Had a buddy who swears by Hagerty for his ‘72 Chevelle—said they actually sent an adjuster who knew the difference between original trim and reproduction parts, which blew his mind after years with big-name insurers. I’ve only dealt with State Farm and yeah, felt like I had to explain what carburetors are... Not sure if it’s just luck of the draw or if specialty insurers really train their folks better. Has anyone noticed a difference in how claims get valued? Like, do they actually factor in restoration work or just go by book value?
Had a similar experience with State Farm—felt like I was speaking a different language when I tried to explain why my ‘85 Mustang’s original wheels mattered. They just kept referencing “standard parts.” My uncle uses USAA and he swears they’re better about factoring in restoration work, but I’m not sure if that’s across the board or just his luck. Seems like specialty insurers really do get it, though. Regular ones mostly stick to book value from what I’ve seen.
That’s honestly such a common frustration. It’s like, if you’re into cars at all, you know original parts can make or break the whole value—especially with something classic like an ‘85 Mustang. I’ve heard mixed things about USAA too. Some people say they’re great with restoration claims, others have had to fight for every detail. I guess it really depends on the adjuster you get and how much documentation you have.
Specialty insurers definitely seem to “get it” more when it comes to collector cars or anything that’s not just a daily driver. The regular companies just want to plug your VIN into a database and call it a day. It can be super discouraging, but you’re not alone in feeling like you’re speaking a different language. Hang in there—sometimes persistence and having all your paperwork lined up does help, even if it feels like a hassle.
USAA vs State Farm: which claims process is less of a headache?
I totally get the frustration—insurance claims can feel like pulling teeth, especially if you’re not dealing with a collector car. For us regular folks just trying to keep the family ride on the road, here’s what I’ve noticed:
-
100% this. When my minivan got rear-ended, State Farm basically ran it through their system and spit out a number. Not much room for negotiation unless you really push back.“The regular companies just want to plug your VIN into a database and call it a day.”
- USAA was actually more responsive when my neighbor had hail damage, but they did ask for every receipt since 2012... who keeps all that?
- Specialty insurers sound great, but honestly, I’m not paying extra unless my car’s worth more than my house (which it definitely isn’t).
- Both companies seem to depend on the adjuster you get. Some are super chill, others act like you’re trying to scam them over a busted taillight.
If you’re just looking for “get me back on the road” coverage, both are fine—just keep your paperwork handy and expect some back-and-forth. If you’re restoring something special? Yeah, might be time to look at those niche companies. For the rest of us, it’s mostly about patience... and maybe a little luck.
Honestly, neither company is immune to headaches, but you hit the nail on the head—so much depends on the adjuster you get. I’ve seen both USAA and State Farm streamline things if your paperwork is in order, but if there’s any missing info, expect delays. State Farm tends to rely heavily on their estimating software, which can be frustrating if you know your car’s worth more than what the system spits out. You really do have to push back if the first offer seems low.
USAA’s a bit more thorough, sometimes to a fault. They’ll dig for documentation, which can feel like overkill, but it does mean fewer surprises later. If you’re not the type to keep old receipts, that part’s a pain.
At the end of the day, neither is perfect. If you want quick and easy, have your docs ready and don’t be afraid to ask questions or challenge an estimate. For basic repairs, both get the job done—just don’t expect miracles or white-glove service unless you’re in that specialty market.
