
Find Your Perfect Policy: 866-843-5386
Find the best protection for your passion project.
State Farm offers a number of coverages for classic vehicles, including collision and comprehensive coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, emergency road service, and more.
Allstate shines because it offers classic car insurance for a range of qualifying vehicles, including modern classics (from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s), custom builds, and modified vehicles (e.g., kit cars), old military vehicles, antique tractors, and even retired fire trucks.
Classic cars are more than a way to get around; they can be a source of joy, pride, and community. Maybe you fixed up a vehicle yourself, or maybe you purchased it restored after carefully searching the market. Whether it’s an investment, a passion project, or some combination of the two, you want to protect your classic car — but not every insurance company will cover you.
Classic cars differ from ordinary vehicles, so they require specialized insurance. When classic cars need repair, finding the right parts and skilled labor is more difficult. And because these cars gain value over time, rather than depreciating, insurance adjusters can’t determine their values easily.
Classic car insurance reflects the value of a classic vehicle. We’ll walk you through insurance companies that offer classic car insurance, whether you’re a daily driver or want mileage restrictions.
Category | #1. State Farm | #2. Allstate | #3. USAA (American Collectors) | #4. Safeco | #5. Progressive (Hagerty) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
What it’s best for | Overall | Variety of qualifying vehicles | Inflation protection | Frequent drivers | Restoration projects |
Spare parts coverage | $500 | Not specified | $500 | Not specified | $750 |
Annual mileage limit | 2,500 | Not specified | 2,500, 5,000, or 7,500 | 5,000 or 10,000 | None (but you cannot use a classic car as your primary vehicle) |
Roadside assistance | Policy add-on | Policy add-on | Membership plan | Policy add-on | Membership plan (Hagerty Driver’s Club) |
Everyday use allowed | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Agreed value | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Stated eligibility requirements for vehicle | At least 10 years old and has historical interest
Fully restored or actively undergoing restoration Stored in an enclosed building |
Not specified | Not used for timed events or racing, or for driver’s education
Collectible value Stored in an enclosed, locked garage |
At least 10 years old, or a limited production
Rebuilt to at least 50% (restored to original condition if the vehicle is 25 years or older) Certain vehicles (e.g., kit cars) excluded |
Adequate storage (garage or storage unit preferred, but driveway, carport, or other storage may be acceptable) |
Our full review | State Farm review | Allstate review | USAA review | Coming Soon | Progressive review |
Best Classic Car Insurance Overall: State Farm
Best Classic Car Insurance for Variety of Qualifying Vehicles: Allstate
Best Classic Car Insurance for Inflation Protection: USAA
Best Classic Car Insurance for Frequent Drivers: Safeco
Best Classic Car Insurance for Restoration Projects: Progressive
State Farm’s history of low rates and customer satisfaction make it a popular choice for standard car insurance, and it’s also a solid option for your classic vehicle. You can choose from a range of insurance coverages and get up to $500 coverage for your car’s spare parts.
State Farm offers many of the same coverages for classic and antique vehicles as it does for standard vehicles. Available coverages for a classic car include the following.
With a standard car insurance policy, your provider will pay you the actual cash value of your car in the event of a total loss. The actual cash value accounts for depreciation and the book value of a car. But classic cars are often one of a kind, which means they don’t have a “book value,” and they appreciate in value over time, not depreciate.
Your State Farm agent will work with you to determine an agreed-upon value for the car. You and your agent will weigh factors like age, condition, and type of car to arrive at a value. The higher the value, the more your policy will cover. If something happens to your car, you will receive the full value of the car.
For example, if you agree on a value of $50,000 for your 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air and it’s stolen, you’ll receive a $50,000 payout, minus any deductible. On a standard insurance policy, you’d receive the cost of a replacement vehicle minus depreciation and any deductible.
To help their teams better understand the value of classic cars, State Farm built a “Split Camaro” for training purposes. One side of the Camaro is yellow and is restored to factory specifications, while the other half represents what someone might build in their garage at home.
