MoneySuperMarket does not offer specific insurance for classic cars. Please check details of your policy carefully, as there could be some limitations. Make sure the cover is what you're looking for and is appropriate for your needs.
Classic car insurance, also known as heritage car insurance, is designed for older cars that are primarily used for leisure purposes.
This type of insurance often works out cheaper than standard car insurance because insurance companies reckon that if you have a classic car, then you’re likely to drive it fewer miles than you would your everyday vehicle, and that you'll look after it better.
How does it work?
Classic car insurance works the same way as standard car insurance in terms of the types of cover available and how you make a claim.
There are specific add-ons available for classic cars such as restoration cover, for example, so it pays to compare policies to check which type of insurance works best for your precious vintage vehicle.
When does a car become classic?
A car becomes a classic when it is of enough historical interest to be collectible. While there’s no definitive answer of what a ‘classic car’ is, 40-year-old vehicles are exempt from paying Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), so that’s often used as a rough guide.
HMRC defines classic cars as being more than 15 years old with a list price of at least £15,000. But to be tax exempt, a classic car must be at least 40 years old.
Individual insurers may use different criteria when deciding whether to categorise your car as heritage or classic.
What about future classic cars?
More modern cars that are unique but not yet over 40 years, such as Porsche 911, Audi TT, or Mazda MX-5, still require tax.
These are typically driven for pleasure or seen at classic car shows, and have a lower annual mileage.
The style and status of these cars makes them future classic cars and they may require specialist car insurance.
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Which type of classic car insurance do I need?
Fully comprehensive
Fully comprehensive cover is the best car insurance policy as it gives you the highest level of protection. It will cover you for a wide range of risks, often at the cheapest price.
Third-party, fire and theft
Third-party, fire and theft covers your vehicle for theft, accidents, and fire damage as well as other people, their vehicles, and their property.
Third-party only
Third-party cover is the minimum legal requirement. Despite only covering injuries and property damage, it’s usually more expensive than fully-comp cover.
What does classic car insurance cover?
Based on a fully comprehensive policy, here is what is and isn't covered with classic car insurance:
What's covered
Damage to your vehicle
Third-party damage caused by your vehicle
Motor legal protection
Serious or fatal injuries
What's not covered
Vehicles and drivers not named on your policy
Standard wear and tear
Accidents if you're under the influence
Invalid driving licence
What add-ons can I get with classic car insurance?
Add-ons will cover you for scenarios and costs that are not typically included in car insurance policies. While add-ons like breakdown cover can provide extra peace of mind, they do come with an extra cost that will be added to your policy. You can also add classic car specific add-ons, such as:
This type of cover will keep your car protected against any damage or accidents happen while it’s being restored
This add-on protects your car against damage at a classic motor event or show and provides you with public liability cover
If you enter your classic car into a race or track parade, this covers you for any accidents or damage caused during the event
Classic car policies will typically offer the option of extending your cover so your vehicle can be used at formal events such as wedding and proms
Breakdown cover pays for the cost of calling out a mechanic if your car breaks down and you need roadside assistance.
If your car is in for repair, courtesy car cover will help you get a replacement vehicle for while you need it.
Personal accident cover offers a payout if you’re seriously or fatally injured in a road accident
Windscreen cover will pay for the cost of repairing or replacing a cracked windscreen.
If you lose your car keys or if they're stolen, car key cover will cover the cost to replace them.
Also know as misfuelling cover, wrong fuel cover pays for the necessary repairs you'd need if you accidentally top your car up with the wrong type of fuel.
Protects your no claims discount for a certain number of claims
Restoration cover
Vintage show display cover
Track day racing
Wedding car usage
Breakdown cover
Courtesy car cover
Personal accident cover
Windscreen cover
Car keys cover
Wrong fuel cover
Personal belongings cover
No-claims discount cover
How much does classic car insurance cost?
Your classic car insurance premium will usually depend on the type and make of car you're driving and how often you're on the road, as well as your age, and your driving and claims history.
Classic car drivers are expected to keep their classic cars very well maintained (after all, it’s usually a prized possession!) and will often have to agree to conditions like a low annual mileage limit.
If your policy specifies a mileage cap, you must make sure you don’t exceed it without contacting your insurer to arrange an extension. if you do so, you could end up being uninsured when you hit the road.
How can I get classic car insurance cheaper?
Add-ons like breakdown cover cost extra to add to your policy. Cutting out the extras you don't need can reduce your car insurance price.
Telematics insurance, also called black box car insurance, give inexperienced drivers a chance to earn lower premiums by showing that they have sensible driving habits.
