The line between modern and classic cars can be blurry, as the criteria for classic cars vary between insurers, collector clubs, and across different states.
But knowing whether or not your vehicle is defined as a “classic” isn’t just a fun fact to tuck in your back pocket. Because classic cars require specialized insurance, you may have to meet certain registration requirements if your vehicle is considered a “classic.” (Note: These requirements will vary depending on your state).
When is a Car Considered a Classic?
Before defining the characteristics of a classic car, note that there is no universally accepted definition of a classic vehicle.
While any car between 25 and 30 years old is generally considered a classic, different organizations, insurers, and states have their own definitions of classic cars.
Insurance Company Classifications
Insurers generally consider vehicles 20-30 years old as classics, with gaps in the ranges they cover. For example:
- State Farm classifies 10 to 24-year-old vehicles with “historical interest” as “classics.”
- American Collectors Insurance defines classics as vehicles over 20 years old.
- Other leading insurers, like Hagerty, set their classic car cutoff at 25-30 years old.
Within these age brackets, insurers may impose additional constraints around vehicle conditions, production limits, and claims histories that classic cars need to meet before qualifying.
State Definitions
Different states have different definitions of what constitutes a classic car. This definition will have implications for registration, taxes, and usage regulations. For instance, New York specifies that classics must be over 25 years old and will only issue historical license plates to vehicles that meet this requirement. However, Vermont doesn’t require titles on vehicles 15 years or older, while states like Indiana still require classic cars to pass emissions tests from 1975 or later.
To understand your state’s policies, ensure compliance, and capitalize on classic car ownership benefits, check your state DMV’s classic car policies.
Classic vs. Antique vs. Vintage: Understanding the Differences
Beyond classics, other collectible auto categories exist, like vintage and antique cars. Here’s how these classifications differ:
- Vintage Cars: Vintage cars are vehicles built between 1919 and 1930. Vintage cars represent the pioneering of the early automobile production period before WWII. Some examples of legendary vintage cars include the Ford Model T, Rolls Royce Phantom from 1925, and the Duesenberg Model J.
- Antique Cars: According to most collectors and insurers, an antique car is usually 45+ years old. The Antique Automobile Club of America sets the minimum threshold for antique cars at 25 years old. Antiques hail from the dawn of motoring.
Like classic cars, the rules for classifying antique and vintage cars are fairly malleable, but these are the generally accepted guidelines.
The saying goes, “all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.” In this case, all vintage cars are antique, but not all antique cars are vintage.
Classic Car Insurance vs. Standard Car Insurance
Once you’ve identified your vehicle as a “classic car,” you can begin the insurance process. But before you insure your collector car, you’ll want to understand how classic car insurance differs from standard car insurance.
Insurers offer different insurance policies for standard vehicles and classic cars. If your automobile meets your insurer’s criteria for classifying classic and antique vehicles, you’ll be eligible to purchase a policy that provides specialized coverage for classic cars, such as coverage for replacing unique parts.
Classic car insurance is typically much cheaper than standard car insurance, but it comes with the caveat that you can only use your classic in a limited capacity. The specific requirements will vary, so be sure to ask your insurer about usage limits.
Collector car insurance delivers tailored protection that standard auto policies can’t match. Core advantages include:
- Agreed-value coverage: Insurers pay out based on your vehicle’s appraised worth in case of a covered total loss. This takes key factors like rarity and collectibility into account vs just the cash value.
- Flexible mileage limits: Most classic car owners drive limited annual miles, so plans accommodate this with options like 1,500 miles annually. Going over may increase premiums.
- Appreciation protection: Your agreed vehicle value and premiums may increase over time to reflect market gains and inflation.
- Spare parts coverage: Plans cover the replacement cost of hard-to-find antique components.
- Specialist repair shops: Many insurers guarantee the use of restoration facilities skilled in delicately servicing classics.
For a car to be registered and insured as a classic older car, it must retain its original design and have original parts, including the types of materials used in the interior and the parts used in the engine.
Final Thoughts
Classic, antique, and vintage cars all have their appeal. For some people, the history makes the cars worth collecting. For others, the aesthetic of old vehicles is enough.
Regardless of age, all vehicles are prone to damage from moisture, rust, and other environmental factors. It’s important to protect your investment from the elements with a safe and secure storage solution.
Most collectors store their vehicles in their garage or in a warehouse, but if you’re just starting out as a collector, you might not have the space. If your garage isn’t cut out to properly store your classic vehicle (or you don’t have a home garage), consider using a peer-to-peer storage marketplace like Neighbor.com. Neighbor helps you find budget-friendly storage spaces in your local area for up to 50% less than conventional storage solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Old Does a Car Have to Be to Be Considered Antique?
Generally, a car must be at least 25 to 45 years old to be considered an antique. Vintage cars are typically those that were manufactured between 1919 and 1930, and classic cars are defined as vehicles manufactured in the 1990s or earlier.
Are Vintage Cars More Expensive Than Classic Cars?
Vintage cars can be more expensive than classic cars in some cases. For example, a 1924 Aston Martin Grand Prix (around $122,000) will cost more than most classic cars. The price of a vintage car is ultimately determined by the history of the vehicle, its condition, and its overall appeal to collectors. Using the 1924 Aston Martin Grand Pix as an example again, Ashton Martin remains a big name in the auto scene; therefore, this vintage vehicle is still worth quite a bit.
However, many vintage vehicles aren’t in working condition or lack the history required to drive up the price. As a result, classic cars tend to have a higher average price tag.
What Are the Different Eras of Cars?
When it comes to old automobiles, generally there are six distinct eras that cars can fall into. These distinctions are rough estimates of the different eras of automobile production. Some lines of vehicles were ahead of their time. The eras include:
- Veteran Era: Any vehicle produced between the 1800s to 1905, including steam-powered horseless carriages.
- Brass/Edwardian Era: Cars produced between 1905 and 1920, so named for the brass trim, and King Edward VII of England
- Vintage Era: Cars produced between 1918 and 1930
- Pre-War Era: Cars produced before WWII, 1930 to 1946
- Post-War Era: Cars produced after WWII, 1946 to 1980
- Modern Era: Cars produced after 1980 up to present day.
We’re coming up to a new era of vehicles soon, with the boom of the EV market marking the core invention needed to push us into a new era of production.
