To be considered a classic car worthy of specialized insurance in Texas
, your vehicle must be at least 25 years old. Classic cars in Texas are also required to, at minimum, be protected with bodily injury and property damage liability coverage. Unlike your average, everyday car that you use to get to and from work, classic cars typically need extra protection when it comes to insurance. They aren’t on the road as often, and repairs can be both expensive and complicated.
To try and prevent any of the added stresses, it’s important to go beyond standard policies and find specialty car insurance
that’ll suit your needs. If you’re looking for your ideal classic car insurance plan, the Jerry
app is the perfect place to start. Jerry cross analyzes policies from 50+ top insurance companies, helps you switch plans, and will even keep you updated on new rates around your renewal period. Before you start searching for a new policy, here are a few important things to know about classic car insurance in Texas.
What is classic car insurance?
Classic car insurance gives you a lot of the coverages found on a standard insurance policy, but with a specific focus on classic and antique cars. These classic car policies usually come with extra limitations, such as mileage caps and maintenance requirements.
What is a classic or antique car?
Though you might assume the terms are interchangeable, there is a bit of a difference between a classic and an antique car.
A classic car is 10 to 24 years old and has historic interest. Some examples are a hot rod or muscle car.
An antique car is a vehicle 25 years or older with historic interest. For insurance purposes, any classic car over 25 years old is considered an antique.
What makes classic car insurance different?
Classic car insurance is usually cheaper than regular car insurance. But because each car is unique, there is no set rate for every classic car insurance plan—it’s usually dependent on your car’s specific make, model, and year.
You will need to get in touch with your insurer and reach an agreement about the value of your classic car before you can purchase classic car insurance.
Most classic car insurance policies have specific requirements for the vehicles that their coverage protects. A few common requirements include:
Restored, maintained, or preserved in its original condition
Secure storage (in a locked garage or pole barn)
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Texas classic car insurance
Your car must be at least 25 years old to qualify for classic car insurance in Texas.
If your vehicle is registered as “antique,” then you are exempt from participating in an annual inspection.
If your vehicle is registered as “classic,” then you are required to have an annual safety inspection. This inspection is similar to one that might occur for any standard vehicle—but certain items may or may not be required to be inspected, depending on the age of the car.
Seatbelts and anchorages, for example, are only required if they were originally a part of the vehicle’s manufacturing.
You’ll need the following minimum coverage to protect a classic car in Texas:
What impacts the cost of classic car insurance in Texas?
While the cost of classic car insurance is usually less than regular car insurance coverage, there are still some factors that can influence your rates.
Here are some factors that might impact your classic car insurance policy:
Guaranteed value of vehicle
Any customized add-ons (such as roadside assistance or spare parts coverage)
Driving record of the owner
Benefits of classic car insurance
There are a number of unexpected benefits to investing in classic car insurance! Here are some that you may receive with your classic car policy:
Higher coverage limits if your vehicle is damaged or stolen.
Lower rates (from 40% to 70% less).
Earn potential discounts on approved collector car club memberships.
Guaranteed or agreed value coverage.
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).
Do I need classic car insurance?
If you have any of the following vehicles, you likely need specialty coverage:
Modern collector vehicles
Classic trucks and utility vehicles
Vintage motorcycles and scooters
Retired commercial vehicles
Vehicles under construction
Classic military vehicles
Coverage options for classic car insurance
The insurance coverage available to you will depend on the make, model, and age of your car. It will also be impacted by your desired protection level.
The following are some common classic car coverage options:
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| This covers damage that isn’t the result of a collision, such as unexpected events like severe weather, theft, or vandalism. |
| This covers damages resulting from a collision with another vehicle or stationary object. |
Uninsured/underinsured motorist | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| This coverage helps pay for loss or damages to classic spare parts—even ones that are expensive or hard to find. |
Finding cheap car insurance for your classic car
If you want to save money on your classic car insurance, the Jerry
app is the easiest and most effective way to find a policy that is customized for you. After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to.
They even help cancel your old policy! You get all of the savings and coverage without any of the usual hassles.
“I’ll keep this simple for you. They literally saved me $100 a month. Jerry
is an amazing platform.” —Indiana L.
RECOMMENDEDThis app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