Classic Car Insurance in Wisconsin
Winsconsin requires drivers of classic vehicles to purchase bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
Written by Bellina Gaskey
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
You'll need for your classic car, including 25/50/10 in liability coverage and separate amounts of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
Classic cars need separate coverage from everyday vehicles for several reasons: they aren’t driven as often, replacement parts can be hard to find, and they’re likely worth more than the average vehicle.
Jerry has compiled everything you need to know about making sure your classic car stays in line with
Wisconsin's car insurance laws
. What is classic car insurance?
Classic car insurance provides much of the same protection as insurance for a normal car, but it’s tailored to the needs of older vehicles.
Insurance for classic cars is often more customized. You’ll find coverage options like agreed value coverage and spare parts coverage in addition to standard options like
comprehensive coverage
and collision coverage
.What is a classic or antique car?
Classic and antique cars are distinguished by age for insurance purposes.
- Classic cars are 10-24 years old and have decided historic interest (e.g., a hot rod or muscle car).
- Antique cars are vehicles 25 years old or older with decided historic interest.
What makes classic car insurance different?
Classic car insurance is generally less expensive than regular auto insurance, but there are restrictions on which cars qualify for it based on certain conditions.
First, most policies include a limited use provision or mileage cap, which limits your use of the classic car to infrequent pleasure driving and educational/public events like shows, parades, and club activities.
Additionally, the insurer will require your classic car to be housed securely in an indoor structure and maintained in or restored to its original condition. Deviations from original manufacturer standards will disqualify a car.
One of the upsides of classic car insurance is agreed value coverage. Since there is no set “book value” for unique makes and models, you will have to negotiate with the insurer to determine what dollar amount will be covered. The insurer guarantees paying out this amount without regard to depreciation.
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Wisconsin classic car insurance
The state of Wisconsin designates collector cars as vehicles over 20 years old that have been preserved in original manufacturer condition and are used for limited purposes.
All collector cars can receive a special Collector license plate (certain models that have been modified may also qualify). Cars manufactured prior to 1945 may be eligible for an Antique license plate.
In order for your old vehicle to obtain Collector status, you must own or lease a separate vehicle for everyday transportation and have it registered with the state of Wisconsin.
You must have both
liability coverage
and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
for your classic car, including the following minimum coverage limits:- $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $50,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $50,000 in underinsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $100,000 in underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident
What impacts the cost of classic car insurance in Wisconsin?
You can expect classic car insurance to be less expensive than a regular auto insurance policy, but the specific coverage options you choose may cause your rates to vary.
Other factors that can impact your classic car insurance prices include:
- Model year
- Stated or guaranteed value
- Mileage
- Customization—if you include things like flatbed towing, roadside assistance, spare parts coverage, etc.
- Your driving record
Benefits of classic car insurance
Since your classic car is valuable, chances are that a regular policy won’t do enough to protect you against a major or total loss.
In fact, some classic cars need even more specialized coverage than usual. If your car’s value exceeds its original selling price, it may qualify for collectible status and get you access to different coverage options than a regular classic car.
(Don’t confuse this with Wisconsin’s terminology—all cars 20+ years old are “collector cars,” not necessarily collectibles in insurers’ eyes.)
In general, here are some of the benefits of getting classic car insurance:
- Rates 40% to 70% lower than standard car insurance
- Higher coverage limits (often up to $500,000)
- Flexible annual mileage limits
- Claims handling from fellow car enthusiasts
- Flexible deductible options
- Guaranteed or agreed value coverage
- Optional coverage for spare parts and memorabilia
- Roadside assistance using only flatbed tow trucks
- Discounts for additional security features (like alarms, VIN etching, and GPS tracking)
- Potential discounts on approved collector car club memberships
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
You have plenty of options for protecting your classic car, but how you ultimately craft your policy will depend on what type of car you have, its specific needs, and where you live.
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 | 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 | Tired mileage plans give you flexibility to customize your policy based on how much you actually 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. |
Finding cheap car insurance for your classic car
Whether it’s a beloved family heirloom or one of many in your collection, your classic car deserves the best coverage, but you don’t need to break the bank to find it.
That’s where
Jerry
comes in. A licensed broker and ultra-fast quote-finder, Jerry can help you compare your current policy (if applicable) to customized quotes from 50+ top providers. But the savings don’t stop once you switch policies. Jerry will continually search the market for you and alert you to new rates before each renewal deadline, too.
“My monthly insurance payment went from $469 to $362—andJerrygave me a $25 gift card from Amazon! I’m so happy they helped me switch between companies. I sent my sister their link and she’s saving money now too!” —Wanda P.
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