The company created the vehicle to better understand the cost of modifications someone might make to their car, and how modifications affect the car’s value. That way, its underwriters can determine an accurate insurance value for a modified vehicle. In other words: if you put money into modifying your vehicle, your insurance policy will reflect that.2
State Farm’s customer service is available around the clock; you can speak with a representative 24 hours a day to handle your classic car insurance needs. State Farm also received a customer satisfaction rating of 847 out of 1,000 from J.D. Power, which is above the 835 overall customer satisfaction rating.3
What sets Allstate apart is the wide range of vehicles that are eligible for its classic car insurance. And like other solid classic car insurers, Allstate works with you to determine an agreed-upon value for your vehicle, taking into account factors like current market value, condition, improvements you’ve made, and the potential need for special-order parts.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, most vehicles that are eligible for classic car insurance are between 25 and 30 years old.4 However, some people only consider a car “classic” if it is from the 1970s or earlier.
Many insurers have minimum requirements on how old a car must be to qualify for classic car insurance. These requirements may prevent you from insuring a vehicle that would benefit from classic car insurance — for example, because you don’t drive it every day, it maintains or depreciates in value, or it’s of special interest or limited availability.
Allstate is unique in that, in addition to covering regular antiques and classics, it also offers classic car protection for a variety of other vehicles:
Having a good relationship with your mechanic can help you feel comfortable trusting them with your classic ride. This is especially important if your car is not only a source of pride but also an investment. Allstate offers a flexible claim service, so if your car needs work done, you can choose where it’s repaired.
For many, owning a classic car is a hobby that involves restoring a car as a project. Allstate gives you the option to add endorsements to your policy so that you’re protecting not only your car but your tools. Additionally, you may be able to add coverage for items related to the classic, like antique gas pump displays, hood ornaments, and old license plates.
USAA has a long history as one of the best auto insurance for military members, veterans, and their families. It partners with American Collectors to offer insurance for classic cars.
Because classic cars increase in value over time, the value of your car when you buy the policy might not be the same if and when you need to file a claim. USAA’s inflation protection increases the agreed-upon value of your classic vehicle over time, at no extra cost. That way, in the event of a total loss, you will receive the full value of your car, taking inflation into account.
While most classic car insurers increase your protection limits by up to 4 percent of the car’s value, USAA offers inflation protection up to a maximum of 6 percent.
USAA gives you the option to purchase American Collectors’ roadside assistance coverage for your classic car, which pays for emergency expenses in the event of a breakdown or accident. This extra coverage comes in different tiers. You’ll receive reimbursement up to covered limits for a number of emergency expenses, including some that are specific to classic cars.
Service | What it covers | Covered limits in Silver plan | Covered limits in Gold plan | Covered limits in Platinum plan | Covered limits in Titanium plan |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Towing | In the event of an emergency, you can hire any towing service and receive reimbursement. | $100 | $150 | $250 | $350 |
Roadside assistance | If your classic car breaks down (e.g., flat tire, dead battery, out of gas or oil), you’ll receive a reimbursement for the cost of getting it to run again. | $50 | $100 | $150 | $200 |
Lockouts | You will receive reimbursement if you need to use a professional locksmith service for your classic car. | $50 | $50 | $50 | $100 |
Emergency travel expense | If you’re more than 50 miles away from home and your classic car breaks down, you’ll get reimbursed for expenses (including meals, lodging, and car rental) for up to five days. | N/A | $250 ($50 per day) | $500 ($100 per day) | $750 ($150 per day) |
Car show expense | If an accident or a mechanical breakdown causes you to miss a car show, you’ll get reimbursed the car show fee (if it’s nonrefundable) and for your hotel. | N/A | $100 | $150 | $200 |
Theft reward | In the event your classic car is stolen, American Collectors will help you recover your car by offering a cash reward for information that leads to its return. | N/A | $2,500 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
Cost per month | N/A | $9.95 | $24.95 | $34.95 | $79.95 |
Cost per year | N/A | $119.40 | $299.40 | $419.40 | $959.40 |
Most classic car insurers have limits on how much you can drive your vehicle. USAA gives you the option to choose how much you can drive your car each year. You can select from limits of 2,500, 5,000, and 7,500 miles. The higher the mileage, the more you pay.
Founded in 1923, Safeco is a popular choice for classic car owners. Unlike many other insurers, Safeco lets you use a classic car as your primary vehicle, so it’s a great choice if you want to cruise around town in your classic ride regularly. Like all of our top picks, Safeco works with you to agree on the value of your vehicle.
