, a car is considered a classic if it’s at least 25 years old and is registered with the appropriate antique car license plate. While Virginia does not require drivers to purchase insurance, the recommended

classic car insurance

should include bodily injury liability and property damage liability.

Virginia does not require drivers to have
car insurance
, but those who own classic cars may want to consider at least liability coverage.
Classic car insurance offers coverage tailored to the unique needs of antique and classic vehicles.
Classic car insurance is generally less expensive than standard coverage, but it has more limitations, including a mileage cap and maintenance requirements.

Virginia classic car insurance

To be considered a classic in Virginia, the car must simply be at least 25 years old. Once this age requirement is met, you can decide to register it as an antique car.

Once the car is registered as an antique, it uses specific license plates, and its usage is severely limited.

Virginia is one of two states in which insurance is not required, although drivers who opt to not buy insurance must pay an uninsured motor vehicle fee (UMV) of $500 per year. Those who do not comply will have their driving and vehicle registration privileges suspended, pending:

Payment of a $600 noncompliance fee

A possible reinstatement fee

Filing an

SR-22

with the DMV for three years.

For those who do want to purchase insurance in lieu of the UMV fee, the minimum

liability coverage

for a classic car in Virginia is as follows:

Bodily injury liability

coverage: $25,000 per person minimum, with a maximum of $50,000 per incident.

Property damage liability

coverage: $20,000

Virginia classic car insurance costs

Classic car insurance is generally less expensive than the insurance you’d need for your everyday commuter. But there are other factors, like with standard insurance, that can affect the overall cost of your policy, such as:

Model year: Certain model years have more value than others.

Stated or guaranteed value

: If your car is worth more money, it’s going to be more expensive to insure.

Mileage: The more you drive the car, the more expensive coverage will be. While Virginia allows full usage in August, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid driving it as much as possible.

Customization: If you add on additional coverage such as roadside assistance or parts coverage, your policy will be more expensive.

Your driving record

: If your driving record isn’t clean, carriers may deny you classic car coverage.

Classic car insurance basics

As the name suggests, a classic car insurance policy is coverage specially tailored to the unique insurance needs of classic vehicles or antique cars. It typically offers the same basic coverage as commuter car insurance, such as collision and comprehensive, but it has more limitations, including a mileage cap and maintenance requirements.

Classic cars vs antique cars

Classic car: Typically any vehicle 10 to 24 years old that has significant historic, collectible, or pop culture interest, like iconic muscle cars and hot rods.

Antique car: Usually a vehicle 25 years or older that typically has its value tied up in its inherent historic interest, like the Model T Ford.

In Virginia, a car becomes an antique when it turns 25, at which point it’s considered eligible for special plates that designate it a classic or antique car.

Important note: Once a car is registered as a classic or antique, there are limits on how you can use it. Car owners cannot use registered classic cars as commuter vehicles.

In addition, the cars can only be used as displays in exhibitions, car shows, parades, etc.—and any passenger transportation must only be done for show. It can only be driven recreationally on a very limited basis or to test out its operational status.

What you need to know about classic car insurance

Classic car insurance is typically less expensive than standard auto insurance. However, there are more restrictions to remain eligible for coverage, including:

Mileage caps

Maintenance

Storage requirements

Here are a few factors that distinguish classic car insurance from the insurance you would buy for a standard commuter car:

Price: Classic car coverage is usually less expensive than regular vehicle insurance.

Limited use: Classic cars are not meant to be regular-use vehicles. If you own one, your car can only be used in parades, car shows, exhibitions, and so on.

Storage: The car must be stored in a secured, locked facility, such as a personal locked garage.

Condition: If the car isn’t in original condition, or restored, it must be undergoing restoration.

The cost of your insurance will be decided by your chosen insurance carrier after they determine the actual value of the car, which is done via a formal appraisal.

Benefits of classic car insurance

Regular car insurance usually isn’t enough to protect a classic or antique vehicle because of the unique needs of these types of cars. Classic and antique cars are valued differently than commuters, and serve different purposes and functions—as such, they need the different types of protection that classic car insurance can provide.

Here are some of the key benefits of getting classic car insurance:

Lower rates than standard car insurance—often between 40% to 70% less

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

Flexible deductibles and annual mileage limits

Guaranteed or agreed value coverage

Optional add-ons like flatbed truck towing,

roadside assistance

, and coverage for spare parts and memorabilia

Discounts for additional security features, such as alarms, VIN etching, and GPS tracking

Claims handling from fellow car enthusiasts

Potential discounts on collector car club memberships

How to know if you need classic car insurance

If you have any of the following, you’ll 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 coverage will depend on the type of car you have and what you need to protect it. It can vary from car to car, so research into different coverage types is key.

Here are some common coverages for classic cars:

Coverage	Description
Comprehensive coverage	Covers damage that isn’t the result of a collision, such as from severe weather or vandalism.
Collision coverage	Covers damages resulting from a collision with another vehicle or stationary object.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist	Covers medical bills 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 (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.
Towing and labor coverage	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.

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Jerry
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