More than 600,000 vintage cars are listed and registered in France and like all vehicles, they must be insured. Fortunately, if the price of these beautiful cars can reach heights, their insurance premiums are on the other hand much more reasonable. We tell you everything.
What is a collectible car?
A classic car is an older model automobile that is at least 30 years old . It is then not obliged to undergo a technical inspection every 2 years but every 5 years and has a specific gray card. To obtain it, you must contact the French Federation of Vintage Vehicles (FFVE) specifying the characteristics of your vehicle:
- marque
- model
- year of release
- power
- serial number
- chassis number
- Seating places
To this information, you must attach:
- proof of identity
- proof of address
- 2 photos of your vehicle
- the old gray card or a certificate of sale attesting that you are the owner
- a check to pay the card
After studying your file, the FFVE will send you your collector’s registration document by post within 4 to 8 weeks. Please note, some luxury vehicles may be considered collector’s cars by their rarity, type, model, brand or even their history, but are not considered as such under the law if they are less than 30 years old. years and therefore remain subject to the obligation of technical control.
And for insurers?
For insurers, age is not the only criterion for classifying a vehicle as a classic car. Its rarity may be a sufficient criterion. Thus, it is not uncommon to see insurers offer specific car insurance for vehicles that are barely 20 years old but produced in so few copies that their value is much higher than that of a normal car.
Why insure a classic car?
For a very simple reason: Every car owner is obliged to cover his land motor vehicle. Thus, driving without car insurance is an offense severely punished by law. Under French law (article L.324-2 of the Highway Code – March 10, 2004), you are liable to a fine of 3750 euros, a possible license suspension of up to 3 years and possible confiscation of your vehicle. You must therefore take out collector’s car insurance. You can choose to cover your car through classic car insurance or more specific car insurance. It all depends on your needs and your budget!
Can you insure a classic car with classic car insurance?
Nothing obliges you to take out a specific collector’s car insurance policy. If you wish, you can opt for:
- Classic third-party insurance , but it’s very risky. Indeed, while it is true that this basic car insurance is suitable for cars that rarely leave the garage, or used, it is not suitable for valuable vehicles insofar as the insured vehicle is not not covered in the event of an accident at fault or without an identified third party.
- Third-party plus car insurance. This is an intermediate formula, namely a civil liability reinforced by optional guarantees that you will choose according to your profile and your needs.
- All risk insurance . It is the most complete formula. It includes coverage against theft and fire, which can come in handy when you own a valuable collector’s car. However, it is one of the most expensive formulas on the market. It is therefore advisable to be well informed before leaning towards this type of insurance.
Whatever your choice, attach particular importance to the deductibles as well as the insurance contribution. Indeed, in the event of a claim, given the value, age or rarity of a vintage car, the deductible will undoubtedly be higher, in particular because this type of vehicle is more expensive to repair. The insurance premium can quickly skyrocket, depending on the insurance company chosen, but also on your profile and options. Hence the importance of determining your needs and your budget!
Why take out specific collector’s vehicle insurance?
If it is true that it is quite possible to cover a classic car with classic car insurance, such as third-party insurance, for example, be aware that there are specific insurance policies for this type of vehicle. Why is it interesting? First, because insurers love drivers of old cars, for several reasons:
- they are enthusiasts who take no risks with their vehicle, endeavoring to drive carefully, respecting the Highway Code
- collectors of old cars pamper their cars by maintaining them regularly
- these are cars that rarely leave the garage
As the risk of loss is statistically reduced, the insurance premium also decreases. Therefore, by choosing a specific collection vehicle insurance, its owner will often be offered suitable offers at very competitive rates. In addition, in the event of a claim, his car will be reimbursed according to the official collector’s rating, which is higher than the Argus rating . However, it is important to specify to the insurer the value of the vehicle following its various repairs in order to assess it more accurately.
What are the conditions for taking out collector’s car insurance?
The criteria for subscribing to an insurance contract for old cars are strict. Thus, the insured must:
- be over 21 years old
- have a driving license for at least 3 years
- not have had a road accident for at least 2 years
- owning another newer vehicle for common trips
- it must be a natural person: companies cannot claim this type of insurance
It is also possible that the insurance company for old vehicles asks to see the gray card and/or mandates an expert to certify the particular character of the car.
What guarantees should be favored to properly insure your classic car?
It all depends on the type of vintage car you own. As a general rule, specific insurance for old cars will offer you:
- A circuit guarantee, ideal if your classic car takes part in supervised sports competitions
- An accessory and fittings guarantee, to reimburse all your equipment in the event of theft or vandalism
- Breakdown assistance guarantee, in the event of a problem on the road in order to send you help
- Reimbursement guarantee, according to the official rating of the vehicle in the event of a claim
Compare the prices of insurance for classic cars with lesferets
Contrary to what one might think, classic car insurance is not more expensive than another. However, the warranties you choose to protect your vehicle will necessarily determine the price. To find the offer best suited to your needs and your profile, the collection car insurance comparator offered by lesfurets is an ideal tool.
By going through the car insurance comparator, you will compete with the offers on the market and find the best price for classic car insurance. In a few minutes and thanks to the information you provide, find the cheap collection car insurance quote that best suits your needs, while benefiting from the expert advice provided by our partners. You will make significant savings, don’t hesitate!
Frequently asked questions about classic car insurance:
What is the advantage of passing a car into a collection?
Do you own an old car and would you like to turn it into a collector’s car? It is true that this status offers some advantages:
- the possibility of passing its technical inspection every 5 years (instead of 2 years for other cars)
- being able to drive where you want, even in low emission zones (ZFE)
- your car cannot be immobilized by an expert if the latter judges that it can no longer be driven. So you can save your classic car from the scrapyard! Be careful, this does not mean that you no longer have to cover it or that you can drive it if the expert judges that it is dangerous.
Auto collection insurance from what age?
You can insure a classic car from the age of 21, having held the B license for at least 3 years.
What insurance for a collection car fleet?
If you own four or more classic vehicles, buying classic car fleet insurance could be useful. The advantage is that you have a single insurance contract to protect your entire fleet, so you avoid unnecessary paperwork. Generally, you can find this type of coverage in a third-party, third-party plus or all-risk formula. You can also add specific options such as 0 km assistance or driver’s warranty. To subscribe to it, several specialized insurers exist on the market. Do not hesitate to compare the different offers via an online comparator.
Why use a classic car insurance quote comparator?
If you want to protect your classic vehicle, while saving money, the simplest solution is to turn to an online insurance comparator like lesferets. In a few minutes, and after having specified all your needs, your budget and your profile, we select for you offers likely to correspond to you. You can choose to subscribe directly online, or ask for a quote before you decide.
