Insurance denial!

mysticclam · 07-11-2001, 08:10 PM

Hey guys, im converting a 1980 3.3 straight 6 stang to 302 power. My insurance agent says farmers wont write me a policy on it because its a modified vehicle. Where then can i get insurance? What happens if i just didnt tell the insurance company and i get in a wreak, could i be denied coverage. What makes it worse is i cant even argue the car came with that motor factory because 1980 was a 255 (shudder) year.
Im worried this is gonna get me in trouble with the EPA too, but hang em, im using a 1970 block so im screwed if they check. Plan on running a clean setup with cats so im thinging they will never look that close.

07-11-2001, 11:43 PM

Farmers sux, try 1-800-get-met1,,, we have all our stuff insured through them (cept my 66 caprice)... it's never been a prob, and the insurance is not too bad (depending on your age and driving record)...

how often are you planning on driving it????

it's an 80? that makes it 21 years old, a 'classic'..

check on classic car insurance, but if you use it for a dailey driver, it won't work....

good luk

------------------
Black,84 GT,ground effects,shorty headers, 'open' dual exh.,302 HO(no pollution control crap),T5,89 ported heads,edelbrock Performer manifold, Edelbrock 2122 cam,600 Holley, high volume oil pump...

gears (4:10's) coming soon. N2O, soon to follow!!!

mysticclam · 07-12-2001, 12:38 PM

A 1980 mustang a classic LOL.
Its not going to be my daily driver, i have a 98 V6 coupe. Always seem to have the wrong engine

Also have my eagle wagon (Till i figure out how to make a 4x4 mustang)
What is classic insurance? I figure Ill drive the thing on the weekends only.

jimberg · 07-12-2001, 01:00 PM

Call around. Companies like State Farm and Farmers suck (You'd have problems with regular claims, I can't even imagine what they would do about a modified car). Stay away from places like Geico and progressive, too. I went with a company like that once because they were cheap and they went bankrupt.

------------------
351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

07-12-2001, 01:06 PM

Being in insurance - I know what WE do. Your best bet is to not tell your agent/insurance carrier what you're doing to your car. Even if you get a company to insure you, you'll be paying a HELL of alot more for your premium than you are currently.

------------------
'90 LX 5.0; 12K original miles (no sh*&); 3.55 gears; pulleys;Edelbrock Performer Heads; BBK shorties; MSD 6AL box w/ blaster 2 coil; Motorsport E303 cam; Pro-M 75mm MAF; BBK 70mm TB; Eibach spring kit; Southside welded subs; K&N cone filter charger; Hurst shifter; fiberglass turbo hood; A/C-less; rear seat-less; cat-less; 2 chamber Flos; Corbeau racing seats (fronts);
30# injectors; JMS Chip; 190 lb fp; TFS track heat Intake (12.299 @ 113)

matt cook · 07-12-2001, 01:11 PM

try to find an insurance agent who can tell a 255 from a 302 (or even a 351 for that matter) Just tell them you got a 1980 with a 255, then if they decode the VIN, shrug your shoulders and act completely ignorant of cars.

That should work...

------------------
1982 Mustang GT

mysticclam · 07-12-2001, 02:36 PM

Are you saying tell them its a 255 when i first go to insure it? Or when it gets wrecked, its of so little value now that it will only have liability on it, dont know how closly they'd look at it. Im not opposed to paying more, im kind of a letter of the law guy most of the time but farmers says they wont insure it period, so i didnt know where to go.

07-12-2001, 03:29 PM

did you call the # I gave you, I have my stang, with full coverage, insured for $75 a month...

jimberg · 07-12-2001, 04:57 PM

My insurance company, USAA, told me to document all my expenses so that they can properly value the car. They didn't want me to just get blue book for a car that is worth a whole lot more. They had no problem at all with the fact that I put in a 351 instead of the 302. The guy even talked to me at length about it.

Too bad they aren't open to the public.

------------------
351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

Mr 5 0 · 07-12-2001, 05:05 PM

The VIN tells the insurance company what engine it has (or came with).

