Compare classic car insurance quotes

When you think of a classic car you probably picture an Aston Martin, an original VW Beetle or a vintage Porsche, but some insurers will define a car as a classic once it’s over 10 years old. So, it is possible you’ve been driving a classic car without even knowing it.

Another category for older cars – over 40 years old – is historic cars.

To claim the road tax exemption, HMRC defines classic cars as being:

However, if your car is over 10 years old no matter its value, it can be considered a classic car by some classic car insurers.

This may help you to get a better deal on your insurance because classic car insurers may show up in your comparisons alongside regular insurers.

Although different insurers define the age of a classic car differently, some will define a classic that is just 10 years old. It is not a historic (classic) car for road tax until it is more than 40 years old.

The older your car is, the more options you will have when it comes to insuring your classic car.

Classic and vintage cars will be both covered by classic car insurance. While an insurer might define a classic car as one that is over 10 years old, UK motor tax laws define a vintage car as one that’s 40 or more years old. 

Vehicles became exempt from paying vehicle tax if they are 40 years old or older on January 1 40 years ago. HMRC defines these as historic (classic) vehicles.

Despite the fact that HMRC insists a car is 40 years old to be a classic, many insurers will treat a car just two years old as a classic for insurance. Classic car insurance is a specialist area, so the more you know about your car’s history the better. 

If you have modified your car or have it restored in some way, you will need to let your insurer know otherwise you risk invalidating your cover.

Classic car insurance is usually cheaper than standard car insurance because classic car insurance policies tend to cover vehicles with relatively low annual mileage driven by older, more mature owners who care about their cars.

If you have an older car and just use it as a runaround you might be eligible for a classic car insurance policy. Classic car insurance is more widely available to drivers over the age of 25 – if you’re above this age, your car is over 10 or 15 years old, and your mileage is below average, you could get a great deal on classic car insurance

It’s important to read the terms before deciding on an insurer, as your cover could be invalidated if you exceed any specified mileage limits.

Now that you know you’ve got a classic car, it might also be worth reconsidering its value, especially if you’ve owned it for a long time. Some older models have soared in value in recent years, such as older Golfs and Ford Fiestas. Make sure you give your insurer an accurate value. 

You may also get an agreed value from your insurer – an independent expert will decide and you may need to pay for that.

You do not need to pay road tax if your vehicle was built before 1 January 1980 (40 years ago).

If you do not know when your vehicle was built, but it was first registered between 1 and 7 January 1980, you do not have to pay vehicle tax.