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Classic car insurance

Classic car insurance is a type of specialist policy for cars that fall into the classic bracket.

We don’t offer these types of policies at Confused.com, but you can still insure your classic car under a standard insurance policy - and we’ll help you compare quotes to find the best one for you.

The main difference between standard car insurance and classic car cover is agreed value. This is where you and your insurer decide on the value of your car and insure it for that amount, rather than using its market value, which may be lower.

The quotes we’ll show you will be based on the market value of the car, but some insurance providers may let you insure it for an agreed value if you contact them directly after getting a quote.

Louise Thomas, Motor Insurance Expert at Confused.com

Reviewed by: Louise Thomas Motor Insurance Expert 9 min read | Updated 13/10/2023

Our expert panel reviews all content. Learn more about our editorial standards and how we operate.

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When does a car become a classic?

Generally, a car becomes a classic when it’s no longer in production and is considered a collectable. But, definitions of what a classic car is varies between different providers.

HMRC says that a car becomes a classic:

When it's 15 years old
And if it's worth over £15,000

From a tax perspective, a car becomes a historic vehicle once it's over 40 years old and is exempt from paying car tax.

And for insurance companies, the definition is less clear cut. Depending on its style, rarity and desirability, a 'classic' car might actually only be 5 years old!

Insurance provider Adrian Flux offers as a broader definition of what a classic car is, broken down into several categories covering 'classic', 'vintage' and more.

What do I need to know about insuring a classic car?

Insuring a classic car is similar to insuring a newer one, and you’re still able to compare quotes with us if you have one.

But there are a few things specific to classics you might want to consider:

Agreed valuation - This is where you and your insurer agree on the value of your car and insure it for that amount. If you have a classic that’s in great condition and is worth more than its market value, this allows you to insure it for the amount it’s actually worth.

We don’t show you policies with agreed valuation when you compare quotes with us. If this is something you’re interested in, get a quote first, then contact your insurer to see if it’s something they can offer.

Mileage caps - All car insurance policies ask you to estimate your mileage, but these might be set lower than normal on classic policies. This is largely down to the fact that insurers assume classics will be driven less, as they tend to be owned by collectors and car enthusiasts who are unlikely to use them for things like commuting or regular journeys.

If you'll be driving your classic regularly, this isn't an issue. Just make sure you're insured for enough miles.

Is it more expensive to insure a classic car?

To give you an idea of what you might pay, here are the average costs to insure 3 of some of the popular classics in the UK, vs the average:

Average car insurance cost*

£924

Opel Manta GTE**

£93.75

Jaguar E Type**

£256.19

Ford Capri 280 i**

£198.73

^*Confused.com Q3 price index data.
^**Confused.com data 01/07/2023 to 30/09/2023. Average premium price across all cover types, ages and locations.

Surprisingly, classic cars can actually be cheaper to insure than newer ones. This is mainly due to them being seen as less risky to insure than newer cars.

And there are a few reasons for this:

Classic cars tend to be driven less: as they’re usually kept as leisure vehicles by hobbyists or collectors, and aren’t typically used for commuting, travelling long distances or everyday driving. This means they’re less likely to be involved in accidents.

Classic owners tend to take better care of their cars: so they’ll usually be well maintained, and stored securely when not in use. This lowers the likelihood of them being stolen, vandalised or breaking down.

Classic owners tend to be older: and may be seen as more experienced by insurers. Older drivers also tend to have higher no claims bonuses built up. For example, drivers with 5 years of NCB pay £611 less on average than someone with 1 year of NCB¹

Ultimately, though, what you pay for your insurance is due to a number of factors, and the age of your car is just one deciding factor among many.

¹Confused.com data 01/07/2023 to 30/09/2023.

What if I only drive my car now and again?

If you only drive your classic car infrequently, it might be worth looking at temporary car insurance.

This lets you cover your car for as little as one hour, or for as long as 28 days, and could save you money if you’re an occasional driver, with policies starting at as little as £19.93^*** for an hour of cover.

There are a few drawbacks though:

Your car won’t be insured while it’s in storage: if you’re only insuring your classic car when you drive it, it won’t be covered while it’s off the road, meaning if it were to be stolen, damaged or even destroyed while in storage you wouldn’t be able to claim. You’d also have to SORN your car after every use.

Temporary cover is more expensive overall: so if you find yourself driving your car more frequently than usual, the price can quickly mount up, and could even end up being more expensive than taking out an annual policy.

