Certain years or eras typically define antique, classic, or vintage cars. However, a classic car can also be determined by the owners as any car that remains highly desirable over a period of time. This is subjective because, for example, the ’57 Chevy is considered a classic, while other vehicles from that year may not be as popular. Regardless of whether others consider your car a classic, you may still need special insurance coverage to protect your treasured vehicle. Contact Vargas & Vargas Insurance in Dorchester, MA, to get all your automotive insurance questions answered.

There are some limitations on the insurance coverage available for older cars. Generally, they cannot be used as daily drivers, but few people do that with a treasured vehicle anyway. Most classics are transported to shows on trailers or only driven on special occasions such as a parade. There is a limit on how many miles a classic car can be driven and still be covered under the classic car insurance policy. The car must also be kept in a garage or under a covering.

The limit is often 10,000 miles per year, which is still a lot for most people. You may get higher limits with higher costs if you wish. Some insurance companies limit how often the car may be driven instead of the mileage. The car must be in good condition, and you need to show you have another car for daily use. The car’s actual value for insurance purposes can be negotiated in most situations, as the fair market value would not apply.

Contact Vargas & Vargas Insurance in Dorchester, MA, for more information about classic car insurance. If you are a new customer, we can adjust your policy as needed or find the right one for your situation.

Classic car insurance offers specialized coverage for classic vehicles in and around the Dorchester, MA area. Not all vehicles qualify for this type of insurance due to their limitations. Several criteria determine eligibility: age, rarity, condition, and usage restrictions. Understanding these factors is essential for classic car owners to determine if their vehicles meet the criteria.  

Usage Restrictions 

Classic car insurance often imposes usage restrictions to qualify for coverage. The first thing considered is if there are any age restrictions on the vehicle. Other restrictions vary but commonly include limitations on mileage, requiring the vehicle to be used for pleasure or exhibition purposes rather than daily commuting. Some policies may prohibit commercial use or restrict the distance traveled from the owner’s residence.

Limited Coverage for Modifications 

Classic car insurance may have limitations on modifications. Insurers often expect classic cars to be kept as close to their original condition as possible. How rare the vehicle is can be a factor. Extensive changes or aftermarket alterations may impact eligibility or result in limited coverage.

Limited Use for Regular Transportation 

Classic car insurance is designed for vehicles primarily used for recreational purposes rather than as daily drivers. Consequently, coverage for regular transportation, commuting, or extensive business use may be limited or excluded.

Agreed Value vs. Actual Cash Value 

Classic car insurance policies typically offer coverage based on an agreed value or stated value rather than the vehicle’s actual cash value. This means the insurer and owner agree on the vehicle’s value upfront, ensuring appropriate coverage. It also means that depreciation may not factor into claims settlements.

How Vargas & Vargas Insurance Can Help You

Here at Vargas & Vargas Insurance, we are ready to assist you with your classic car insurance needs. We cover areas around the Dorchester, MA region. Contact us today.

Owning a classic car can be a great joy and an exciting hobby here in the Dorchester, MA area. However, taking care of your classic car is no small feat. Here are some tips from us at Vargas & Vargas Insurance to help you keep your classic car in excellent condition: 

1. Regularly Check Fluids – Keeping the engine fluids of your classic car at the correct level is essential to its good health. Regularly check the oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid levels and top off when needed. 

2. Protect from Rust – Rust can quickly damage the body of your classic car if not taken seriously. Treating any rust spots with a rust-inhibiting primer as soon as they appear will help protect them from further damage. Covering exposed metal parts with wax or protective paint will also help keep the rust away. 

3. Invest in Quality Parts – Using quality parts when repairing or upgrading is critical to keeping your classic car running smoothly for years. Buying cheap parts that don’t meet your vehicle’s specifications may lead to bigger problems down the road, so it’s essential to do research before deciding what parts you use for repairs or replacements. 

4. Perform Regular Maintenance – Just like any vehicle, regular maintenance is important for keeping your classic car running well over time and avoiding costly breakdowns in the future. Take the time to change spark plugs, filters, and other components as necessary, and ensure everything is working correctly before putting it back on the road again. 

For more tips, please call us at Vargas & Vargas Insurance today. We are proud to serve the Dorchester, MA area.

You might wonder why you need classic car insurance when your other vehicles carry a standard auto insurance policy from Vargas & Vargas Insurance. Your classic car requires a different level of insurance coverage than your other vehicles.

You could wreck your 2020 Chrysler or Dodge in Dorchester, MA, pick up a check from the insurance company, and purchase a new 2020 Chrysler or Dodge from the car lot. That is not the case with a classic car.

If you wreck a completely restored 1963 candy apple red Corvette Stingray, you cannot drive to the Chevy lot and buy a new one. You would have a hard time replacing it.

You also would receive a different amount of money for the new car and the classic car. With auto insurance, your payout would come in the form of a depreciated value. You would get the Blue Book value of your car or truck on the day the accident occurred. You would not want this with a classic car. The depreciated value of a 1963 Corvette is not the same thing as the actual value of the same car when completely restored to pristine condition.

