Ok so I want to vent a little...
As you may know I recently bought a 1999 M3. The car was purchased as a toy. It will probably get less then 3000 miles a year on it and will spend most of its time sitting in my garage under a car cover. I bought it to take to autocrosses, the occasional track day and to enjoy on the weekends etc. I have a car provided by my work that I drive everyday.
Before I purchased the car I contacted Hagerty's and inquired as to if they would cover the car since it was for limited use and it is kind of "colectible". The original person I spoke to said that that wouldn't be a problem. They asked if the car was modified and I said "yes a little does that make a difference". No not at all was the reply what type of modifications? It is lowered and has an exhaust. "We don't consider that modified, modified would be extensive modifications or a roll cage." was the reply. (This is where an assumption on my part got me in trouble.) Really you cover cars with roll cages? "Yes that way people with race cars are covered when the car is in storage or in transit to the event. We would not cover any damages incurred in an event obviously but the car would be covered on the street." I thought sweet this sounds perfect.
So after purchasing said M3. I called up Hagertys and said lets get that policy we talked about. I fill out the online application to finalize the deal and one of the questions they ask is will the car be used for "autocross, driver training events, or road rally" I assume based on my previous conversation that this is not a problem so I truthfully answer yes. (In the comment box below the check box I wrote occasional local autocross.) A few days go by and I do not hear from Hagerty's. This morning I call to see the progress of my insurance application and the customer service rep on the phone informs me that due to the car being used for racing they will not write my policy. I advise her that this is contracry to what the individual I originally spoke to told me and she tells me sorry the under writer has declined to write the policy. I asked to speak with the underwriter and she told me that it would not be possible for me to speak with them.
I have been autocrossing for over 15 years and I have never once damaged my car in any way shape or form. I don't understand how autocrossing prevents me from being insurable. I have a great driving record (No accidents since I was 16 in 1994, no tickets in the past 6 year) and excellent credit. It is aggravating to me that the original rep advised that they would insure a car with a roll cage but, when it comes time to purchase the policy driving a street car through a parking lot renders the car uninsurable. The ignorance of the underwriter to what autocross entail and its risks is disheartening.
I guess the lesson to take away from this is to lie when getting insurance about the cars use.
I guess what got me so upset is that I have had a great experience with Haggerty's with my Early Bronco, and there type of policy is perfect for my limited use M3 (Stated value etc...). I have even recommended them to several of my friends, in similar situations.
He did learn a lesson about using his DD as a track car and now has an Integra as the new, cheaper, track toy. I was working the event when he did this and after the wreck he kept driving. It was mostly cosmetic.