One of Safeco’s strengths is its mileage policy options, which allow you to use your classic car for daily errands, commuting, and even road trips. If you choose regular use coverage, you can drive your car up to 10,000 miles each year, or an average of 27 miles each day.
If you only take your classic car out for occasional trips, Safeco may still be a good choice. If you opt for restricted-use coverage, you can drive your vehicle up to 5,000 miles each year and qualify for lower rates.
In addition to typical coverages like liability, uninsured/underinsured motor vehicle, comprehensive, and collision, Safeco offers add-ons and supplemental coverages.
Add-on | What it does |
---|---|
Diminishing deductible | For every year you don’t file a claim, Safeco reduces your collision deductible by $100, up to a maximum of five years or $500. |
Personal property coverage | In the event of a covered loss, Safeco pays for any personal property that needs replacing as a result. |
Roadside assistance | Safeco’s 24-hour roadside assistance will help you in the event your classic car breaks down, including jumpstarts, tows, and fuel delivery. |
Emergency assistance | In addition to the benefits of roadside assistance, you’ll receive reimbursement for expenses like lodging and taxis, and protection for items in your car like tools and spare parts. |
In addition to offering standard insurance, Progressive partners with Hagerty to offer protection for classic cars. Customers have the option to join the Hagerty Driver’s Club, a paid membership service that offers discounts, roadside services, classified listings, events for car enthusiasts, and more.
Progressive is a great option for hobbyists who enjoy restoring their classic cars. Most companies offer $500 in spare parts coverage, but Progressive ups the game with $750 in coverage. This protection covers theft or damage to replacement parts, and it’s useful if you have a rare model or a car with parts that are difficult to find in particular.
In addition to paying for the spare part, Progressive helps you find it. Whenever possible, it offers to stock original replacements rather than aftermarket ones, and it employs specialists to track down rare parts. Progressive includes this coverage at no extra cost with your policy. In addition, Progressive is one of a few companies that will write you a policy for a car at any stage of restoration.
Progressive offers a couple of different ways to save on your classic car insurance.
Progressive is one of a few insurers that have no fixed mileage limits, meaning you can take your classic car out for a spin without worrying about the odometer impacting your premiums. It’s a good option if you take your ride to trade shows, exhibitions, or conventions that are far from home.
Keep in mind that you cannot use your classic car for your everyday driving needs. If you do, and you get into an at-fault accident, Progressive may deny the claim. To qualify for a classic car policy, you must own a regular car as well, even if Progressive doesn’t insure it.
Our method for determining the best auto insurance companies is based on three main factors:
In general, American Collectors and Hagerty offer good rates for classic car insurance. However, the cheapest classic car insurance will largely depend on your vehicle, since classic cars are often one of a kind. In general, bundling classic car insurance with your standard insurer will save you money. If your insurer doesn’t offer classic car insurance, get at least three quotes to find the best price.
In general, classic car insurance costs $200 to $600 annually, although it depends on your vehicle. Some classic cars cost as little as $150, while more expensive ones can cost over $1,000. Classic car insurance policies cost less than standard policies almost always.
Most classic cars are at least 25 to 30 years old, though many companies will offer classic car insurance for vehicles that are at least 10 years old. Newer cars can qualify if they are a limited-production model, like kit cars and exotic cars.
Classic car insurance is usually cheaper than standard insurance, since most people don’t use their classic cars for everyday errands. However, if you plan to use your classic car as your regular vehicle, expect to pay more than you would for standard car insurance. Many classic car insurers require you to own a separate vehicle for regular use and limit how many miles you can drive your classic car each year.
Hagerty Teaming Up With State Farm to Create a One-Stop Insurance Hub, State Farm Classic+. Newsweek. (2021, Aug 20).
https://www.newsweek.com/hagerty-teaming-state-farm-create-one-stop-insurance-hub-state-farm-classic-1621127
1968 State Farm Camaro – Jay Leno’s Garage. Jay Leno’s Garage (YouTube). (2021, Oct 24).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dDHZLR_15o
Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Stalls Despite $18 Billion in Premium Relief, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2021, Jun 15).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2021-us-auto-insurance-study
Insuring your classic car. Insurance Information Institute. (2022).
https://www.iii.org/article/insuring-your-classic-car