- Classic car insurers and brokers compared
- Ten classic car insurance specialists
- Which specialist fits your car
- MOT exempt doesn't mean maintenance exempt
- Agreed value, market value and limited mileage
- Seven questions for a classic car insurer
- Signs your classic is on the wrong policy
- My plain advice on insuring a classic
- Frequently asked questions
Classic car insurance is specialist cover for older, vintage, modern classic and modified cars, often with agreed value and limited mileage terms. Compare specialists on agreed value, mileage limits and club or marque cover. The deciding factor is whether the policy offers agreed value for your car and suits how you use it. Ten options follow in no particular order.
A classic car isn't insured like a runaround. It's driven less, kept more carefully and, if the worst happens, it's worth what an enthusiast would pay for it rather than what a standard book value says. That's why specialist insurers and brokers exist, and why comparing them takes more than a quick online quote.
The ten names below include specialist insurers, brokers and one comparison site. They're listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the company's own website, read this week. My guide to car care tips every driver should know covers keeping any car in good shape.
Classic car insurers and brokers compared
The last column shows whether the page I read on each insurer or broker's own website names agreed value cover, as of Oct 2026. Not stated doesn't mean they can't offer it. It means that page didn't say so, so ask before you sign anything.
| Insurer | Type | Good for | Agreed value named |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classicline | Classic car insurance specialist | Marque-specific cover | Not stated |
| Compare the Market | Comparison site | Comparing several classic policies at once | Yes |
| Footman James | Classic car and bike insurance specialist | Classics, bikes and collections | Yes |
| Hagerty | Classic car insurer and club | Owners who want a drivers club too | Yes |
| Heritage Car Insurance | Classic and specialist vehicle broker | American classics, 4x4s and kit cars | Yes |
| Howden | Insurance broker with a classic range | Classic multi-car and hot rod cover | Not stated |
| Keith Michaels | Specialist car insurance broker | Modified and Japanese import classics | Not stated |
| Lancaster | Classic motor insurance specialist | Club members and Land Rovers | Not stated |
| Performance Direct | Specialist motor insurance broker | Fast quotes from a registration number | Yes |
| Peter James | Classic car and bike insurance specialist | Club rates and multi-vehicle policies | Yes |
Ten classic car insurance specialists
Classicline
Best for: Drivers of TVRs, Porsches, Figaros, VW campers and other marques who want a policy written for that make.
Compare the Market
Best for: Owners who'd like to compare classic car quotes from several insurers in one go before calling a specialist broker.
Footman James
Best for: Collectors with a classic car, a classic bike or a whole collection who want specialist cover and add-ons like spare parts.
Hagerty
Best for: Enthusiasts who want specialist insurance plus a drivers club, events and stories from the classic car world.
Heritage Car Insurance
Best for: Anyone with an American classic, campervans, kit cars, ex-military and laid-up vehicles who need a specialist broker.
Howden
Best for: Motorists who want classic car, classic multi-car or hot rod and custom car insurance from a broker with local branches.
Keith Michaels
Best for: Owners of modified classics, Japanese imports and show cars who struggle to get a standard insurer to quote.
Lancaster
Best for: Car club members and owners of Land Rovers, campervans and military vehicles who want a specialist with club links.
Performance Direct
Best for: Enthusiasts who want a classic car quote in minutes from their registration number, with agreed value and club cover.
Peter James
Best for: People who own Austins, Minis, Morrises or Rovers, belong to a club and want multi-vehicle policies.
Which specialist fits your car
- Comparing several quotes at once: Compare the Market.
- Marque-specific policies: Classicline.
- Classics, bikes and collections: Footman James.
- Cover plus a drivers club: Hagerty.
- American classics and kit cars: Heritage Car Insurance.
- Classic multi-car and hot rods: Howden.
- Modified and Japanese import classics: Keith Michaels.
- Car club members and Land Rovers: Lancaster.
- A fast quote from your registration: Performance Direct.
- Club rates and multi-vehicle policies: Peter James.
MOT exempt doesn't mean maintenance exempt
GOV.UK says you don't need to get an MOT if the vehicle was built or first registered more than 40 years ago and no substantial changes have been made to it, such as replacing the chassis, body or axles.
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Plenty of owners read that as one less job. It isn't. You're still responsible for keeping the car roadworthy, and insurers expect it. If you claim after an accident and the car turns out to have worn brakes or tyres, the exemption won't help you. Many owners still book a voluntary MOT or an annual inspection, and it gives you a dated record to show an insurer.
Agreed value, market value and limited mileage
Agreed value means you and the insurer settle on what the car is worth when the policy starts, usually backed by photos or a valuation. If it's written off, that's the sum you get, less any excess.
Market value means the insurer works out what it was worth at the time of the claim. For a rare or restored classic, that can be much less than you'd expect.
Limited mileage policies cap how far you drive each year. They suit cars used for shows and weekend runs, so be honest about your mileage when you get a quote.
Seven questions for a classic car insurer
- Do you offer agreed value, and what evidence do you need?
- What annual mileage limits can I choose?
- Does cover include club events, shows and track days?
- Is there cover for spare parts and tools kept at home?
- Can I keep the salvage if the car is written off?
- What security or garage do you require?
- Can I add more vehicles to one policy?
Signs your classic is on the wrong policy
- It's insured at market value. A write-off could pay far less than it's worth.
- Modifications aren't declared. A claim could be refused.
- Your mileage has grown. You may be over the limit.
- Spare parts aren't covered. A garage theft hits you.
Do you offer classic car insurance? Providers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on insuring a classic
Get the car valued before you get a quote. An agreed value policy is only as good as the number you agree, and owners who guess usually guess low. A club valuation, recent photos and receipts for restoration work give you a value an insurer will accept, and they're the first things you'll need if you ever claim.
If you're weighing up a warranty for a newer car too, my piece on extended car warranty myths is worth a read.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a classic car for insurance?
It varies by insurer. Many look at age, value and how the car is used, and some cover modern classics too.
What is agreed value insurance?
It's cover where you and the insurer agree the car's value at the start, and that's the sum you get if it's written off, less any excess.
Do classic cars need an MOT?
GOV.UK says not if the car was built or first registered more than 40 years ago with no substantial changes. It must still be roadworthy.
Does classic car insurance limit mileage?
Many policies do. You choose an annual mileage limit, so pick one that matches how you really use the car.
Can I insure a modified classic?
Yes. Some specialist brokers focus on modified classics and imports. Declare every modification when you ask for a quote.
Is club membership worth it for insurance?
It can help. Some insurers offer club-linked schemes, and clubs often help with valuations.
