Classic car insurance

Vintage and classic cars are more than just vehicles – they are a hobby, a passion, a treasure, which is why they often need specialised classic car insurance policies to protect them against damage and the risk of theft.

We work with a range of specialist providers to help find the right cover for you. It's important to note that quotes you get from insurers through us will offer standard cover for the car at its current market value, which may be a lot less than its value as a classic.

But some of the insurers we compare, do offer specialised classic car policies that cover the car for their true value as a classic, also known as agreed value cover.

There’s no definitive answer to this question as there’s no fixed age group that classic cars fit into in the UK. But generally, any car that is older than 15 years, and has a value of more than £15,000 will be considered a classic.

These are often known as modern classics and can be considered as a classic car despite their age, e.g. a 1989 Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Insurers will have their own set of criteria when determining if a car is a classic or not, which is why it’s a good idea to compare a range of quotes from different insurers.

Agreed value cover, or agreed valuation is an agreement between you and your insurer to guarantee the value of your vehicle if it’s declared a total loss.

It's important with classic cars to agree the amount before you buy your policy as some insurers base the value of your vehicle on current market value, which may vary greatly from what your classic car is worth.

Remember, when you get a quote, insurers will offer standard cover as well as specialised classic car cover. You’ll need to contact your chosen insurer to agree a value on a standard policy before you proceed to buy. Adding agreed value cover to a policy could increase your price. 

If you own a classic car, you’ll more than likely want the best cover in place to protect it against any damage. But the best cover doesn’t need to be the most expensive option.

There are a few things you can do to help reduce the cost of your quote, while still getting the cover you need:

• Avoid auto renewal – Comparing quotes is the easiest way to make sure you get the best deal. We guarantee to beat your renewal price, and if we don’t, we will pay the difference, plus £20! (T&Cs apply, like-for-like cover).
• Mileage – Consider how many miles you drive and give an accurate estimation. Reducing your mileage can sometimes help bring costs down.
• Enhance security – Adding an alarm or tracker can help lower the risk of theft, which can help bring down insurance costs.

For more helpful tips see our guide on how to get cheaper car insurance.

Classic cars are obviously a little older, and possibly less reliable than modern cars, which is why it’s a good idea to have breakdown cover in place.

When you get your insurance quote, you’ll have the option to choose some extra policy add-ons, including breakdown cover. Or you can get a separate quote using our breakdown comparison.