Hagerty Insurance Agency launched their youth focused programs at the first annual Barrington Concours d'Elegance in Barrington, Illinois, in September 2007. At the recent second annual Barrington Concours d'Elegance-just one year later-Hagerty celebrated the occasion that nearly 2,000 kids under the age of 16 have been given the chance to actively take part in the collector car hobby through the company's youth initiatives.
"I will always equate my love of cars to the early experiences with my Dad working in the garage," said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance. "At Hagerty, we feel it is extremely important to introduce today's youth to collector cars to further the hobby and have been extremely pleased with the response from the community and the kids regarding our youth initiatives."
Hagerty's youth advocacy efforts include the Youth Judging Program, hosted by Hagerty at select car shows and available as a "kit" to car clubs, and the National Youth Model Building Contest. This year, Hagerty led the Youth Judging Program at three events around the country and several clubs used Hagerty's Youth Judging Kit to host the program at their own events. During each event, adult hobbyists led a group of kids through a simplified version of French-rules style judging. Additionally, more than 300 kids across the country participated in Hagerty's inaugural model-building contest. The top five finalists were flown to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance for final judging.
In addition to the youth advocacy programming, Hagerty serves as a resource to the hobby by lending its expertise to shows such as the Barrington Concours d'Elegance. Chief Judge Jonathan Stein, Class Judge Jonathan Klinger, and Official Emcee Bob DeKorne-all Hagerty employees-are active participants within the hobby.
Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. is the leading insurance agency for collector vehicles in the world and host to the largest network of collector car owners. Hagerty offers insurance for collector cars, motorcycles and motorcycle safety equipment, tractors, automotive tools and spare parts, and even "automobilia" (any historic or collectible item linked with motor vehicles). Hagerty also offers overseas shipping/touring insurance coverage, commercial coverage and club liability coverage. For more information, call (800) 922-4050 or visit www.hagerty.com.