covers everything from antique vehicles to high-end sports cars and custom hot-rods. All classic cars in Ohio must be protected with minimum amounts of

bodily injury

and

property damage

liability insurance.

Classic car insurance
is a catch-all coverage that provides agreed-value protection for various collectible, antique, and high-value vehicles.
Classic car insurance policies are generally cheaper than regular insurance policies, which makes classics and collectors some of the
cheapest cars to insure
.
Classic car coverage may set limits on how often you can drive your vehicle and where you must store it.
Insurance rates can vary based on many factors—the best way to find the right policy for you is to shop around and
compare auto insurance quotes
from many insurers.

What is classic car insurance?

Classic car insurance covers most of the same things as a regular car insurance policy, but it’s specifically tailored to the needs of classic, collectible, or antique cars. It’s important to note that classic car insurance is a bit of a misnomer—in reality, you can purchase classic car coverage to protect much more than antique vehicles, including modern muscle cars, unique kit vehicles, and highly customized collectible cars.

Most classic car insurance policies specify limits on annual mileage and offer customization options like roadside assistance coverage that only uses flatbed towing.

Classic Car Insurance

This specific type of insurance protects older and less-used cars at a much cheaper rate than standard auto insurance. Generally, the car must not be driven more than 5,000 miles per year, needs to be at least 15 years old, and must be kept in good condition.

View details

What is a classic or antique car?

Typically, any vehicle 10 to 24 years old that has historic interest is considered a classic car. For insurance purposes, any vehicle 25 years or older that has historic interest is considered an antique car.

That said, even some brand-new cars can qualify for classic or “collector” car insurance. High-performance and high-value imports, super- and hyper-cars, and even modified and/or modern hot rods can qualify for coverage. Your best bet is to check with an insurance agent to see if your vehicle qualifies for classic or collector coverage.

What makes classic car insurance different?

In general, classic car insurance tends to be cheaper than regular car insurance for a few reasons. The primary factors that affect pricing include:

Mileage restrictions/flexible usage: Many classic car policies set a mileage limit. Classic cars aren’t usually daily drivers—often, they’re only used for car shows, club activities, parades, and infrequent pleasure driving. And because you drive the vehicle less often, you have less chance of being involved in an accident.

Storage restrictions: Many policies require you to store your classic or collectible car more securely, meaning it’s less likely to be stolen.

Condition: The vehicle must be restored, maintained, and preserved in its original condition—unless it’s undergoing restoration—to qualify for classic car insurance.

Unlike regular car insurance, a classic or collector car insurance policy isn’t based on actual cash value, or “book value,” based on the vehicle’s make and model. Each classic car is unique, so your first step will be to have an appraisal performed so your insurer can set your vehicle’s agreed or guaranteed value, which will be the amount you receive in the event of a covered total loss.

This agreed-upon value will be specified on your policy, and your car will be covered up to that value without depreciation. In fact, many policies allow for another unique factor associated with these types of cars: appreciation!

Some other special features of classic car insurance include the following:

Rising value coverage: Classic vehicles don’t depreciate in value like a new car. Because of this, many classic auto insurance policies allow car owners to adjust the agreed value over time.

Restoration coverage: Some classic car insurance providers offer coverage for the restoration process. These policies may cover tools and parts and often include regular increases to keep up with the work you’ve done.

Cash settlement option: Many classic cars are one of a kind, meaning that if one is stolen or totaled, it’s difficult to replace. Many classic car insurance policies solve this issue by providing a lump-sum cash payout in place of replacing the vehicle.

MORE:

How to Determine Classic Car Value

Ohio classic car insurance

Ohio doesn’t set guidelines for which vehicles can qualify for classic or collector car coverage—that’s left up to Ohio car insurance companies. However, the Buckeye State does limit which vehicles can be registered as historic or antique.

In Ohio, any vehicle with historic interest 25 years or older qualifies for specialty historic car license plates, but it can only be registered as such if:

The car is owned and operated solely as a collector's item and for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and similar uses.

The vehicle is not used for general transportation.

The vehicle is only driven on regular roads to get to and from a maintenance location.

When you register the antique car at the

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles

, a $10 license fee will apply, and you’ll need to have it inspected to confirm that it’s safe to operate on public roads.

If you want to display model-year license plates on your classic car, you’ll need to submit an affidavit showing that they’re legible and serviceable plates originally issued by the state of Ohio.

If you don’t have your own model year plates, the DMV will issue a set of historical vehicle license plates that say “Historical Vehicle—Ohio” along with your car’s registration number. You’ll need to keep the registration certificate and the historical vehicle license plate issued by the registrar in your vehicle at all times.

