How can I find car insurance for a vintage or custom car?
Do you have questions about getting car insurance for a vintage or custom car? Finding car insurance for a vintage or custom car can be difficult. In the United States, car insurance costs around $147 per month. However, the rates for vintage or custom car insurance are higher because these cars are more expensive.
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Diego Anderson
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Diego Anderson is a Real Estate Agent based in the Bay Area of California. Having received his Real Estate License at the age of 18, he wasted no time learning the ins and outs of the industry. With a focus on residential dual agency, he has a passion for supporting and educating families on their home buying and selling decisions. He is no stranger to new builds and new developments. He also r...
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UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Insurance rates for vintage or custom cars are usually higher than those for more modern vehicles
- With many insurance companies, an appraisal is required for a vintage or custom car
- There could also be a limit on the number of miles you can drive in a vintage car each year
If you have a classic, vintage, custom, or collector’s car, truck, or motorcycle, you may need more coverage than a regular car insurance policy offers. The average cost of car insurance is $147 per month for standard cars.
However, vehicle insurance for a 1955 Chevrolet Camaro or a 1965 Ford Mustang can cost several times more than a new vehicle. In addition, many owners add modifications that make their vintage cars even more costly.
Read more: Best Car Insurance Company for Ford
How can you find car insurance for a vintage or custom car? Here’s some more information about choosing insurance for a vintage or custom car, the requirements for this coverage, and some answers to frequently asked questions.
How to Find Car Insurance for a Vintage or Custom Car
With a classic or custom car, many people need more insurance than a new vehicle that came straight from the factory. The rates for liability insurance are usually similar, but they may be higher for older vehicles that don’t have modern safety features.
Liability insurance pays for repairs to other drivers’ vehicles if you have a car accident that was your fault.
Collision and comprehensive insurance can be much more expensive. Most policies for vintage or custom vehicles don’t insure the full amount of the vehicle. Instead, people negotiate with their insurance agents and decide on an insurance limit they can afford.
For example, a car owner worth $500,000 could choose an insurance limit of $300,000 to save money. Even if the vehicle’s value increases, the insurance limit would still be $300,000.
With most collision and comprehensive car insurance, the insurance company will pay the vehicle’s replacement cost without the deductible.
However, the value of your car can fluctuate over time, and the insurance payment you receive after an accident may not be as much as you expect. The best insurance companies that cover modified cars and the best collision coverage car insurance companies can vary over time.
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What are the requirements for vintage or custom car insurance?
Vintage or custom car insurance usually has more requirements than insurance for a typical vehicle, including the following.
An Appraisal
Even if you choose a limit that’s lower than the vehicle’s value, your insurance company may want to know exactly how much your custom or classic car is worth. When you start a new policy, you could have a visit from an appraiser.
Driving Restrictions
Most insurance companies limit the number of miles you can drive a classic or custom car each year. A cap of about 7,500 miles is normal, but insurance company rules vary. Many policies also require the owner of a classic or custom car to have another, less valuable vehicle for everyday use.
Secure Storage
Since classic and custom cars are usually valuable, the theft risk is higher than with a newer or unmodified vehicle. As a result, many insurance companies require people to store these cars in a garage or another secure space when they’re not in use.
A Good Driving Record
You’ll need a good driving record to qualify for custom or classic car insurance. For example, people convicted of excessive speeding, reckless driving, driving while intoxicated, or other serious violations may not be able to get coverage for a classic car.
Case Studies: Car Insurance for Vintage or Custom Cars
Case Study 1: Comprehensive Coverage for a Vintage Car
Sarah owns a vintage 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. She wanted to ensure that her prized possession was adequately protected, so she sought out car insurance specifically designed for vintage cars. She found a policy that provided comprehensive coverage, including agreed value coverage that would reimburse her for the full value of the car in the event of a total loss.
Case Study 2: Custom Car Insurance With Modifications Coverage
Mike had a passion for customizing cars and owned a heavily modified 2005 Honda Civic. He needed insurance coverage that would not only protect his investment but also cover the value of the modifications he made to the car. After researching different options, Mike found an insurance company that specialized in custom car insurance.
They offered coverage that specifically accounted for the value of his modifications, ensuring that he would be properly compensated in the event of a claim.
Case Study 3: Limited Mileage Coverage for a Classic Car
John owned a classic 1972 Ford Mustang that he only drove on special occasions. He didn’t want to pay for full-time coverage since he rarely used the car. Instead, he found an insurance policy that offered limited mileage coverage, allowing him to pay lower premiums based on the reduced risk associated with his limited driving.
The Bottom Line on Classic and Custom Car Insurance Coverage
Insurance for vintage or custom cars is usually more costly than car insurance for newer or unmodified vehicles. This type of insurance also has more requirements than coverage for most other vehicles.
To select a policy that provides the coverage you need without high payments, it’s a good idea to compare car insurance options carefully.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I lower the costs for classic or custom car insurance?
With many companies, you can get various discounts, even with a costly classic vehicle. These discounts can be for:
- Automatic payments
- Buying multiple policies from the same company
- Adding advanced safety features to your car, like lane-keeping assistance or a security system
- Choosing a lower limit than the value of your vehicle
It’s a good idea to update your policy regularly to ensure you get the best deal on car insurance.
Is a show car the same as a classic car?
Some insurance companies consider these cars the same, and others have different categories. For example, show cars are sometimes newer than vintage cars, and some companies use terms like modern or future classics to describe these vehicles.
What is considered a classic car?
The definition of a classic car varies depending on the organization or the person buying it. For insurance and registration purposes, however, classic cars usually must be 20–40 years old and kept within their original design specifications.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
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Diego Anderson
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Diego Anderson is a Real Estate Agent based in the Bay Area of California. Having received his Real Estate License at the age of 18, he wasted no time learning the ins and outs of the industry. With a focus on residential dual agency, he has a passion for supporting and educating families on their home buying and selling decisions. He is no stranger to new builds and new developments. He also r...
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.