Classic car insurance pays actual value or agreed-upon value. That means you either obtain the actual cost of purchasing another mint 1963 Corvette or you get a check for the value of the vehicle as you and your insurance company agreed to it when you negotiated the insurance policy.

With classic car insurance, you do not get to drive your vehicle as often. The policy typically limits you to about 1,000 miles per year. You can show it in car shows and drive it in parades.

Choosing classic car insurance saves you money if your vehicle ever incurs damage. Contact Vargas and Vargas Insurance of Dorchester, MA to learn more about classic car insurance.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance serves the Dorchester, MA community, as well as the surrounding areas, by helping people find coverage. We strive to help our clients find policies that will keep them safe and secure. As an independent agency, we have positive relationships with several carriers in the region to help make sure that our clients can find flexible and reliable policies.

Important Classic Car Insurance Variables

Your classic car is one of your most prized possessions. It’s a unique asset that you have to take care of. Classic car insurance will help you maintain the value of your vehicle. Here are some important variables to consider while you are researching policies.

The Usage

In order for your vehicle to maintain its status as a classic car, you should only drive the vehicle on very exclusive occasions. Primarily, you should only drive the vehicle to special shows in the Dorchester MA area. The policy will also outline a mileage limit that you have to adhere to.

Storage

Having a good place to store your classic car is important. You should look for somewhere safe and secure where your vehicle will be protected from the threat of inclement weather. Consider a classic storage facility. Storing your car at a classic facility will allow you to enjoy some amenities specifically designed to help you maintain your classic car. Storing your classic car at a private building is another option.

Maintenance Tips

Make sure that your classic car has regular oil changes to prevent contamination buildup. Also, try to keep a full tank of gas in your vehicle. That will reduce the possibility of engine troubles. Make sure that your policy contains coverage if you plan to replace parts of your car with new ones.

Consult With Vargas & Vargas Insurance

For more information on classic car insurance, visit our website today!  

When it comes to classic cars, they are in a unique category for insurance.  It needs to be protected if you want to drive it.  It doesn’t matter whether it is a vehicle that you lovingly restored yourself or if you just enjoy the nostalgia of driving a classic around.  Policies for classic cars differ from the policy you have on your primary vehicle.  The insured value listed in the policy will be an agreed upon amount.  Also, classic cars tend to increase in value whereas modern vehicles depreciate over time.  In the Dorchester, MA, our agents at Vargas & Vargas Insurance can explain your policy options to get your vehicle covered.   

In order for a vehicle to qualify for classic car insurance, there are several requirements.  The owner must prove that the vehicle is not their primary car.  They also need to show that it is driven only occasionally. For instance, traveling to car shows. When it is not on display, it has to be stored in an enclosed garage or storage building.  Most consider these requirements relatively minor. 

Other than that, class car insurance has traditional auto insurance features.  You can et comprehensive and collision insurance.  Some offer roadside assistance or a flatbed towing in an emergency.  Special coverage options include auto show medical coverage and protection when the vehicle is displayed when you are not at the show. 

Our agents at Vargas & Vargas Insurance in the Dorchester, MA area can help you get the coverage that you need for your classic car.  Visit the website to get started then call or come by to talk with one of our agents.  You wouldn’t trust your restored beauty to just anyone.  Trust it with the classic car insurance experts.  Come in today for the coverage of your classic car needs!

 

Standard auto insurance isn’t typically enough for those who own a classic automobile. Such an automobile tends to be more valuable while also holding a lot of emotional value for the vehicle owner.

There are numerous factors that make classic auto insurance unique from standard auto insurance. The following are three unique factors: 

Classic auto insurance usually reimburses for the full or “guaranteed” value of the vehicle in the event of a total loss. 

A standard auto insurance policy won’t necessarily cover a vehicle for its total value in the event that it is completely destroyed in an accident. On the other hand, a typical classic auto insurance policy will usually cover the vehicle for its full, guaranteed value. This value is usually mutually agreed upon by the vehicle owner and the insurance company at the time that the policy is purchased 

A classic car insurance policy typically covers a vehicle that is between 19 and 24 years old.

With most insurance providers, a vehicle that falls in between 19 and 24 years old should be covered under a classic auto insurance policy. On the other hand, an older vehicle would be covered under a policy specifically designated as an “antique” auto insurance policy. 

Another common type of auto insurance policy for collectors is the modified car insurance policy. This is used for vehicles that have been heavily altered by the owner in terms of their engine, chassis, interior, or another factor.

Additional features included in classic auto insurance include Auto Show Medical Reimbursement and No Attendance Required features.

There are numerous unique options available for classic auto insurance. Two examples are auto show medical reimbursement and no attendance required features.

Auto show medical reimbursement provides coverage for damages when an accident is caused by a vehicle in the events of an auto show. No attendance required means that the policy will cover damages even when the vehicle owned isn’t present when the accident occurs. 

If you are looking for a classic auto insurance policy for your vehicle, contact us at Vargas & Vargas Insurance to learn more about the policies we offer for vehicle owners in Dorchester, MA.