insured through a regular liability policy, as the insurance company stated they would only pay out the vehicle's depreciated value ($1,200 for my Jeep) which is why I didn't get comprehensive or collision coverage.

Just sign up with whatever company offers the best deal on liability (I'd try Progressive or Esurance) and drive carefully.

Big Bubba Ray > Party-vi
12/10/2013 at 10:14

Ya I'm planning on just getting liability to keep the cost down as much as possible. I'm not even trying to get collectors or classic insurance at this point because it seems like I can't get it anywhere. I've been considering having my dad the main person on the policy but I obviously pay for it.

Party-vi > Big Bubba Ray
12/10/2013 at 10:19

Good call. Besides with classic insurance you're not supposed to drive the damn thing anywhere! See if you can have your dad add the Bug to his existing policy and have you pay the bill monthly to him. It's usually cheaper to add a car to an existing policy than making a new policy with the same vehicle.

Roundbadge > Big Bubba Ray
12/10/2013 at 11:35

Check with Progressive. MAKE SURE you disclose that there are modifications and that you get coverage for aftermarket mods. Also, I'm told you'd want a "stated amount" policy.

Source: GF formerly sold for Progressive, currently is an adjuster.

Big Bubba Ray > Roundbadge
12/10/2013 at 11:51

I actually went on the Progressive site just a little while ago to try my luck. After I entered the vehicle info and everything, this "Vehicle Eligibility" box opened up.

Kinja'd!!!

I'm confused about the "altered suspension" thing here.

Frank Grimes > Big Bubba Ray
12/10/2013 at 11:55

dune buggy is not a baja bug.

Big Bubba Ray > Frank Grimes
12/10/2013 at 11:56

That's why I'm confused. I've done a shit load of research about this and I've seen some people online who have their Baja Bugs insured with Hagerty and others who Hagerty wouldn't insure because of "modifications."

Roundbadge > Big Bubba Ray
12/10/2013 at 11:58

To quote her:

"Altered suspension shouldn't be an issue if registered for street use."

Big Bubba Ray > Roundbadge
12/10/2013 at 12:00

That's what I figured. The site is very vague about what they considered "altered suspension." Helps to have someone who knows what they're talking about. Thanks for the help!

Roundbadge > Big Bubba Ray
12/10/2013 at 12:02

No problem. She was reading the post too.

She's still a licensed agent, so she definitely knows the rules here. It might be best to call in and talk with an agent just to make sure.

Big Bubba Ray > Roundbadge
12/10/2013 at 12:04

Will do. Again, thanks!