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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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 covers your vehicle for theft, accidents, and fire damage as well as other people, their vehicles, and their property.
Third-party cover is the minimum legal requirement. Despite only covering injuries and property damage, it’s usually more expensive than fully-comp cover.
Based on a fully comprehensive policy, here is what is and isn't covered with classic car insurance:
Vehicles and drivers not named on your policy
Standard wear and tear
Accidents if you're under the influence
Invalid driving licence
Vehicles and drivers not named on your policy
Standard wear and tear
Accidents if you're under the influence
Invalid driving licence
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.
Covers damaged or stolen personal belongings in your car
Protects your no claims discount for a certain number of claims
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. Often, classic car insurance works out cheaper than standard car insurance.
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 classic car insurance 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.
Add-ons like breakdown cover cost extra to add to your policy. Consider cutting out optional extras that may be cheaper elsewhere.
Telematics policies, or black box car insurance, give inexperienced drivers a chance to earn lower premiums by showing that they have sensible driving habits.
Paying an annual lump sum for your car insurance may seem like a big outlay, but it typically costs less overall because you pay interest on monthly payments.
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.
Don't be caught out by letting your motor insurance auto-renew at the end of your policy. Prices typically rise every year. Try comparing quotes 20-30 days before your contract ends to stand the best chance of finding a cheaper deal elsewhere.
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. However, if you can avoid making claims for smaller things by paying for the repairs or replacements yourself, you can continue to build your no-claims discount.
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, try adding an experienced named driver to your policy as it may bring down your insurance costs. By having an experienced driver also driving the car, insurers may view you as less likely to take risks.
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
Classic car insurance is often cheaper than standard policies, mainly because insurers reckon classic cars are less likely to be involved in a claim, and there are a number of classic car insurance specialists as a result. They recognise that older vehicles have lower speed limits, and classic car owners tend to look after their cherished vehicles a lot better.
Classic car insurance 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.’
It can be a joy owning and driving a classic car, so you won’t want to scrimp on insurance. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take action to cut the cost of premiums. Arranging a secure place to park at night can help protect your cherished motor as well as reducing the cost of cover. It would give you double the usual peace of mind.
Keep up to date and find out all you need to know with our latest guides.
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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
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:
Standard car insurance won't cover business use, so you need a special policy for work vehicles
This lets you take out temporary car insurance from anywhere between a day and a few months
This car insurance type gives you the option of adding more than one car to your policy
Get the chance to bring your costs down by installing a black box, which monitors your driving habits.
If you’re learning in your own car, learner driver insurance provides cover while you’re practising to pass your test
Some providers offer tailored car insurance for drivers over 50, so it’s worth comparing the whole market
All drivers, including newly qualified drivers, are required to have car insurance when driving on the road
For classic car insurance, agreed value is the amount your car insurer will agree to pay you if your classic car is written off after a crash.
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.
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