In Washington, cars are considered classic if they’re more than 30 years old and have been confirmed as such. Washington classic car insurance has to include both

liability coverage

and

uninsured/underinsured motorist

coverage.

Getting

car insurance

for your classic or antique vehicle is different from insuring the car you drive daily. Your classic car might spend a lot of time in a garage, it could take longer to fix, and repairs can be far more expensive than your average vehicle. So, you’ll need some specialized insurance to make sure your car is properly protected.

To help you to figure out how to best cover your classic car, the insurance comparison shopping and broker app

Jerry

is breaking down everything you need to know about classic car insurance in Washington.

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What is classic car insurance?

Classic car insurance provides coverage for classic or antique vehicles. Although it’s not too different from your standard policy, there are some caveats—such as mileage restrictions or maintenance requirements—that make it special.

What is a classic or antique car?

Federally, a classic car is a vehicle that is 10 to 24 years old and has a historic interest, like a hot rod or muscle car. An antique car is 25 years or older and has historic interest.

Washington uses the term “collectible,” though. That means any car 30 years or older is eligible for specialized plates designating it as classic and therefore appropriate for specialized insurance.

What makes classic car insurance different?

A crucial difference between classic car insurance and your standard car insurance policy is the car’s value. Since every classic car is different, there’s not a set value for a certain make or model.

That means you’ll have to reach an agreement with your insurance provider about the car’s exact value. Once you’re settled, that figure will be specified in your policy and your car will be protected up to that exact value.

There are a few other key differences:

Price: Classic car coverage is typically cheaper than regular car insurance.

Limited use: Classic cars have a mileage cap and can only be used for infrequent pleasure driving, shows, exhibitions, club activities, parades, and other similar activities.

Storage: Classic cars must be stored securely, usually in a locked garage.

Condition: The car must be restored, maintained, and preserved at something near its original condition (or be undergoing restoration).

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Classic car coverage

Washington classic car insurance

To qualify for classic car insurance in Washington, your vehicle must first have special license plates. Those are usually given to cars more than 30 years old, but there can be some exceptions.

In Washington, the minimum coverage for classic cars is:

Bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident

Property damage liability coverage: $10,000

Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident

These are just minimum coverage requirements, though. You might want to check in with your insurance company to see what extra protection you can get for your classic car in Washington.

What impacts the cost of classic car insurance in Washington?

Classic car insurance is generally less expensive than a regular car insurance policy. The price might change depending on the type of coverage you need.

Here are some other factors that can impact your classic car insurance rate:

Model year—if your car is older, insurance might be pricier as parts are harder to come by

Stated or guaranteed value—more expensive cars cost more to insure

Mileage—the more you drive, the higher your premium will be

Customization—flatbed towing, roadside assistance, and spare parts coverage will increase your premium

Your driving record—many companies will only offer classic car insurance to drivers with clean records

MORE:

Why car insurance is so expensive, explained

Benefits of classic car insurance

Regular car insurance isn’t sufficient to protect a classic or antique car against damage or loss. If the value of your car exceeds its original selling price, it may be considered a collectible and you may need specialized classic car insurance.

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

Lower rates than standard car insurance (often anywhere from 40% to 70% less)

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

Flexible deductibles and annual mileage limits

Guaranteed or agreed value coverage

Plenty of optional add-ons, including towing with flatbed trucks 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

Do I need classic car insurance?

You might need classic car insurance if you own any of the following types of vehicles:

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 classic car insurance package will depend on the type of car you have and what you need to protect it.

Here are some common coverages for classic cars:

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 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 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.

MORE:

Should I get a $500 or $1,000 auto insurance deductible?

Finding affordable car insurance for your classic car

If you’re looking for classic

car insurance

in Washington at an affordable rate, use the insurance comparison and broker app

Jerry

. It’s the easiest, most effective way to find a policy that is customized for you.

A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.

And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.

“I thought my previous insurance rate was the best I could get, since I have a luxury SUV. After
Jerry
found me quotes, I ended up paying only $80 a month for the same exact coverage. I’ll be shopping for auto insurance through Jerry from now on!” —Petra S.

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