What Makes a Classic Car a Classic for Getting Classic Car Insurance

The Controversy and Debate Over the Definition Affect Your Classic Car Insurance Policy

What exactly makes a classic car a classic? The age? The production numbers? An industry consensus of sorts? This will be important to know if you want to get free online cheap classic car insurance quotes. Can a muscle car, collector car, antique car, or a high performance car be classic cars by insurance industry standards or individual company insurance guidelines?

The answer isn’t exactly clear. Even industry experts agree that no one  has a set idea of what constitutes a classic car, although everyone has their own opinion. The controversy continues in industry circles over what cars get to be called “classics” and which ones don't, and each expert comes up with his or her own definition of what a classic is – all of which adds to the general confusion and making it difficult to get the proper an cheapest classic car insurance.

The Classic Car Club of America View of the Definition and How It Affects Your Car Insurance Policy

One of the foremost classic cars organizations in deciding which cars get to carry the title “classic,” the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA), claims to have coined the term “classic car” and states that it their brainchild and that they therefore have invented the idea.

Other classic car groups refute this statement vehemently, based partly on the CCCA's extremely rigid list of cars that they say are “officially” classics.

Now according to the CCCA, a classic car "is a 'fine' or 'distinctive' automobile, either American or foreign built, produced between 1925 and 1948. Generally, a Classic was high-priced when new and was built in very limited quantities. Other factors weighing in, include engine displacement, custom coachwork and luxury accessories, such as power brakes, power clutch, and 'one-shot' or automatic lubrication systems, help determine whether a car is considered to be a Classic" or not.

The official list at the CCCA website does offer an overview of all the cars currently regarded as classics. A quick glance over their website shows that cars like the Jaguar and B.M.W. are present, whereas Ford and Chevy cars are nowhere to be found. Opponents to the CCCA are quick to denounce this lack of diversification. Luckily for car enthusiasts all over the world, the CCCA is not the final word on the subject unless you choose to allow them to be. The United States and the United Kingdom both have legal definitions for classic cars that are substantially broader than the CCCA classification, and your insurance company will probably have another definition that you can take advantage of to save money and help you get low cost or free online cheap classic car insurance quotes.

Classic Car Definition for Car Insurance Policies

According to the United States definition, a classic car is "a motor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, manufactured at least 15 years prior to the current year which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is substantially in conformity with manufacturer specifications and appearance."

In the United Kingdom, while there is no fixed definition for a classic car, the tax codes provide cutoff dates that are often used to define a classic – specifically, anything manufactured before January 1, 1973, is subject to classic car consideration under current tax laws.

Classic Car Insurance Policies

Car insurance companies vary by region in their opinion, but most of them hold on to the 15 to 20 year old mark. If your current car insurance company agrees that your car is a classic, you might be able to save money on your car insurance and really save a substantial amount of money if your car is driven infrequently, stored in a garage, and at least drivable. Since each car insurance company has a different policy, be sure to know what your car insurance company expects from you in order to get a break in price - get discounts, get low cost car insurance and cheap car insurance quotes.

Classic Car Enthusiasts Definition of Classic Car for Insurance Company Quotes

It’s the opinion of many classic car enthusiasts that a classic can be anything you want. Even a completely modern car, like the 2006 Mustang, with its retro styling, can be considered a classic. And also for older cars like the 1968 Road Runner.

When large groups of car  enthusiasts get strong emotional attachments to their cars, arguments can quickly arise over the definitions. Cars from the '30, cars from the '70s, and maybe even your car all have a chance at being a classic to someone, but will the car insurance companies agree when they are giving you your cheap car insurance quote.  That is the question that the auto insurance company only can answer.  So this is where it is important to get free online quotes from several different companies. Compare the costs, service and features carefully and you will find the cheapest classic car insurance for you.