USAA Classic Car insurance

[tparker]

I recently joined USAA for home insurance after AAA used a drone, weather ballon, or satellite from a 3rd party to spy on our property and cancel us. Longish story. I was looking through some of their sales literature and noticed they had classic car insurance. I was curious if anyone has any experience with it and how it stands up to Hegarty and others?

Tom

[Cuda Cody]

You got to tell us more about the drone, weather balloon, or satellite story!

I use State Farm for my classic cars and the price was a lot cheaper than Hagerty.

[70vert]

You got to tell us more about the drone, weather balloon, or satellite story!

I use State Farm for my classic cars and the price was a lot cheaper than Hagerty.

Agree, that seems like a lot of effort/expense just to be able to cancel your coverage.
I use Allstate, same as my house so pretty decent discounts.

[Marty]

We refinanced our home through USAA. At that time, I decided insured my classic cars with USAA since they offered the service. They told me they insure through American Collectors. That was fine with me. I had heard good things about American Collectors.

It's been over a decade and no rate change on three cars. I couldn't tell you about the accident claims since I haven't had to file any. 

[tparker]

LOL. AAA has been canceling homeeowner insurance across the nation. They canceled mine a year or so ago. They sited hazardous material and something similar to garbage  around the yard. I was  in the midst of renovating my a room we have above our garage and had a bunch of sheetrock piled up. I was also "spring cleaning" my garage and had a bunch of old paint containers laid out in the drive way for the dump. In California you can't dispose of paint products unless they are dried. THere were a couple tire also going to the dump. My wife also mowed the lawn, raked the backyard of leaves, and pruned some trees. So there were two or three piles of "leaf litter". My 70 Challenger was out side and they said it was a dilapidated car. The hood was off and it was dirty from not being washed, but was freshly painted and basically ready to go. I explained it was a $20K+ car that was "registered" (non op) and was basically road ready. It ran but I have a few things such as two tires, fuel line, and kickdown linkage that needed to be fixed before I can register and insure it for the road.

I got a notice that they cancelled my insurance and I called about it. The guy on the phone was very vague and wouln't tell me much but I was able to get some of the above info from them. They said they had photos but wouldn't give me much details other than a few items that he saw. It took me weeks to recall everything and what happened.

California had some devastating fires and this was the reaction. Mind you, I live in the MIDDLE of Sacramento. Not in the boonies, hills, or forest. If we burn down, there is a bigger problem going on. I did some research and found this video

that happened a bit before mine and basically got the same form letter this guy had. At the time of the news vid they admitted they were flying drones but they soon pulled back and made it more abstract and stated they may use balloons and/or satellites. As if that is more reassuring. Gotta love people spying on you. I get the occasional visit to the home to make sure it isn't a train wreck. But Drones, Spy ballons, and/or sateliites from 3rd partys? Maybe that balloon that flew over they US 2 years ago was a AAA balloon, or AAA is contracting with thee Chinese. LOL.

It pissed me off that there wasn't any "fix it or else" clause. Just that it was canceled. All the pics from Google Earth show the property as being in great shape, with the exception of an occasional green pool. Ugh. What are you gonna do.

So instead of fighting it, I just switched and now I tell people not to use AAA if they will listen. But it isn't  just AAA, they all are doing this and we don't have much of a choice. UGH.

Sorry for the long post.

[Floyd]

I too use USAA's classic car insurance partner "American Collectors".  I have no complaints and have had only one minor claim (windshield crack) that was handled smoothly. 

I haven't compared prices lately, but when I did a few years back it was very competitive.

[mtull]

You got to tell us more about the drone, weather balloon, or satellite story!

I use State Farm for my classic cars and the price was a lot cheaper than Hagerty.

Insurance companies use drones and high-altitude balloons to spy on homes and deny coverage: report

[70_440-6Cuda]

I have had USAA insurance for over 25 years and have had amazing service from them.  However, during COVID they went to a more automated system for filing claims and it was an absolute misery.  Everything had to be uploaded through the app, and communication was impossible.  We had a rodent eat the wiring harness in the engine bay on our BMW M850 - it uses wiring that carries multiple voltages, so it cant be repaired and the wiring harness had to be replaced - engine had to come out to get access to the harness.  In the end they paid the claim, but I paid the $7k up front to get my car back because they could not figure out how to issue the check to the dealership in a timely manner - AND they will not pay out to the policy holder if it is over a certain dollar amount, so they sent the check to the dealer even though I paid, and the dealer had to refund my card - took about 2 weeks.

I use American Collectors also, $750 or so / year for a $100K stated value policy and $5K of coverage for stored spare parts loss or damage.  BUT I just got my renewal and the price has more than DOUBLED!

I called, and the answer I got was "Well, yep, you are in California, sorry"  I paid it because I dont have time to shop right now, but I will be for sure.  I did have a claim and they were very fast and easy to deal with so that is a plus