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Get the best coverage to protect your vintage ride, and find out how to save on collector car insurance.
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This article was reviewed by Andrew Flueckiger, a member of the Finder Editorial Review Board and certified insurance counselor and licensed insurance agent in five states.
If you proudly own a classic Porsche, Thunderbird, DeLorean or another classic, classic car insurance offers specialized protection for these valuable vintage cars. Classic car policies include agreed value coverage, special event insurance and enhanced roadside assistance to protect areas not covered by traditional policies, like your car’s full appraised value.
What's in this guide?
What are the best classic car insurance companies?
- Best quote process: Progressive
- Best discounts: Liberty Mutual
- Best one-on-one service: Chubb
How we chose these picks
To bring you the best classic car insurance choices, Finder’s experts analyze companies’ customer and claims satisfaction scores, coverage, discounts and perks designed for classic cars. Our editorial team spends thousands of hours researching and analyzing hundreds of car insurance companies.
Best quote process: Progressive
Optional
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance
New car protection
Accident forgiveness
Use Progressive's handy online comparison and quote tools to find the right policy, or compare Progressive's price with competitors to find the best deal. Progressive also lets you bundle nearly any kind of auto coverage, including classic cars, bikes and boats.
- Top-rated insurer with 80 years' experience
- Easy online sign-up and reporting
- Multiple discounts available
- Transparent quoting
- Some customer complaints
- Six-month policies standard
| States served | All 50 states |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Optional |
| Pay schedule | 12 months, 6 months |
| Claims methods | online, phone |
| New car protection | Yes |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes |
Best discounts: Liberty Mutual
Optional
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance
New car protection
Accident forgiveness
Enjoy a wide range of discounts, including a usage-based discount if your car spends enough time being pampered instead of driven. Liberty Mutual also offers some of the best new and better car replacement programs for a new classic like a Mustang or Alfa Romeo.
- Roadside assistance
- Usage-based discount
- Better car replacement
- Nationwide coverage
- Coverage minimums vary by state
- Some access to agents
- Not always the best prices
| States served | All 50 states |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Optional |
| Pay schedule | 12 months, monthly |
| Claims methods | Online, Phone |
| New car protection | Yes |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes |
Best one-on-one service: Chubb
Optional
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance
New car protection
Accident forgiveness
Get personalized, one-on-one support with an auto specialist to repair your classic car to the manufacturer's specs. Plus, its perks include unlimited mileage for hobby driving, agreed value limits and 30 days of free coverage for new cars in your collection.
- No mileage limit for hobby use
- Repairs using original equipment manufacturer parts
- Newly acquired car coverage
- Car expert and dealer referrals
- Up to $10 million in worldwide auto liability
- High rates for low-value vehicles
- No online quotes
| States served | All 50 states |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Optional |
| Pay schedule | 12 months, 6 months |
| Claims methods | online |
| New car protection | No |
| Accident forgiveness | No |
Classic car insurance runnerups
If our top picks don’t wow you, consider some alternatives to insure your classic car:
- Heacock Classic. Classic policies designed for daily drivers, but you’ll face strict requirements for which cars and drivers qualify.
- Grundy. No mileage limits or deductibles in most states, but Grundy doesn’t accept every driver and your claims process could be lengthy.
- JC Taylor. Free coverage if you insure multiple cars with JC Taylor, though you’ll fill out a paper application and can’t get many coverage extras.
How much does classic car insurance cost?
Collector car insurance typically costs less than standard auto insurance since classic car owners tend to drive their vehicles less. These factors influence your exact costs:
- Age. Younger drivers have less experience than older drivers, and the risk is reflected in premiums.
- Your make and model. A classic Jaguar is worth more than a Chevy truck, so the higher replacement value and theft rate will affect insurance.
- Mileage. Someone who drives 30,000 miles a year will pay more for insurance than someone who drives less than 10,000 miles.
- Parking. A street-parked car is more likely to get stolen or damaged than one kept locked in a garage.
- Your address. Certain areas are prone to car accident claims, affecting your premium.
- Your driving record. If you have a history of traffic offenses, accidents or insurance claims, expect to pay more than someone with a claim-free record.
- Security. Vintage cars with antitheft devices are less of a target for thieves, lowering your insurance rates.
Modern classic car insurance rates
Compare average annual car insurance rates for 10 modern classic cars. Your car’s make, model, trim and year are the biggest factors that affect your actual rates.
| Make & model | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
| Nissan GT-R | $158 |
| Lotus Evora | $424 |
| Lotus 3-Eleven | $464 |
| Chevrolet SS | $164 |
| Porsche Cayman | $108 |
| Dodge Viper | $170 |
| Ford Mustang | $166 |
| Chevrolet Corvette | $238 |
| Audi TT | $128 |
| Dodge Challenger | $245 |
Car insurance rates by make and model
Compare classic car insurance
How to save on classic car insurance
Cut the cost of protecting your valuable classic with a little work before signing up for or renewing your policy.