In my experience, I simply did the switch and didn't mention it (I had a Camaro with a 307/automatic; I installed a new 350 engine, modded it somewhat and converted to 4 speed).

Never a problem.
It was wrecked once (just sheetmetal damage & radiator, no engine damage) and they gave me enough on my claim to have it fixed properly, although I had to fight for it.
The insurance adjuster never noticed the engine and trans didn't match the VIN.

Something to consider.

Jeb_Bush_2000 · 07-12-2001, 06:22 PM

The 255 uses the 302 block, too, so it's a pretty close match in terms of appearance.

Don't tell the insurance folks you put a 440 in your 1989 Carvan, though. Trust me.

mysticclam · 07-12-2001, 06:23 PM

If the car had a 255 V8 in it and i put a 302 or 351 in it, I wouldnt say a thing cause they look so similar. But a V8 and a straight 6 look alot different. Im just worried that God forbit I cause an accident and paralyze someone and it cost hundreds of thousands and the insurance company is looking for a way out and starts digging, finds out the switch and DOOM! Im happy to pay the extra for coverage but havent found a place that offers it yet, ill call jerry's number tomorrow when im not at work....
Thanks for the input guys.

93CobraR · 07-12-2001, 07:49 PM

Just tell them the vin and if they ask it has a 6 in it. If they ever come look at it or something happens, tell them that the 6 blew up and it was cheaper for you to just put the 302 in becuase you got it from a buddy.

------------------
87 GT, Cobra R's,GT-40 heads,Crane 2031,1.7's, Edelbrock intake, long tubes,BBK cold air, Mass air,pulleys,Pro 5.0, King Cobra,Lakewood Lift Bars,50/50's,subframes, 4.10's.
Best time 12.759
Best MPH 106.79
Best 60' 1.695

Visit my site at:
http://www.geocities.com/cobrar93_2000/MyPage.html

07-11-2001, 08:10 PM	#1
mysticclam Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 20	Insurance denial! Hey guys, im converting a 1980 3.3 straight 6 stang to 302 power. My insurance agent says farmers wont write me a policy on it because its a modified vehicle. Where then can i get insurance? What happens if i just didnt tell the insurance company and i get in a wreak, could i be denied coverage. What makes it worse is i cant even argue the car came with that motor factory because 1980 was a 255 (shudder) year. Im worried this is gonna get me in trouble with the EPA too, but hang em, im using a 1970 block so im screwed if they check. Plan on running a clean setup with cats so im thinging they will never look that close.

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07-11-2001, 11:43 PM	#2
jerryIII Guest Posts: n/a	Farmers sux, try 1-800-get-met1,,, we have all our stuff insured through them (cept my 66 caprice)... it's never been a prob, and the insurance is not too bad (depending on your age and driving record)... how often are you planning on driving it???? it's an 80? that makes it 21 years old, a 'classic'.. check on classic car insurance, but if you use it for a dailey driver, it won't work.... good luk ------------------ Black,84 GT,ground effects,shorty headers, 'open' dual exh.,302 HO(no pollution control crap),T5,89 ported heads,edelbrock Performer manifold, Edelbrock 2122 cam,600 Holley, high volume oil pump... gears (4:10's) coming soon. N2O, soon to follow!!!

07-12-2001, 12:38 PM	#3
mysticclam Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 20	A 1980 mustang a classic LOL. Its not going to be my daily driver, i have a 98 V6 coupe. Always seem to have the wrong engine Also have my eagle wagon (Till i figure out how to make a 4x4 mustang) What is classic insurance? I figure Ill drive the thing on the weekends only.