If you can afford to, it is worth paying for your car insurance in one go. Annual payments are up to 31%[6]Based on MoneySuperMarket quoted policies for annual car insurance, between August 7th 2024 and November 5th 2024 lower than the total cost of monthly instalments, saving you up to £267[6]Based on MoneySuperMarket quoted policies for annual car insurance, between August 7th 2024 and November 5th 2024
One of the simplest ways to reduce your insurance cost is to increase your voluntary excess. Be careful not to increase your excess so much that you can't afford it if you need to make an insurance claim.
Most insurers increase your insurance cost each year if you autorenew. You can usually get a better deal by shopping around: comparing quotes on MoneySuperMarket could save you up to 49.29%[7]51% of consumers could save up to 49.29% Consumer Intelligence , December 2024 Exc NI, CI, IOM
Insurers will always look at your claims history. You'll naturally build a no-claims bonus for every year you're not involved in an accident and don't make an insurance claim. This discount means it can be cheaper in the long run to not claim for smaller car-related expenses and instead pay for the fixes yourself.
You can reduce the cost of motor insurance by parking your vehicle off the road when you're not using it. The best place to keep it overnight to reduce your insurance cost would be in a locked garage.
Modifying your car can often mean more expensive repair costs, so you’ll likely pay more to cover these.
If you're a relatively new driver, adding an experienced named driver to your policy may bring down your insurance costs.
Cut extras and add-ons
Install a black box
Pay annually, not monthly
Increase your excess
Never auto-renew
Build your no-claims discount
Park off the road
Avoid modifying your car
Add a named driver
How are classic car insurance quotes calculated?
Your classic car insurance premium will depend on a number of factors, which can include:
Main driver How long you’ve been driving on the road and your no-claims history
Type of car The make and model of your car will have a large impact on the cost of your premium
Your mileage Classic car insurers usually demand a lower annual mileage - often ranging from just 2,000 to 5,000 miles
The agreed value of your car How much the insurer agrees the pay out will be if your car is written off or stolen
Your history Your driving history including lack of any previous claims can lead to lower premiums
Where you park your car Where you live and keep the car overnight. If you park on a main road premiums are likely to be higher but are reduced if your car is kept inside a secure garage
Age of your car Some older cars don’t have the same safety and security features as modern cars, so they may be considered more at risk to theft and accidents
Yes, most classic car insurance policies have an annual mileage limit. These limits are usually between 1,000 and 5,000 miles per year.
Classic car insurance is similar to standard car insurance, but it usually has stricter terms and conditions, such as age of the vehicle and mileage limits. Classic car insurance policies may also be cheaper than standard car insurance.
No, classic car insurance policies typically do not offer a no claims bonus (NCB). Instead, premiums are calculated based on the vehicle's condition, age, make, model, mileage, and usage.
Yes, you can get insurance for a classic car while it's being restored. This is called "laid up" insurance. This still covers you for accidental damage, fire, and theft.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an annual mileage limit with specialist classic car insurance policies?
What is the difference between classic car insurance and regular insurance?
Will my classic car policy allow me to earn a no claims bonus?
Can I get insurance for a classic car if I'm still working on it?
Why is classic car insurance cheaper than standard policies?
Classic car insurance is often cheaper than standard policies, mainly because insurers reckon classic cars are less likely to be involved in a claim. They recognise that older vehicles have lower speed limits, and classic car owners tend to look after their cherished vehicles a lot better.
This type of policy also comes with stricter terms and conditions that should reduce the chances of your car being damaged or involved in an accident. However, bear in mind that the cheapest policy may not be the best option for you. Make sure you check that the annual mileage cap offered to you is high enough to cover how often you drive your car, for instance, and that you can insure the vehicle for an ‘agreed valuation’ rather than its ‘market value.’
Classic car tax exemptions
Here are some of the exemptions for classic cars:
Car tax
Classic cars that are at least 40 years old are exempt from paying road tax. This applies from the start of each financial year (1st April) for vehicles manufactured more than 40 years before 1st January of that year.
MOTs
Classic cars that were registered over 40 years ago do not have to pay MOT, as long as they are roadworthy and haven't had any major changes in the last 30 years, such as replacing the chassis or engine, or altering steering or suspension.
Seatbelt installation
If your classic car was manufactured before 1965 and did not have seat belts when it was made, you do not need to install them. This is because seat belts were not standard equipment on cars made before 1966.
Our expert says…
If you own a classic car, you'll want to ensure that your vehicle gets the protection it deserves.
