I've never had a classic Mustang, but I did have a '72 Chevy pickup that my dad passed down. When I first insured it with AAA, the quote they gave me was honestly ridiculous—felt like they were treating it like a daily driver rather than something that mostly sits in the garage. A friend who restores old muscle cars recommended Hagerty, and I ended up switching over to them. The difference was night and day in terms of price and coverage specifics...things like agreed value coverage made a huge difference for me.
I still use AAA for my regular cars because they've been reliable enough for roadside assistance and everyday stuff, but specialty insurers definitely seem to understand vintage vehicles better. If you're budget-conscious like me, it's worth checking around with these specialty companies—they actually get that you're not commuting in your classic every day and price accordingly.
I've noticed Hagerty mentioned a few times now, and it makes sense they'd offer better deals for classics since that's their specialty. But I'm curious—did you find the process of setting an agreed value straightforward? I've heard mixed things about how insurers determine that number...some folks say it's easy, others mention having to jump through hoops with appraisals and documentation. How was your experience with that part of it?
When I went through Hagerty for my classic, setting the agreed value was pretty straightforward—just sent some photos and a couple details. But honestly, if your ride's heavily customized or rare, I'd recommend getting an appraisal anyway...better safe than sorry down the road.
I've thought about switching to Hagerty, but my car isn't exactly a classic or heavily customized—just an older daily driver. AAA's rates seem to keep creeping up, and coverage feels thinner each renewal. Wondering if Hagerty or similar insurers even make sense for regular cars with a bit of age on them...or is it mostly just classics and customs they cater to?
I looked into Hagerty a while back when my old Accord hit the 20-year mark. Like you, I wasn't driving anything special—just a reliable daily driver with some sentimental value. From what I gathered, Hagerty's sweet spot really is classics, collectibles, or at least something that's not your typical commuter. They have mileage limits and expect the car to be garaged and not used as your main ride. So if you're still using yours daily, it might not fit their criteria.
That said, AAA definitely isn't what it used to be. A few years ago, they were my go-to—solid rates, decent coverage—but lately I've noticed the same creeping premiums and thinner coverage you're mentioning. I ended up shopping around and found better deals with smaller regional insurers who seem more flexible about older cars without classic status. Might be worth checking out some local options or even independent agents who can compare multiple carriers for you...worked out pretty well for me.
