if they’re at least 15 years old, and antique cars if they’re at least 25 years old. Your car may also qualify as having vintage registration plates if it still bears its original pre-1976 license plate.

Classic cars typically need more protection than your standard commuter car. These vehicles usually don’t hit the road too often, and repairs on classic cars can be complicated and expensive.

That’s why it’s important to go beyond standard coverage and get an insurance policy that will fit the needs of your classic car.

What is classic car insurance?

Classic car insurance goes beyond a standard insurance plan to give you protection tailored to the specificities of classic or antique cars. This coverage also usually has specific eligibility requirements and conditions, like mileage limits.

What is a classic or antique car?

Classic and antique cars are older car models usually with some kind of historical significance, like muscle cars or exotic luxury cars. Different insurance companies and state transportation departments have different methods of determining the differences between these categories.

According to State Farm, classic cars are between 10 and 24 years old, while antique cars are over 24 years old.

Some insurance companies also classify certain classic cars as collector cars and offer separate coverage for those vehicles.

What makes classic car insurance different?

Classic car insurance is usually more affordable than regular car insurance and gives you coverage options that are tailored to your car’s make, model, and year, as well as your needs.

Because each classic car is so unique, there is no set rate for classic car insurance—you will agree upon the car’s value with your insurance provider before you purchase your new policy.

Many classic car insurance policies also have eligibility requirements for classic cars. Common requirements include:

Secure storage

Low mileage

Historical preservation or restoration efforts

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Pennsylvania classic car insurance

In Pennsylvania, the difference between classic and antique cars is as follows:

Classic: A vehicle that was manufactured at least 15 years ago and either preserved in or restored to its original condition.

Antique: A vehicle that was manufactured at least 25 years ago and either preserved in or restored to its original condition.

You can apply for antique or classic registration plates by submitting a Form MV-11 to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, along with the car’s title, sales tax, and registration fees.

You can also use vintage registration plates if you still have the vehicle’s original plates.

A registration plate is considered vintage if it was issued between 1906 and 1976, and it must have been issued when the car was new. For example, a 1957 Ford Thunderbird would need to have a 1957 registration plate for it to be considered vintage.

To authenticate your vintage registration plates, you must send color photos of your plates and a Form MV-11V to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Cars with classic, antique, or vintage registration plates in Pennsylvania may only be used for special events like car shows, parades, or tours. You cannot regularly drive a car if its registration plates fall into any of these three categories.

Minimum insurance coverage for classic cars in Pennsylvania must include:

$15,000 of

bodily injury liability

per person

$30,000 of bodily injury liability per accident

$5,000 of

property damage liability

What impacts the cost of classic car insurance in Pennsylvania?

Classic car insurance policies are usually less expensive than standard car insurance coverage, but prices will depend on the types of coverage you purchase with your policy.

Here are some other factors that will affect your classic car insurance rate:

Car’s age

Car’s guaranteed value

Car’s mileage

Your driving record

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Why car insurance is so expensive, explained

Benefits of classic car insurance

Here are some of the reasons that classic car insurance can be more beneficial than standard car insurance:

Higher level of protection

Lower rates

Higher coverage limits

More flexible deductibles and mileage limits

Agents and claims adjusters who are knowledgeable about issues specific to classic cars

Guaranteed flatbed towing service for roadside emergencies

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

Retired commercial vehicles

Collector trailers

Vehicles under construction

Classic military vehicles

Antique tractors

Coverage options for classic car insurance

Your insurance coverage options will depend on your car’s make, model, and year, as well as your desired protection level.

Here are some common coverage options for classic cars:

Coverage	Description
Collision	This covers damages from an accident with another vehicle or stationary object.
Comprehensive	This covers damage from unexpected non-collision events like severe weather, theft, and vandalism.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist	This covers damages from an accident involving a driver who doesn’t have car insurance.
Agreed value coverage	If you get in an accident and your classic car is totaled, this will pay the agreed value of your car (minus the deductible), which was decided when you purchased the insurance policy—standard car insurance policies would only cover you up to the car’s depreciated value.
Flexible mileage	This allows you to modify your policy based on how frequently you drive your classic car.
Roadside assistance	This covers roadside emergency services like towing, tire changes, and lockout services.
Spare parts	This covers the cost of repairing or replacing spare parts for your classic car, even ones when those parts are expensive or difficult to find.

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