- Bundle other insurance. If you’re using a standard insurer, you may save if you buy homeowners or renters insurance from the same company.
- Check with your car club. Belonging to a car club could lead to discounts from affiliated car insurers.
- Combine cars. If you have several classic cars, see about insuring them all under one policy for savings.
- Invest in security. An antitheft system and updated security for your garage could cut your premium.
- Mind your miles. Not driving means not having as high of a risk for claims, which lowers your premiums.
- Shop around. If you don’t like your rates, get quotes and compare coverage with other insurers, or negotiate a lower rate with your current insurer.
- Store your car. If you’re not hitting the road or doing the show circuit for a while, store your car in a safe, locked up space to reduce risk.
What does classic car insurance cover?
Although the exact level of coverage available differs between insurers, you can generally find coverage for:
- Agreed value. Agreed value determines your car’s worth and pays claims for that exact amount, unlike market value coverage.
- Choice of mechanic. You have the freedom to take your car to your trusted classic car mechanic.
- Lay-up periods. Many vintage cars spend time being laid up, maintained or cleaned, and classic car insurers factor this in to premiums.
- Limited usage. Classic cars may qualify for mileage-based policies or low-mileage discounts if driven infrequently, but you may have to stick within set mileage limits.
- Medical reimbursement. If someone gets injured in or around your car at a show it’s featured in, their medical bills could be covered.
- Modifications. Classic cars may get modifications or attachments over the years, but classic car insurance includes or easily adds coverage for these.
- Salvage rights. If your classic car suffers a covered total loss, you can keep the unrepaired car and your insurance payout, rather than sending it to the salvage yard.
- Spare parts. Covers damage or theft to spare parts like tires or other gear.
- Vandalism or theft. Since classic cars could be targets for thieves, comprehensive coverage protects your ride from theft, vandalism and other damage.
What’s not covered with classic car insurance?
A list of general exclusions applies to all classic car insurance policies. Your claim will usually not be paid for:
- Loss or damage that happens outside the US
- Tire damage from braking, punctures or cuts
- Mechanical, structural or electrical failures
- Repairs to existing damage
- Deterioration, rust, corrosion or wear and tear
- Fixing faulty repairs, unless as part of a claim
- Replacing lock barrels and coded keypads
- Depreciation or the loss of value of your vehicle
- Intentional loss or damage
- Damage from the legal seizure of your vehicle
- War, riot, civil unrest or nuclear activity
- Any act of terrorism
- Discharge of any pollutants from your car
- Not securing your car after a breakdown, collision or theft
How is agreed value determined?
Classic car insurance policies insure your much-loved vehicle for an agreed value, also referred to as the guaranteed value, which is the amount that you and your insurer agree the car is worth when you apply for a policy. You’ll get paid this agreed-on amount if your vehicle is written off.
The agreed-upon figure includes modifications and any accessories that are fitted to your vehicle. While agreed value policies can cost more than market value policies, they offer a higher payout.
What am I covered for under an agreed value policy?
A guaranteed value policy provides coverage for:
- The agreed value that you and your insurer set at the policy’s beginning
- Modifications or accessories attached to your vehicle
- Liability insurance on the roads and at shows
How do I get my car valued?
Car valuation services can appraise your car’s value to give to your insurer. Some services can provide valuations online for about $15 depending on the service.
You can include photos of your vehicle or a ratified value documentation from an owners club to help with the appraisal process. For vintage vehicles, insurers may require more documentation for modifications, accessories or car damage.
Details typically required for the appraisal:
- Year
- Make
- Model
- Vehicle Version
- Body Type
- Miles
What category does my classic car fall under?
Most major insurers only recognize your car as a classic if it’s used for special events and not driven frequently. Plus, most insurers recognize cars as classics or antiques at 25 to 30 years old, states the Insurance Information Institute.
There are three categories available for older cars — classic, vintage and veteran — and these classes are determined by your vehicle’s date of manufacture.
| Classification | Age and specification |
|---|---|
| Classic |
|
| Antique |
|
| Kit cars | Separate manufactured components or a replica or reproduction of a vehicle at least 25 years old |
| Street rods | Made before 1949 |
| Vintage cars | Made between 1919 and 1930 |
| Veteran vehicles | A retired military vehicle, often those that are made before 1919 |
| Rare cars | Includes motorsport, tractors, military, motorcycles, modified classics and limited production vehicles |
What if I have a classic car loan?
If you paid for your ride with a classic car loan, consider getting gap insurance. Gap insurance covers the difference between the car’s value and how much you owe on the loan if your car is totaled, stolen or destroyed.
Say your precious restored DeLorean is stolen, or classic VW is totaled. You’ll get reimbursed for the car’s value by your insurance, but you might owe money on your car loan due to interest or depreciation.Gap coverage pays back the difference, so you’re not stuck paying your bank back for a car that’s no longer fit to drive.
However, if you have an agreed value classic car insurance policy, you may not need gap insurance since your insurer will pay the full amount of your car’s worth that you agreed on when you originally purchased your policy.
Common questions about classic car insurance
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