Specialized Collector Car Insurance

There are many good reasons why you should own classic and collector car insurance, rather than a ‘standard and regular car policy.’

According to a Los Angeles Times survey, it was revealed that around half of the people who owned a collector car just owned a traditional/regular/standard vehicle policy without ever paying close attention to their insurance.

These statistics are alarming because it tells that collector owners are throwing money away while also risking the value of their car by not having a specialized auto insurance policy.

Here are some reasons why you need collector/classic car insurance

• Regular Car Insurance Policies Don’t Take the Collector Cars ‘True’ Value into Account

When someone shops for car insurance, you and your agent decide on an ‘agreed value’ or ‘actual cash value’ (or ‘stated value’) that states the value of the car; just in case the car is deemed a ‘total loss’ if it is ever wrecked or damaged.

The traditional concept for regular, non-classic vehicles is that the value depreciates over time due to normal wear and usage, and other variables. Insurers base the price of a standard insurance policy to that with ‘actual cash value.’ But a classic car is different in the sense that the value of the car increases (or stays the same) over time, especially when you restore it. The latter is where ‘agreed value’ makes sense.

If something does happen to your classic car, you don’t want the depreciated value from a regular insurance ‘actual cash value’ policy to pay for the damage because there will be a large gap in the payout, and you won’t be able to replace the unique parts to fix it.

The agreed value takes into consideration the rarity of the car and parts, popularity, age, and other features. If something disastrous occurs such as your car being totaled, you will get a paid the amount you agreed on with your agent, with no questions asked.

• Collector Car Insurance is Cheaper

Specialized collector car insurance companies charge you much less because for one, the cars are usually driven much less which usually means less miles accumulated than ‘regular use cars.’ Also, collector car owners do a much better job maintaining their vehicles than standard cars.

This combined helps this audience of collector car owners have a higher reputation to drive their car in a safer manner with less risks. Insurance companies like lower risk and will usually keep your rates much lower for this.

It is recommended that you shop around and compare quotes from specialized collector car insurance companies to find the best rate.

• Your Parts are Unique and Rarer

If something does happen like a cracked windshield or broken headlight to your classic car, you need to replace it with a suitable part that maintains the car’s classic essence. With a specialized policy, you will be able to get the full replacement value of the parts.

If you owned a standard insurance policy, you would be payed the cost of a regular car windshield or headlight which wouldn’t help retain the purity of the classic car.

• Classic Car Policies Actually Let You Enjoy Your Ride

A standard insurance policy has too many restrictions for your classic car that many people overlook, which could cause the insurance company to deny your claim if the car was damaged. For example, some standard policies won’t let you take your car on vacation or long road trips. Classic car insurance usually gives you the freedom to roam and be fully covered wherever you may be (minor restrictions referenced at the end of this article).

• Car Show Protection

Specialized car insurance policies for classic car even protect you at car shows. With a standard policy, it would not. Having a classic car insurance allows you the freedom and calmness to enjoy your time at the car show without having to worry as much. For example, Heacock insurance has great protection for event and shows.

• Having Multiple Classic Cars Doesn’t Affect Liability Rates

Classic car insurance companies will most likely charge you the same lower rate for liability coverage even if you own a dozen classic cars. It doesn’t matter the quantity that you own as these insurance companies know that this group is likely to own more than one collector car.

While having specialized car insurance is the way to go, there are some restrictions, limitations, and other points of interest that one should take into account when shopping for classic car insurance. It is best to have the types of questions ready to ask when looking for a quote to find the best policy for your collector car situation.

Four of the Best Road Trips in the U.S.

By Joe Webster, A-1 Auto Transport

When you love cars, chances are that you enjoy taking a good road trip every once in a while. The more scenic the trip, the better. Road trips are great to take when you want to take a little time to clear your head or unwind from a busy work week and best of all, depending on where you live in the country, you may just have some of the most scenic roadways in the nation right in your own backyard where you can hop in the car and take a fun ride even if for only a few hours. Whether you own a brand new car or truck and want to see how well it will perform on the open road or you own a great classic like an early 1970’s Chevelle or a classic Mustang and just want to get it out of the garage for a few hours between car shows, here are four of the best places to take a road trip in the U.S.

Pacific Coast Highway

Scenic View from Route 1 of the Pacific Coast Highway in Northern California

Route 1 on the Pacific Coast Highway that runs straight through California, Oregon and Washington is one of the best road trips in the nation. Not only will you see some of the most spectacular oceanic scenes but you will also get great glimpses of majestic mountain ranges and steep, beautiful cliffs sitting by the ocean. Route 1 is only 17 miles and can easily be driven in less than half an hour, but with the great scenery along the way it is always a nice way to spend a day exploring the Oceanside or stopping for a picnic lunch with friends or family. If you live on the west coast, this road trip is one you will want to place at the top of your list of things to do for fun in the car.

Beartooth Highway

Beartooth Highway, Montana

Beartooth Highway is 68 miles of majestic beauty running right through Montana and Wyoming towards Yellowstone National Park. If you plan a drive down this beautiful stretch of road, be prepared to want to stay and linger for a several days because there is plenty to do along the way. From skiing to hiking or camping and even stopping for a quick bite to eat at a small café, Beartooth Highway has long been a popular drive for tourists and residents in both Montana and Wyoming that enjoy seeing some of the most unusual terrain in America including spacious snowcapped mountains, lush green valleys and so much more.

Going to the Sun Road

Going to the Sun Road, Wyoming

While you are in Wyoming and wrapping up the trip on Beartooth Highway, you may want to jet over to Going to the Sun Road. This drive will take you directly through Glacier National Park where you can catch views of some beautiful snowcapped mountains as you head straight into the Continental Divide in the beautiful Rockies. Some areas of the road close during the winter due to snow and ice, but if you plan the road trip during the late in the middle of the summer, you will be amazed with the scenery you will find. There are plenty of places to stop for overnight camping or enjoying a nature hike so be sure to pack some supplies in the trunk before you head out on the road for this trip.

Tail of the Dragon

Tail of the Dragon, Deals Gap, North Carolina

Moving on to the eastern portion of the U.S., you may want to check out Tail of the Dragon on Highway 129 heading straight through Deals Gap near the Great Smokey Mountains. This long and winding road will take you down (or up) 11 miles of the sharpest curves and outstanding nature scenes in the nation. This road trip can begin either in Maryville, Tennessee or in Deals Gap, North Carolina and while the road is short, it is well-known as one of the best roads for excitement whether you drive on four wheels or just have two. When you plan your road trip to this scenic area of the country, be sure to pack an overnight bag so you can cruise down the road to enjoy a trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge where you can spend the day, or days, shopping or dining, taking a few thrill rides at the amusement parks or heading out into nature for a quiet time hiking or camping in the beautiful wilderness.

Want to plan several road trips but need a quick break between each trip or you don’t have the time to drive cross country but still want to enjoy the best of both coasts? If you want to start on one coast and plan to fly out to the other coast to pick up where you left off on the fun, you can always drive a little and then make plans with an auto shipping company to have your car shipped to the next area where you will be able to save a little on your mileage and wear and tear and relax on the plane as you head across the country to start all over again on the next road trip. Road trips, even if they are short drives, can be a great way to really enjoy the world around you and have a little fun in your car at the same time.