[AT] Tractor cruises... liability insurance?

Dean Vinson dean at vinsonfarm.net
Thu Sep 23 15:20:01 PDT 2010


Thanks for all the discussion, gentlemen.

I don't have a farm policy since I don't have a farm... the Super M
currently occupies a space in my suburban garage, where it's covered by my
homeowner's policy.  But neither that policy nor my auto policy provides any
coverage against loss or liability I might incur while operating the tractor
somewhere other than my own property, such as on the road to the local
fairgrounds or even my occasional trips down to the corner gas station to
fill up my 2-gallon lawnmower gas can.  (I use the Super M for that since
it's vaguely like a productive purpose for the tractor, and since I don't
like to carry gas cans in the trunk of my car, and since the neighbors like
to wave at me when I go by on the tractor).

I did check with my insurer to see if they had any specialty coverage they
could provide, but they didn't and suggested as several of you did that I
call around to other insurers.  (Herb, you were correct that I have USAA for
my other policies, and correct that it's an excellent company, and correct
that they didn't quite know what to do with my question when I called).

After browsing some websites I stopped by a local Farmers Insurance Group
office.  They were friendly but didn't know for sure what they could offer,
took my information, and said they'd call back by the next morning.  They
didn't, nor did they return a subsequent voicemail I left for the agent I'd
talked with, so this afternoon I tried a local State Farm agent.  She knew
right what I was looking for, said another of their customers has a few old
tractors insured with them, and promptly wrote me an auto-type insurance
policy complete with an insurance card that lists the covered vehicle as
"1953 FARMALL SUPER M TRACTOR".  Not free, $80 a year, but I'm glad for the
peace of mind.

Barring thunderstorms, I plan to crank the old girl up tomorrow after work
and head for the Old Timers Days festival in Xenia... :-)

Dean Vinson
Dayton, Ohio
www.vinsonfarm.net






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