Losses and Lessons: ’66 Mustang could have used gnome-owners insurance

VEHICLE(S) COVERED: 1966 Ford Mustang

WHAT WENT WRONG: Sometimes “safe” isn’t safe enough, even when your classic is parked in the garage. Most of us don’t own a garage that’s actually a car showroom, so danger lurks on the walls, shelves and rafters in the form of rakes, brooms, tools and boxes – even garden figurines. For example, the owner of a 1966 Mustang parked his classic in the garage for the night, but when he returned the next morning the car had a large dent in the left rear quarter panel. It didn’t take long to discover what had happened; a garden gnome had fallen off a shelf and landed on the car.

DAMAGE/LOSS: Cost to repair the dent and chipped/scratched paint caused by the skydiving gnome was $2,170.59, which Hagerty paid.

LESSON: Whenever you pull into your garage – whether you’re driving your classic or daily vehicle – anticipate the worst. Survey the immediate area and ask yourself, “If that (object) fell, would it hit the car?” If the answer is yes, move it a safe distance away or find a way to ensure that it stays put. And consider covering your classic after taking a drive. It won’t be protected from everything, but should something fall on your car, a cover could lessen any damage.