Caitlyn Howell, 22, recalls driving around as a passenger in her family’s 1950s MG Midget convertible, when she was just a child.  With a mother who raced muscle cars in the 1970s and an aunt who worked for a prestigious photographer of high end vehicles, one could say that Caitlyn was always well aware of specialty cars. But, she says it wasn’t until she joined the Grundy Worldwide team, in early 2007, that she found a true passion for the hobby.

Caitlyn first joined Grundy Worldwide as a customer service representative, but she quickly began helping the New Business Department, providing insurance quotes to potential clients.  Her great sales skills, charisma and charm soon led her to joining the Grundy travel team, as well.

Caitlyn has traveled to about a dozen car shows over the past year and will attend many more in upcoming months, such as Hot August Nights, Silver Auction and a handful of events in California, including the Gooding & Co. Auction, Blackhawk Exposition Sale at Pebble Beach, Bonhams & Butterfields Motor Car Auction, The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering and the Russo & Steele Auction in Monterey.

Caitlyn says she’s looking forward to traveling out West and meeting new people.

“I love talking to ‘car people,’” says Caitlyn. “These people have saved so much money to buy these cars and are really passionate about their vehicles.”

And recently, much to her enjoyment, Caitlyn has been talking to even more car collectors.  In addition to other duties, she began assisting Grundy’s Special Client Services Division with providing transit insurance, including cargo and foreign liability, to the company’s clients who travel overseas. Caitlyn says that she gathers information from clients (such as travel itineraries) to send to overseas agents, in order to get the right coverage for the vehicles that are traveling abroad.

Throughout its 20-plus years of running its Special Client Services Division, Grundy has insured, and continues to insure, collectors on every part of the globe. With the help of employees like Caitlyn, Grundy's clients participate in events including Peking to Paris, Mille Miglia, Silver Ghost Club World Tours, London to Brighton, the Louis Vuitton Classic Run and many others.  Such tours bring our customers through thousands of miles of great driving roads and beautiful scenery…And, Grundy covers the vehicles the whole way!

With her work in the Special Clients Division and hands in the mix of a little bit of everything, Caitlyn has had the opportunity of speaking to all sorts of people who have traveled to all parts of the globe and own quite the wide variety of cars. 

After some time, you might think that the temptation to buy her own special ride would set in, after seeing all those beautiful cars and hearing the many fascinating stories.

So… any plans to buy a collector car, Caitlyn?

“Probably,” she says.

The car of choice?

“A Volkswagen Karmann Ghia,” she quickly responds. “It’s little and sporty. I think they’re adorable. I like the European cars, in this case a German car, from the 1960s…the small, sporty cars.” 

And, how did you find out about this car?

“It had to be at a car show. I don’t know which one. I had no idea what it was until I started working here, and then I started seeing them everywhere!”

Plan to travel abroad with your "little, sporty" Karmann Ghia?

“Sure! Why not?”

Caitlyn is also currently involved with a new product initiative for daily driver insurance, homeowners and other traditional personal lines.  Grundy is always looking to help our customers in every facet and is proud to employ people like Caitlyn who work hard to satisfy all of your insurance needs.

Story by: Becky McLaughlin