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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Compare classic car insurance
How much does classic car insurance cost?
Classic 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.
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 is totaled, you can keep the unrepaired car and your insurance payout, rather than sending it to the salvage yard.
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 older 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, 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.
What am I covered for under an agreed value policy?
An agreed 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 or not driven frequently. Plus, if you’re insuring your car as a classic, different policies apply to both classic and vintage cars.
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
Cars that are 19–24 years old
The Classic Car Club of America recognizes those manufactured between 1915 and 1948
In good working condition
Greater than the average of other cars the same make and model year
Antique
At least 25 years old, some states 20 years
The Antiques Automobile Club of America specifies 45 years or older
Good working original or restored condition
Kit cars
At least 24 years old
Separate manufactured components or a replica or reproduction of a vehicle at least 25 years old
Street rods
Must be made before 1949
Vintage cars
Must be made between 1919 and 1930
Veteran vehicles
Must be 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.
Most classic policies will not cover you to drive any other vehicles. You’ll need separate policies, even if it’s with the same insurer.
Classic motorcycle insurance is available for bikes 15 to 25 years old, but with some requirements for how much or how you use the bike. This policy may include comprehensive coverage alongside perks like your choice of repair shop and salvage rights.
However, classic motorcycle insurance is different than classic car policies because premiums tend to be lower than new, powerful bikes. Insurers recognize that classic bikes often get in fewer accidents than modern ones.
Yes though generally an increased premium will apply.
If you ever need to make a claim, follow these steps to make the process as easy as possible:
Safety first. If anyone is hurt, call 911 right away and look out for other potential dangers like gas leaks or fires. Even if no one is injured, call the police and inform them of what happened.
Exchange information. Write down the full names, make, model and insurance information of the people involved in the accident, including their addresses and driver’s license numbers.
Notify your insurance agent. Before you leave the scene, call your insurance agent to get guidance and more specific advice about your next steps.
Document the scene. Take pictures of the scene, capturing multiple angles of the damage. Take the names of police officers and any witnesses to better validate your claim.
Laid up insurance covers vehicles that are being restored and not currently driven on public roads. It’s generally cheaper than policies that cover driving.
Yes, but it’s best to let your insurer know prior to the event.
Roslyn McKenna is an insurance publisher for Finder, where she's driven to help people get a great deal on insurance to protect their families and finances. Roslyn earned a BA in writing and communications from Maryville College and has written professionally for more than a decade, showing up on Bankrate, MSN and Reader's Digest.
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