If you own a classic car, specialist classic car insurance can provide the financial protection you need if you’re involved in an accident, or the car is damaged or lost in other circumstances.
Compare classic car insurance below and get quotes from trusted insurers such as Aviva, Allianz, Hiscox, AXA, ERS and Ageas.
What do you need to get a classic car insurance quote?
To get a classic car insurance quote, be ready to share:
- Your car registration number, or if you don’t know it, the make, model and how old it is.
- How you use your car, your annual mileage, where you keep it, and a rough idea of how much it’s worth.
- Personal details about you, including your name, address, age, job, how long you’ve held a driving licence, no claims discount, and any motoring accidents or convictions. Similar will be needed for any additional drivers you wish to add to the policy.
- The type of insurance cover you’re looking for, including when you want the policy to start and the excess you’re willing to pay.
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Table of Contents
- What is classic car insurance?
- When does a car become a classic for insurance?
- What else do classic car insurers consider?
- How much is classic car insurance?
- Is classic car insurance cheaper than standard insurance?
- What does classic car insurance cover?
- What is agreed value car insurance?
- What is laid up car insurance?
- Other types of classic car insurance policy
- Classic car insurance add-ons
- How to get cheaper classic car insurance
- Classic Car Insurance FAQs
What is classic car insurance?
Classic car insurance is insurance cover for older cars, which are mainly used for recreational rather than everyday purposes. Your vehicle will also need to meet the definition of being a ‘classic car’, as set by the insurer.
The cover options are similar to those offered through standard car insurance, but you’ll usually find slightly different conditions attached to classic cover policies. You may see classic car insurance sometimes called vintage car insurance, collector car insurance or classic vehicle insurance.
When does a car become a classic for insurance?
As a general starting point, some insurers follow the lead of HM Revenue & Customs, which considers a car to be ‘classic’ for tax purposes if it’s over 15 years old and worth at least £15,000.
However, different insurance companies have different criteria for determining whether a car can be covered by classic car insurance. Some providers will accept cars of a lower value, or set a higher or lower minimum age. If you think your car is classic in any way, perhaps because it’s rare, unusual, valuable or collectible, you may find an insurer that is willing to offer you cover.
What else do classic car insurers consider?
Besides the age and value of your car, insurers may also look at the following when deciding if you’re eligible for classic car insurance, and the premium you’re offered:
- Your age: some insurers will only offer cover if you’re at least 25, or sometimes 30.
- Your driving record: a full and relatively clean licence is likely to give you more options and lower premiums.
- How the car is used: if it’s your main vehicle for day-to-day use, it probably won’t qualify as a classic.
- Mileage: classic car insurance often has a low upper limit on mileage, due to the assumption it won’t be used regularly.
- Storage: to qualify, most insurers will prefer your car to be kept in a garage, special lock-up, or as a minimum, on your drive when not in use.
All that said, because insurers can have very different ideas about the criteria a car and you, as a driver, must meet, it’s possible you won’t qualify for classic car insurance at one provider but will be eligible at another.
What is the difference between classic car insurance and standard car insurance?
One of the main differences is that classic car insurance is often arranged on an agreed valuation basis. This means you agree on the value of your car when you take out the insurance, and therefore the amount your insurer will pay if you make a claim. With standard car insurance, payouts are determined by the market value of your vehicle when making a claim.
Classic car insurance also tends to come with stricter terms and conditions than standard car insurance. This may include a cap on mileage and limitations on when and why you can use the car. However, this also means classic car insurance is generally cheaper than standard insurance because insurers expect classic cars to be used less frequently and driven and looked after carefully.
How much is classic car insurance?
How much classic car insurance costs will depend on your particular vehicle, the level of cover you choose, and your personal characteristics. The value of your car is always a key determining factor. If your car is particularly rare or collectible, or has been modified, it can add value or increase the risk of theft, and push up insurance costs. Premiums can also vary depending on the type of cover you choose, and any add-ons you may want to include.
In terms of your own personal characteristics, if you’re an experienced driver, with a good driving record, and haven’t made claims on your cover in the past, it can help keep the cost of insurance to a minimum. Where you live can be important too.
Is classic car insurance cheaper than standard insurance?
Classic car insurance is often cheaper than standard car insurance, mainly because insurers expect classic cars to be better looked after and travel fewer miles than a typical car. This is based on the assumption that they will be driven more carefully, mainly used recreationally, and stored more safely and securely.
These factors all reduce the chances of the vehicle being involved in an accident or damaged in other ways, which can help keep premiums low. If you don’t use your classic car this way, it’s vital to be open and honest with your insurer to avoid the risk of your policy being invalid.
» MORE: Why is car insurance so expensive?
What does classic car insurance cover?
Similar to standard car insurance, there are varying levels of protection that you can buy for your classic car. These include:
- Third party: If you wish to take your classic on a UK road, third party car insurance is the minimum legal requirement. In the event of an accident, the insurer will pay for damage to the other person’s vehicle or property as well as any injury. But third party cover will not offer protection against damage to you or your vehicle.
