Classic Car Insurance
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Why Compare Cheap Classic Car Insurance Quotes With SimplyQuote
Comparing classic vehicle insurance quotes with SimplyQuote is quick and easy.
No more ploughing through stacks of insurance quotes from endless insurance providers. Simply fill out the short online form, give us a few basic details and SimplyQuote handles the rest.
We’ll provide a list of classic car insurance quotes from top-class UK insurers; all you need to do is choose the best one!
Having a classic car is an investment and having good car insurance protects your most valuable (four-wheeled) asset – you can’t go wrong with SimplyQuote!
What Do You Need To Get A Quote?
Before we provide you with an insurance quote for your classic car, there is a bit of information we’ll need from you first, such as:
- Personal details – name, surname, postcode, age, driver’s licence
- Classic vehicle details – make, year model, registration details
- Classic car usage – annual mileage, intended use (recreational or business)
- No claims bonus history
Why Do You Need Classic Car Insurance?
You need classic car insurance if you have a collectable vehicle and you intend to drive it on UK roads.
Like standard motorcar insurance, it’s a legal requirement for any UK driver (no matter what vehicle you drive) to have a car insurance policy in place.
The minimum requirement is third-party only (TPO) cover which protects you if you injure third-party persons or their properties whilst driving.
Who can get classic car insurance?
- Any UK resident over the age of 30 (some insurers will only insure 35+ year-olds)
- Have a full UK/EU driver’s licence
- The classic car is your secondary vehicle (i.e. not your day-to-day car)
- Classic car annual mileage is less than 5,000
- The classic collectable vehicle must have a market value of at least £15,000
What Does Classic Car Insurance Cover?
Classic car insurance covers the same as standard car insurance in terms of third-party and comprehensive cover.
However, most insurance cover for classic cars also include:
- An agreed value policy – your insurer will agree on a fair value with you at the start of your cover so that you won’t just be paid the current market value if your car is written off. An agreed valuation means that your salvage retention allows you to buy back whatever remains of your classic car if it is written off.
- Salvage retention as standard – costs of salvaging your car are deducted from your vehicle’s agreed valuation and the rest will be given back to you in cash.
Additionally, some insurance providers may also include:
- A limited mileage discount
- Classic car club discount
- Claim-free driving
What’s not covered
- General wear and tear
- Malicious damage, such as vandalism, burglary or theft (if the classic car owner is involved)
- Negligence damage – if you leave the keys in the ignition and the vehicle is stolen
- Damaged caused when driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
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What Levels Of Cover Are Available For Classic Cars?
Classic car owners have three levels of insurance to choose from:
Third-party only (TPO)
Third Party Only is the most basic level of cover available as it is a legal requirement in the UK. It protects you from third-party claims if you’ve injured another driver or pedestrian when behind the wheel. It won’t cover any repair costs for your classic vehicle(s).
Third-party fire and theft (TPFT)
Third-party, fire and theft offers slightly more protection than TPO with added compensation should your vintage car be stolen or damaged by fire. It won’t cover repair expenses if you are in a collision.
Fully comprehensive cover
Comprehensive cover is the highest level of car insurance for classic car owners. It’s a combination of both TPO and TPFT but will also cover repair costs to your vehicle no matter who is at fault.
Note: Some insurance providers may only offer fully comprehensive cover as a standard; which means you cannot get a TPO or TPFT policy.
What Types Of Vintage Vehicle Insurance Are Available?
There are three main types of classic car insurance available for UK residents, namely:
Social, domestic and pleasure
This is the best type of cover to opt for if you drive your classic car for recreation purposes (as opposed to day-to-day use).
Social and commuting
Generally, most classic cars are secondary vehicles not used on a daily basis such as for commuting to and from work. This ties into insurance policies where annual mileages are capped.
However, if you only drive short distances to work you might still be able to insure a classic car for these trips, albeit with higher premiums.
Business use
Many classic car owners rent their vehicles for weddings or functions.
You must inform your insurance provider if this is the case and you’ll likely pay higher premiums due to the additional mileage.
However, it’s worth mentioning that some insurers won’t be willing to insure a classic car in these situations; so it’s best to double-check this beforehand.
What Add-Ons Are Available For Classic Vehicle Insurance?
There are a few optional extras you can add to your vintage car insurance policy, such as:
Home breakdown cover
This will cover you for assistance if your car breaks down outside your home or a short distance away.
Pay Roadside assistance
This will cover you if your car breaks down while you’re away from home and require roadside assistance. Your car will be towed to a local garage if it’s unable to be repaired onsite.
National breakdown cover
This will provide you with national roadside assistance if your car breaks down. You’ll also be entitled to tow your vehicle to any location of your choice if it can’t be repaired onsite.
Restoration cover
This cover protects you (and your vehicle) from accidents when undergoing restoration.
Vintage car show display
Opt for this cover if you want to show your vintage vehicle off at an organised show.
