You are not going to believe this!

[hesutton]

My insurance agent at State Farm called me yesterday to inform me that they will drop my policy on my project truck. Man, I just got the policy a little over two weeks ago. The agent said that they cannot cover the vehicle because of "altered suspension"!!! What a load of bull! The policy was for $35,000 and he/State Farm did not want to cover the truck so they made up the bull crap excuse to drop me. The thing that ****** me off is that I've been with these clowns for the last 14 years (since I started driving) and I have my home and wife's car and jewlery insured with them as well. I've got to find another carrier and I will cancel all my policies with State Farm.

Anybody else have this problem? I mean, they said they cover classic cars and restored vehicles, but how many of these vehicles have "altered suspension"? Man, I'm Mad.

Sorry I just needed to vent. Any suggestions for insurance companies?

Heath

 

[mateo]

You could always try another State Farm agent, unless you're unhappy with the company in general.

 

[krawlr]

I'm curious to see how you do on this. I've never discussed the mods on my Toyota with my agent. The brakes and suspension are no longer Toyota. Luckily it only sees a short run from the hauler to the trailhead a couple times a month.

 

[pafixitman]

Mel uses a special "classic car" insurance carrier.

I have never had SF, but decided to go shopping a while back and got a better policy and saved $400 a year when I dumped Allstate. 2 vehicles w/ full coverage, house, jewelery riders, RV, my business vehicle (truck) and liabilty all run through the same agent. She tends to listen when I call. I'm w/ Donegal out of PA.

 

[Dsl_Dog_Treat]

Heath,
Sorry bout the luck on that one dude.
Unfortunatly, I think you're gonna find that about all of them are doing that. Here in Michigan it is the same thing. Reason being is that the suspension is not factory stock and the concern is the increased chances of rollover due to the fact that the vehicle has an altered center of gravity rather than a stock vehicle.
Looking at their side I can see it since I have been upside down on my ranger only 3 weeks after the body lift was installed. DON"T ASK!
I ain't stickin up for em tho.
Alot of inexperienced new drivers are the biggest concern.
They sure want their chunk of the scratch but sure don't want to give it back.
Ya might try it as an assembled vehicle title. Different rules come into play then. Then so might the price.

 

[sassyrel]

do like i did-went thru same thing--after about 8 calls--found a friendly agent--and cost a lot less per month on ins--

 

[93turbo_animal]

Man that sucks but what are you going to do laws on thier side you have to have it to drive but how did they know the truck was lifted anyhow any time I get a new vehicle I just walk into my Ins agent office tell her what I bought give her the vin and she says ok and BAM I have insurance

 

[Freight_Train]

Assembled vehicle title?Tell me more!Maybe this is a way to get one of those Cool Ausi cars up here.Would love to drag up a Diesel Ranger or one of those new age Rancheros even if it ment it came in a couple crates with "Some assembly required".

 

[RLDSL]

Given Fords recent track record on safety and rollovers on newer models, you think they'd be happy to see an aftermarket suspension

----------Robert

 

[hesutton]

I looked at those special classic/restored vehicle insurance agents, they have great coverage, but they have some serious restrictions. Most will not cover the vehicle unless it is kept in a locked garage (my truck won't fit), they have milage restrictions, and the vehicle cannot be a daily driver. I would not fall under any of these conditions. Basically, it is for show and parade (trailer queens) vehicles only.

The State Farm agent made me get the vehicle appraised before writing the policy. The appraiser included the "new springs/shocks" on the list of goodies, and he also took pictures of the truck. This is how the State Farm guy knew the suspension was not factory. Anyway, most restored/hot rod/ muscle car's he covers are likely not to have factory suspesion, but like I said, it is an excuse not to cover the appraised value of the truck.

I've got to find something soon. My policy will end on May 14th.

Heath

 

[snatchal]

It's not a bad idea to check around for better prices on insurance every few years. You would think that being a long term customer would get you better
service. It will from the agent, but not from the company.
The insurance business is all about the odds of the company having to pay you for a claim. Every year they cover you increases those odds. The way they look at it is if they can collect premiums from you for 14 years and never have to pay a claim and then get you to move on, that is a 100% profit for them. Find an agent that writes multiple companies.

 

[Pipeliner_86]

Heath, there are a ton of lifted trucks running around Toledo. They all have to have insurance from somewhere. I would say maybe look around and see what/who you can find.
Good luck, I would hate to see a BIG BEAUTIFULL IDI set around and collect dust.

 

[jrisingmoon]

This is a long shot but is there any evidence from the manufacturer that can be used to sure up your case, like any sort of studies they performed or field tests or something that says, "Our suspensions will hold up under such-and-such circumstances"? If they only care about the vague term "altered suspensions" throw the suspensions name at the company or the manufacturer and go from there. Most of the time they are relying on statistics, which are REALLY general. But if you can give them info from those who installed the suspension and the company that manufactured the suspension, they'll have hard credible data from the manufacturer that will hopefully conflict with their data and the credentials from a reputable shop that hopefully will have the credentials to back themselves up. If they are just on the look out for bad inexperienced drivers, then don't you have a 14 year history with them? If it's clean, or has minor traffic stuff like running a red light or two, then I think you qualify as an experienced driver. If the info you supply them says that roll over isn't a problem, you should be okayed. Now this is a long shot, but if it works it'll be a nice way to stick to State Farm. Just don't roll over your truck or they'll give a big "I told you so" and hike your rates like crazy.

 

[jrisingmoon]

Think of the insurance company as being some idiot who thinks they have the authority to take your truck away from you because they simply don't trust you with it. They don't want you to get into an accident, but unfortunately, it's because they don't want to shell out the cash to fix it if it or fix you if it does happen, not because they really care about what happens to you or your truck in the accident.

I don't know if that helps or not...

 

[broncobilly_69]

I'd just go throught he yellow pages and find a good company that will cover it. When you cancel all of your other policies be sure and tell the agent why.