You get what you pay for... CLASSIC COLLECTORS INSURANCE company (Infinity Insurance)

[btsave]

I reported an engine fire claim to my new insurance company (Classic Collectors from Infinity Insurance) on Monday, March 5th.

I get assigned an appraiser/ liaison (Mark), who I then called & emailed on Tuesday, and was told he was not the assigned appraiser/liaison, who then gave me a different contact's info.

I then called this new one (Jack), emailed as well and waited.... When no one had contacted me by Wednesday, I called him again, emailed him and then contacted my insurance agent who called them.

Finally, late Wednesday night, I get a call telling me that a local "investigator" (Alexandria) had been assigned and to contact her.

So, I called her Thursday morning, 3/8, only to find out she would be away from 3/8 to 3/20!

So, called, emailed, called my insurance agent & "Jack" again... etc.

Got back an email from Infinity (Jack) saying he was aware of the issue and that "have (sic) been working on securing another appraiser to inspect as I agree with you 17 days is too long. "

Emailed again first thing this morning (3/9) to him (Jack).

Now, midmorning on Friday, 3/9, still no information,no response, no email, no phone, no appraisal, nothing!

I cannot get other cars out of my garage as the burnt one is blocking it, the car smells up the garage and it sickens me just looking at it every day!

Do not do business with that company (Classic Collectors from Infinity Insurance)!

You get what you pay for.... no, actually less!!!

I had changed the policy to this new company, based on premium, in the middle of February at the recommendation of my insurance agent. My old insurance company, American Collectors (American Bankers), had been great, but the new premium was almost $1000 less! I had only 3 claims (glass, front end accident, &, one week after opening the policy in '98, paint damage during transport) with American in 14 years, all of which were settled by going to a local body shop or ASE certified shop, who then submitted the appraisal and were paid within a day or two! Plus, they worked with each shop to make adjustments when additional damage was discovered! American Collectors Insurance rocks!

The other? not so much!

[Bug]

I have dealt with that insurance company before and had no issues at all. Sure they might take a little longer than an agent that is in your same town or right down the street. Look at it this way, if you were with them all along they would have saved you almost $14K over the last 14 years.

If the car is in your way, take a ton of pictures, roll it out in the driveway and cover it up with a car cover. You might want to tell the insurance company that's what you are doing if you think that rolling it out of the garage is an issue.

That really sucks to see your car like that. What happened if you do not mind telling everybody? It might help someone else out so they do not have it happen to them.

[Simi Mike]

Great topic. I know others with $50K+ cars, and they look for the cheapest insurance. Insurance companies that I've never heard of, they found on a flyer, given out at a car show. When its time to file a claim, they go through the ringer. I might pay a few hundred more, but haven't been disappointed yet with the Hagerty Ins Company. Yes, I have had a claim, and they came through like champs. No complaints, and would highly recommend them to all.

[btsave]

Glad to hear that you have had better luck than me. I don't think that the distance is the issue, as my initial company was also away, was a relatively "unknown" company, and gave me prompt, professional service... this one, Infinity, may be good, but possible the adjuster (jack) is new or something... I don't know....

Not certain what caused it, was running fine, just backed it out of the garage one evening, left it idling in the driveway while I pulled another vehicle out. Turned around and saw smoke/flames coming out around the hood. Must have been quite hot since it was able to cause the glass in the fuel gauge to actually crack (Russian researcher Roytman, noted that a room gas temperature of around 300oC is needed to lead to glass breakage) and melted away all the hood liner, warping the metal hood as well... as the engine temperature when idling (3 electric fans working) always has been no more than 185, the air in the engine bay must have been super heated by something to cause the breakage.

All fuel lines intact, no fuses blown, engine still ran until I shut it off, fans were working as well.... no idea.

Act of God?


UPDATE: Received an email just now, they have found another appraiser and say that I am "tentatively scheduled" for 3/12.... 7 days since original incident, and no contact information given me or definite date/time. How disappointing.

[Simi Mike]

btsave -
Being a fellow hot rodder, I truly hope they take care of you, to your satification. Keep us informed of the progress. Its a learning experience
for all of us.

[rumrumm]

Keep us updated on how satisfied you were with the settlement. Perhaps it will be worth the time you had to wait.

[Bug]

So you dont know if it was electrical or a fuel leak. Could be either I guess.

Yes, keep us informed and updated. Just because I have had not had any issues in the past does not meen that things have not changed there.

Take care & hope your car gets fixed back to the way it was or even better.

[Bruce lee]

Go with Hagarty or Grundy at agreed value

[btsave]

btsave -
Being a fellow hot rodder, I truly hope they take care of you, to your satification. Keep us informed of the progress. Its a learning experience
for all of us.

I called the CFO of Infinity Insurance this afternoon, got a call from the 2nd adjuster (JACK), who said that he'll cal me back in a 1/2 hour with a scheduled appraiser. Was then called by another adjuster who said they could come out between 10am and 2pm on monday, with a 1/2 advance notice. I explained to them that I was at work M0n-Friday until 4:30pm and that I couldn't be at the house at that time. They then said that they do not work Weekends or after 4pm, but they would see what they can do. I then called the CFO again, and, 1/2 hr later, received a call saying someone would be at my house between 12noon and 2pm. ... but I wouldn't have any estimate until Tuesday at the earliest. You know, normally I am a pretty laid back guy... life's too short, but it seems like these people are purposely trying to give me a headache! I wonder what wonder boy they'll send out tomorrow! I'll let everyone know,

"Go with Hagarty or Grundy at agreed value"

Not a bad idea, but will probably just go back to American Collectors (American Bankers) as they have always been GREAT to deal with.

Bart in FL

[btsave]

Appraisal guy came, knowledgable, probably the only bright light in this entire FU. Saturday I get mailed the claim form to fill out, with a PO Box address on it. I called up the insurance company to get a physical address so I can overnight it (at my expense) only to be told that the ONLY address I can send it to is the PO Box! OMG! They will do anything they can to delay!
Bart

[62 Chevy]

I'am wanting to change to Classic Collectors Ins. But I have been waiting to see if they ever paid you on your claim on your fire? Please let me know what happened. I hope for your sake it was good! Thanks!

[vara4]

I have Infinity Insurance and had a fire while traveling accrossed Texas.
They paid my shop bill, motel bill and food bill, for two weeks while I was stranded.
I had good luck with them!!!
Kurt

[btsave]

I'am wanting to change to Classic Collectors Ins. But I have been waiting to see if they ever paid you on your claim on your fire? Please let me know what happened. I hope for your sake it was good! Thanks!

Actually, once I raised a stink about lack of service they became very responsive, sent out out independent adjuster, and paint immediately. They even followed up several times and added additional payments as needed. I think that my initial problems with them was just poor timing on their part and not indicative of any general problems.

[firebird77clone]

Every insurance company I've checked won't give more than liability unless It's garage kept and not driven

[btsave]

Just another update on Infinity Insurance... had another issue (garage door fell on my '57 BelAir)! Called them immediately... within 1 hr they called back and arranged for an adjustor to visit me the NEXT DAY! Preliminary estimate received, check received 3 days later! Brought car to body shop, work done, appraiser check and increased estimate, 2nd check received! WOW! They were GREAT this time around!
I can now recommend them...