Cars have been a staple of the American identity ever since Henry Ford mass produced the Model T in 1908.
From that time on, hundreds of models have rolled out and hit the streets, each representing a piece of history. For many, owning that piece of history is integral to their identity.
Those looking for the next piece of history need not look any further: The Dodge brand's performance legacy inches closer with the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, set to arrive in dealerships this fall at a starting MSRP of $84,995.
Depicted as the most-powerful, street-legal production car ever, the Demon doesn't arrive without competition. The Ford Mustang GT350 and Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1, for example, are high-performance vehicles that fall below the $100,000 price point.
Hagerty named 'official' insurance provider
As you might expect, finding insurance coverage for such high-performance vehicles could be a problem, so Dodge has named Hagerty as its official insurance provider. As the world's leading insurance provider for enthusiast vehicles, Hagerty's coverage for the Demon will be the same guaranteed value policy that's provided to all vehicles that qualify for their program.
Unlike traditional auto policies for cars you drive every day, the vehicle's value is established at the time the policy is issued, which eliminates the need for any negotiation on value should the vehicle experience a total covered loss.
Related: America's 10 most stolen vehicles
Fastest quarter-mile production car
For many car enthusiasts, their collectibles are usually kept safe and off the road. As the world's fastest quarter-mile production car — it sports an elapsed time of 9.65 seconds at 140 miles per hour — it's unlikely fans will keep the Demon inside for too long.
Hagerty understands that insuring the Demon comes with a wide variety of risks. Like many muscle cars, the Dodge Demon is designed to go fast on flat surfaces. The risks arise when owners test the car's limits. "At Hagerty, we understand the risks associated with high-performance vehicles and will underwrite them based on the owner's intended usage and other factors including other vehicles they own," said Mark VanDam, chief underwriting officer at Hagerty.
Like any time a vehicle is driven, there's a risk for collision-related losses. VanDam said any damage to the vehicle or drivetrain — the engine, transmission and rear differential, where most of the technology specific to the Demon can be found — as a result of a collision would be considered normal costs to repair, up to the guaranteed value of the vehicle.
Repair cost expectations
As the cost to repair vehicles has increased due to technology, enthusiasts can breathe easy knowing the Demon comes with a full factory warranty. Repairing Demon-specific body panels, while potentially limited in availability, should fall in line with most modern vehicles, said VanDam.
Despite the risks, Hagerty remains optimistic in terms of claims it can expect.
"With the Demon's horsepower and potential for high speed, it's easy to assume there may be greater claims frequency and severity. However, we believe with the limited production and high demand, the majority of these vehicles will end up with collector car enthusiasts who value the car in its original condition, resulting in more thoughtful usage," said VanDam.
Do red cars really get more tickets?
Many drivers are convinced that the color of their car is a major influence on whether they're more likely to get speeding tickets. A long-held belief is that red cars are ticketed more often than any other color, which might tempt buyers to choose any other color. But most law enforcement agencies deny that a car's paint job has anything to do with whether it will be cited for speeding more often.
The number of tickets is related to driver behavior, and drivers tend to favor the same brands, and colors. So, if the red car is getting a speeding ticket, it's likely that the driver has a propensity to drive fast.
And when you head out on the highway in a high-performance car like the Dodge Demon, Mustang GT350 or Chevy Camaro ZL-1 on the road, you're likely to be a magnet for law enforcement.
Related: 10 most ticketed cars by model
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