Protect your classic car with the best antique car insurance available. Read ahead to learn what you need to know about antique car insurance today.
Antique car owners take the ownership of classic cars seriously. Part of taking an antique car seriously involves protecting it with the best antique car insurance available for its needs. Typical car insurance policies for regular vehicles are generally inadequate because, while regular cars depreciate over time - antique cars often appreciate annually. Each auto insurance provider has its own definition of what qualifies as a classic or antique automobile. This requires you to spend some time researching and comparison-shopping between available providers. Start your research here by learning what you need to know about antique car insurance today.
Overview of Antique and Classic Cars
Antique and classic automobiles are not the same things, but what sets them apart? The answer to this question is reasonably simple to comprehend on the surface, although some layers also exist. The age of a vehicle, or year of its initial release, is the clearest determining factor when differentiating between antique and classic vehicles. If looked at in black-and-white, an antique automobile is older than a classic car. The Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) states a classic car is any automobile manufactured between 1915 and 1948. While this definition is neatly defined it is not necessarily utilized by every consumer, and not by every auto insurance provider.
Some consumers loosely view the concept of a classic car as an umbrella term to represent all collector, antique and vintage vehicles regardless of their release years. For example, many people consider the 1961 Jaguar E-Type to be a classic car even though it was originally manufactured thirteen years after the CCCA’s definition cutoff year. Most antique car insurance companies will also set their own terms and not adhere to the CCCA definition. Most antique auto insurance providers will also differ in definitions and terms from each other.
Comparing The Hartford and State Farm Antique and Classic Car Definitions
The Hartford has been an insurance provider since 1810. The company began selling auto insurance policies in 1913 and is one of the most popular and reliable antique car insurance providers today. The Hartford defines classic automobiles as motor vehicles, which are:
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Ten+ years old.
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Used on a regular basis.
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More valuable than average automobiles of the same or similar model year and make.
The Hartford defines antique automobiles as motor vehicles, which are a minimum of twenty-five years old. These cars are possessed for the primary purpose of use in exhibits, parades, public-interest functions, and private club-based activities. According to The Hartford, antique automobiles are also used for additional purposes, albeit only on a minimal basis.
State Farm is another main automobile insurance provider. State Farm details three types of automobiles pursuant to the policies the company writes for more valuable vehicles. These types include antique and classic automobiles but also replicas. State Farm defines classic automobiles as motor vehicles, which are ten+ years of age and either rare or of historic interest. Classic automobiles (according to State Farm) have also been preserved, maintained, or restored by classic vehicle hobbyists. The difference between classic and antique automobiles is age. Classic automobiles are a minimum of ten years of age, whereas antique automobiles are a minimum of twenty-five years of age. Otherwise, State Farm lists no other differences between its definitions of classic and antique automobiles. Replicas are reproductions of classic or antique automobiles. Once again age plays a role. An antique replica is twenty-five+ years of age and a classic replica is ten+ years of age.
Additional Terms and Types
Some auto insurance companies might include hybrid or variation types of automobiles into its policies for special or more valuable vehicles. Newer or modified vehicles might also receive similar policy designations. For example, some antique car insurance companies might write policies for future or modern classic automobiles. Your best bet is to consult with an agent from multiple auto insurance providers to understand their definitions of antique, classic or replica vehicles. Next, inquire about the types of policies for which your vehicle qualifies.
Antique and Classic Car Insurance - Policy Types
Regular auto insurance is sold as six main policy types. Uninsured/underinsured, comprehensive, collision, medical payments and personal injury protection policies are all available. While these coverage aspects might also part of antique and classic car insurance policies, other benefits of specialized insurance for your valuable vehicle also exist.
First, antique car insurance providers are experienced and knowledgeable pursuant to antique, rare and collectible cars. Agents understand the needs antique car owners have, and the needs of each type of valuable automobile their companies cover. For example, antique and classic automobiles tend to increase in value as they age. Increased Replacement Cost coverage pays the difference between your vehicle’s former and current (increased) value.
Roadside Assistance coverage pays for towing with a flatbed tow truck, which helps prevent damages during towing to a service and repair center. Auto Show Medical Reimbursement coverage pays for costs related to someone sustaining an injury during an exhibit or event where your automobile is featured. No Attendance Required coverage pays for damages done to your vehicle when you are not present at an exhibit, event, or car show. Spare Parts Coverage pays for expenses caused by theft of or damage to certain spare parts such as valves, tires, mirrors, lights and more. Finally, Cash Settlement Option policies offer a cash payment in the event your automobile is stolen or totaled, on the condition you use the cash payment to repair or replace your automobile.
Top Providers and Average Costs
It is important to note how each classic or antique auto insurance provider has its own sets of policies, each having its own sets of terms and definitions. Prices also vary with each provider, policy type and make/model year of automobile. Still, premium prices for antique or classic car insurance costs less per year on average than those charged on regular auto insurance policies. National average prices for classic or antique auto insurance policies ranges between $200 and $600 per year (although some premiums are priced at $1,000 per year or more).
The list of available U.S. antique and classic car insurance providers is long. Popular companies such as Allstate and Geico have policies for regular and antique/classic vehicles. As mentioned above, State Farm and The Hartford also write popular classic/antique automobile policies. Multiple other popular and reliable U.S. antique and classic car insurance providers available today include: