When the Storm Comes, Show Up Strong

If you serve clients along the Gulf Coast, in wildfire corridors, or anywhere severe weather has become part of the underwriting conversation, you know this: Catastrophes aren’t hypothetical anymore.

• It’s seasonal.
• It’s expected.
• And when it hits, it tests every promise made at binding.

For owners of classic and enthusiast vehicles, that moment feels different. These aren’t A-to-B transportation appliances. They’re restoration projects, family legacies, bucket-list purchases, and Saturday-morning therapy. When storm surge fills a garage or smoke rolls over a neighborhood, the claim becomes deeply personal.

That’s where Hagerty is built to operate differently.

The Three P’s: How Hagerty Responds

Our catastrophe approach is simple, deliberate, and built around what matters most.

• Proactive: We monitor impact perimeters and match them against policy data so we can reach members before they’re wondering who to call. Being first to contact changes the tone of the entire claim.
• Present: Even in a digital world, catastrophe is human. We deploy claims leaders into affected regions so members can look someone in the eye. Showing up builds confidence at the moment it’s needed most.
• Prompt to pay: Using available mapping and damage intelligence, we’re often able to confirm losses quickly and issue payment fast. In volatile weather regions, speed is stability.

In CAT Markets, Claims Is the Product

After recent hurricanes and wildfires, Hagerty didn’t wait for call volume to spike. We proactively identified members inside impact zones and reached out first. Not with a form email. With a call.

Within days, Hagerty leaders were physically present in affected communities — meeting members face-to-face, reviewing losses, and moving claims forward on the spot.

And in many cases, we were the first to pay.

For some clients, that meant securing a rental home while theirs was rebuilt. For others, it meant beginning the search for the next car before the smoke had fully cleared. Either way, it reinforced something important: Hagerty keeps its promises.

In CAT-prone markets, that protects your client relationship as much as the vehicle itself.

Why Specialty Expertise Matters After a Storm

Hurricanes and wildfires don’t damage vehicles the way parking lot incidents do. Saltwater intrusion moves fast and hides in seams and cavities. Fire and smoke can compromise finishes, wiring, and structure in ways that require more than a standard repair estimate.

That’s why Hagerty built a dedicated Material Damage Unit (MDU) — specialists who come from restoration shops and fabrication environments, not just estimating software.

These are professionals who understand:

• When fabrication is better than replacement
• How to approach survivor cars versus restored vehicles
• Why proper refinishing protects long-term value
• The difference between “good enough” and “right”

In CAT markets, that distinction matters. A rushed repair can diminish value. A thoughtful repair restores it.

And that expertise shows up in results. When Hagerty specialists handle the estimate, customer satisfaction climbs because clients recognize when someone truly understands their car.

Now is the time to:

• Look in your book and make sure the right risks are on the right policies
• Review values annually (see Collector Car Market: 5 Ways to Win More Business)
• Confirm storage locations and usage details
• Discuss Cherished Salvage for emotionally significant vehicles
• Reinforce how specialty claims differ from standard carriers

Because when the next storm rolls in, your clients won’t be thinking about rate sheets. They’ll be thinking about whether their agent understands what’s sitting in their garage. When the winds pick up, you want a partner that shows up, moves quickly, and treats every special vehicle like it matters. Because it does.