My wife's job includes daily travel around town, all times of the day to and from several elementary schools, offices, etc. Unfortunately she has had minor parking lot fender benders each of the past three years. I called CHROME (American National) and the agent told me up front that they could not give me their preferred rate due to household history - fair enough, even though she does not drive manual tranny's thus she will not be a driver of the insured car. I called Grundy, went through their check list and for "citations or claims past three years?" told the agent "Yes, as a family we have had relatively small claims each of the past three years." She asked, "What about you as a driver?", and I told her that No, I had not had any citations or claims for several years, other than reporting being hit from behind in my Jeep which destroyed the front end of a rice rocket, and scuffed the paint on my rock bumper. She told me, "...we only consider the applicant's history." A few days later, after several discussions with my primary agent about how to be sure I had dovetailed coverage with him and Grundy I get an e-mail from Grundy's underwriter saying in part,
Unfortunately, we are unable to insure your collector vehicle based on your household driving history. The maximum number of losses/violations we can consider is two tickets and one accident in the last three years.
If I were with Grundy I would be concerned that a cancellation notice may be headed my way any time they have reason to do their reviews of tickets, chargable accidents, etc which are all in a massive data base open to all carriers. Costs more ($450 to $500 annually vs $300 Grundy, $400 Chrome), and a total loss claim is likely going to be a hassle on the settlement amount vs "agreed value", but in my situation going with my regular carrier is going to be the answer - no mileage restrictions, no event restrictions, no hassles - just another vehicle to them.