Classic car insurance

WE DON'T COMPARE CLASSIC CAR INSURANCE - HERE ARE SOME COMPANIES[1] OFFERING QUOTES[2]

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  • it's Classic Car Insurance is an insurance price comparison site for classic cars. Simply enter your details on the easy-to-use quote form and get competitive quotes from Grove & Dean's specialist car insurance brands. Find the policy that's right for you and your classic vehicle and start saving today. Because this is a specialist UK classic car insurance comparison site, it's Classic Car Insurance addresses the needs of owners, providing bespoke policy features such as agreed values, salvage retention, spare parts cover together with discounts for car club members. Visit it's Classic Car Insurance now, compare quotes and save money on your classic car insurance.

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  • Lancaster Insurance Services has proudly arranged classic car insurance for more than 30 years. Specialising in arranging cover for your cherished vehicle, our tailored and comprehensive policies are designed to protect your investment. We have access to some of the most competitive classic car, vintage car and classic vehicle insurance schemes in the UK and work with carefully selected underwriters to enable us to offer both comprehensive and bespoke insurance solutions, with our customers in mind.

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When is a car classed as a classic car?

Whether you’ve got a timeless 1980s model or drive a more vintage set of wheels, what counts as a classic car can vary between insurers.

Often, your car doesn’t need to be as old as you might think for it to be considered a classic.

For example, many insurers count it as a classic car if the vehicle’s more than 15 years old and worth a minimum of £15,000. Sometimes there’s also a requirement that it’s only used as a second car.

Classic car insurance

What is the difference between classic car insurance and regular insurance?

Classic car insurance covers you for the same type of risks as standard car insurance, like fire, theft, and third-party damages. 

But the policies usually have stricter terms and conditions - for example, there may be a mileage cap and the vehicle might need to be at least 25 years old. 

Depending on the policy, there may be other benefits specifically tailored to classic cars, like additional cover for restoration, exhibiting your car, and racing on track days. 

Features of classic car cover often include:

  1. Agreed value payouts
  2. Laid up cover
  3. A limited mileage discount
  4. Wedding hire cover
  5. An owners club discount
  6. Cover for classics that have been modified
  7. Claim free driving

Another way classic car insurance is different from standard cover is that a no-claims discount doesn’t usually apply, because they’re mostly used as second cars.

What does an ‘agreed valuation’ mean?

An agreed valuation is the amount that both you and your insurer agree the car is worth when you take out the policy. 

If there was no agreed value and you made a claim, the insurer would use the market rate for your car instead.  

With fluctuations in the market for classic cars and taking into consideration any money you may have spent on restoration, this could mean you lose money on the true value of your car. 

Having an agreed value in place gives you peace of mind that you’ll receive an appropriate amount if your car’s stolen or written off.

Find out more about agreed value car insurance >

Is classic car insurance cheaper than regular car insurance?

Classic car insurance is usually much cheaper than standard insurance.

This is partly because you’re more likely to take good care of a classic car and keep it in a safe location.

Plus, classic cars aren’t typically driven as often and their owners are usually safer drivers, which can also help to lower premiums.

If you’re not going to be using your car for some time and will be storing it safely off the road, a laid-up policy can also be a good option and is much cheaper than standard car insurance.

How are classic car insurance quotes calculated?

Your classic car insurance premium will depend on a number of factors, which can include:

  • Driver experience - How long you’ve been on the road and your no-claims history
  • Your mileage - On average, historic vehicle owners travel 1,200 miles a year. Classic car insurers often require a low annual mileage - usually between 2,000 and 5,000 miles
  • The agreed value of your car - How much the insurer agrees to pay out for your car if it’s written off or stolen
  • Your claims history - Fewer claims can lead to lower premiums
  • Where you keep your car - Your address and where you keep the car overnight, like a private driveway or secure garage

What add-ons are available for a classic car insurance policy?

Restoration cover

Many classic car owners have restoration plans. This type of cover will keep your car protected against any mishaps which happen while it’s being restored

Cover for vintage show display

If you want to take your classic motor to an organised show, this policy add-on will cover your car at the event against damage and accidents, as well as providing you with public liability

Cover for wedding car usage

Many classic car policies come with the option of extending your cover so that your vehicle can be used at weddings and proms

Track day racing

If you want to enter your classic car into a race or track parade this add-on will make sure your policy covers you for accidents and damage

Going abroad

You can get a policy add-on for European driving cover. This means if you have an accident or your classic car’s damaged or stolen while you’re away, you can still make a claim

Breakdown cover for classic cars

This can provide you with peace of mind if you’re stuck at the side of the road. There are usually different levels of breakdown cover available, so check the details carefully

How can I reduce the cost of classic car insurance?

