Insuring Your Classic Car

If you have a classic car, street rod or any vehicle2) Stated value:
over fifteen years old that is worth more than itThe insurance company pays up to the stated value
originally sold for when it was brand new, then youof the car, but may not guarantee the full stated
probably want to have it insured.value. And deductibles of up to $1,000 usually apply.
When shopping for car insurance, insuring your classic3) Agreed value:
car is going to be a different ball game than insuringIn most jurisdictions, those who provide collector car
your regular driving around car.  When you buy ainsurance or classic car insurance are allowed to insure
classic car insurance policy, you are essentiallyfor a value that you and your insurer agree upon.
purchasing protection for the value of the vehicle asAnd for most autos, there is no deductible. If your
a collectible.$100,000 vintage Rolls get trashed, you get a check
The time you invest in choosing the right classic carfor 100 grand, plain and simple - which is exactly why
insurance coverage is well worth the value and peacecollectors use special classic car insurance coverage.
of mind that a quality collector's insurance policyLast, after you have purchased your insurance, do a
delivers for owners of classic automobile.periodic review of your coverage limits, because
To start, lets look at the stipulations or requirementsclassic car prices are rising. What you insured your
normally encountered while shopping for collector carcherry classic for ten years ago may be a fraction of
insurance or classic car insurance:what it's worth today. And if you are restoring a
* A decent driving record.vehicle, ask your agent to give you appropriate
* At least 10 years driving experienceinsurance.
* No teen drivers on the policy or drivers with poorThere is no need to pay extra based on mileage
driving recordsstatistics, if your car is up on blocks with no engine
* Secure and out of the weather garageinside it. And as the car's value increases thanks to
* Proof that you have another car for dailyyour hard work of restoring it, you should raise the
transportationcoverage to keep up with the added value of the
* Collector vehicle insurance is sometimes limited byrestoration.
the age of your car, and if your car is too young itKeep all your receipts and paperwork - for
may not qualify for a particular policy.everything from parts and labor to expenses incurred
* Limited mileage. You probably don't want to driveto take it to a classic car show - so that you can
your creampuff car all the time, and your insurancedocument the total investment your collector's car
company doesn't want you to either. Mileage limitsrepresents. And take photos and keep them
have increased recently, though, so if you can liveupdated, for the same reason.
with 250 miles a month you're probably okay.Classic cars will always have a following but many
Second, what is your policy worth? Here is how youstandard insurance companies just do not understand
look at insurance.the special requirements these vehicles have. That is
1) Actual cash value:why you need to make certain that the agency you
This is what you usually get with ordinary insurance,choose specializes in the area of classic and vintage
and is based on replacement cost minus depreciation.cars.