Under the Hood with Natasha De Melis

Under the Hood with Natasha De Melis

Brokers are backed by a local team that understands the market and passion behind every collector vehicle.

Let's take a look under the hood and spotlight the people behind Hagerty who support our broker partners every day from coast to coast. From underwriting and claims to sales and service, these are the experts who bring local knowledge, practical insight, and a true partnership mindset to every broker interaction.

This month, we're connecting with Natasha De Melis, Manager of National Events, who shares how events bring the Hagerty brand to life and why great partnerships come down to compromise and shared accountability.

Read about my recent trip on Hagerty's Road of the Year here.

Meet Natasha

• Role: Manager of National Events
• Department: Events
• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Joined Hagerty in: 2021
• Favourite Car: Ford Mustang

Under the Hood

For Natasha, the Ford Mustang is the all-time favourite. She points to the "Designed to Be Designed By You" campaign that launched the iconic Pony Car segment and changed the automotive landscape. More than 60 years later, it remains one of the most beloved brands in the world — featured in songs, movies, and art, with a cultural impact she considers unmatched. As she puts it, everyone has a Mustang story. That emotional connection is exactly what draws collector clients to the cars they love, and it's what brokers can tap into when conversations move from price to passion.

Building Strong Broker Partnerships

To Natasha, a great event partnership looks like compromise. A mutually beneficial relationship maintains accountability and success for both parties. When brokers and Hagerty approach the work with that shared mindset, both sides stay invested in the outcome, and clients feel the difference.

Bringing the Hagerty Brand to Life

Traditional and digital media are two of the best avenues events can use to position the Hagerty product. By combining on-the-ground experiences with the right media support, brokers can extend the reach of every event and connect with clients in a way that feels authentic. When clients experience the brand firsthand, conversations about coverage become more natural and more meaningful.

A Common Misconception

The most common misconception event partners have about Natasha's area of work is logistics. Events run through multiple stages — planning, production, and distribution — and each one takes time and follows strict procedures to maintain accountability. Understanding the work behind the scenes helps partners appreciate why a well-run event is such a powerful tool for engaging clients and enthusiasts.

Supporting Clients Across the Country

Natasha wants event partners to know that the Canadian team supports a wide range of events nationally — premier, regional, member, broker, local, and car club events alike. That breadth gives brokers meaningful opportunities to connect with clients beyond the policy and to position collector vehicle coverage as part of a broader enthusiast experience.

What Natasha Wants Brokers to Remember

Hagerty exists to save driving. By investing in automotive events, the team helps keep the hobby alive for generations to come. For brokers, that means partnering with people who share their clients' passion and who are committed to the long-term health of the community — not just a single transaction.

The Takeaway for Brokers

Events are more than brand moments; they're growth opportunities.

By engaging with Hagerty through events, brokers build stronger emotional connections with clients, move conversations from price to value, and become part of the enthusiast community. That's how collector vehicle insurance becomes a long-term growth strategy rather than a one-time transaction.

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Hagerty Canada, LLC policies are underwritten by Aviva Insurance Company of Canada.

Hagerty determines final risk acceptance. Some coverage not available in all provinces. This is a general description of coverage. Rates subject to change. All coverage subject to policy provisions, exclusions, and endorsements. Hagerty is a registered trademark of the Hagerty Group LLC, ©2026 The Hagerty Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.