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The following article will give classic, vintage car buffs the low down on the actual differences that exist between classic car insurance and standard auto insurance. If you love and own classic cars and are busy looking for the best insurance deals available, this article not only gives you the right information you need, but also busts a few popular myths regarding classic car insurance as compared to standard auto insurance.

Many owners of vintage vehicles assume that the only way to insure their collector car is to put it into the family auto policy. That’s not true. The only policy that properly insures the investment car buffs have made on their prized classic car is the classic car insurance policy.

Classic car insurance is less expensive than standard auto insurance, but these companies require you to fulfil a few necessary criteria before you can qualify for their programs and get those great deals and low rates. Here are some of the primary restrictions vintage car owners have to face:

Before you get that good rate on your insurance coverage, the insurance companies will want to know the age of the driver (as many companies require you to meet a certain driver’s-age restrictions), the mileage of your car ( there may be mileage restrictions to meet also), vehicle age qualifications and housing and garage provisions.

In many cases, insurance policies for classic car insurance and those for standard auto insurance can differ a lot. Most standard auto insurance policies will insure the vehicle for its current price, subtracting depreciation. What this means is that, with an increase in the age and usage of the car, its value will decrease. But this is not the case with a vintage vehicle. For this, its value will increase over time provided the collector maintains his vehicle well. This is due to the fact that collectors truly treasure their precious collectible autos. They are not used for similar purposes as daily-use cars and are not driven very often.

To provide the necessary coverage in such a situation, classic car insurance providers usually offer an “Agreed Value Coverage”. This essentially means that you, the insured, and the classic car insurance agent, will agree upon the value of your vehicle up front. Such a vehicle valuation will give the full market value of the classic car as stated on the policy and factor in appreciation to the value in a time of loss.

There may also be some carriers that will offer low or no deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage. Many times they will also provide coverage for spare parts or accessories that are not on or in your classic car. You won’t get that kind of coverage on your family auto policy.

As you see, getting a classic car insurance policy can be much more beneficial to your prized classic car than clubbing it under your general family auto policy. A vintage collectible needs to be treated specially; so why settle for the ordinary when it comes to choosing insurance?

In the same way that your everyday run-around car requires insurance, so does your antique car especially if you are someone that takes them to shows for all to see. Fortunately there are classic car  insurance companies who are able to provide the sort of cover an older car needs. By having a wide variety of auto insurance companies to choose from, the classic car consumer has the ability to choose the right type of insurance for their needs.

Many commercial auto insurers can also provide protection for an antique car also called collectors auto insurance as these policies are tailored to the car you are attempting to cover. Coverage is calculated once a representative from the insurance company takes the details of your car and your personal details so as to provide the best policy. You can of course lower your premium by increasing your deductible above the standard limit your insurer sets.

One particular benefit of insuring your antique car through a large commercial insurer is the fact that they should be reliable and will provide a certain peace of mind to the car owner. The other advantage of this type of insurer is their ability to arrange the protection on any other regular vehicle you own. Although there may be a price premium for antique car insurance with this type of company, the peace of mind it brings could be well worth the additional amount.

Independent specialist auto insurers might be able to provide a better service and conditions; possibly even a lower cost but are unlikely to insure any other type of car. Owners of very rare classic cars may even have difficulty insuring their car.

To be on the safe side it is best to check out any insurance companies, especially the smaller ones so you can be happy in the knowledge that your premium money and antique car are not at risk. The fear for people using a small independent car insurer is when they may need them to pay out for a claim and get a rejection or find they are filing for bankruptcy.

Despite the often lengthy process of finding a reliable antique car insurance provider, you do not really have an option if you want to protect your investment. Most classic cars are worth many thousands of dollars and that is a big loss if the car is ever stolen or destroyed so having auto cover may be the most valuable protection you ever purchase.

Car insurance is an incredibly important thing to have. Everybody that has a car needs it no matter what. Those who own classic or vintage cars also need car insurance. Insurance for classic cars is much different than insurance for a regular everyday car. It must be specialty insurance that is designed just for classic cars. If you own a collectible car, you do not want to make the mistake of leaving it uninsured. If anything were to happen to it, you would have to pay for all damages and that would be quite expensive. Take the steps necessary to insuring your classic car before anything happens to it. You will be glad that you did. 

