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[C26]California Classic Car Insurance

by Dan Fehn, Dan

It can be argued that California is the home of the most classic cars based on population, the weather, and possibly the states income level. The car has always been an icon for California, from the smog to the busy traffic jams during rush hour. There are some simple standards that need to be met by a collector applying for classic car insurance in California.

The age of the car must be over fifteen years old to acquire classic car status. Even if the model is a limited edition or any other type of specialty car, it must be at least 15 years old. The owner must have had his driver's license for at least 10 years, and they MUST have another vehicle being used for daily transportation. Generally, most collector car insurers will only classify a car as a classic if it is valued at $5000 or more.

The classic car MUST be garaged, but then why wouldn't you have a garage for your collector car? The idea here is for security, and to protect the car from the weather. The insured must also have a daily driving vehicle. No insurance company will insure a car if there is not another car for daily commuting. Some insurance companies require another driving vehicle for each driver living in the same household, so make sure you check on that. Your daily driving vehicle(s) do not need to be insured by the same company as your classic car (nor would you want it to be). The insured driver must also have had a driver's license for at least 10 years, with a fairly clean record. It doesn't have to be all 10 years in California, but it does need to be a 10 year record.

It pays to shop around specialty classic or specialty car insurers. Not only will you probably find a better rate, but you could save a lot of time and headaches with a specialty insurer. Many classic car owners believe they will have better rates and service through their current car insurer, but that is not the case. Many insurance policies drawn from the typical car insurer can be more restrictive, and more expensive. Not only that, but your car may not be fully protected since many typical insurers only use the "Stated Value" policy, leaving your car at risk. You only want the "Agreed Value" policy for your classic car. This is a value you and the insurance company agree on for your car, and it will not change. The "Stated Policy" will be the agreed value minus the depreciation value, which could be very steep for older cars. In a total loss accident, you could be out a lot of money with a 'Stated Value" policy.

Getting insurance on anything can be a pain, and securing classic car insurance through a specialty insurer could save you a lot of time and stress. These insurers only deal with classic and specialty cars, so they know how to properly value the car. If the car is especially valuable or collectible, you may need an appraisal, and these insurers can help you through that process as well. If you are in the restoration process and the car is not drivable, you can get discounted rates through specialty insurers also. Typical insurers do not always offer this service.

After you have purchased your dream car or restored your old high school muscle car, the last thing you want to do is have the wrong insurance or have it under insured. I hope this article saves a California resident some time and money, or from losing your dream car in the unfortunate case of a total loss accident.

Anyone who owns a vintage vehicle or a collection of enduringly stylish classic cars knows that a standard automobile insurance policy can't adequately cover the specific needs of someone who drives a classic vehicle. A classic car owner is more likely than a standard driver to make a claim for repainting after a tiny scratch, for example; whereas a typical driver will be much more likely to get into a highway pile-up than a classic car owner. The habits and requirements of the drivers who spends time behind the wheel of a classic 1950s Ford are obviously quite different from those of a driver who gets around in a used 1997 Taurus; so it makes plenty of sense that insurance companies would create policies specifically for drivers who own vintage cars.

One of the most useful facets of many classic car insurance policies has to do with the idea of flexible usage. This unique idea allows drivers to attain full coverage at a variable rate depending on how often they drive their car and in what situations. Most drivers with antique automobiles drive their vehicles over less than one thousand miles each year, but some collectors drive up to five thousand miles a year in their prized cars. Some drivers are extremely careful about distance because of its potential wear and tear on the vehicle, but just as many classic car enthusiasts are more concerned about what kind of situation they are driving in than how far they are driving.

Many vintage car owners only take their precious vehicles out for special events like auto shows or parades, but there are some drivers who enjoy taking the occasional drive outside of the umbrella that these events provide. With an insurance policy that supports flexible usage, a driver can pay only for the coverage that he or she needs to cover his or her classic car driving habits. This means that a driver who enjoys a leisurely weekend afternoon of driving through town in his or her car will be able to do so without risking the investment that the car represents, but also that a driver who only starts the engine during a special event will not have to pay extra money for open road privileges that he or she won't use.

In addition to what is and is not covered, there are many conveniences that a classic car owner can enjoy by having classic car insurance instead of a standard auto policy. For one thing, having the agent who is responsible for the policy be knowledgeable about and sensitive to the needs of classic car owners can save quite a bit of hassle and phone time. Vintage car collectors are understandably very selective about where they get their cars repaired, and often will be unwilling to let anyone but their personally trusted mechanic look at their car. The reasons for this fact will be obvious to an agent who understands the needs and desires of people who own classic cars, but for an agent who is not experienced with these kinds of customers it can be a difficult fact to swallow.

Article Source : Village Auto Insurance Company

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Both Dan Fehn & Gray Rollins are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Dan Fehn has sinced written about articles on various topics from Auto Insurance, Auto Insurance. Dan F is a fan of classic cars and muscle cars, and you can read more information on at http://www.tim. Dan Fehn's top article generates over 1300 views. to your Favourites.

Gray Rollins has sinced written about articles on various topics from Property Investment, Guide Guitar and insurance agents. Gray Rollins is a featured writer for QuickOnlineInsurance.com. To learn more about and. Gray Rollins's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.