Classic Car Insurance
We Can Arrange Tailored Insurance To Cover A Range Of Classic Cars and Requirements
We’ve been arranging classic car insurance for over 30 years, arranging car insurance for owners, collectors, and traders alike
Who We Are
Classic cars are not ordinary cars, and they should not be insured on an ordinary policy. Whether you own a single cherished classic, a vintage motor, an antique pre-war car, a collector’s garage of several, or a modern classic that is only now coming of age, we arrange cover built around the car and how you use it. As a broker we can place classic cars that mainstream insurers turn away.
We understand that your classic car is more than just a vehicle.We can arrange flexible cover offers options for agreed value, limited mileage, second car policies, and roadside assistance which can be sourced to suit your needs.
What Cover We Can Arrange
A classic car policy is put together differently from a standard car insurance policy, and we tailor the level of cover to suit you:
- Agreed value so you and the insurer settle the car’s worth up front.
- Limited mileage discounts for cars that are enjoyed rather than commuted in.
- Laid-up cover for a car off the road over winter or during restoration.
- Multi-vehicle and collection policies for owners with more than one classic.
- Breakdown cover – roadside assistance suited to older cars.
You can get a quote for classic car insurance online or over the phone. Our team compares classic car insurance policies and classic vehicle insurance options, and talks through the level of cover and comprehensive cover your car actually needs. Because classic cars are driven less than a daily car, classic car policies for classic vehicles often cost owners less than they expect.
Agreed Value
Agreed value is the single most important feature of good classic car insurance, and it is where standard policies let enthusiasts down. On a standard policy, a total loss is settled at market value, which is whatever the insurer decides the car was worth on the day, often less than a well-kept classic deserves.
Agreed value works differently. You and the insurer agree the car’s worth at the start of the policy, usually supported by photographs and sometimes a professional valuation, so if the worst happens you know exactly what you will receive.
For classic cars, whose values rise rather than depreciate, that certainty matters. An agreed valuation protects the money and the years you have put into the car, and it takes the argument out of a total loss claim. We help you set a realistic figure and review it as values move, so your cover keeps pace with what your car is really worth.
Limited Mileage and Laid-Up Cover
Most classic cars cover far fewer miles than a daily driver, and insurers reward that. Limited mileage policies set an annual mileage that matches how you actually use the car, whether that is a few hundred miles to shows or a few thousand on summer weekends, and lower mileage generally means a lower premium. If you are unsure, we can help you pick a band with a little headroom rather than a figure you might exceed.
Laid-up cover is the companion option for a car that spends part of the year off the road, declared SORN over winter or up on axle stands during restoration. It keeps the car protected against fire, theft, and damage while it is not being driven, without paying for road risks you are not using. Together, limited mileage and laid-up cover are two of the simplest ways to keep classic car insurance cost down.
Classic, Vintage, Antique, Retro: What We Cover
There is no single legal definition of a classic car, and the words owners use vary. Vintage usually means a car built before the Second World War, antique and veteran cars are older still, retro and modern classics are the youngtimers of the 80s, 90s, and beyond, and in tax terms any car over 40 years old is exempt from road tax and MOT. Insurers tend to consider a car for classic cover once it is around 15 to 20 years old and used as a second or leisure vehicle rather than a daily runabout.
Whatever label fits your car, we can look at it. From pre-war antiques and 1960s icons to the modern classics only now being appreciated, we arrange cover for the full range, and we are happy to advise whether your car qualifies for a classic policy or is better placed elsewhere.
Multi-Vehicle and Collection Policies
For classic car owners with more than one car, a multi-vehicle or collection policy brings the whole garage under a single agreement, with one renewal date and often a better rate than insuring each car separately.
Whether you are a two-car household or a serious collector, we can arrange insurance cover that grows with the collection.
Restoration and Part-Complete Projects
A classic that is mid-restoration or bought as a project needs cover too, even though it is not yet on the road. A part-complete car has real value in its parts and the work already done, and it can still be damaged, stolen, or lost to fire in the garage.
We can arrange cover for cars under restoration, including laid-up protection while the work is underway, so the project is protected from the day you take it on to the day it is back on the road.
Tell us the state of the car and how it is stored and we will match it to an insurer comfortable with projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are classic cars cheaper to insure than modern cars?
As Classic cars generally aren’t driven on a regular basis or used for the daily commute like modern vehicles. Additionally, the level of car care given is usually higher by enthusiast owners. Therefore, they’re considered a lower risk by insurers and generally commands a lower insurance premium.
Why does the value of some cars increase over time?
Some vehicles can experience a sudden rise in value. This can be down to several factors, one such factor being featured in film’s or TV show’s such as James Bonds Aston Martin DB5 or the Volvo P1800 from The Saint . But mostly it is the nostalgic value. As time goes by and the car is no longer being made, people with fond memories of it will want to own one.
How do modifications affect my classic car insurance premium?
It all depends on the type of modification you make to your vehicle. For example, common, one-off modifications such as to the wheels or steering wheel will not usually affect the cost of your classic car policy. Extensive alterations, however, are more likely to impact the price of your cover.
It’s worth noting that without modifications a lot of classic cars wouldn’t be roadworthy, so insurers do take this into account when calculating the cost of a premium.
How do I know if my car is a classic or vintage?
While there are no set rules to define classic and vintage cars, there are several factors to be taken into consideration. Some people abide by the following breakdown:
- Vintage cars were built before WWI
- Classic cars were built following WWII
- All 40-year-old cars are exempt from road tax so can be described as classic
Can you arrange Kit Car Insurance?
Yes, we can arrange replica car and kit car insurance. Our friendly team of car insurance brokers can look to tailor a policy to you and your car.
We can look to provide:
- Agreed value: receive a set amount in the event of a claim.
- Limited mileage car insurance: discounts may be available if you don’t drive the vehicle often.
Are there driver age limits for gettng a classic car insurance policy?
In most cases, insurers set a minimum age of 25 and a maximum age of 79 for a classic car insurance policy. In some circumstances, we may be able to provide cover for drivers 21 and over, subject to strict terms and conditions. For existing clients, there are no upper age limits.
Contact Us
For any enquiries or general queries please contact us