It's harder to find cover: fewer insurers cover classic cars, so you may not be able to find cover at all. If you do find insurers willing to cover you on a temporary basis, you're likely to have fewer options to choose between when comparing quotes.

^***Based on Tempcover data September 2023.

Can I insure a classic car for commuting?

Here's the average cost of insurance for each class of use:¹

Social only

£902

Social & commuting

£887

Business use

£598

¹Confused.com data 01/07/2023 to 30/09/2023

Yes, you can insure a classic car for your daily commute, just as you would a newer car. But it can affect what you pay for your insurance.

This is largely down to what are known as classes of use. These describe how you use your car, and influence what you pay for your cover.

The three main classes of use are:

Social only: This covers you for driving socially and for recreation. This might be a trip to the shops, day trips and holidays or visiting friends and family.

Social and commuting: This covers you for the above, but adds in cover for your commute to a single place of work too.

Business use: This covers your car for business use, such as driving to multiple work sites, or transporting clients. There are 3 types of business car insurance to choose from depending on how you use your car for work.

Can young drivers get insurance for classic cars?

Here's the average cost of insurance for a young driver, vs the UK average for all ages

Average cost all ages:

£924*

Average cost young driver:

£2,051⁺

*Confused.com Q3 price index data.
⁺Confused.com data, 01/07/2023 to 30/09/2023. Average premium price for all drivers aged 17-25.

While not impossible, it can be difficult for young, inexperienced drivers to get insurance on a classic car.

This is largely due to inexperience, with younger drivers being statistically more likely to have an accident than older drivers. This, mixed with the fact that classic cars can be difficult and expensive to repair, can leave some insurers hesitant to cover them.

This can mean that younger drivers who have held their licence for less than a year can struggle to find cover.

Even if they do find it, young driver car insurance often comes at a higher price than cover for older, more experienced drivers.

This isn’t unique to classic cars though, with drivers under 25 paying more for their insurance regardless of the age of their car. In fact, newer drivers pay 55% more for their insurance at £2,051⁺, compared to the average of £924*.

If you’re a younger driver concerned that you may not be able to find cover, compare quotes now to see what your options are.

How can I get cheaper insurance for my classic car?

Even though classic car insurance already tends to be cheaper than standard insurance policies, there are ways to lower the cost even further:

Avoid modifications: as although you'll still be able to get cover if your car is modified, you may have to pay more for it. Anything you do to increase your car’s risk of theft, like changing its cosmetics, or its power like enhancing the engine, could increase your costs.
Join a classic car club: as you could benefit from insurance discounts by joining one. This is largely due to the fact that members tend to look after their cars more, so insurers see membership as a positive.
Increase your classic's security: as the lower the risk of theft, the lower your insurance may be. Keep it in a locked garage overnight rather than your driveway, or add immobilisers for maximum security.
Limit your mileage: as fewer miles means a lesser chance of crashing, which could lower your costs.
Try multi-car insurance: as these policies let you insure multiple cars on the same policy, usually for less than you'd pay to insure them separately. If you have a classic car you use for weekend driving, and another car you use for the everyday commute, this could be an easy way to save.
Compare insurance: to make sure you get the best insurance for you, at the best price.

Can you get breakdown cover for a classic car?

Yes, you can get breakdown cover for a classic car, and it might even be included with your car insurance.

If not, you'll normally be able to add it on to your policy for an extra cost.

When you get a quote, you'll see in the breakdown cover column whether it's included or available at an extra cost.

You can even take out breakdown cover on its own if you already have insurance for your classic.

Breakdown cover is available in a few different levels, so exactly what's included depends on which one you pick. But some common benefits of it include:

Home assistance that provides additional cover if your car won’t start, and you're near your home.
National recovery that covers your car if it breaks down away from home. If your car can’t be fixed locally, a recovery vehicle and team are sent out to help you.
European breakdown cover when driving in Europe with cover for up to 31 days a trip and 90 days a year in total. Just tell your insurer before you go in case anything happens.

What our car insurance expert says

"Standard policies estimate the market value of your car, but they might not reflect the actual value of your classic car. If you want an agreed valuation for your car, speak with the insurer before you buy. An agreed valuation on your policy helps ensure you’re not left out of pocket if your car is damaged or stolen."

Louise Thomas Motor Insurance Expert

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