Losses & Lessons: Safe Storage?


by Hagerty // February 19, 2019


 
VEHICLE COVERED: 1966 Ford Mustang and 1961 Cadillac Deville


WHAT WENT WRONG: When you own a piece of automotive history that’s near and dear to your heart, it goes without saying that you want to keep it as safe as possible. Sadly, a car isn’t out of danger just because it’s parked inside a locked building.

For example, a 1966 Ford Mustang was all snug in its garage when a nearby shelf gave way and several cans of house paint tumbled to the floor. Two of the cans literally blew their tops when they hit the floor, spraying paint all over the sides and rear of the cherry-red vehicle.

And you’ve heard of a car hitting a deer. How ’bout a deer hitting a car… indoors? A 1961 Cadillac Deville was hibernating quietly inside its owner’s garage when a mounted trophy buck fell off the wall and crashed down on the Deville.



DAMAGE/LOSS: The Mustang was lucky in that the heavy paint cans didn’t actually hit the car. Even so, the paint splattered so far and wide that a complete repaint became necessary. Hagerty paid the client to get the work done at the shop of their choice.

The Cadillac fared better, as the deer’s horns left scratches and dents in the passenger door that caused only $1,014 of damage, which Hagerty paid.


 
LESSON: When it comes to safe-guarding your clients’ prized vehicles, it’s important they are mindful of any objects that could be bumped or fall and cause damage to a vehicle, and move those objects a safe distance away.
 
It's safe to say every collectible is different. Hagerty's in-house adjusters are trained in collector vehicle repair and determined to do a great job for you — so you'll have a happy client. They understand that restoring your client's car means knowing the best materials, people and actions to take; like when it's necessary to repaint an entire vehicle, and allowing your client to choose their preferred repair shop.

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