Whether you painstakingly restored your antique car or classic vehicle from square one or you delightfully found and purchased your dream car perfectly refurbished and reconditioned, it represents far more than just a car to you. It is your pride and joy, as well as your passion. However, is it eligible for antique car insurance?

There are two primary definitions for determining eligibility.

• Antique automobile: a car or motor vehicle that is over 25 years old.
• Classic automobile: a car or motor vehicle that is over 10 years old, which is of special historic interest or is rare due to limited production or exceptionally fine workmanship.

Insurers use other critical criteria for determining and underwriting antique car insurance, such as:

• The classic or antique car can be used only on a limited basis, such as club activities, exhibitions, parades or other similar events.
• The owner must have restored, preserved or maintained the classic or antique car.

In addition, many insurers that underwrite and market antique car insurance set other criteria as well, such as storage of the vehicle. Insurance contracts will specify certain acceptable storage facilities to protect the valuable automobile. These include rental storage units, private residential garages or barns and private pole buildings.

Moreover, many underwriters will specify driver eligibility factors in antique car insurance contracts. Generally, the companies will refrain from insuring a driver with a history of serious driving infractions, such as reckless driving, alcohol-related offenses, illegal drug offenses and excessive speeding violations.

Other factors may impact the premium rates for antique car insurance. Occasionally, unbundling the antique car from a standard car insurance policy can result in lower premiums, as limited driving produces lower rates through reduced risk. However, with any antique car policy, you will need to demonstrate its pleasure use status, age of the vehicle, type of storage and other elements of maintenance associated with a collectible automobile.

Protect your passion. Call Hart Insurance Center at 760-344-1400 for more information on California car insurance.