07-12-2001, 01:00 PM	#4
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	Call around. Companies like State Farm and Farmers suck (You'd have problems with regular claims, I can't even imagine what they would do about a modified car). Stay away from places like Geico and progressive, too. I went with a company like that once because they were cheap and they went bankrupt. ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

07-12-2001, 01:06 PM	#5
bada$$lx Guest Posts: n/a	Being in insurance - I know what WE do. Your best bet is to not tell your agent/insurance carrier what you're doing to your car. Even if you get a company to insure you, you'll be paying a HELL of alot more for your premium than you are currently. ------------------ '90 LX 5.0; 12K original miles (no sh*&); 3.55 gears; pulleys;Edelbrock Performer Heads; BBK shorties; MSD 6AL box w/ blaster 2 coil; Motorsport E303 cam; Pro-M 75mm MAF; BBK 70mm TB; Eibach spring kit; Southside welded subs; K&N cone filter charger; Hurst shifter; fiberglass turbo hood; A/C-less; rear seat-less; cat-less; 2 chamber Flos; Corbeau racing seats (fronts); 30# injectors; JMS Chip; 190 lb fp; TFS track heat Intake (12.299 @ 113)

07-12-2001, 01:11 PM	#6
matt cook Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 449	try to find an insurance agent who can tell a 255 from a 302 (or even a 351 for that matter) Just tell them you got a 1980 with a 255, then if they decode the VIN, shrug your shoulders and act completely ignorant of cars. That should work... ------------------ 1982 Mustang GT

07-12-2001, 02:36 PM	#7
mysticclam Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 20	Are you saying tell them its a 255 when i first go to insure it? Or when it gets wrecked, its of so little value now that it will only have liability on it, dont know how closly they'd look at it. Im not opposed to paying more, im kind of a letter of the law guy most of the time but farmers says they wont insure it period, so i didnt know where to go.

07-12-2001, 03:29 PM	#8
jerryIII Guest Posts: n/a	did you call the # I gave you, I have my stang, with full coverage, insured for $75 a month...

07-12-2001, 04:57 PM	#9
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	My insurance company, USAA, told me to document all my expenses so that they can properly value the car. They didn't want me to just get blue book for a car that is worth a whole lot more. They had no problem at all with the fact that I put in a 351 instead of the 302. The guy even talked to me at length about it. Too bad they aren't open to the public. ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

07-12-2001, 05:05 PM	#10
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	The VIN tells the insurance company what engine it has (or came with). In my experience, I simply did the switch and didn't mention it (I had a Camaro with a 307/automatic; I installed a new 350 engine, modded it somewhat and converted to 4 speed). Never a problem. It was wrecked once (just sheetmetal damage & radiator, no engine damage) and they gave me enough on my claim to have it fixed properly, although I had to fight for it. The insurance adjuster never noticed the engine and trans didn't match the VIN. Something to consider.

07-12-2001, 06:22 PM	#11
Jeb_Bush_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Taxachusetts Posts: 374	The 255 uses the 302 block, too, so it's a pretty close match in terms of appearance. Don't tell the insurance folks you put a 440 in your 1989 Carvan, though. Trust me.

07-12-2001, 06:23 PM	#12
mysticclam Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 20	If the car had a 255 V8 in it and i put a 302 or 351 in it, I wouldnt say a thing cause they look so similar. But a V8 and a straight 6 look alot different. Im just worried that God forbit I cause an accident and paralyze someone and it cost hundreds of thousands and the insurance company is looking for a way out and starts digging, finds out the switch and DOOM! Im happy to pay the extra for coverage but havent found a place that offers it yet, ill call jerry's number tomorrow when im not at work.... Thanks for the input guys.

07-12-2001, 07:49 PM	#13
93CobraR Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,575	Just tell them the vin and if they ask it has a 6 in it. If they ever come look at it or something happens, tell them that the 6 blew up and it was cheaper for you to just put the 302 in becuase you got it from a buddy. ------------------ 87 GT, Cobra R's,GT-40 heads,Crane 2031,1.7's, Edelbrock intake, long tubes,BBK cold air, Mass air,pulleys,Pro 5.0, King Cobra,Lakewood Lift Bars,50/50's,subframes, 4.10's. Best time 12.759 Best MPH 106.79 Best 60' 1.695 Visit my site at: http://www.geocities.com/cobrar93_2000/MyPage.html