As with any other vehicle, your Ohio historical car insurance policy must also include the state minimum coverage limits. In Ohio, the minimum insurance coverage required for a classic car is as follows:

Bodily injury liability

coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

Property damage liability

coverage: $25,000 per accident

What impacts the cost of classic car insurance in Ohio?

Your rate for classic car insurance in Ohio will probably be lower than a regular car insurance premium. However, the exact amount you pay depends on the type of coverage you choose beyond the state minimum requirements. Including custom options, like flatbed towing or spare parts, coverage will drive your rate up.

Other factors that affect your classic car insurance rate include:

Model year

Agreed value

Your driving record

Mileage

The insurance agency

Availability of replacement parts

Average classic auto coverage rates

Insurance rates for classic car coverage usually average between $400 and $1,000 a year. As with traditional auto insurance policies, your classic car coverage premium will depend on a number of factors, including:

Your driving record

Your age and marital status

Your location

The amount of coverage and additional options you choose

Your vehicle's value

Classic car insurance premiums and deductibles tend to be significantly less expensive than the

national average

for standard auto insurance policies for similarly-valued vehicles. This is largely thanks to lower risk provided by limited mileage and strict eligibility requirements.

Benefits of classic car insurance

Regular car insurance just can’t provide the necessary protection for unique, collectible, and historic vehicles. If your car’s value exceeds its original selling price, it’s probably a good candidate for specialized classic car insurance.

Here are a few more advantages that come with classic car insurance:

Rates 40% to 70% lower than standard car insurance

Higher coverage limits (often up to $500,000)

Flexible annual mileage limits

Claims handling from fellow car enthusiasts

Flexible deductible options

Guaranteed or agreed-value coverage

Optional coverage for spare parts and memorabilia

Roadside assistance using only flatbed tow trucks

Discounts for additional security features (like alarms, VIN etching, and GPS tracking)

Potential discounts on approved collector car club memberships

Do I need classic car insurance?

If you have any of the following, you likely need specialty coverage:

Antique & classic cars

Vintage boats

Modern collector vehicles

Modified vehicles

Classic trucks and utility vehicles

Motorsports vehicles

Vintage motorcycles and scooters

Kit vehicles

Retired commercial vehicles

Collector trailers

Vehicles under construction

Classic military vehicles

Antique tractors

Coverage options for classic car insurance

Ultimately, your coverage depends on the type of car you own and its unique needs.

Here are some coverage options you should consider:

Coverage	Description
Comprehensive	Covers damage that isn’t the result of a collision, such as from severe weather or vandalism.
Collision	Covers damages resulting from a collision with another vehicle or stationary object.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist	Covers damages if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have auto insurance.
Agreed value coverage	If you’re in a covered accident and your classic car is a total loss, you’ll receive the full agreed-upon cash value (minus your deductible) without any deduction for depreciation.
Flexible mileage	Tiered mileage plans give you the flexibility to customize your policy based on how much you actually drive your classic car.
Roadside assistance	Coverage for tire changes, towing, and other incidental expenses that aren’t part of a typical auto insurance policy.
Spare parts	Add coverage for loss or damages to classic spare parts—even ones that are expensive or hard to find.

How to keep your Ohio classic coverage rates low

Classic car coverage already tends to be less expensive than standard auto insurance, but you can

make your insurance downright cheap

by following

these tips

Take advantage of bundling and multi-vehicle discounts

Equip your classic with an anti-theft device

Complete a

defensive driving course

Lower your coverage or raise your deductible

Keep a clean driving record

Finally, compare

classic car insurance quotes

from at least three to five providers before settling on a policy. Just download the free

Jerry

app to compare rates on the cheapest classic car insurance coverage in minutes.

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FAQs

How old does a car have to be in Ohio to be a classic?

In Ohio, a car must be at least 25 years old to qualify as an historical motor vehicle. But remember, classic car insurance isn’t just for antique and classic cars—you can cover anything from antique vehicles to kit cars and modern collectible sports cars with a classic car insurance policy.

What is a classic car in Ohio?

Cars older than 25 can be classified as historical motor vehicles in Ohio. However, for classic car insurance purposes, a wide range of vehicles can be considered “classic cars.”

For example, you can protect antique fire trucks, modified hot rods, customized modern sports cars, kit cars, and more with a classic car insurance policy.

Do Ohio historical plates need stickers?

According to the

Ohio Department of Public Safety

, historical license plates do not require stickers.

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