Grundy and Hagerty are two auto insurance companies that specialize in classic cars. Overall, Grundy is considerably cheaper and seems to have fewer restrictions in terms of who can apply for their policies.
When buying an insurance policy for a classic car, you want to go with a provider that gives you the most coverage with the fewest restrictions. Today, we’ll be taking a look at Grundy and Hagerty auto insurance, and determining which one is better to have.
Grundy Overview
The Grundy insurance company was founded in 1947 with the purpose of providing insurance for people with antique/collector’s cars. Originally, Grundy sold insurance for vehicles that were expected to appreciate in value, which ruled out the vast majority of cars sold at the time.
Grundy was founded by James A. Grundy, Sr., specifically with the intent of insuring his father-in-law’s antique car collection. His son, Jim Grundy, Jr., has received valuation and underwriting authority from the American International Group (AIG), which allows him to personally approve values for cars and car collections.
These days, Grundy also sells insurance policies for regular-use vehicles, as well as car collections, homes, classic boats, and collections of special items (like antique firearms, wine, or rare books).
Grundy still has a focus on classic and collectible cars, though, and is one of the top insurance companies for classic cars in the U.S. today. The definition of a “classic” car varies depending on who you ask, but in the U.S., “classic” cars are defined as cars that are 25 years old or more.
Hagerty Overview
Hagerty Auto Insurance was founded in 1984 by Frank and Lousie Hagerty. The Hagertys originally founded the company as a boat insurance company for their personal use, as they owned several boats that were proving difficult to insure with other companies.
In 1991, however, the Hagertys expanded their company to include coverage for classic cars. These days, the company is run by the Hagertys’ son, McKeel, and while they don’t cover quite the variety of vehicles and collectible items that Grundy covers, Hagerty still offers coverage for a fairly wide range of classic vehicles.
Hagerty currently has offices around the world in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., meaning they offer coverage in a greater number of regions than Grundy does. However, Hagerty policies are usually considerably more expensive than Grundy policies.
Grundy vs. Hagerty Coverage
Let’s take a look at the coverage each company offers and see how it compares.
Grundy Coverage
Grundy offers some pretty comprehensive coverage that makes it quite an appealing option when selecting an insurance policy. For one, they offer a guaranteed agreed value for any car you want to get a policy for. This means that if your car is totalled, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost you initially agreed on.
Grundy also offers liability limits of up to $1 million, and they also provide protection from uninsured or underinsured motorists. They’ll also reimburse you for a portion of any expenses you might incur from an unexpected breakdown, such as towing and labor costs as well as food and lodging if you break down far from home.
Hagerty Coverage
Hagerty also offers some good coverage that makes them worth checking out. Most notably, they also offer a guaranteed agreed value for your car, so you’ll always be able to claim the amount you were initially promised in the event of an accident.
Hagerty will also cover the cost of any tools and parts you might need to keep your car in working order. Their policy also includes access to 24/7 roadside assistance, and even medical coverage if you or a family member are injured during an autoshow or similar event.
Grundy vs. Hagerty Restrictions
Many insurance companies have restrictions in place determining what kinds of cars can be insured and how you can use a vehicle that has been insured by them. Let’s check out the differences between Grundy’s and Hagerty’s restrictions.
Grundy Restrictions
Grundy seems to have relatively few restrictions when it comes to its policies. Grundy’s policies allow unlimited miles (for pleasure driving), and they are able to insure pretty much any kind of car that is older than 25 years, as well as modern muscle and exotic cars. They also insure modified cars like hot rods.
However, there are some restrictions on how you can use a car insured by them. For example, Grundy won’t allow you to use your car as a daily driver, although you can occasionally take your car to work if you want to show it off.
If you’re storing your car at home, you’ll have to store it in a secure garage to comply with Grundy’s policy. If you’re away from home and staying at a hotel, however, you’re allowed to park your car outside.
Hagerty Restrictions
Hagerty’s restrictions for driving are largely the same as Grundy’s. Cars can only be driven for pleasure purposes, and you’ll need to store your vehicle in an enclosed garage if you’re keeping it at home. They also don’t have mileage restrictions on pleasure driving.
Hagerty seems to have more restrictions on what kind of cars they will insure, however. For example, they won’t insure any vehicles that have been heavily modified for appearance, such as tuners or low-riders. They also won’t insure any vehicles with certain racing modifications.
In addition, high-risk drivers who have previously been caught being charged for speeding or DUI will be ineligible for one of Hagerty’s policies.
Summary
Both Grundy and Hagerty offer pretty great coverage for classic car owners. As for which one is better, well, it’s hard to argue with the lower prices that Grundy offers. The lower costs will be the clincher for many people.
It’s worth checking out both of these insurance providers before you make your final decision, though; while Hagerty is more expensive, they might offer you coverage for certain things that you won’t get from Grundy, depending on the car you have and how you intend to use it.
Hi, I hope this article was helpful to you. If you've ever owned a car before, it's inevitable that you will deal with your fair share of car issues. I know I have, and that's why my passion is to research common car questions and answer them.
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