Share This Page
Share Pin It Email Print

Collector Car Insurance

Collector Car Insurance

Whether you own just one classic car or you are a seasoned automobile collector, you know that no two vehicles are created equal. You would never treat your 1971 Porsche 911S in the same way that you would treat your everyday personal vehicle.

Car insurance agents are also acutely aware of this fact. For this reason, auto insurance providers across the U.S. commonly offer collector car insurance at special rates.

Collector Vehicle Qualifications

A wide range of specialty cars and trucks are eligible for collector insurance rates, including:

  • Antique cars.
  • Vintage cars.
  • Classic cars.

Although these divisions are typically unimportant for insurance purposes, they represent separate and distinct eras of manufacture.

Antique Cars

The antique car classification is the oldest of the three vehicle types above. The Antique Automobile Club of America considers any vehicle made more than 45 years ago as antique; however, this timeframe is not set in stone.

Regional authorities and individual collectors have differing views on exactly what constitutes an “antique” car. Many aficionados will not consider a vehicle an antique unless it was made before 1918.

Vintage Cars

The next oldest classification, the vintage car, is widely known to consist of automobiles with manufacture dates between 1919 and 1930.

Classic Cars

Classic cars are restricted to exceptional and/or limited-run vehicles that were made between the late 1920s and the late 1940s.

Additional Classifications

Other vehicle types that might qualify for collector auto insurance include:

  • Kit cars.
  • Muscle cars.
  • Motorsport vehicles.
  • Street hot rods.
  • Vehicles under restoration.
  • Modern limited production models.

Insurance Coverage Considerations

Different insurance providers have varying guidelines and procedures when it comes to insuring collector vehicles. In general, however, insurance agents will consider certain criteria before approving you for a collector car insurance policy.

Primary vs. Secondary Vehicle

Most owners of collector cars also own one or more additional vehicles that they drive on a daily basis. The car insurance company will consider whether you use your collector car as your primary vehicle when deciding whether to cover the car.

NOTE: Your car insurance company may also require that any driver who uses the car have a minimum amount of driving experience (e.g., 5 years).

Amount of Vehicle Use

Generally speaking, collector cars are expected to make fewer regular trips out of the garage than your average day-to-day vehicle.

However, most collector car insurance policies cover a wide range of uses from weekend pleasure cruises to treks to auto shows and conventions.

If you plan to race your collector car, you may not be able to get collector coverage. Speak with your insurance company about your options.

Determining Your Premium

Like all forms of auto insurance, the rates and coverage policies for collector car insurance can vary drastically from provider to provider. The following factors will play a role in your rates:

  • Your car’s make, model, and year.
  • Your driving record.
  • How you primarily use your vehicle.
  • Your deductible.
  • Your chosen coverage limits.
  • Any applicable discounts.

The best way to ensure you find the best coverage at a low cost is by shopping around and comparing collector car insurance coverage.

DMV.ORG BBB Business Review