Open Forum

I believe that you are facing two issues here.   First, in my mind, is the "consumptive use" of the truck.  I worked for the US Army as a museum director for over 30 years, and this was a big question for us.  Each time you take the truck out and run it, you are wearing it down in some manner.  If it is still operating with original parts, this may be an especially difficult thing to replace/repair.  However, for vehicles and their engines to be kept in good shape, they need to be run ever so often.  So, do you have a qualified staff (probably of volunteers) that can oversee the maintenance/repair of the vehicle in accordance with your museum's mission?  If so, you should set up a schedule for this so the truck can be kept in good, original condition for future generations.
Regarding your question of insurance: is the Kern Valley Museum a municipal instrumentality?  If so, how does the city/county insure its other vehicles?  And are you seeking insurance for its replacement, as with a one of a kind artifact, or for its involvement in an accident; liability, comprehensive, collision, personal injury?  Again, the city/county may have a broad policy that would cover the truck.
Dennis Mroczkowski

------------------------------
Dennis Mroczkowski
Board Member, Casemate Museum Foundation
Williamsburg VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2021 08:04 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Our museum is presented with a new problem--finding an insurance company that will insure our 1925 Graham Brothers flat bed truck.  Our former insurer has left the museum/non-profit market totally.  We've not had a problem with our other insurance needs, but we've applied to 11 different insurers and they won't touch the truck.  The history of the truck is  important to our rural community as it was originally used to travel to the county seat to pick up supplies for the local merchantile/ grocery store.  Presently, it is both a static display in our museum and an ambassador for the museum in local parades.  It is taken to the parades on a flat bed tow truck and is driven less than 15 miles per year.  We can't seem to get an insurer to cover the truck.  Most say that if it were owned by a private individual, there would be no problem.  They don't seem to want to cover it with the Historical Society as the owner.  Is there anyone out there who has a vehicle that is used in this way?  Where are you getting it insured?  We hate the thought of not having it in the parades, but without insurance we may be forced to do so.  

Thank you!

Dianna Anderson

Curator/Archivist

Kern Valley Museum

You may wish to contact Hagerty Insurance. They have made a specialty of insuring antique and classic cars and watercraft.

J

------------------------------
John Summers
Adjunct Professor, Museum Studies
Faculty of Information, University of Toronto
Toronto ON
john.summers@utoronto.ca
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2021 08:04 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Our museum is presented with a new problem--finding an insurance company that will insure our 1925 Graham Brothers flat bed truck.  Our former insurer has left the museum/non-profit market totally.  We've not had a problem with our other insurance needs, but we've applied to 11 different insurers and they won't touch the truck.  The history of the truck is  important to our rural community as it was originally used to travel to the county seat to pick up supplies for the local merchantile/ grocery store.  Presently, it is both a static display in our museum and an ambassador for the museum in local parades.  It is taken to the parades on a flat bed tow truck and is driven less than 15 miles per year.  We can't seem to get an insurer to cover the truck.  Most say that if it were owned by a private individual, there would be no problem.  They don't seem to want to cover it with the Historical Society as the owner.  Is there anyone out there who has a vehicle that is used in this way?  Where are you getting it insured?  We hate the thought of not having it in the parades, but without insurance we may be forced to do so.  

Thank you!

Dianna Anderson

Curator/Archivist

Kern Valley Museum

I would suggest contacting Hagerty Insurance. They are the leading insurer for designing programs for antique and collector vehicles. 

You can get policies from them directly, or through a regional broker. They insure the vehicles in the vast majority of automotive museums, including ones that operate as demonstration and parade cars. 

If you continue to have difficulties, you may want to reach out to the National Association of Automobile Museums (https://www.naam.museum/) they have a network of curators that may be able to offer more advice.

Good luck!

------------------------------
Patrick Slebonick Esq.
Executive Director
Studebaker National Museum
South Bend IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2021 08:04 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Our museum is presented with a new problem--finding an insurance company that will insure our 1925 Graham Brothers flat bed truck.  Our former insurer has left the museum/non-profit market totally.  We've not had a problem with our other insurance needs, but we've applied to 11 different insurers and they won't touch the truck.  The history of the truck is  important to our rural community as it was originally used to travel to the county seat to pick up supplies for the local merchantile/ grocery store.  Presently, it is both a static display in our museum and an ambassador for the museum in local parades.  It is taken to the parades on a flat bed tow truck and is driven less than 15 miles per year.  We can't seem to get an insurer to cover the truck.  Most say that if it were owned by a private individual, there would be no problem.  They don't seem to want to cover it with the Historical Society as the owner.  Is there anyone out there who has a vehicle that is used in this way?  Where are you getting it insured?  We hate the thought of not having it in the parades, but without insurance we may be forced to do so.  

