Classic Car Insurance in Texas

In Texas, classic car insurance must include both bodily injury and property damage liability coverage. Purchasing additional coverage is also a good idea.
Written by Stephanie Southmayd
Edited by Jessica Barrett
Classic car insurance in Texas requires your car to be at least 25 years old or have historic interest. You must maintain a certain level of minimum coverage on your classic vehicle.
  • Your car must be at least 25 years old or deemed collectible to qualify for classic car insurance in Texas.
  • Compared with regular auto insurance, classic car insurance tends to be 40-70% cheaper and typically includes higher coverage in case of theft or an accident.
  • Texas classic car insurance will, on average, run you $400 to $1,000 per year.
  • Hagerty, Grundy, and American Modern are among the best classic car insurers in Texas.

Texas classic car insurance only covers antique vehicles

Your classic car isn’t just a car. It’s an investment and a passion project—and you want it to receive all the protection and care it deserves. But when you’re on the hunt for the best specialty coverage for your classic car, there are a few important things to keep in mind about
classic car insurance
in Texas. 
The most important: In Texas, classic car insurance only covers antique vehicles.
  • A classic car is 10 to 24 years old and/or has historic interest—meaning it’s been deemed collectible and gains in value as it ages. Some examples are the more recent generations of the Ford Mustang or Chrysler Prowler. Classic cars must have an annual safety inspection similar to one for a standard vehicle—but additional items may be inspected. Seatbelts, for example, are only required if they were an original part of the vehicle. 
  • An antique car is 25 years or older and considered collectible and worthy of added upkeep costs—like a Ford Model T or 1967 Pontiac Firebird. For insurance purposes, any classic car over 25 years old is considered an antique. Antique vehicles are exempt from an annual inspection. 

Classic car insurance coverage in Texas

Texas driving insurance laws mandate
the following minimum coverage to protect a classic car in Texas:
The additional insurance coverage available to you will depend on the make, model, and age of your car—and, of course, your desired protection level.
Here are some common classic car coverage options:
Coverage
Description
This covers damage that isn’t the result of a collision, such as unexpected events like severe weather, theft, or vandalism and offers complete peace of mind that your classic vehicle will be protected.
This covers damages resulting from a collision with another vehicle or stationary object.
This will protect you from paying out of pocket 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 value of your car (minus your deductible) without any deduction for depreciation.
Flexible mileage
This coverage allows you to modify your policy based on how frequently your classic car is driven.
This provides coverage for tire changes, towing, and other incidental expenses that aren’t part of a typical auto insurance policy.
Spare parts
This coverage helps pay for loss or damages to classic spare parts—even ones that are expensive or hard to find.

Benefits of classic car insurance 

Classic car insurers tend to offer some amazing deals for vintage or collectible car enthusiasts. Here are some that you may be able to snag with your classic car policy: 
  • Higher coverage limits if your vehicle is damaged or stolen (as opposed to a standard car)
  • Lower rates (from 40% to 70% less than
    standard auto insurance
    )
  • Potential discounts on approved classic/collector car club memberships
  • Coverage for optional add-ons, such as spare parts, memorabilia, and even roadside assistance
  • Discounts for additional security features (alarms, VIN etching, and GPS tracking)

Classic car insurance will run you $400 to $1,000/year in Texas

At $400 to $1,000 per year on average, the cost of classic car insurance is usually 40-70% lower than regular car insurance coverage. That said, the price tag of your classic car insurance policy may vary depending on the following factors:
  • Age of vehicle
  • Guaranteed value of vehicle
  • Vehicle’s mileage 
  • How much the car will be used (the more you drive, the higher the policy cost)
  • Any customized add-ons (such as roadside assistance or spare parts coverage)
  • Your driving record

Finding the best insurer in Texas for your classic car

Car experts and aficionados alike generally recommend that you find an insurance agency that specializes in classic cars. Here are a few options with sterling online ratings:
  • Hagerty: Widely considered a leader in classic car insurance, this may be your best pick if you’re looking to support classic car culture and meet up with other enthusiasts at car shows. 
  • Grundy: This OG classic car insurer that specializes in modified vehicles doesn’t have the name value Hagerty has accumulated, but customers tend to agree it’s a high-quality firm that’s cheaper than its competitors. If your main priority is
    lower Texas auto insurance costs
    , Grundy could be the best way to go.   
  • American Modern: Classic car owners love American Modern for its wide range of coverage plans, including one that offers unlimited mileage.
Our selections are based on a comparison of top nationwide popular and specialty providers. Insurers selected for recommendation offer the widest options for discounts, coverage and deductible customization, and vehicle usage. 
No matter which company you choose, most classic car insurance companies have similar eligibility requirements, including:
  • No commuting, no errand-running. If you’ve been using your 1968 Chevrolet Corvette muscle car to get to the office every day, you may be ineligible for classic car coverage. Reputable classic car agencies usually have policies requiring that customers use their vehicles only for pleasure, not commuting. 
  • Keep your baby out of harm’s way. You may have to store your classic car in a garage or underground facility to protect it from damage.
  • Practice safe driving. You may not be eligible for classic vehicle or collector car insurance if you have had any serious driving offenses over the past three years. 

FAQs

It’s a good idea to get classic car insurance for your vintage motorcycle or modern collectible vehicle if its value increases with age and you use it exclusively for pleasure, not for running errands or commuting. 
And your car doesn’t need to be an older model to be eligible for classic car insurance. Hagerty, for example, accepts limited edition vehicles and exotics from 1980 to the present day. 
Many insurance companies provide classic car insurance, whether they’re specialists like American Modern or general insurers like Farm Bureau. American Modern underwrites policies for
AAA
and
GEICO
; Hagerty underwrites for
Allstate
,
Esurance
,
Nationwide
, and
Progressive
; and American Collectors underwrites for
USAA
.  
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