Many aspects must be taken into consideration in order to determine if your car is a classic. You will want to call insurance companies experienced with dealing with classic cars in order to get an educated answer. Sometimes the age of the car is a factor but at the same time having an old car does not always make it a classic. It can be a very complicated situation so always talk to a professional. Call more than one insurance company if you prefer. You do not have to settle for the first response you receive. 

Specialty insurance for classic cars often comes with plenty of restrictions to follow. Because the insurance is only for specialty reasons, often limits are placed on the use of the car. For example, most classic cars are only allowed to be driven a certain distance. Some policies may even require that you keep it in the garage at all times. This is another reason why you may want to shop around between insurance companies. You will want to find one that suits your needs and has restrictions that you are willing to live with. 

Always be honest about all of your intentions when taking out car insurance of any kind. If you plan to bring the car to custom auto shows for special events, make sure to tell your insurance broker about that. They want to protect your car just as much as you do, so do not leave anything out. If you keep the car off the road as much as possible, your insurance rates will be much cheaper. If you were to ever use your classic car to drive daily, you would have to switch the insurance over to a regular policy. 

When insuring a classic, many people choose to decide on an Agreed value. This means that if something were to happen to the car, you would receive the amount agreed on to replace it. Of course, you need to know how much your car is actually worth so always have it appraised. You need to set an accurate value for the car. Always make sure to store your classic car safely. Keep it locked up tight and always keep it highly maintained in order to retain the value. Insuring your classic car is just one step in taking care of it. It is up to you to retain the value and take care of your car by making sure everything is properly in place.

Some people think of classic cars as the transport of eccentrics and TV detectives. Others consider them to be glamorous, expensive, and high maintenance status symbols. But the reality is that many classic cars simply do not fit these stereotypes. A classic car is easy to rave about but incredibly hard to define. Who is to say that a cherished Austin A40 in a supermarket car park is less of a ‘Classic Car’ than a Mark II Jaguar at Ascot? And that’s where you need to know what is and isn’t classic – it will make a huge difference to your car insurance premium.

Top tips for getting the best deal

• It is widely reported in the motoring press that classic car insurance is far cheaper than a modern car policy but it is important to be vigilant and well informed.

• The condition and scarcity of a classic can vary dramatically, and an owner’s perception as to the value of his beloved car can often be at odds with his insurer’s valuation in the event of a claim.

• Search for a specialist insurer, they are more likely to provide specialist assistance and provide a better rate.

• It is vital that you take out a guaranteed agreed valuation when insuring your classic car.

A genuine agreed valuation is the value guaranteed by the insurer should the car be written off or stolen. Make sure you check that your valuation is ‘guaranteed’, as some insurers have refused to pay out the full amount, despite the owner believing that they were fully covered.

Insurers may or may not make a small charge for an agreed valuation but it can be a false economy to omit it from your policy if the pay-out on your claim turns out to be hundreds or even thousands less than you thought. So, if you are surprised to learn that insurers consider your beloved 1970’s Datsun Cherry a classic, make sure you take care when choosing your car insurance policy!

A car as special as yours deserves a special kind of insurance policy. That’s where Peter Best Insurance can help. With over 21 years experience in arranging specialist insurance of classic cars, they are well placed to provide you with classic car insurance quote and guidance in selecting the best policy for your car.

Peter Best Insurance Services Ltd is a specialist insurance broker with over 21 years experience in the collectable cars, motorbikes and commercial vehicles markets. The business operates out of two offices in Essex – Maldon is the main office dedicated to classic cars including MGs, Morgan’s, 4×4s etc (01621 840400), while Kelvedon has certain car schemes for Mercedes Benz, Volvo, Saab, BMW, for example and classic motorcycles. (01376 573033). Collectable commercial vehicles are also catered for here together with kit cars.

With their interest in the classic market, they have also forged strong connections with many of the car clubs such as the Mercedes Benz Club and the MG Car Club. This enables them to offer discounted premiums to existing club members, providing they can supply their proof of membership.

They have a portfolio of insurers who have created a selection of policies specifically designed with the classic enthusiast in mind. These will offer the best levels of cover at a competitive price.