- Third party, fire and theft: This cover includes the protection of a third party but you will also be covered if your classic car is damaged by fire or is stolen.
- Comprehensive: This is the highest level of cover for your classic car and offers all the protection of third party, fire and theft along with protection against damage or loss of your classic vehicle, and you being injured.
» MORE: Fully comprehensive car insurance explained
What is agreed value car insurance?
If you arrange classic car insurance on an agreed value basis, you and the insurer agree on an amount that will be paid out if your vehicle is written off or stolen. Without having an agreed valuation on your policy, insurers pay out according to the market value of a car when a claim is made – as usually happens with standard car insurance.
By taking out agreed value classic car insurance, the idea is that you can secure a level of cover which reflects the money and effort you might have put into the restoration and upkeep of your car.
What is laid up car insurance?
Laid up cover is designed for vehicles that are registered SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), and won’t be driven on the road. This may be due to the car being in storage or in the process of being restored. Depending on the criteria of the particular policy, laid up cover can include accidental damage to the vehicle, damage to the vehicle by fire, theft of the vehicle and damage by attempted theft.
Other types of classic car insurance policy
Some classic car insurers offer specific cover related to classic American cars, tractors, motorbikes, vans, campervans and military vehicles, among others. And classic cars don’t always need to be old, with some insurers offering cover for more modern cars too.
It’s also possible to arrange specialist cover if you’re using your vehicle as a wedding car or for special events, exhibiting it at car shows, want to use it for track racing, or are driving overseas.
Classic car insurance add-ons
As with standard car insurance, you’re likely to be offered optional extras when buying classic car insurance which can enhance your cover. These will add to the cost of your policy, so think carefully whether the additional cover is worth it to you.
Motor legal protection
Sometimes called legal expenses cover. It can help with legal costs not covered by a standard policy if you’re in an accident that’s not your fault.
Personal accident cover
This pays compensation to you or your loved ones if you’re injured or die in a car accident.
Windscreen cover
If your windscreen is chipped, cracked or worse, this cover can help cover the cost of repairs or replacement.
Personal belongings cover
This provides cover for your possessions if they are stolen or damaged while in your vehicle.
Excess cover
If you make a claim, this protection allows you to claim back the excess you have to pay yourself.
Key cover
This covers the cost of replacing your car keys if they’re stolen or lost.
Breakdown cover
Depending on the level of cover, this could include emergency assistance if your car needs repair at the roadside or at home after breaking down.
» MORE: Compare breakdown cover
How to get cheaper classic car insurance
To reduce the cost of your classic car insurance, you may want to:
- Compare car insurance providers: Always shop around to find the best premium and don’t automatically renew with your current provider if you have an existing policy which is about to end.
- Be safe and secure: Keeping your classic car in a secure garage, or installing a tracker device, shows an insurer you’re doing everything possible to prevent it from being stolen.
- Join a classic car club: Being a member of a car club sometimes qualifies you for a discount on cover from certain insurers.
- Drive less: It’s assumed classic cars are used less, but if you cut back on your mileage even more you could save further.
- Keep modifications to a minimum: Expensive upgrades and modifications can increase the value of your vehicle, and may see insurers consider it a greater theft risk.
- Increase your excess: The higher the amount you’re willing to pay towards a claim, the cheaper car insurance usually is. Just ensure you’re able to pay it, if you make a claim.
- Pay annually: It normally costs less to pay for classic car insurance upfront in one payment than to pay monthly premiums.
» MORE: 17 ways to get cheap car insurance
Classic Car Insurance FAQs
The average price of classic car insurance is £123, according to the classic car insurer Heritage. The amount you pay will depend on a number of factors such as the value, make, model and age of your classic car. The miles you intend to drive, how you use the car, and your characteristics as a driver, including your age and driving record, are also important in determining the cost of classic car insurance.
The best insurance for older cars will depend on its age, how you use the car, and the type of cover you want. If you have a vehicle you consider to be a classic, vintage, collectible or similar, classic car insurance is often cheaper than standard car insurance.
Age requirements can differ between classic car insurers. Some may set eligibility at a minimum age of 15 years, but others may be willing to classify much newer vehicles as being classic.
It is possible to get classic car insurance if you’re under 25, but you may need to meet certain requirements, such as having your licence for at least a year. You may also find there are particular rules around the type of car you can drive and where and how you’re allowed to use it.
Classic car insurers don’t tend to offer no-claims discounts or bonuses on their policies. It’s also not usually possible to apply an existing no-claims discount you’ve built up through standard car insurance to a classic car insurance policy.
Some insurers do offer discounts on their classic car insurance if you’re a member of a car club.
If you want to use your classic car as part of a business, you must tell your insurance company when arranging cover. Often classic car insurers have specialist cover or policy add-ons for wedding cars or vehicles used for events such as proms.
» MORE: What is business car insurance?
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