A row of classic cars lined up at a car event.

How old does a car have to be for classic car insurance?

There’s no universal age for a car to qualify as a classic. While many insurers consider cars over 20 years old as classics, we believe it’s about the car’s history, how it’s used and the owner’s lifestyle too.

In this guide, we clarify how old a car has to be to qualify for classic car insurance. Learn more about what is considered a ‘classic’ for insurance purposes from our perspective (with real examples), along with what others believe it to be too.

Jump to:

What we consider to be a classic car
Which cars do and don’t qualify for classic insurance (with examples)
What about other ‘modern classics’?

What is considered a classic car?

HERITAGE INSURANCE’S DEFINITION

A classic car is often defined by its age, but other factors play a role too.

The criteria for a car to be a classic from an insurance perspective is subjective. While classic cars are widely defined by age, at Heritage we like to call them ‘specialist vehicles’ as we consider other factors such as condition, usage and rarity.

These will be unique cars that are not driven everyday, more care is taken to maintain them and in many cases they retain their value rather than depreciate like modern vehicles do.

OTHER DEFINITIONS

Let’s look at what other trusted bodies define as a classic vehicle:

DVLA: Cars over 40 years old are classed as historic vehicles. These cars are exempt from road tax and MOT requirements unless significantly modified.
HMRC: A car is considered classic if it’s over 15 years old, is worth at least £15,000 and has a market value higher than its original list price (for capital gains tax calculation purposes).
Most insurance providers: Generally consider cars to be classics if they’re over 20 years old. We consider other criteria too which we explain below.

Which cars do and don't qualify for classic insurance?

‘MODERN’ CARS’ THAT WE DO CONSIDER TO BE CLASSICS

Yes, there are modern cars that can qualify as classic or specialist vehicles.

For example, cars such as a 2005 Vauxhall VXR220 and 2004 BMW Z4 are examples of ‘modern’ cars that we would class as eligible for a specialist vehicle insurance policy. Why? They are well-regarded by enthusiasts, have unique designs or performance features, and often hold their value due to limited production or strong desirability within the car community.

Further backing that age is not always the key factor in determining specialist status, we even place cars such as a 2024 Morgan Plus Four into a specialist insurance category. Their handcrafted nature, exclusivity and appeal to collectors make it a standout example of a modern vehicle that qualifies for specialist cover.

‘OLDER’ CARS THAT WE DON’T CONSIDER TO BE CLASSICS

On the other hand, as previously mentioned, age alone doesn’t make a vehicle eligible for specialist insurance.

Older models like the 2001 Ford Focus or 2002 Vauxhall Astra, despite being over 20 years old, wouldn’t typically be eligible for a specialist insurance policy with us currently. Why? These cars were mass-produced and are primarily used for practical, everyday use.

Vehicles such as the 1999 Citroen Saxo or a 2002 Fiat Stilo don’t usually meet the criteria unless they are exceptionally well-maintained or uniquely modified. For example, a Fiat Stilo with professional rally-spec enhancements and low mileage might qualify, while a standard model would not.

Not sure if your car qualifies for a classic insurance policy? Feel free to get in touch with our friendly team who would be more than happy to look into it for you.

What about other 'modern classics'?

There are a category of cars that fall somewhere in between the traditional modern car and classic car categories: modern classics.

Modern classics are vehicles that aren’t quite eligible for classic or specialist status for insurance purposes, but have earned recognition for their design, performance or rarity.

A great example is a Porsche 911 GT3. Its status for being widely considered as one of the finest performance cars ever made sets it apart from standard modern cars, while its relatively young age keeps it from being classed as a classic. We recognise that cars like this don’t fit into traditional categories, which is why we provide specialist policies to protect them.

The front end of a white 1989 BMW E30 3.

Do I need classic car insurance?

If you intend to drive your classic car on public roads, then yes you need insurance. If your car isn’t a daily driver, will be driven less than around 5,000 miles annually and holds sentimental or financial value, classic car insurance is your best option.

By insuring with Heritage, you can expect:

Exceptional service: 96.7% rated us 4 or 5 stars in 2024.
Competitive premiums: Our prices can start as low as £108*.
Additional benefits: Free agreed value, 90 days European cover and club discounts.

You’ll also have 24/7 access to your insurance documents and you can request changes to your policy via our customer portal when you need to.

Do you have a question you’d like to ask us? Send us a message to get in touch. We aim to respond to all queries sent before 5pm the same working day in the week.

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