Whether it’s a groovy bus from the 1960s or a muscle car from your glory days… you love when your antique or classic car turns heads.
If you’re a car enthusiast, you know the feeling – and you often go to great lengths to restore and protect your classic car. That’s why it’s important to have the right classic car insurance that goes the distance, too.
Let’s go for a spin and get the answers to some common questions we hear about classic car insurance:
Why do I need classic car insurance?
If you own a classic vehicle, it may seem like the simplest option is adding it to your personal auto policy. But if you end up in an accident, you could find yourself short on coverage.
Here’s why: When it comes to paying an insurance claim, depreciation is a key factor. As most cars age, they go down in value. But for a classic car, the opposite is often true.
What is stated amount coverage?
At Erie Insurance, our classic car insurance takes this into consideration and values your car on a “stated amount” basis. That means we determine the value of your vehicle up front, before a loss happens. For vintage cars valued at $30,000 and up, our professional material damage appraiser will even inspect and value your vehicle. You’ll know ahead of time what your vehicle has been valued at so there are no surprises should a partial or total loss happen.
Additionally, classic car insurance coverage can help you find — and pay for — stock original replacement parts if your vehicle is damaged, preserving its value and authenticity.
However, it’s important to note that the stated amount isn’t a guaranteed value. Losses are settled on an actual cash value basis up to the stated amount shown on your policy’s declarations page. Your payment could be lower based on a few factors — like if the vehicle depreciated after its original appraisal, or if it was modified or damaged.
Is my car a classic?
Insurance companies offer many kinds of classic car policies for different kinds of older cars. Erie Insurance offers coverage for the following kinds of cars:
- Classic autos are at least 10 years old and, because of limited production or exceptionally fine workmanship, have achieved rare or historic interest through being restored, maintained or preserved.
- Antique autos are 25 years or older that have been kept in good running condition and/or licensed as an antique with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
- Special interest autos maintain or appreciate in value as they become older.
What if I don’t regularly drive my classic car?
As an auto enthusiast, you’ve invested a lot of time and money in your car. Even if you rarely drive it, you’ll still want to protect it from perils like fire, vandalism and theft. And if it’s insured, you’ll always have the freedom to take it for a spin or drop into a car show.
That’s why it’s a good idea to talk with an insurance professional like if you’re interested in classic car insurance. He or she will be able to advise you about the right coverage at the right price for your classic or antique car.
Do I need a separate policy?
While some insurers require a separate policy to insure antique cars, classic cars or special interest vehicles, Erie Insurance usually includes them on the same policy as your other vehicles. Having one policy streamlines the paperwork and billing for you, freeing up your time so you can get back on the road.
Erie also offers discounts for antique or classic cars that are driven at very low-mileage – for example, 500 miles or less per year. In most states, we also offer a reduced usage discount when your vehicle is laid up for 90 consecutive days or longer. So you may find that insuring your collector car with us could even cost you less than a standard auto policy.
And since all your cars are on one policy, you can still take advantages of additional services like Erie’s roadside assistance.
Whether you own a classic, collectible or custom built car, you’ll want to make sure that you have the right insurance coverage to help keep your investment safe. Call us at Wagner Insurance for more information about how to add your unique vehicles to your auto policy.
ERIE’s stated amount coverage pays actual cash value up to the stated amount shown on your policy declarations page. Coverage is not available in North Carolina.
Coverage is not available in all states. See individual policies for specific coverage details. Certain terms and limitations may apply. Refer to our disclaimer for additional information.
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