Owning a classic car means preserving a vehicle with a history, a character and sometimes considerable value. Whether it is an old city car, a convertible or a rare model, using it calls for certain precautions. But how do you choose car insurance suited to an older vehicle? Between third-party liability, theft cover and protection against damage, several points deserve particular attention. Discover the cover to examine in order to protect your classic car and enjoy your outings with peace of mind.
Which insurance should you choose for a classic car?
Like any motor vehicle subject to compulsory insurance, a classic car must be covered at the very least by third-party liability insurance.
Insurance suited to the vehicle’s characteristics
Owners of older vehicles can choose standard car insurance or, depending on eligibility conditions, a contract specialised in classic cars.
For example, it is possible to insure one’s car with Macif, which offers various car insurance plans and additional cover depending on the driver’s needs and the vehicle’s characteristics.
For a classic car, however, it is advisable to check with the insurer the subscription conditions and the protection available. The choice of contract must take into account in particular how often the car is driven, where it is parked and the value of the vehicle.
An older car used regularly does not necessarily have the same needs as a model reserved for car gatherings or occasional outings.
The difference between an older car and a classic car
An older car is not automatically considered a classic vehicle within the meaning of the regulations.
In France, a vehicle can obtain the “collection vehicle” mention on its registration certificate when it meets several conditions: it must be at least 30 years old, no longer in production and retain its original technical characteristics.
This mention is, however, neither automatic nor compulsory in order to own and use an older car.
As far as insurance is concerned, the eligibility criteria for specialised contracts may differ from the administrative conditions. Some insurers take into account in particular the age of the vehicle, its state of preservation or its use.
It is therefore preferable to check the contract’s criteria before assuming that a car can benefit from specific insurance.
The essential cover to protect your vehicle
Protecting a classic car relies on several types of cover, some compulsory and others optional.
Third-party liability and driver protection
Third-party liability is the compulsory minimum cover. It compensates material damage and bodily injury caused to third parties in an accident involving the insured vehicle.
However, it does not cover damage to the car of the driver at fault or the driver’s own injuries.
Personal driver cover can complement this protection. Depending on the terms of the contract, it provides compensation for certain bodily injuries, in particular in an accident where the driver is at fault.
This cover deserves to be examined even when the classic car is used only occasionally.
Theft, fire and vehicle damage cover
Classic cars can represent a significant investment, particularly when they are rare, restored or sought after by enthusiasts.
Several optional types of cover can be considered to protect their value:
- Theft cover: it may provide compensation in the event of theft of the vehicle or attempted theft, depending on the terms of the contract;
- Fire cover: it covers certain damage caused by fire or explosion;
- All-risks damage cover: it may compensate damage suffered by the vehicle, including in an accident where the driver is at fault;
- Glass breakage cover: it allows certain damage to the insured glazed parts to be covered;
- Cover for weather events: it may apply to damage caused in particular by a storm or hail.
Covered events, excesses and exclusions vary from one contract to another.
For an older car, it is particularly important to check the repair and compensation arrangements, as some parts may be rare or difficult to replace.
How do you insure the value of a classic car?
Unlike an ordinary vehicle, the value of a classic car does not depend solely on its age and mileage.
The importance of having the vehicle appraised
Having a classic car appraised provides an estimate of its value at a given moment.
The expert examines in particular the general condition, the technical characteristics, the history and any modifications made to the vehicle.
This assessment can be useful for determining the level of cover desired and for facilitating discussions with the insurer.
However, the value estimated by an expert must be distinguished from the value contractually used for compensation.
Some specialised contracts offer an agreed-value mechanism, established according to precise terms. In other situations, compensation depends on the value of the vehicle determined after the claim.
Before subscribing, it is therefore essential to know the calculation rules set out in the contract.
Taking restorations and equipment into account
Owners of classic cars sometimes devote several years to their restoration.
Replacing mechanical parts, redoing the bodywork or renovating the interior can represent significant expense.
These works can influence the vehicle’s value, without automatically leading to an equivalent increase in its compensation.
To ease dealings with the insurer, it is recommended to keep the invoices for the work, photographs and documents attesting to the vehicle’s condition.
It is also advisable to check whether special equipment, accessories or certain modifications are covered by the contract.
Which cover should you consider for occasional use?
Many classic cars are driven only a few days a month, in particular at gatherings, drives or motoring events.
This particular use can influence the insurance conditions and the cover sought.
Some specialised contracts impose restrictions on business travel, annual mileage or daily use of the vehicle.
It is therefore important to declare one’s driving habits precisely and to check that the planned journeys are permitted.
Assistance is also a point to watch. A mechanical breakdown on an older vehicle may require specific towing or the intervention of a professional used to this type of car.
Before choosing an assistance cover, several points can be examined:
- The intervention distance: some contracts provide assistance from the home address, while others require a minimum distance in the event of a breakdown;
- Towing conditions: they determine how the immobilised vehicle is transported;
- The choice of garage: it may be important to be able to call on a professional specialised in older vehicles;
- Coverage limits: they specify the amounts covered for certain services;
- Solutions offered to occupants: they may include transport or temporary accommodation depending on the circumstances.
Cover suited to the vehicle’s actual use makes it easier to anticipate the consequences of immobilisation, in particular during a trip far from home.
How do you protect your car when it is not being driven?
A classic car sometimes spends much of the year in a garage. Yet limited use does not mean the vehicle is entirely safe from risk.
A fire, a theft or certain weather events can occur even when the car remains parked.
It is therefore important to maintain cover that complies with legal obligations and is suited to the risks involved.
The place where the car is kept also deserves particular attention. A closed and secure garage can help limit the risk of theft or damage.
Certain precautions also help preserve the vehicle’s condition during periods of immobilisation:
- Store the car in a suitable place: favour a dry, ventilated space protected from the weather;
- Monitor the battery: use a suitable maintenance device if the vehicle remains immobilised for a long time;
- Check the tyres regularly: check their pressure and watch for any deformation;
- Protect the bodywork and interior: use suitable protection and limit exposure to humidity;
- Check the security devices: make sure the locks and anti-theft equipment work properly.
These measures help preserve the vehicle, but they do not replace insurance suited to its conditions of storage.
How do you compare contracts before subscribing?
Before choosing insurance for a classic car, it is preferable to compare several offers, taking into account the cover and the contractual conditions.
The amount of the premium is not the only criterion to examine.
The value used for compensation, the excesses, the exclusions and the conditions of use of the vehicle can have significant consequences in the event of a claim.
To make a meaningful comparison, it is advisable to request quotes based on the same information: model, year, condition of the vehicle, estimated value, annual mileage and place of storage.
It is also advisable to check whether certain special conditions apply, such as the requirement to have another vehicle for daily journeys.
Finally, the cover should be reassessed when the car’s value changes, in particular after a major restoration or a notable change in its market rating.
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Insuring a classic car requires taking into account much more than its age. Its value, its state of preservation, its storage conditions and its use influence the level of protection to consider. Beyond compulsory third-party liability, cover against theft, fire and damage, together with assistance services, can help preserve this automotive heritage. By carefully comparing contracts and compensation terms, owners can choose cover suited to their vehicle and their driving habits.
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