Thank you!

Dianna Anderson

Curator/Archivist

Kern Valley Museum

Dianna,

We have all of our 119 vehicles insured through Hagerty and have them on display in the museum and take them out locally and also across the country for high-end classic car events like Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.  In fact, we have seven Concours on the calendar this year alone.  I highly recommend Hagerty and you should be able to work with one of your insurance agents to obtain their coverage.

Hope this helps!

------------------------------
Brandon J. Anderson
Executive Director & CEO
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
Auburn IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2021 08:04 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Our museum is presented with a new problem--finding an insurance company that will insure our 1925 Graham Brothers flat bed truck.  Our former insurer has left the museum/non-profit market totally.  We've not had a problem with our other insurance needs, but we've applied to 11 different insurers and they won't touch the truck.  The history of the truck is  important to our rural community as it was originally used to travel to the county seat to pick up supplies for the local merchantile/ grocery store.  Presently, it is both a static display in our museum and an ambassador for the museum in local parades.  It is taken to the parades on a flat bed tow truck and is driven less than 15 miles per year.  We can't seem to get an insurer to cover the truck.  Most say that if it were owned by a private individual, there would be no problem.  They don't seem to want to cover it with the Historical Society as the owner.  Is there anyone out there who has a vehicle that is used in this way?  Where are you getting it insured?  We hate the thought of not having it in the parades, but without insurance we may be forced to do so.  

Thank you!

Dianna Anderson

Curator/Archivist

Kern Valley Museum

Original Message:
Sent: 6/18/2021 11:22:00 AM
From: Brandon Anderson
Subject: RE: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Dianna,

We have all of our 119 vehicles insured through Hagerty and have them on display in the museum and take them out locally and also across the country for high-end classic car events like Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.  In fact, we have seven Concours on the calendar this year alone.  I highly recommend Hagerty and you should be able to work with one of your insurance agents to obtain their coverage.

Hope this helps!

------------------------------
Brandon J. Anderson
Executive Director & CEO
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
Auburn IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2021 08:04 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Our museum is presented with a new problem--finding an insurance company that will insure our 1925 Graham Brothers flat bed truck.  Our former insurer has left the museum/non-profit market totally.  We've not had a problem with our other insurance needs, but we've applied to 11 different insurers and they won't touch the truck.  The history of the truck is  important to our rural community as it was originally used to travel to the county seat to pick up supplies for the local merchantile/ grocery store.  Presently, it is both a static display in our museum and an ambassador for the museum in local parades.  It is taken to the parades on a flat bed tow truck and is driven less than 15 miles per year.  We can't seem to get an insurer to cover the truck.  Most say that if it were owned by a private individual, there would be no problem.  They don't seem to want to cover it with the Historical Society as the owner.  Is there anyone out there who has a vehicle that is used in this way?  Where are you getting it insured?  We hate the thought of not having it in the parades, but without insurance we may be forced to do so.  

Thank you!

Dianna Anderson

Curator/Archivist

Kern Valley Museum

Original Message:
Sent: 6/17/2021 8:04:00 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Our museum is presented with a new problem--finding an insurance company that will insure our 1925 Graham Brothers flat bed truck.  Our former insurer has left the museum/non-profit market totally.  We've not had a problem with our other insurance needs, but we've applied to 11 different insurers and they won't touch the truck.  The history of the truck is  important to our rural community as it was originally used to travel to the county seat to pick up supplies for the local merchantile/ grocery store.  Presently, it is both a static display in our museum and an ambassador for the museum in local parades.  It is taken to the parades on a flat bed tow truck and is driven less than 15 miles per year.  We can't seem to get an insurer to cover the truck.  Most say that if it were owned by a private individual, there would be no problem.  They don't seem to want to cover it with the Historical Society as the owner.  Is there anyone out there who has a vehicle that is used in this way?  Where are you getting it insured?  We hate the thought of not having it in the parades, but without insurance we may be forced to do so.  

Thank you!

Dianna Anderson

Curator/Archivist

Kern Valley Museum

Have you considered not driving the truck at all, but towing it around the parade on the flatbed used to transport it there? You can decorate the tow vehicle and flatbed as a float, add people and props, and it will still serve as your museum ambassador-just not under its own power. 