It can be a real privilege owning and driving a classic car, and while it's cheaper than standard car insurance, you won’t want to scrimp on basic cover. However, there are ways to save money on your policy.
Arranging a secure place to park at night can help protect your cherished motor as well as reducing the cost of cover.
Registered for the first time and used to compare car insurance quotes. Money Super Market gave me the cheapest of all the comparison sites.
Very easy to get a competitive quote and generally a little cheaper than compare the meerkat or gocmpare.
As previously used Moneysupermarket services last year ,Moneysupermarket were proactive and contacted me direct providing much favourable car insuance rates that i could obtain.I
have always found Moneysupermarket a massive help .
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What do I need to get accurate car insurance quotes?
Your car registration number and driving licence number
Any no-claims bonus you’ve accrued
When you bought the car and any modifications made
Your expected annual mileage
Whether you’ll use the car for social, commuting, or business purposes
Note: you can still get a quote if you don't know the registration yet
Car insurance tailored to different needs
As well as standard comprehensive policies, we can help you find specialised types of policy for specific circumstances, including multi-car insurance and short-term cover:
Agreed value is a good example of your insurer recognising the money you’ve put into your classic car, rather than just the price it may sell for. It can give you the peace of mind that if the worst happens and your classic car is written off, your insurer’s pay-out should match, or at least come close to the money you spent on it.
So, tell your insurer what your classic car is worth. They may not agree at once, but you should be able to get a figure that you're both happy with, and that will then be the money you receive if your car suffers serious damage.
You can get classic car insurance for under 25s, but there may be restrictions on the type of classic car you can drive, as well as how and where you drive it. Most insurers will only agree to insure someone under 25 as long as they've had a licence for at least 12 months. However, if you’re a classic car enthusiast aged between 18 and 24, you may find you can insure a vintage vehicle for less than you’d pay to insure a modern car.
Insurers regard modifications to your vehicle as leading to a greater chance of you needing to make a claim. Even something like a high-quality re-spray to your car is considered a modification, as it may attract thieves. If you’re looking for modified car insurance, make sure you always notify your insurer of any modifications to your vehicle.
If you’re planning to use your classic car for business purposes, make sure you tell your insurer. If you haven’t let them know that you’re using your classic car for work, you may be driving uninsured. If you want to use your classic car for business, you may be charged an additional premium, as your car will be used regularly instead of for leisure only, which will affect the car’s mileage and risk-factor.
Classic cars that were built more than 40 years ago are now exempt from needing an MOT, unless you volunteer to have your car checked. But do bear in mind the exception only applies if your vehicle hasn’t had ‘substantial changes’ made to it in the last 30 years. This can include replacing the body, engine or axles of your classic car, which changes the way your vehicle works.
Buying a classic car comes with many benefits, from its character to the driving experience. Here are some of the key benefits:
Style: Classic cars stand out on the road and are admired by many. Many vintage cars weren’t mass produced like modern cars are, which means they’re rarer
Driving experience: Driving a classic car is generally considered a different experience to driving your standard, modern vehicle. Classic cars don’t come with the technology we’re used to today (such as ABS braking or power steering), so you’ll need to be more aware and in control of your car when you’re on the road. With this in mind, some believe that driving a classic car can make you a better driver
Cheaper insurance: Insurers know that classic cars are often used for leisure, so they’re usually associated with a lower risk level. This means your classic car insurance is likely to be cheaper than standard car insurance
No car tax: If your classic car was built over 40 years ago, you’ll be exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), also known as car or road tax
Your insurer will decide if your car qualifies as a 'classic', as the definition can sometimes vary. Whether you need a specialist policy for your classic car may depend on how often you use your car, rather than its age or model.
Joining a classic car club comes with various benefits, from finding a new hobby to insurance discounts:
Insurance discounts: Classic car clubs are a great indicator to your insurer that you take good care of your vehicle and are more likely to practice safe driving.
Connections: Joining a car club means getting to meet other classic car enthusiasts. With this, you can get technical car advice and find where to buy car parts!
Valuations: Some car clubs can help you value your car or help out if you’re looking to buy or sell a classic car.
Vehicle verification: If your vehicle has been off-road for a while and has no Logbook, some car clubs can help you restore an original registration to your vehicle if it’s been removed before.
No, you don't need an insurance broker to get insurance on your classic car.
What does ‘agreed value’ mean?
Can I get classic car insurance for under 25s?
Can I insure a classic car with modifications?
Can I use my classic car for business purposes?
Do classic cars need an MOT?
What are the benefits of buying a classic car?
Do I need a specialist policy for classic cars?
Is it worth joining a car club?
Do I need an insurance broker?
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