Classic Car Insurance
At Carole Nash, we pride ourselves on being one of the leading classic car insurance brokers in the UK, helping thousands of satisfied customers find the policies that are right for them.
Comparing classic car insurance can feel like a daunting task, but that’s where we step in to remove the hassle – freeing up more of your time to be spent driving around and taking care of your pride and joy.
You can get an online classic car insurance quote or ring 0333 005 2295 and speak to one of our friendly team. They’ll guide you expertly through the process and help you find a policy that works for you.
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Classic car insurance specialists
We put a great deal of time and effort into understanding our customers and the classic car community, which means we are perfectly placed to source the vintage car insurance that is tailored to each driver.
If you drive a classic car, you’ll know that it’s different to everything else on the road. When you’re behind the wheel, with the style and character of the journey even more important than the destination itself, it feels like different rules apply.
In some cases, of course, they actually do! If your car is 40 years old or over, for example, then it’s exempt from road tax. If your car is over 15 years old, it could be classed as a classic and can receive reductions in policy price that reflect the care it requires and the way it’s driven.
Apply a little loving care and your classic car will provide year after year of joyous motoring. No matter whether it’s a Morris Minor, Jensen Interceptor or a Classic Mini, we’ll have a vintage car insurance policy that is suitable for you.
What is classic car insurance?
Classic car insurance is geared towards drivers of vintage models – usually vehicles that are of a certain age and are only used as a second car. A classic car policy can offer you priceless peace of mind knowing that even if something were to happen, you would receive a settlement equal to its agreed value or to help cover the cost of repairs.
When does a car become a classic for insurance purposes?
In order for you to be deemed eligible to take out a classic car insurance policy, your vehicle will generally be required to be:
- More than 15 years old
- Used as a second car
How does classic car insurance work?
Classic car insurance differs slightly from normal motor cover in that your pride and joy will likely have unique specifications and features that insurers will want to know about so they can provide the right level of protection.
When you take out a policy through us, agreed value is available. This means any settlement will be paid to reflect the changes or modifications you have made, rather than the car’s market worth.
What does classic car insurance cover as standard?
Every classic car policy taken out through Carole Nash comes with the following:
- Agreed value available
- Salvage retention rights
- UK and European breakdown and accident recovery
- Up to £100,000 legal expenses cover if you’re in an accident that’s not your fault
- Up to 15% discount for club members
- Choose your own specialist repairer
- Shows, rallies and events cover
Should I get classic car insurance?
Owners of classic cars drive differently – it’s unlikely you’ll be seeing a 300SL Gullwing on the school run or in a supermarket car park – so classic car insurers can assume you’ll be doing less mileage and pass on savings accordingly.
Often driven more for pleasure than purpose, classic cars are less likely to be on the road in bad weather and are often regular fixtures at events and rallies. This is something that a standard policy may not account for.
Perhaps most importantly, classic cars are an owner’s pride and joy. They need cover from an insurer that recognises their true value and understands the way they work. For example, modifications are an important aspect of vintage car ownership, as are repairs. They have to be just right, rather than done by the cheapest or nearest mechanic, which is why specialist classic car insurance offers you priceless peace of mind.
How much does it cost to insure a classic car?
Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer to this question. Just like the people who drive them, every classic car is unique. Each could include any number of special features or modifications, while the vehicle’s age and annual mileage could also affect the price of your premium.
The easiest way to work out how much it costs to insure a classic car is by getting a quote through our simple online form or by calling 0333 005 2295 and speaking to a member of our friendly team.
How can I reduce the cost of my classic vehicle insurance?
Although all estimates will vary, there are a few things that will help you bring down the cost of your premium:
- You have another vehicle you use day-to-day rather than your classic car
- You have a very low annual mileage (usually somewhere between 2,000 and 5,000 miles)
- You keep your vehicle in a garage, on a drive or in a specialist lock-up
Why should I choose Carole Nash for my classic car insurance?
Here are just some of the reasons why we’re among the top brokers for classic car insurance in the UK:
- We’ve partnered with classic car insurance companies to provide suitable policies for more than 35 years, so you can rest assured we know our stuff
- We have a rating of ‘Excellent’ from thousands of reviews on Trustpilot. You can read more about our stellar service in our customer testimonials.
- We have gained recognition with numerous awards and commendations down the years.
- We appreciate that looking after your classic car is of the utmost importance. A normal motor insurance policy may not provide adequate cover, but we can help you find the specialist classic car insurance that befits your model.
