Has anyone especially in the states ever files a claim and your insurance company didn’t have your car in the repair database? I find it amusing that StateFarm can insure a car but not have the repair guild in it’s system when needed.

 

Had a similar problem with State Farm in regards to a 1098R Ducati. The insurance card misclassified the motorcycle as a 1198R. Turned out since only 500 were made they didn't have a data base on that bike. Never had a claim could have been ugly. Now they have a special rider on the bike to clarify things. State Farm probably doesn't insure many Bentleys, albeit mine and yours.😉

 

Had a similar problem with State Farm in NJ. Would not insure me in NJ as they didn't have that on their 'list' or the online form dropdown at the time.

Had to go with another provider, after a few others of the larger companies had the same issue.

Some insurers offered as an alternative 'agreed value' type of coverage that is more common with boats and such (referred to as 'agreed hull value')

 

I too have had problems with State Farm. I was at a Costco Outlet parking lot and a grocery cart rolled into my right rear taillight and cracked it. State farm covered the repair but the claim was filed as a "Collision"'. I paid my deductible and challenged the filling as a collision in a private parking lot with a grocery cart that appeared to me to have been vandalism. They told me," Because it was a 4 wheel cart that struck my Bentley and it having 4 wheels it was classified as a Collision". While at the autobody repair I met a young lady and she too had a similar cart collision to her passenger door in a private parking lot and it was filed as a collision by State Farm. So I had it repaired and said good by to State Farm with the Bentley. Unfortunately I have 3 other cars still insured with them.
If anyone is still with State Farm I would suggest that you question what I experienced with your agent. When I try to sell the Bentley it probably will be listed in the Carfax as a collision.
I moved my policy for the Bentley to Grundy Insurance. I won't sell you on them but they cover the Bentley as a Luxury Vehicle and are cheaper that State Farm with better cover providing a zero deductible and 200 mile free towing coverage.

 

What’s this Grundy insurance you speak of? Tell me more of your experience with them 👂🏾

 

Hagerty is another insurance company. Grundy and Hagerty insure for the most part classic vintage cars. They also specialize in exotics. Both companies have a good reputation and have been around for a long time.

 

I've had good luck with Farmers so far.

Was hit in a parking lot while shopping inside. Called them up right after the cops, had an estimate scheduled the next day at a body shop they had designated for exotics, and a direct deposit for the costs in my account the following day. ($12K for 3" of damage. Happened to break the corners off the fender and the front bumper cover, where they meet in front of the wheel well. 2006 BCGT, so plastic fenders instead of super-formed aluminum. Body shop recommended 2 new panels, prep/paint with panel costs from the local Bentley dealer) Farmers doesn't care where I fix or if I fix, so ordered factory vented metal wings/mesh/brackets from flying spares and shopping for an aftermarket bumper to customize it a bit. Also looking to see if a local shop can graft a corner onto the bumper, but haven't called yet. Bit of a shame as the panels are 95% good, save the broken bits.

Offered them the police report, etc but they didn't seem to care as the agent indicated to me that hit and run perpetrators hardly ever get identified and caught unless there's a clear license plate captured on camera or from a witness report. Seemed more interested in getting me to their designated body shop and getting me paid quickly to close the claim, rather than investigating, due to the low success rate.

 

"don't ever back into a Audi S5 ..."

Hahaha! Glad that worked out and lmao at the guys advice!

 

So Sam, what bumper did you actually go with? And pictures? I’m looking for as much help as possible. What all parts did you order?

 

Hi TJ, still shopping. I've had the fenders for about a month, but haven't pulled the trigger yet on a front bumper. Since the damage is so small, I've procrastinated and nearly all of my spare time has been spent on my boat or out hiking due the amazing long streak of great weather we've been having on the weekends.

My short list is the xclusive customs front bumper that gives the car a look similar to the newer supersports, but the seller wanted me to make the shipping arrangments from the UK so I've been put off from making the effort there. I've also been on the lookout for supersport type, but there seem to be a number of aftermarket choices and it's a bit of an investigative job to figure out the vent screens, some of which are just ugly. Flying spares has the original supersports, but I refuse to pay their prices, even though I'd still be way ahead with the payout vs costs.

Another part of me wants to keep it stock/original as I've somewhat regretted modifying some of the cars I've modified in the past that I ended up keeping long term. (for instance, traded factory painted Fuch's mags on a 86 930 for forged cup car wheels, that looked great at the time and were wider/larger/better on the track, but after a few years, missed the old school look of the originals).

Planning a road trip to GA at the end of this month, so I need to get on the stick. (12 hrs and part of the drive is through the blue ridge mountains, so really want to take the Bentley)

Crappy weather on Saturday, so I'll finally have some quality time to really investigate this and pull the trigger.

I'll pull the parts list for the fenders if you want as I have this handy in my email, but nothing yet on the bumper. I may have some quotes from FS on the bumper/parts numbers and I'll be glad to share those with you if you want, as it's inclusive of shipping to the US.

 

Yea I’m in the same boat. Rico has been helping me out a lot behind the scenes too. I’ve been looking at SS bumpers also and some of the reviews from these companies are outrageous and funny. From ppl have to basically reshape the entire bumper to having money stolen. And like you, I refuse to pay what Flying Spares or Scuderia wants for their bumpers also. Your in NJ, maybe you can check out these Sarona guys in Woodside, NY. Some negative reviews but a few ppl on YouTube used them (this is where I sprinkle a grain of salt) but they are in the US so shipping shouldn’t be a problem. Or you can just go pick it up. I’m emailing back and forth with Super Tweks now to see what they charge for shipping.

 

Grundy Worldwide. A division of Philadelphia Insurance Companies. 400 Horsham Road. P.O. Box 1957 Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044, Or Philadelphia Insurance Companies One Bala Plaza, Suite 100. Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004 (877)438-7459. www.gr
undy-phly.com
Toll Free 1.888.647.8639 https://ww
w.facebook.com/Grundy Insurance
Collector Vehicle Insurance Policy for Classic Cars to Muscle Cars.
It might be insurance worth your consideration.

 

Thank you!

 

It's a strange and unfortunate occurrence. I would change the insurance company right away

 

A situation like this has never occurred to me, and I find it rather weird. It’s something that I would not want to happen to me. If my insurance company declared they don’t have my car in the repair database, I would do my best to change the company when I would have the possibility.
Now I have both my vehicle and public liability insurance from one company, and I have never had any issues with them. They pay for everything due on time and don’t ask too many questions. That’s why I understand what I pay them for. Last month I was in a car accident, and now my car is repaired, and I paid only 10% of the whole sum.