Florida is known for its crazy weather, whether it's a tropical storm, a flood, or a hurricane. In fact, Tropical Storm Fernand is eyeing Florida as we speak. To give collector car owners peace of mind ahead of consistently imminent bad weather, Hagerty has partnered with Way to launch the Hagerty Safe Storage Concierge program for its members.
According to official sources, the Hagerty Safe Storage Concierge will provide its members with five days of "secure, enclosed storage" at no extra charge. Said President of Insurance Jeff Briglia: "After they take care of their families and homes, the next big thing people want to protect during severe weather is the special vehicle that means so much to them. Hagerty is excited to have a solution for our members during a stressful time."
How the Hagerty Safe Storage Concierge Will Work
Hagerty insured members living in the Tampa or Miami metropolitan areas can automatically use the Safe Storage Concierge program. These members will receive email alerts before severe weather approaches, allowing them time to bring their insured collector vehicles to participating garages for safe storage. Members can use the Way platform to reserve a spot in a nearby garage with vacancies. The program will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis so that spots may fill up quickly.
The Hagerty Safe Storage Concierge program is currently being offered as a pilot program, which Hagerty has initiated following customer feedback. According to Briglia, more than 90% of surveyed collector car owners said they'd be interested in using the safe storage if it were offered. Seventy-five of those collector car owners have experienced a hurricane or tropical storm and realized how dangerous it can be for their beloved automobiles.
Most owners said they would evacuate their vehicles if it were a Category 3 hurricane or stronger. Even a Category 3 hurricane can have winds that reach 129 miles per hour, causing structural damage and uprooting trees - things that can total a vehicle.
"We understand that a car is often more than just transportation," said Aman Chheda, Vice President of Parking at Way. "That's why we're excited to partner with Hagerty to give Florida car owners a safe, stress-free solution during the uncertainty of severe weather. By using Way's platform, Hagerty can help their members avoid millions of dollars in potential storm damage by providing them with a safe place to store their vehicles. It's all about giving people peace of mind when they need it most."
Florida Is Full of Classic Cars
According to a report by RotoWire, Florida is one of the states with the highest concentration of classic cars. This is likely due to the state's warm weather conditions all year round, making it the perfect place to enjoy a joyride in your vehicle. Retirees also don't have to worry about their collector cars getting damaged by the snow or salty roads during the winter.
However, the storms are clearly a big concern for those who don't have a secure place to store a car collection. Hemmings recently revealed that flooded classic cars—and supercars—have started to fill Florida's car auction lots after Helene and Milton in 2024. At one point, over 17,000 vehicles were damaged by floods in the lots. They spotted a 1969 Plymouth GTX going for $53,000, a 1961 Jaguar Mark II going for $53,400, and even a custom 1958 Chevrolet Impala, a 1969 Porsche 912, and multiple Model Ts. The Drive also took a look around these lots and found a 1963 Plymouth Sport Fury lowrider that already had corrosion where the water line once was. It can get back on the road, but it may require some work.
While this is exciting for prospective buyers looking for a good deal, this isn't great for collector car owners. Insurance companies will consider a car a "total loss" if the cost to repair the damage exceeds the vehicle's book value, leaving many owners unable to afford repairs on their own. Hopefully, the Hagerty Safe STorage Concierge program will save some of these cars from a similar fate.
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