- We’re fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, so you can compare classic car insurance with us knowing you’re dealing with a reliable company.
- Our team boast a wealth of expertise when it comes to classic car insurance
Get your classic car insurance quote today
A specialist policy can help you get the most out of your classic car insurance, adding value that modern, standard fully comprehensive cover – or adding your classic model to an existing modern policy – simply can’t provide.
At Carole Nash, we understand classic cars and their drivers, and we know they’re best served by a policy as unique as they are.
To find out more about how Carole Nash can help you save on the cost of your policy while keeping your pride
and joy covered, get your classic car insurance online quote or call us today on 0333 005 2295.
Classic Car Insurance FAQs
To help you understand more about classic car insurance, we’ve put together this list of frequently asked questions relating to cost, breakdown cover, driving abroad, MOTs and more.
Classic cars aren’t driven on a regular basis or used for the daily commute like modern vehicles. Plus, the level of car care from the owner is usually higher. Therefore, they’re considered a lower risk by insurers and generally command lower insurance premiums. Classic car insurance also tends to increase at a much steadier rate.
There are a number of different levels of breakdown cover for classic cars:
- Roadside: Someone will come to your location and fix the vehicle there and then.
- Local recovery: If your car cannot be fixed at the roadside, you’ll be taken to the nearest garage.
- National: This policy means you and your passengers can be taken to a location of your choice within the UK.
- Homestart: Here, you’re covered if your classic car won’t start at home.
- Onward travel: If your car isn’t fixable, this policy includes car hire for three days, payment for public transport, or overnight accommodation.
- European cover: Here, you’re covered while you’re out on the road in Europe. This can be single trip or an annual policy.
That depends on the level of cover you have taken out. If your classic car insurance policy is third-party only, you will not be protected if your vehicle were to be stolen. If your policy is third-party, fire and theft or fully comprehensive, then you will be covered – apart from instances where it was stolen due to the keys being left in the ignition.
At Carole Nash, we pride ourselves on delivering classic car insurance quotes for all types of manufacturers and models. From Ferraris and Fords to Minis and Morris Minors, we’ve got you covered.
If you intend on keeping your classic car off the road, you’ll need to get a SORN, which stands for Statutory Off-Road Notification. To do this, simply fill out the form online, call the DVLA vehicle service number on 0300 123 4321, or send a V890 form to the DVLA by post.
Most comprehensive classic car insurance policies include third-party only cover for driving in Europe, meaning you won’t be covered for theft, damage to your classic car in an accident, or if you break down. Check with your insurer and if your cover is limited, you can look to increase your level of insurance.
Some vehicles can experience a surge in value. This can be due to a number of factors, such as being featured in a film or TV show. The most common is its nostalgic value. As time goes by and the car is no longer being made, people with fond memories of it will want to own one. If you’re looking for a classic car insurance quote, get in touch with the team at Carole Nash today.
To determine whether you’re exempt from paying for annual MOTs and vehicle tax on your classic car, you need to look at when it was built or first registered. You do not need to get an MOT if the vehicle was built or first registered more than 40 years ago or if no substantial changes have been made to the car in the past 30 years. However, you should still carry out your own checks to make sure your car remains safe and roadworthy.
It all depends on the type of modification you make to your vehicle. For example, common, one-off modifications such as to the wheels or steering wheel will not usually affect the cost of your classic car policy. Extensive alterations, however, are more likely to impact the price of your cover.
It’s worth noting that without modifications a lot of classic cars wouldn’t be roadworthy, so insurers do take this into account when calculating the cost of a premium.
While there are no set rules to define classic and vintage cars, there are a number of factors to be taken into consideration. Some people abide by the following breakdown:
- Vintage cars were built before 1930
- Vintage cars were built before WWI
- All 40-year-old cars are exempt from road tax so can be described as classic
- Classic cars were built following WWII
It’s natural to look immediately at price when considering a classic car insurance policy. But cheaper cover doesn’t always represent the best value for money. Sometimes by paying a little extra, you can benefit in the long run from further levels of protection.
Ultimately, it depends entirely on what you plan to use your classic car for. Always research the different policies carefully. For example, are you going to be travelling abroad often? If so, you’re going to need cover for when you’re overseas. Whatever your requirements, we’ll compare classic car insurance quotes and find the solution that’s most suitable for you.
