Classic Car Insurance
Finding the right deal on classic car insurance is a breeze with Asda Money. You can compare quotes from some of the top UK insurance providers in one place. The car insurance comparison service is provided by Vast Visibility Limited.
To help with finding the ideal insurance for your classic car, here we’ll explain what classic car insurance is. We’ll
look at the type of cars it covers, how it differs from regular car insurance, and ways you could make your classic
car insurance cheaper.
What is classic car insurance?
Also called vintage car insurance or heritage car insurance, classic car insurance is designed especially to cover
older cars that are used only for leisure driving.
You can expect a classic car insurance policy to work in the same way as a regular car insurance policy. You pay
up-front or in instalments, with various levels of cover available. But classic car insurance is often cheaper than
standard car insurance. Insurance providers usually view classic cars as a lower risk, as they’re driven less often
and are likely looked after with dedicated care.
When is a car considered classic for insurers?
Which cars are considered classic will vary by insurance provider, but you might be surprised. Often, cars don’t
need to be as old as you might think to be classed as a classic car.
As a guide, many insurers will count a car as classic if it is:
- More than 15 years old
- Worth £15,000 or more
- Driven as a second car (not your primary car that you drive for everyday use)
Remember, different insurers may use different criteria to judge whether a car is classic or not.
What is the difference between classic car insurance and standard insurance?
Insurance for classic cars works in very much the same way as standard car insurance. The same levels of cover
are available, including third-party, third-party fire and theft, and comprehensive classic car insurance.
Classic car insurance policies tend to have more terms and conditions, as well as more features and add-ons,
including:
- Agreed mileage caps and/or limited mileage discounts
- Agreed value payouts
- Cover for modified classic cars
- Laid up and exhibition cover
- Racing and track day cover
- Wedding hire cover
- Claim free driving
- Owners club discounts
With classic car insurance, you may also find that no-claims discounts don't apply, as classic cars are typically used
as second cars and not a primary car. This can vary by insurance provider, though.
How much does classic car insurance cost?
The cost of a classic car insurance policy will vary by insurer and by circumstances. It will depend on a range of
factors, including:
- The make, model and age of the car you want to insure
- The level of cover you want, and any add-ons
- Your age and your driving history
- How often you’ll drive your classic car
- How you’ll store your classic car
Classic car insurance does tend to be cheaper than standard car insurance. Insurance companies expect that
classic cars will be maintained to a high standard and kept in excellent condition. They also expect classic cars to
be driven less than standard cars – as they’re more likely to be taken out for leisurely weekend drives rather than
being used for commuting, the school run or the weekly supermarket shop.
How are classic car insurance quotes calculated?
How much a classic car insurance policy costs will depend upon your personal situation, and will be determined
by:
- The car you want to insure, including how old it is and the make and model
- The agreed value of your classic car
- Your agreed mileage
- Your details, including your age and claims history
- Your address and where you keep your car – secure, off-road storage will lower the risk of theft and vandalism
What is an agreed valuation?
The agreed valuation is the amount that you and an insurer agree your classic car is worth when you insure that
car.
If you didn’t have an agreed valuation in place, and your car was irreparably damaged, your insurance provider
would use the market rate to value your car. But the market rate can fluctuate. And you might receive a payout
that’s less than the amount of money you’ve spent on the car, including both buying and restoring it.
By having an agreed valuation, you have the peace of mind that your car has been properly valued and that you’ll
be paid out enough money if your car is written off or stolen.
Is classic car insurance cheaper than standard insurance?
Yes, insurance for classic cars is usually cheaper than insurance for standard cars. This is because:
- Classic cars are typically kept in a high standard of condition
- They’re often stored securely off-road in safe locations, such as locked garages
- Classic cars tend to be driven less than standard cars as they’re usually second cars for leisure
How do I make classic car insurance cheaper?
Although classic car insurance tends to be cheaper than regular car insurance, there are steps you could take to
lower the cost of your policy and to find the cheapest classic car insurance possible. They include:
- Agreeing to a lower annual mileage: The less miles you drive, the lower the risk you are, and the
cheaper your premiums will be.
- Paying annually: Insurance policies tend to be cheaper if you pay in one annual sum rather than
monthly instalments.
- Storing your car securely: Your premium will be lower if your car is kept off the road and in a
locked location, like a garage or storage facility.
- Fitting an immobiliser and a tracker to your classic car: These make your car harder to steal and
easier to find if it has been taken.
- Joining a car club: Some insurers will see a car club as evidence of your commitment to taking good
care of your classic car.
- Shopping around for your insurance: You’ll find the best deal on insurance if you compare classic
car insurance quotes.
Compare classic car insurance quotes with Asda Money
f you’re looking to insure a classic car, you can compare quotes for classic car insurance right here with Asda
Money. Get a great value classic car insurance quote today with Asda Money. The car insurance comparison
service is provided by Vast Visibility Limited.
Classic car insurance FAQ
- How old must a car be to qualify for classic car insurance?
-
Whilst a car needs to be 40 years old to qualify for road tax exemption1, most insurers count a car as a classic car if
it’s 15 years old. This varies by insurer, and some will require a car to be older. Most insurers also require the car
to be worth £15,000 or more
- How to get cheap car insurance for classic cars
-
There’s a lot you can do to find cheap classic car insurance. You can agree to a lower annual mileage for your
driving, store your car in a locked, off-road location, fit an immobiliser and a tracker, join a car club, and pay for
your insurance annually rather than monthly. You can also compare classic car insurance quotes from some of the
top insurers in the UK with Asda Money.
- Are vehicles over 25 years old tax exempt?
-
No. Cars need to be 40 years old to be exempt for road tax in the UK (1).
- Can new drivers insure classic cars?
-
Many insurance companies do offer insurance for classic cars for new and younger drivers, with classic car
automobile insurance policies available for drivers aged 18 to 24.
- Does classic car insurance require an MOT?
-
Some classic cars will be exempt from needing to have an MOT, as long as that car was first registered over 40
years ago and has not had any 'substantial changes' made to it in the last 30 years, like having the chassis or
engine replaced (1).
But if your classic car doesn’t meet these requirements, it will need to have an MOT to be insured, even if the car
spends most of its time off the road.