------------------------------
Melanie Solomon
Principal
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2021 08:04 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Our museum is presented with a new problem--finding an insurance company that will insure our 1925 Graham Brothers flat bed truck.  Our former insurer has left the museum/non-profit market totally.  We've not had a problem with our other insurance needs, but we've applied to 11 different insurers and they won't touch the truck.  The history of the truck is  important to our rural community as it was originally used to travel to the county seat to pick up supplies for the local merchantile/ grocery store.  Presently, it is both a static display in our museum and an ambassador for the museum in local parades.  It is taken to the parades on a flat bed tow truck and is driven less than 15 miles per year.  We can't seem to get an insurer to cover the truck.  Most say that if it were owned by a private individual, there would be no problem.  They don't seem to want to cover it with the Historical Society as the owner.  Is there anyone out there who has a vehicle that is used in this way?  Where are you getting it insured?  We hate the thought of not having it in the parades, but without insurance we may be forced to do so.  

Thank you!

Dianna Anderson

Curator/Archivist

Kern Valley Museum

Hagerty Insurance specializes in interesting cars. They're not cheap, but that's what they do is insure interesting  and antique cars. Hagert.com 
My husband used them for his 1977 MGB when he had it.

------------------------------
Sherry Best
Collection Curator
Alice C. Sabatini Gallery - Topeka & Shawnee Co. Public Library
Topeka KS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-21-2021 07:05 AM
From: Melanie Solomon
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Have you considered not driving the truck at all, but towing it around the parade on the flatbed used to transport it there? You can decorate the tow vehicle and flatbed as a float, add people and props, and it will still serve as your museum ambassador-just not under its own power. 

------------------------------
Melanie Solomon
Principal

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2021 08:04 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Our museum is presented with a new problem--finding an insurance company that will insure our 1925 Graham Brothers flat bed truck.  Our former insurer has left the museum/non-profit market totally.  We've not had a problem with our other insurance needs, but we've applied to 11 different insurers and they won't touch the truck.  The history of the truck is  important to our rural community as it was originally used to travel to the county seat to pick up supplies for the local merchantile/ grocery store.  Presently, it is both a static display in our museum and an ambassador for the museum in local parades.  It is taken to the parades on a flat bed tow truck and is driven less than 15 miles per year.  We can't seem to get an insurer to cover the truck.  Most say that if it were owned by a private individual, there would be no problem.  They don't seem to want to cover it with the Historical Society as the owner.  Is there anyone out there who has a vehicle that is used in this way?  Where are you getting it insured?  We hate the thought of not having it in the parades, but without insurance we may be forced to do so.  

Thank you!

Dianna Anderson

Curator/Archivist

Kern Valley Museum

I have just gotten to the crux of the matter.  All of the above recommended company will not insure us because we are not an LLC.  Is there anyone out there who is not an LLC that has insurance on a vehicle?  We easily got insurance for the Museum and Research Annex, not so with the truck.

------------------------------
Dianna Anderson
Curator
Kern River Valley Historical Society Museum
Kernville CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2021 08:04 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Our museum is presented with a new problem--finding an insurance company that will insure our 1925 Graham Brothers flat bed truck.  Our former insurer has left the museum/non-profit market totally.  We've not had a problem with our other insurance needs, but we've applied to 11 different insurers and they won't touch the truck.  The history of the truck is  important to our rural community as it was originally used to travel to the county seat to pick up supplies for the local merchantile/ grocery store.  Presently, it is both a static display in our museum and an ambassador for the museum in local parades.  It is taken to the parades on a flat bed tow truck and is driven less than 15 miles per year.  We can't seem to get an insurer to cover the truck.  Most say that if it were owned by a private individual, there would be no problem.  They don't seem to want to cover it with the Historical Society as the owner.  Is there anyone out there who has a vehicle that is used in this way?  Where are you getting it insured?  We hate the thought of not having it in the parades, but without insurance we may be forced to do so.  

Thank you!

Dianna Anderson

Curator/Archivist

Kern Valley Museum

We are a Corporation, not an LLC.

------------------------------
Brandon J. Anderson
Executive Director & CEO
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
Auburn IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-21-2021 01:47 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

I have just gotten to the crux of the matter.  All of the above recommended company will not insure us because we are not an LLC.  Is there anyone out there who is not an LLC that has insurance on a vehicle?  We easily got insurance for the Museum and Research Annex, not so with the truck.

------------------------------
Dianna Anderson
Curator
Kern River Valley Historical Society Museum
Kernville CA

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2021 08:04 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Our museum is presented with a new problem--finding an insurance company that will insure our 1925 Graham Brothers flat bed truck.  Our former insurer has left the museum/non-profit market totally.  We've not had a problem with our other insurance needs, but we've applied to 11 different insurers and they won't touch the truck.  The history of the truck is  important to our rural community as it was originally used to travel to the county seat to pick up supplies for the local merchantile/ grocery store.  Presently, it is both a static display in our museum and an ambassador for the museum in local parades.  It is taken to the parades on a flat bed tow truck and is driven less than 15 miles per year.  We can't seem to get an insurer to cover the truck.  Most say that if it were owned by a private individual, there would be no problem.  They don't seem to want to cover it with the Historical Society as the owner.  Is there anyone out there who has a vehicle that is used in this way?  Where are you getting it insured?  We hate the thought of not having it in the parades, but without insurance we may be forced to do so.  