It protects you from any damages or mishaps while displaying your car and usually has public liability cover included.
Track day racing
Similar to vintage car shows, if you intend to enter your classic car into an organised track or race day, you’ll need this cover in case of any damages or accidents.
Wedding use cover
Vintage vehicles make a bold statement and are often used for special events like weddings, formal functions or proms. You will be covered if you use your car for these purposes and anything goes wrong.
Classic car collectors cover
Opt for a classic car collector’s cover if you own multiple vintage vehicles as it’s cheaper to ‘bundle’ them under one policy than insure them individually.
EU cover
EU cover is the way to go if you intend to take your classic vehicles abroad. It provides accidental damage cover in the event of any accidents/damages while you are across the UK border, allowing you to make a claim.
Legal protection
This additional cover allows you to claim for legal expenses associated with an incident, such as disputing third-party claims.
No-claims bonus protection
No-claims bonuses take a while to accumulate and can save you a lot of money on your car insurance in the long run. Opting for no-claims bonus protection means your bonus will be protected even if you make a claim.
Additional mileage
If you exceed the annual mileage limit (set by your insurer) you may be able to add on extra mileage for a higher fee.
How Much Does A Classic Car Insurance Premium Cost?
The average cost of a classic car insurance policy is approximately £469 per year.
Pricing does vary depending on certain criteria, such as the driver’s age, vehicle make and model and how secure the classic car is.
How are classic vehicle insurance premiums calculated?
- Driver experience – such as age, licence points, how long you’ve been on the road, etc.
- Annual mileage – how many miles you drive each year
- Vehicle type – the make and model of your vintage car
- The agreed value of your car – do you have an agreed value policy in place? How much is the vehicle worth (or what amount will the insurer pay out) if your vintage car is stolen or written off in an accident?
- Claims history – fewer claims lead to lower premiums
- Vehicle security – is your vehicle parked securely in a private driveway or garage?
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How Can You Reduce Insurance Premiums For Classic Cars?
Here are a few tips to make your classic car insurance cheaper:
- Become car club members:
Joining a classic car club proves to insurers you take good care of your vintage car. This will work in your favour and typically reduce your classic car insurance premiums. - Keep your mileage low:
Lower mileage means you spend less time on the road and are less likely to cause an accident; therefore leading to lower premium costs. - Secure your classic car:
Secured vehicles, such as being locked in a garage or a private driveway, have a lower risk of burglary, vandalism and theft. - Limit modifications:
Adding modifications to your classic car will most likely increase its value and make it more expensive to insure. Keep modifications to a minimum to lower your monthly premiums. - Pay annually:
Paying your premiums annually makes insurance for classic cars cheaper as you avoid the interest of monthly instalments. - Choose the correct classic car policy:
Make sure you find (and pay for) the right classic car insurance policy and do not opt for unnecessary extras. For instance, you won’t need EU cover if you only drive within the UK. - Compare quotes:
Don’t settle for one car insurance quote, but rather scour the market from various insurance providers to find the best fit. SimplyQuote simplifies the comparison process with the click of a button.
How To Compare Vintage Vehicle Insurance With SimplyQuote?
Compare insurance quotes for classic vehicles with SimplyQuote today:
- Fill in the short form: Provide details about yourself, your vehicle, and where you live.
- Choose policy extras: Select which add-ons you want to include in your policy.
- Compare quotes: Find a quote to suit your budget and insurance needs.
- Save money: Get the best deal with SimplyQuote today!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Vintage car insurance policies are specifically designed to cover vintage cars typically used as second cars for recreational purposes. Classic car insurance is usually cheaper than standard car insurance, as classic car insurers consider them ‘low risk’ and less likely to make a claim.
A few benefits of owning a vintage car include:
- If your vehicle was first registered or built over 40 years ago, it doesn’t need to have MOTs. However, you’ll need MOTs if you have had significant modifications done.
- If you own a classic car built earlier than 1 January 1981, you don’t need to pay any vehicle tax.
- Modern classic – built between 1980 and 2000
- Classic – built between 1951 and 1979
- Vintage – built between 1911 and 1950
- Veteran – built before 1910
- Standard vehicle insurance – specifically covers ‘standard’ vehicles used day-to-day. There is generally no mileage limit with standard car insurance policies.
- Classic vehicle insurance – specifically covers classic cars used as secondary vehicles with an annual mileage limit.
Vintage car insurance is generally cheaper than standard car insurance because classic cars generally spend less time on the road (i.e. mileage limit) and are not the owner’s main mode of transport (i.e. secondary vehicle).
The simple answer is: it’s possible. Typically, classic car insurance policies come with an annual mileage limit, allowing you to drive short distances daily.
While young drivers might be able to get car insurance for classic cars, most insurers have a minimum age limit for this type of car insurance (30+ years old). This is because younger, inexperienced drivers are more likely to be involved in an accident.
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