Will my car qualify for classic insurance?

Classic cars are different than traditional cars. Due to the differences in these types of cars, a standard personal auto policy normally does not provide adequate coverage for a classic car.

To protect yourself from the risks associated with owning a classic car, finding out if you qualify for classic car insurance is important.

Enter your zip code above to find the best rates for car insurance in your area!

Your Car Needs to Meet Classic Car Requirements

Each insurance provider has a set of criteria that is used to determine if a vehicle is a good insurance risk. These factors change based on the type of car and the type of insurance being purchased.

While classic car insurance has some similarities to a traditional auto insurance policy, they also protect against some unique risks that daily use cars do not encounter.

Classic cars, for instance, may not be operated as a daily use or commuter car.

This means you may not use it for running errands, commuting to and from work, or commercial applications.

In addition, some insurance providers provide limitations on how many miles a classic car can accumulate annually, or they may require you to own a daily use car in addition to your classic car.

While your insurance provider may have limitations on how you can use a classic car, there are some exceptions to when you can operate it. For instance, if you are traveling to a car show or auto club meeting, your insurance coverage may extend to these situations.

Before heading to one of these meetings, be sure to speak with your provider to understand what coverage they offer in this situation.

Your insurance provider may also require that you store your classic car according to policy-specific requirements. This could mean that you have to use a locked storage unit designed to protect classic cars, or you could use a locked residential garage.

If these requirements are not met, then your insurance policy may not provide coverage in the event of a claim.

You Need to Meet Classic Car Insurance Policyholder Requirements

In addition to your car meeting the definition of a classic car, you must meet specific criteria to become a classic car insurance policyholder.

While this does not affect whether or not your car is a classic car, it will affect whether or not an insurance provider is willing to provide coverage to you.

Insurance providers are often looking to insure risks that are not likely to result in a claim, meaning cars that are in good shape and drivers that operate their cars responsibly.

Your driving record can be a factor that a prospective provider will look at. If you have a serious offense on your record, it may result in higher premium costs, or it could keep you from obtaining coverage at all.

You May Need to Have Your Car Appraised

In addition to meeting the definition of a classic car, you usually have to show that your car has value.

A traditional, daily use vehicle begins to depreciate shortly after you purchase it. A classic car, however, tends to appreciate in value over time. Many insurance providers expect a classic car to have a higher value than when it was originally purchased.

Having an appraisal completed for your car is a helpful way to illustrate your car’s value to your insurance provider.

This allows a third-party company, usually one that specializes in appraising vehicles, to prepare a report documenting your car’s value.

This can be helpful for a couple reasons, one of which is obtaining insurance coverage. Your car’s value will have a direct correlation to the amount of coverage you need.

Having a reputable, third-party complete an appraisal can also be helpful in the event of an accident or theft. Insurance providers traditionally pay out insurance claims based on a car’s value, not what was paid for it.

With classic cars, as they can appreciate in value, it’s important to have an accurate assessment of your car’s value completed annually. This allows you to provide your provider with evidence of your car’s value, in the event of an accident or theft.

The Importance of Classic Coverage

Classic cars often face risks that are unique or carry a higher cost than traditional, daily use vehicles. While the process to find out if your car qualifies for classic car insurance can be time-consuming, it is important to protect your vehicle and your wallet.

When researching different providers, it’s important to make sure you can meet the requirements outlined in your insurance policy.

If you have questions about the types of restrictions that may be placed on your classic car’s use, it’s important to speak with your prospective or current provider.

They can discuss any requirements, such as travel restrictions or mileage limits while making sure you understand what is your responsibility.

Enter your zip code below to compare car insurance rates from multiple companies today!