Thank you!

Dianna Anderson

Curator/Archivist

Kern Valley Museum

Doesn't that seem a little odd to you? I don't know any non-profit museums that are LLCs. Most are 501c3 non-profit corporations?

Have you reached out to the First Division Museum at Cantigny? They own several operable historic vehicles that are part of the collection but are used in parades. 

Good luck

------------------------------
Diane Gutenkauf
Former Executive Director
Jackson MI
dgutenkauf@hotmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-21-2021 01:47 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

I have just gotten to the crux of the matter.  All of the above recommended company will not insure us because we are not an LLC.  Is there anyone out there who is not an LLC that has insurance on a vehicle?  We easily got insurance for the Museum and Research Annex, not so with the truck.

------------------------------
Dianna Anderson
Curator
Kern River Valley Historical Society Museum
Kernville CA

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2021 08:04 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Our museum is presented with a new problem--finding an insurance company that will insure our 1925 Graham Brothers flat bed truck.  Our former insurer has left the museum/non-profit market totally.  We've not had a problem with our other insurance needs, but we've applied to 11 different insurers and they won't touch the truck.  The history of the truck is  important to our rural community as it was originally used to travel to the county seat to pick up supplies for the local merchantile/ grocery store.  Presently, it is both a static display in our museum and an ambassador for the museum in local parades.  It is taken to the parades on a flat bed tow truck and is driven less than 15 miles per year.  We can't seem to get an insurer to cover the truck.  Most say that if it were owned by a private individual, there would be no problem.  They don't seem to want to cover it with the Historical Society as the owner.  Is there anyone out there who has a vehicle that is used in this way?  Where are you getting it insured?  We hate the thought of not having it in the parades, but without insurance we may be forced to do so.  

Thank you!

Dianna Anderson

Curator/Archivist

Kern Valley Museum

Yes!  That seems odd.  The entire thing is odd.  It should not be difficult for non-profits to get liability insurance.  So many insurers have told me that they are not taking new clients for varying reasons.  The LLC thing has come up.  Others have told me they only insure expensive cars.  I have two possibilities left after all this time!  We may just have to park it or tow it on a trailer in the parades.  It's just not the same!  Thank you all for your suggestions.

------------------------------
Dianna Anderson
Curator
Kern River Valley Historical Society Museum
Kernville CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-22-2021 01:25 PM
From: Diane Gutenkauf
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Doesn't that seem a little odd to you? I don't know any non-profit museums that are LLCs. Most are 501c3 non-profit corporations?

Have you reached out to the First Division Museum at Cantigny? They own several operable historic vehicles that are part of the collection but are used in parades.

Good luck

------------------------------
Diane Gutenkauf
Former Executive Director
Jackson MI
dgutenkauf@hotmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 06-21-2021 01:47 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

I have just gotten to the crux of the matter.  All of the above recommended company will not insure us because we are not an LLC.  Is there anyone out there who is not an LLC that has insurance on a vehicle?  We easily got insurance for the Museum and Research Annex, not so with the truck.

------------------------------
Dianna Anderson
Curator
Kern River Valley Historical Society Museum
Kernville CA

Original Message:
Sent: 06-17-2021 08:04 PM
From: Dianna Anderson
Subject: Insurance for a vehicle that is both part of an exhibit and driven in parades

Our museum is presented with a new problem--finding an insurance company that will insure our 1925 Graham Brothers flat bed truck.  Our former insurer has left the museum/non-profit market totally.  We've not had a problem with our other insurance needs, but we've applied to 11 different insurers and they won't touch the truck.  The history of the truck is  important to our rural community as it was originally used to travel to the county seat to pick up supplies for the local merchantile/ grocery store.  Presently, it is both a static display in our museum and an ambassador for the museum in local parades.  It is taken to the parades on a flat bed tow truck and is driven less than 15 miles per year.  We can't seem to get an insurer to cover the truck.  Most say that if it were owned by a private individual, there would be no problem.  They don't seem to want to cover it with the Historical Society as the owner.  Is there anyone out there who has a vehicle that is used in this way?  Where are you getting it insured?  We hate the thought of not having it in the parades, but without insurance we may be forced to do so.  

Thank you!

Dianna Anderson

Curator/Archivist

Kern Valley Museum