What Is Classic Car Insurance

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Classic Car Insurance

Classic car insurance in Ireland is designed for vehicles with limited use, preserved condition, and a very different risk profile to everyday cars.

What Is Classic Car Insurance

Classic car insurance in Ireland is thriving. Classic car ownership, clubs, and events are at an all-time high. Each has boosted the sector, helping providers customise cover for classic car owners. 

It isn’t a separate type of motor insurance. It’s just regular car insurance for vehicles that are driven less often. We store these cars safely and value them using special or agreed assessments.

For insurers, this change affects both exposure and claims behaviour relative to modern, everyday-use vehicles. If your car is 20 years old or more, you can access classic car insurance in Ireland quickly and easily with a range of providers. 

Why Do Classic Cars Need Special Insurance?

Classic cars need special insurance because, unlike standard cars, they increase in value as they age. There are other factors too that make specialised classic car insurance vital:

  • Repair costs – fixing a classic car demands expert mechanics and rare, hard-to-find parts. Classic car insurance policies are planned for this.

  • Agreed value coverage – due to the unusual valuation process for classic cars, insurers are prepared to agree with an owner on the car’s value at the outset.

  • Limited use recognition – most classic cars are prized possessions that are used sparingly, perhaps at shows or special events. Consequently, mileage is low and wear and tear are reduced. Premiums reflect this fact.

  • Restoration protection – many classic cars only come out of storage for events. Insurers cover this prolonged period under wraps, even when the vehicle is in a workshop being restored or updated.

  • Special member’s club discounts – insurers encourage classic car owners to join clubs where they can mix with other owners and learn about protecting their vehicle. Discounts are often offered to classic car club members.

What Are the Different Types of Classic Vehicles To Insure?

There is an ever-growing range of classic car types and insurance policies are continually tailored to cover them. Categories that fall under classic vehicles insurance include:

Vintage cars

This category usually includes cars manufactured between 1919 and 1939.

Classic cars

Cars aged 20-years-plus with a particular design, engineering or historic importance.

Modern classics

More recently manufactured cars which have an immediate appeal to collectors.

Classic motorbikes

Collectable or vintage motorcycles.

What Qualifies as a Classic Car?

Cars that are aged from 20 to 25-years-plus can be considered classic cars. They include a wide range of makes and models, but what makes them truly classic is when they have become a part of motoring history, such as the Ford Mustang or the original Mini.  

What Is A Vintage Car?

Vintage cars typically refer to vehicles manufactured between 1919 and 1939. These cars are kept in period-correct condition. They are valued for their originality, historical importance, and rarity.

Vintage vehicles are usually maintained as close to original specifications as possible. Because of this, insurers assess them differently from modern vehicles and altered classics.

What About Modified Classic Cars?

Some classic vehicles are changed from their original factory specs to enhance technology while retaining their classic look. They might have had new engines, air conditioning or modern brakes added, but remain classic in appearance. This is often referred to as a RestoMod, which refers to the restoration and modernisation of a classic car.

As a result, modified classics are often insured under different criteria compared to standard classics or vintage vehicles. These vehicles typically fall under modified car insurance rather than classic policies. This depends on how much and what kind of changes have been made.

How Insurers Assess Classic Cars

Classic car policies differ by insurer, but they usually require the vehicle to meet certain conditions, such as:

  • Limited mileage – classic vehicles are usually insured on restricted annual mileage. Lower usage reduces exposure to road traffic accidents and mechanical wear.

  • Secondary use – the vehicle is not used as the owner’s primary means of transport.

  • Secure storage – garagedsor specialist storage reduces theft, weather damage, and vandalism risk. Insurers may require confirmation of overnight storage arrangements.

  • Condition and maintenance – well-maintained vehicles with documented restoration or servicing history present lower mechanical failure and claims risk.

  • Agreed Value Eligibility – Classic cars are often insured on an agreed value basis rather than market value. This requires evidence of condition, photographs, club valuations, or specialist assessments supporting docs.

These conditions allow insurers to underwrite classic vehicles differently from standard cars.

How Much Is Classic Car Insurance in Ireland?

Classic car insurance prices depend on how often you use the car and its exposure, not on daily driving risks.

From an insurer’s perspective, classic vehicles are usually driven infrequently, stored securely, and maintained with care. These factors lower accident rates and claims linked to wear. This affects how insurers evaluate risks for daily-use vehicles.

However, pricing and availability are usually conditional. Insurers usually set clear eligibility rules. This helps make sure the vehicle is used and stored according to classic car risk assumptions.

Classic Car Insurance FAQ

In Ireland, they define a classic car as one that is at least 20 years old. Some insurers only recognise cars as classics at 25 years plus. The status of a classic car depends on its brand history, design, and impact on the motor industry, not its age.

If your car was registered before January 1st 1980, or has reached its 40th anniversary since first registration and is used only as a classic show car, it will be exempt from an NCT. However, if it is used for commercial purposes, such as weddings, special-occasion transportation, or any business-related use, it will require an NCT.

Overseas travel in your classic or vintage car can be a wonderful experience. Many insurance providers let you take your car to other EU countries for a set time each year. This can be up to 30 days or even 90 days. Compare offers and time limits with providers before committing to any insurer.

The main difference between these two car types is their age. A classic car usually means cars from the 1950s onward. In contrast, vintage cars were made for use during the period from 1919 to 1939. Vintage cars are typically from after World War One. They have greatly influenced motoring, car design, and development.

Classic car insurance is typically structured around limited and non-routine use. Insurers typically expect classic vehicles to be used occasionally, not for daily commuting. Using the vehicle often can change its assessment and may need a different type of motor insurance.

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