“I have an idea for a program, and I have an insurance company that is interested in listening,” said Jim Grundy, President of Grundy Worldwide.  “I’ve been asking around the insurance community who would be a good person to make this happen for Grundy. And, your name keeps coming up.” 

That was all John Heckman needed to hear. 

Having known Jim personally and through the insurance business for over 20 years, John’s “interview” was really more of an explanation of the business plan, culminating with a job offer. 

Twenty minutes later, John was walking to his car, cell phone in hand, telling his wife, Lillian, about the opportunity. He said that he would be crazy not to accept the challenge. 

That was October of 2006. Fast forward to August of 2008... 

Today, Grundy Worldwide’s Restorer and Builder Program is not only a reality— it is quickly becoming its niche market’s benchmark.  The program’s launch at the annual celebration of all things automotive, SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association), in Las Vegas, this past October, was preceded by months of behind the scenes focus group effort. 

“Designed by us from the ground up, specifically to meet the insurance requirements of restoration shops and those that build cars, the program is underwritten by A-rated Arch Insurance Group and is a commercial package of coverage,” says John. 

 “This is not for the hobbyist working on his own car, but rather for the professional with a shop who is working on cars for other people,” he continues.  “Not only are we able to save our clients premium, we think that we have designed a better mousetrap for them.” 

The Restorer and Builder policy (R & B for short) is the only one of its kind that provides Agreed Value coverage for the Garagekeepers portion of the policy.  All other policies in the marketplace write this coverage portion using Actual Cash Value, which is defined as replacement cost less depreciation. 

“That simply doesn’t work with collector cars, which typically appreciate in value over time,” says John.  “Just like with a personally-owned collector vehicle, Agreed Value is the only proper way to protect collector cars.” 

A third generation insurance man, John holds the Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) designation and has been in the insurance business all his life.  Starting in high school, and then after graduating from college, he has worked for agencies and companies both large and small on both coasts, and he has owned two agencies of his own.  Along with this experience, what makes this father of two grown girls a custom fit for his position as Manager of the Restorer and Builder Program at Grundy Worldwide is that he has also been a car guy all his life. 

“More like a car geek!” he says.  “I’m told that 55 years ago last month I was brought home from the hospital in a car.  So I guess I’ve been hooked from a very young age!”

John worked in a restoration shop while in college, which gave him the hands-on experience he was looking for at the time.  Learning how a car works (and what to do when it breaks) helps John talk-the-talk and walk-the-walk, when speaking with potential clients. 

“I like anything if it is done right,” he says.  “From primitive high wheelers to modern exotics and everything in between—full blown customs, muscle cars, sports cars, racecars, dead-stock original classics or antiques, even low-riders. If they have an engine, and they are done with quality, I like them.”

“But my absolute favorite is sports racing cars,” says John. “Cars with doors and fenders that might have been driven on the street, but were then modified for the track.  Track driving is my passion.  I like to feel the boundaries of a car -- the horsepower, the brakes, the suspension.  Driving on track allows me to do this.  To place a car on a corner’s apex, measuring six inches square at 145 mph lap, after lap, after lap is one of the most relaxing things I know how to do.”

“So much concentration is required that you simply can’t think of anything else and still get it right,” he explains.  “The result is that you step out of the car, and you are totally relaxed.  I do this with 150 of my best friends as often as possible.”

Throughout his life, John has been involved with just about every facet of the car hobby.  Among other things, he has been a car collector, a restoration general contractor, a Best-of-Show-winning Concours participant, a Porsche Club of America local and national officer, a championship-winning racer, a Concours judge, and a builder and collector of 1/43 scale model cars and 1/32 scale slot cars. (He built a track in his study for those cold Philadelphia winter nights.) He also collects automotive art and literature. 

“Porsches are my favorite, because they are pure sports cars— practical, dependable and a good value,” he says. 

The 1980 911SC you see pictured here is a Weissach Edition (pronounced Vigh-Sock), and is one of 200 in the series.  Although the car is street-legal, it is pretty much dedicated to track use through the Porsche, BMW and Corvette Clubs, where John is a high-speed driving instructor. 

When asked which of the 15 Porsches that he has owned over the years is his favorite, John says with a smile: “My white Boxster street car parked outside.  I can carry a week’s worth of groceries in the front trunk and my brief case and dry cleaning in the rear trunk. And, the top goes down for most evening commutes.  For what I need, that’s a custom fit!”                      

Story by: Harvey Mushman, edited by Becky McLaughlin