Although it’s usually cheaper to insure classic cars, there are still a few ways to reduce the cost further:

  1. Increase security

    Keeping your classic car locked in a secure garage or storage facility will make it harder to steal

  2. Join a car club

    Some insurers see car club membership as evidence of your commitment to taking good care of your car

  3. Curb your mileage

    Lower annual mileage can help to lower your premium

  4. Fit a tracker and immobiliser

    Making your car harder to steal and easier to find if it gets taken can mean you pay less for insurance

  5. Pay annually

    Car insurance is usually cheaper if you make a one-off annual payment rather than spreading the cost over monthly instalments

  6. Compare quotes

    Just like any car insurance, it’s always worth shopping around and comparing quotes to get the best price

If your car is written off or stolen, you'll get an 'agreed price' payout rather than its market value.

Drive a modern car and if it's stolen or written off in a smash, getting an insurance payout is often simple, as most new cars bought and sold in the UK are easy to value – and insurers know how much it'll cost to replace.

The rules are different if you own a classic car. With older models – and particularly those that are in demand or have been extensively modified – knowing how much the car is actually worth isn’t easy to work out.

The value of the vehicle can vary hugely, for example if collectors (especially from overseas) develop an interest in a certain model. So when you sign up to buy the insurance, insurers tend to ask you to settle on an 'agreed valuation'. This involves you agreeing the fixed size of any payout if disaster strikes, MINUS any policy excess.”
Ryan Fulthorpe, Car insurance expert

Frequently asked questions

If you plan to use your car for paid work - for example, if you’ll be paid to use it at weddings - you’ll need to let your insurer know.

You may either be able to extend your classic car insurance to cover this, or you may need to take out a separate business car insurance policy. 

Before you use your car for any business reason, it’s best to check your policy terms and conditions or contact your insurer.

You might be keeping your classic car off the road during winter or because it’s being restored. But whether you need insurance partly depends on if you’ve got a statutory off-road notice (SORN).  

A SORN car doesn’t legally have to be insured as long as it’s kept off the road.  

However, if you don’t have any cover while it’s SORN, your car won’t be protected against risks like fire, theft, and vandalism. 

A safer option is a laid-up policy. This will cover your classic car if it’s kept in a garage, on a private drive, or in a secure building while it’s off the road. 

Laid-up policies don’t usually cover you for driving anywhere though, so if you enjoy spontaneous outings, a year-round policy might be better.

This depends on your insurer. Many classic car policies have an annual mileage cap that you’ll need to agree to when you take out the policy. 

You’re likely to be offered different mileage options, but the standard is usually 5,000 miles. Your premiums will typically be cheaper the lower mileage cap you choose. 

If you think you’re going to exceed your mileage limit, you’ll need to contact your insurer to see if you can get an extension. If you don’t, you may invalidate your policy.

You won’t have to pay road tax if your car’s more than 40 years old and has had no substantial changes made to it in the last 30 years - for example, replacing the chassis or changing the way the car works. 

If you SORN your classic car, you won’t need to pay road tax while it’s off the road.

As with any car, you’ll need to tell your insurer if you’ve made modifications to it. This will often increase your premium if you’ve got standard car insurance. 

However, as classic cars tend to need modifications and repairs to keep them roadworthy, insurers take this into consideration and likely won’t charge much extra for them.

Your classic car won’t need an MOT if it’s more than 40 years old and hasn’t had any major changes made to it in the last 30 years. 

However, for it to be legal to drive, your car still needs to be roadworthy so it’s a good idea to have it regularly checked by a professional mechanic. 

Regular servicing will also help to preserve your car and allow you to enjoy it for many more years to come.

Yes, many insurers look favourably on drivers who are members of a classic car club. This is partly because it shows you’re an enthusiast and interested in taking care of your car.

If you’re a member of a car club, insurers will often see you as a safer and more responsible driver and lower your premiums as a result.

No, you can’t usually get a no-claims discount. This is mainly because most insurers require your classic car to be your second vehicle.  

An exception can be if you have multi-car cover, where a modern and classic car are on the same policy. If this is the case, you can still build up a no-claims bonus on the modern car. 

With classic car insurance, insurers will often give you a discount based on other factors instead, like limiting your mileage. 

And sometimes they’ll take into account the number of years you’ve been claim-free and reduce your premium. Check the policy details before you buy.

No typically, you won’t see the same increases in premiums for classic car insurance that you would with standard car insurance.

This is because most classic cars are stored securely and driven less than regular cars, so there’s less risk to the insurer.

Yes, although most classic car insurers have a minimum age limit, there are a few that will provide cover if you’re a younger driver.  

However, there may be restrictions on the type of car you can drive and the insurance will likely be more expensive.

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Page last reviewed: 11 January 2023

Page reviewed by: Jasmine Hembury

[1]We do not offer a full comparison service on classic car insurance at Gocompare.com but instead have provided links to some companies that offer classic car insurance quotes. These companies are not listed in an order that indicates that one is better than another but are instead ordered in line with our commercial arrangement with each one. Please remember, as different companies offer different policies, it is up to you to choose the one that best suits your needs.

[2]Gocompare.com introduces you to it's Classic Car Insurance Services and Lancaster Insurance Services to provide classic car insurance quotes. it's Classic Car Insurance Services and Lancaster Insurance Services are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Gocompare.com's relationship with it's Classic Car Insurance Services and Lancaster Insurance Services is limited to that of a business partnership, no common ownership or control rights exist between us.