Losses and Lessons: Crown Vic flips over classic Corvette

VEHICLE COVERED: 1986 Chevrolet Corvette

WHAT WENT WRONG: Classic car owners are among the most cautious drivers on the road. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about everyone who gets behind the wheel of a car. Recently, the owner of a red 1986 Corvette returned home from a cruise near his home and parked in the driveway while he went inside for lunch. But before he could finish his plate of nachos, a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria came screaming down the street at more than 100 mph, left the road, went airborne and skipped across the hood of the Corvette before bouncing off a tree. The driver fled the scene and was later arrested.

DAMAGE/LOSS: The Corvette owner was extremely fortunate that damage was limited to the hood and front bumper. The repair bill was $1,912.82, which Hagerty paid.

LESSON: It may be a cliché, but it’s also true: Danger lurks around every corner — even when your classic is parked “safely” in the driveway. Sometimes there simply isn’t much you can do to avoid an accident. But incidents like this reinforce the importance of keeping your classic in a secured, locked garage or storage facility whenever you’re not driving it.