Nor’easter Prep for Collector Cars: A New England Checklist

By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO

Ask any New England collector about storms and you’ll hear about the Blizzard of ’78, or the back-to-back March nor’easters of 2018 that flooded coastal streets from Hampton to Scituate to the Connecticut shoreline. Nor’easters don’t get the attention hurricanes do, but they hit New England more often, they last longer, and they arrive in fall and winter, right when most collector cars are tucked away in storage and nobody is checking on them.

This checklist covers how to protect a collector car before, during and after a nor’easter, and how insurance usually responds. For the basics of collector coverage, see our classic and collector car insurance guide, and for the full storage routine, see collector car storage and winter lay-up.

How nor’easters damage collector cars

• Coastal and tidal flooding. Storm surge on top of a high tide can push salt water into garages that have never flooded before. Salt water is especially hard on wiring, interiors and older steel.
• Inland flooding. Heavy rain and snowmelt overwhelm brooks, storm drains and sump pumps, especially in basements and low garages.
• Falling trees and limbs. Wet snow and high wind bring down old maples and pines onto garages, barns and driveways.
• Snow load. A heavy, wet snowfall can collapse the roof of an older barn or detached garage onto the car inside.
• Power outages. Long outages stop sump pumps, dehumidifiers and battery tenders, and open the door to condensation and dead batteries.
• Wind-driven water. Rain and snow blown under garage doors and through gaps in old siding.

What insurance usually covers

On an auto or collector policy, damage from flood, falling objects, wind and hail is usually handled under comprehensive coverage, also called other-than-collision. That’s why we advise collectors not to drop comprehensive coverage while a car is in winter storage. Storm season is exactly when it matters.

Two common misunderstandings come up after every storm. First, home flood insurance generally doesn’t cover cars. NFIP flood policies exclude motor vehicles, and private flood policies usually do too. Second, your homeowners policy covers the garage building, not the car parked inside it. The car needs its own coverage. If your home is in a flood area, our flood insurance page and our article on coastal flood and wind insurance in New England explain the home side.

With a collector policy, a covered total loss is usually settled at the car’s agreed value, so a current value matters as much as having coverage at all. See agreed value car insurance.

Before the season: a fall checklist

• Confirm comprehensive coverage is active on every stored car and that the agreed values are current.
• Photograph each car, inside and out, and store the photos, receipts and appraisals in the cloud or away from the house.
• Check whether your garage is in a flood zone and how high water reached in past storms.
• Have large trees near the garage or barn checked, and trim dead limbs over the roof.
• Clear gutters and check that the garage door seals and closes tightly.
• Test the sump pump, and consider a battery backup or a generator for the pump and dehumidifier.
• Know where you would move the car if a storm threatened your garage, and ask the owner of that space ahead of time.

48 to 72 hours before the storm

• Watch the tide tables, not just the snow totals. On the coast, the timing of high tide during the storm matters most.
• Move the car early if your garage floods. Move it to higher ground or a safer building before roads flood. Driving through standing water is how many cars are lost.
• Raise what you can. If the car stays, raise spare parts, documents and tools off the floor. Some collectors use car capsules or flood bags in flood-prone garages.
• Charge and connect. Top up the battery tender and know that it will stop during an outage.
• Close up the garage. Lock it, brace older doors against wind, and close any vents water could reach.
• Take fresh photos. A dated photo of the car the day before the storm is useful if you need to file a claim.

Don’t wait for the forecast to fix coverage. Insurers commonly stop accepting new policies and coverage changes in an area once a major storm is forecast, so the time to review is early fall.

After the storm

If the car was in flood water

• Don’t try to start it or turn on the ignition. Water in the engine or electrical system can turn a repairable car into a total loss.
• Photograph the water line on the car and the garage walls before anything is moved.
• Have the car moved on a flatbed to a dry place or a shop that knows older cars.
• Call us to report the claim. Salt water damage gets worse by the day, so speed matters.

If a tree or roof came down on it

• Stay safe. Downed wires and unstable roofs come first.
• Photograph everything before the tree or debris is removed, if you can do so safely.
• Report the damage to the car on the collector policy and the damage to the building on the home policy. We help coordinate both.
• Ask about using a restorer or specialist shop you trust for the repair.

If the power was out for days

Check for condensation, mildew and a dead battery. Look for signs that rodents moved in while the garage was cold and quiet. If you see moisture inside the car or on the engine, let it dry out before you start it, and check fluids for water.

Coastal and inland: where it matters most

Collectors near the water, from the New Hampshire Seacoast to the Connecticut shoreline and the coast of southern Maine, face tidal flooding and salt spray. Inland collectors in the Lakes Region, the Merrimack Valley or the hills of Litchfield County are more likely to deal with downed trees, heavy snow and long outages. Our New Hampshire, Connecticut and Maine collector car guides cover state-specific rules, and our article on snow and ice damage insurance in the Northeast covers roof and ice dam issues for the home.

Frequently asked questions

Does collector car insurance cover flood damage from a nor’easter?

Flood, falling trees and wind damage are usually handled under the comprehensive (other-than-collision) part of an auto or collector policy, as long as that coverage is in place when the storm hits. Policies differ, so we review yours before storm season and confirm what it covers.

Will my home flood insurance cover my car in the garage?

Generally no. NFIP flood policies don’t cover motor vehicles, and most private flood policies treat cars the same way. The car needs its own comprehensive coverage on an auto or collector policy.

Should I move my collector car before a storm?

If your garage is in a flood-prone area or under large trees, moving the car to higher ground or a safer building before the storm can prevent a loss. Do it early, before roads flood or close, and tell us if the car will stay somewhere else for more than a short time.

What should I do if my car was in flood water?

Don’t try to start it. Water in the engine or electrical system can turn a repairable car into a total loss. Photograph the water line, have the car moved on a flatbed, and call us so we can start the claim and help find a qualified shop.

Can I add comprehensive coverage right before a storm?

Usually not once a storm is forecast. Insurers commonly stop binding new coverage or changes in an area when a named storm or severe weather watch is issued. Review your coverage at the start of the season instead of waiting for the forecast.

What our clients say

From our client surveys. Comments are lightly edited for typos only.

“

Jon is super helpful and amazingly communicative. He responds fast with well thought out answers making the process of getting insurance for my home and car super simple.

“

Very informative, responsive, and helpful with answering any questions we had. Helped us get the best deal and coverage, explained the differences between coverage options, and let us choose what worked best for us. Highly recommend!

“

Excellent guidance on insurance options and fantastic quoting and onboarding experience. We trust their recommendations and feel that we have best coverage for peace of mind at best possible cost.

Read more client testimonials

Sources

• FloodSmart (NFIP): What flood insurance covers and doesn’t
• National Weather Service: Nor’easter safety