USA guys. What insurance company do you use for imported Cruisers

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ZeGerman

ZeGerman

Joined
Jul 21, 2016
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Location
Atlanta, GA
I just wanted to know for the guys that have an HDJ81 that was imported. What insurance company do you guys use and what kind of policy is it?

I have mine insured with Progressive and of course they had an issue with the VIN number and the fact that the ride is not in their database. I wound up going with an agreed value policy.

Are there any insurance companies in the US that will insure these things? And what do they value it at. I was just looking for options.
 
ZeGerman said:
I just wanted to know for the guys that have an HDJ81 that was imported. What insurance company do you guys use and what kind of policy is it?

I have mine insured with Progressive and of course they had an issue with the VIN number and the fact that the ride is not in their database. I wound up going with an agreed value policy.

Are there any insurance companies in the US that will insure these things? And what do they value it at. I was just looking for options.
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Honestly, agreed value policy might be the way to go with these, completely eliminates the issues when they try and compare it to a <$3000 FJ80 and base settlement offers (and total loss thresholds) on that apples to oranges valuation.
 
There was and I think continue to be similar issues here in Canada when we first got the JDM's.

Some insurance companies said no, some didn't care.

I've heard some folks add 3-4 zeros to the beginning of the VIN to make it fit the standard number of characters to make the VIN 'acceptable' to the insurance company's computer.
 
I am curious about this as well. For those of you in the USA, how was your experience insuring your JDM vehicle? Was your premium significantly higher than for your domestic vehicles?

I'm not interested in Hagertys or classic car as I plan to DD whatever JDM truck I get.
 
For what it's worth, I am in Texas and I put our 1991 HDJ81 on our existing GEICO policy. I had no issues with the VIN (we just put zeros in front to make it agree with the traditional length VINs in the U.S.) or getting it insured. It is just a normal, traditional auto policy (no agreed value policy) with collision and comprehensive coverage and our premium was not any higher than other vehicles we've had insured in the past (which we no longer own). However, should a claim arise, GEICO will only provide the comparable, fair market value for a similar vehicle (and they probably won't acknowledge that it's a diesel import!). I'm guessing they will most likely only compare it to a normal North American FJ80 gasser. I'm pretty sure I'd have to formally argue the issue and get it appraised and all that.

Our HDJ81 is our daily driver and only vehicle, so many of the "classic car" policies specifically exclude daily driving usage of the vehicle, and driving to anywhere but car shows, etc. If anyone knows of an agreed value auto policy that isn't outrageous in price, or does not have many of the classic car exclusions (i.e. a daily driver vehicle can have it), let me know!
 
absalom said:
Has anyone actually had success placing these vehicles on an "agreed value" policy? I was unable to find an insurance company who would agree to this ...
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I spent the better part of a day calling around and no-one would offer me any coverage. I need to retry progressive, maybe I can get a better person on the other end of the phone this time.
 
DancesWithMutts said:
I spent the better part of a day calling around and no-one would offer me any coverage. I need to retry progressive, maybe I can get a better person on the other end of the phone this time.
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Just to clarify: Are you saying that no one would offer you coverage on an "agreed value" policy, or on a traditional (read, comparable, daily driver) policy? I can handle not having an agreed value policy, but the classic car policies are a no-go for me. I don't have to wheel this thing hard, but I gotta freakin' drive it more than just a few times a year. As such, a standard (or, traditional policy) will do fine for me.
 
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doubled said:
I'm fine dealing with a traditional policy.


Just to clarify: Are you saying that no one would offer you coverage on an "agreed value" policy, or on a traditional (read, comparable, daily driver) policy? I can handle not having an agreed value policy, but the classic car policies are a no-go for me. I don't have to wheel this thing hard, but I gotta freakin' drive it more than just a few times a year. As such, a standard (or, traditional policy) will do fine for me.
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I couldn't get anyone to give me any kind of comprehensive coverage agreed value or traditional.

One company (don't even remember which) was going to cover me, but once I started listing off the offroad mods, they said no way.

I have a very clean driving record l, own my home ect. So no red flags there.
 
DancesWithMutts said:
I couldn't get anyone to give me any kind of comprehensive coverage agreed value or traditional.

One company (don't even remember which) was going to cover me, but once I started listing off the offroad mods, they said no way.

I have a very clean driving record l, own my home ect. So no red flags there.
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Dang, the offroad mods are what put them off? So...a lift and larger tires?? I know a guy here in town that drives a 61 who had no issues with obtaining coverage through State Farm. There seems to be no rhyme or reason...
 
absalom said:
Getting coverage isn’t the issue, it’s finding a policy that offers an agreed value plan.

My truck was worth more than the equivalent FJ80...
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Right, understood. My understanding from DancesWithMutts' comment is that he couldn't obtain even traditional coverage (which I assume is coverage for the US equivelant Cruiser).
 
I'm waiting on my hdj81 to get loaded on a transport so i haven't insured it yet, but i was able to get my 67 mustang restomod insured with agreed upon value through Hagerty's
 
@ZeGerman , do you have any other details on the agreed value policy through Progressive? Does it have any limitations about using your HDJ81 as a daily driver, number of miles, or usage? Any ballpark on premiums based on your agreed value for your rig? I'm paying just about $700 a year through GEICO for our 91 HDJ81 with an average deductible and comprehensive/collision coverage. I realize different states have different minimum coverages, so an apples-to-apples comparison is difficult. Any info you can provide would be helpful, thanks!
 
As someone else said already, getting coverage isn't the issue. Getting a policy with the agreed value is the difficult part unless you go through Hagerty. Problem with Hagerty is that it comes with limitations.

I was able to get insurance through Texas Farm Bureau Insurance for my imported cruisers and dumped Hagerty afterwards. It required what my agent called a "manager override" to get them approved and added on to my existing policy which I already had my Tundra on.
 
@FJ73Texas , does that mean you have an agreed value policy on your imported Cruiser? Or is it just basic coverage as if it were a non-imported FJ80 cruiser like what I have with GEICO?
 
It is agreed value.

It is not easy to do at all but if you have a good working relationship with your agent, history of paying bills on time and good driving record....then it is possible. Not saying it will work for everyone.

Also, they told me no at first....but a visit to the agent's office in person made it possible.
 
I have had good luck with Allstate, which is my carrier. I did a write-up on dealng with insurance on my HDJ-80, look for it. Hagerty wants garage queens- when I told them I was going to take it off road, they denied me coverage. If your company is giving you the run around, Liberty Mutual will write a policy, just make sure you have DOT/NHTSA paperwork ready at bay.
 
TuffMudder said:
I'm waiting on my hdj81 to get loaded on a transport so i haven't insured it yet, but i was able to get my 67 mustang restomod insured with agreed upon value through Hagerty's
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Good luck with that- they (Hagerty) like garage queens.
 
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