I get where you're coming from, but I’ve actually had the “classic car” label work in my favor a couple times. Some adjusters seemed to appreciate the extra care that goes into maintaining an older vehicle. Maybe it depends on the company or even just who you get that day... It’s definitely hit or miss, but I wouldn’t say it’s always a red flag.
Yeah, I’ve noticed it’s really a coin toss with adjusters. Sometimes they’re car folks and totally get it, other times they just see “old” and start lowballing. Had one guy actually compliment my ‘72 and give me a fair shake, so it’s not all bad. Just gotta be ready for anything, I guess.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not sure it’s just about whether the adjuster’s a “car person” or not. I’ve had a couple of claims where the adjuster clearly didn’t know much about classics, but they still went by the book—checked comps, looked at my documentation, and gave me a fair payout. On the flip side, I’ve met “car guys” who lowballed because they thought they knew better than the market.
Honestly, I think it comes down to how well you prep your case. If you’ve got receipts, recent appraisals, and photos, it’s a lot harder for them to just toss out a low number. I keep a folder with all my maintenance records and any upgrades, just in case. It’s a pain, but it’s saved me from getting shortchanged more than once.
Also, some companies seem to have better training for their adjusters. I’ve had better luck with smaller regional insurers than the big national ones—less bureaucracy, maybe? Or maybe just luck of the draw.
Anyway, I wouldn’t count on personality alone. Paperwork and persistence seem to matter more than whether the adjuster appreciates your ride. Just my two cents.
I’ve got to agree with you on the paperwork part. In my experience, it’s not about whether the adjuster is a car enthusiast or just clocking in for a paycheck. Most of them are just following whatever checklist their company hands them. I had a claim last year after a fender bender—nothing fancy, just my daily driver—and the adjuster barely looked at the car. He spent more time flipping through my records and photos than actually inspecting anything.
Honestly, I think people get too hung up on finding that “car guy” adjuster who’ll appreciate their ride. Doesn’t matter if they’re into cars or not if they’re not allowed to go outside the company’s formula. Like you said, if you’ve got your ducks in a row—receipts, photos, even emails with your mechanic—it’s way harder for them to lowball you.
I’ve noticed the same thing with smaller insurers around here (I’m in Casper). They seem less rigid and more willing to actually talk things through instead of hiding behind corporate policies. Had a buddy with Mountain West who said his adjuster actually called him back and walked him through the payout process step by step. Try getting that from one of the big names... good luck.
One thing I’ll add: don’t be afraid to push back if something feels off. Adjusters aren’t infallible, and sometimes they just miss stuff or use outdated comps. I had to argue once over aftermarket parts—they tried to value my car as if it was bone stock, even though I’d sent in receipts for everything I’d added. Took some back-and-forth, but persistence paid off.
At the end of the day, it’s all about how well you document things and how persistent you are when something doesn’t add up. The system isn’t perfect, but being organized definitely stacks things in your favor.
Had a similar run-in a couple years back with my ’72 Chevelle after a hailstorm. I’d spent months tracking down original trim pieces, and when it came time for the claim, the adjuster barely glanced at the car—just snapped a few pics and started quoting numbers off his tablet. Didn’t matter that I had a binder full of receipts and before/after photos, he just wanted to check boxes and move on.
You’re spot on about smaller insurers being more flexible. I switched to a local outfit after that mess, and it was night and day. The new adjuster actually asked about the restoration work and took time to go over every detail. Still had to send in all my paperwork, but at least I felt like they cared about more than just the bottom line.
It’s frustrating when you’ve put so much time (and cash) into a car and someone tries to value it like it’s just another beater. Documentation is key, but sometimes you’ve gotta stand your ground too. Not every adjuster gets it, but persistence really does make a difference.