Insurance for Older Cars: Here’s What You Need To Know | Bankrate (2024)

FAQs

What is the best insurance for an old car? ›

Hagerty, Grundy, American Collectors, American Modern and Heaco*ck provide the best car insurance for old cars. These companies are the best options for classic car insurance because of their fair rates, accessibility and experience in the industry.

The only insurance you usually need is liability coverage and, in some states, personal injury protection. Full coverage is often recommended, but it becomes much less valuable financially with an older car.

It's usually worth dropping full coverage on an older car if its value is less than a few thousand dollars, as long as there's no loan on it. The more your car depreciates, the less you'll get from the insurance company after an accident or theft.

The older a car gets, the harder it may be to source these parts for repair, which can also drive up the cost of car insurance for older cars. Additionally, older cars may not have as many safety features as newer cars, which might increase the cost of auto insurance and reduce available discounts.

Ages 70 to 80: Once drivers hit their mid-70s, car insurance rates typically go up, as this age bracket has an increased risk of being in an accident. Older individuals are also more prone to injuries if a car accident does occur, which can lead to costly medical expenses and other bills.

The most substantial reductions in auto insurance rates typically come as teen drivers get older, usually when they hit 18 or 19 years old. Rates continue to decline as you age, particularly once drivers pass the age of 25.

Are older cars cheaper to insure? In general, auto insurance for older cars may be cheaper than insuring newer vehicles of the same make and model if the used car is cheaper to repair or replace.

Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle that are the result of a collision with another vehicle or a road hazard. Comprehensive coverage pays for other damages to your vehicle such as theft, vandalism, animal damage, falling tree branches and other environmental damage.

If you have a new model car, you probably want to keep full coverage even if you bought it without a loan. Having appropriate insurance protects your investment in your vehicle and prevents a large out-of-pocket expense if an accident happens.

Additionally, maintenance costs can quickly add up as cars age. Parts are harder to find, and labor is more time-intensive. If these concerns make you uneasy, avoid cars over 20 years old. This rule of thumb may help ensure your vehicle choice is still safe, reliable, and affordable.

Why is my insurance so high for an old car? ›

For one, if you're in an accident, repair costs for an older car tend to be higher because the parts are more scarce. That's one major reason your insurance company might charge a higher premium anticipating higher repair costs in the event of an accident.

You should hold on to full-coverage auto insurance until your annual premium meets or exceeds the estimated payout if your car needs to be repaired or replaced. If your car is five or six years old, the payout for replacement probably isn't worth what you pay in premiums.

But when it comes to cars, owning a car well past the 10-year mark should no longer be a badge of honor. Due to safety reasons, if you have the money, you should probably start looking for a new car after a decade.

If your vehicle is older and is not worth as much, you may be able to reduce your insurance premium by avoiding comprehensive and collision coverage. However, if you have a loan on the vehicle or drive a leased vehicle, you may be required to have comprehensive coverage.

Paying for comprehensive and collision — the coverages that many people mean when they say "full coverage" — may not be worth it if your car's value is minimal and your policy includes a high deductible. Usually, you have to have comprehensive and collision on a financed car because most lenders require it.

Young drivers ages 16 to 24 tend to have the most expensive car insurance. Drivers in this age group are often inexperienced and are more likely to get into car accidents and file insurance claims. As a result, car insurance companies often charge higher premiums to young drivers.

Teen and senior drivers typically pay the highest car insurance prices, while drivers in their 30s and 40s often pay the lowest rates.

Why do men pay more for auto insurance? Men pay more for auto insurance on average because they're statistically more likely to get into accidents and to have major injuries. However, male drivers only pay about $51 more per year than their female counterparts on average.

What year car is the cheapest to insure? ›

Small engines keep insurance costs as low as possible, but stick to post-2012/2013 cars to avoid an age-related loading. Like the related Kia Picanto, the Hyundai i10 was always a car bought with head rather than heart, though the newest models look really quite good.

What kind of insurance do I need for my classic daily driver? You'll need standard auto insurance for your daily driver classic car. That's because specialized classic car insurance typically requires the insured vehicle to not be driven daily.

Yes, older cars are cheaper to insure than newer cars in most cases because older cars are less valuable, so an insurer won't have to pay out as much in the event of a total loss. Plus, once an old car falls below a certain value, you may not have to pay for comprehensive and collision insurance anymore.