In Colorado, classic car insurance must abide by the state’s mandatory liability insurance minimums—though purchasing additional coverage is always a good idea.

Written by Jason Tushinski

Reviewed by Kathleen Flear

Updated on Mar 23, 2023

Table of Contents

What is classic car insurance?
Colorado classic car insurance
What impacts the cost of classic car insurance in Colorado?
The benefits of classic car insurance
Coverage options for classic car insurance
Finding affordable car insurance for your classic car

Load full table of contents

In Colorado, cars are considered collectibles if their model year is 1975 or earlier, the model year is 1976 or later but was registered as a classic car before September 1, 2009, or if a model year is at least 32 years old (1989 or earlier) unless it was registered before September 1, 2009.

In Colorado, classic cars need car insurance as well. Colorado classic car insurance must include

liability car insurance

and

property damage liability

insurance.

Insuring your classic or antique car isn’t like insuring the car you use day-to-day. You probably don’t drive your classic car that often, replacement parts can be hard to locate and expensive to buy, and your classic car is probably worth more than your primary car—so you need specialty

car insurance

coverage.

To help you best protect your classic car, the car insurance broker and comparison shopping app

Jerry

will break down everything you need to know about classic car insurance in

Colorado

What is classic car insurance?

Classic car insurance is tailored for classic or antique vehicles. While classic car insurance has many of the same coverage options as a regular car insurance policy, it also comes with extra limitations, such as maintenance requirements and mileage caps.

What is a classic or antique car?

Typically, a classic car is a vehicle that is between 10 to 24 years old and has a historic interest, such as a sports car, muscle car, or hot rod.

Usually, an antique car is 25 years or older and has a historic interest. As far as insurers are concerned, a classic car that is older than 25 years is considered an antique.

MORE: How to get antique car loans

What makes classic car insurance different?

A major difference between a standard car insurance policy and a classic car insurance policy is the value of the car. Every classic car is unique, so there is no set "book value" for specific makes and models.

You’ll have to agree with your insurance provider on your classic car’s value, or an agreed-upon value. This will be written into your policy and your car will be covered up to the value that you negotiated, without depreciation.

There are a few other important aspects of classic car insurance that make it distinct from the insurance you have for your everyday car:

Price: Classic car coverage is typically less expensive than a regular car insurance policy.

Limited use: Most classic cars have a mileage cap and can only be used sparingly. Typically this includes driving to exhibitions and shows, participating in parades or club activities, pleasure driving, and other activities.

Storage: Classic cars must be stored in a secure, locked, parking garage.

Condition: The car must be restored, maintained, and preserved in its original condition (or be undergoing restoration).

MORE:

Classic car coverage

Colorado classic car insurance

To qualify for classic car insurance in Colorado, your car must meet one of the following criteria:

The model year must be 1975 or earlier, OR

The model year is 1976 or later so long as it was registered as a classic car before September 1, 2009, OR

The car is more than 32 years old (the model year 1989 or earlier) unless it was registered as a classic car before September 1, 2009; in this case, the vehicle must have passed an emissions test within a one year period before being registered as a classic car, and the owner must not drive the vehicle more than 4,500 miles per year

As well, classic car owners in Colorado should be aware of the following stipulations when applying for classic car insurance:

The car or truck must have an empty weight of no more than 16,000 pounds

Motor vehicles listed as collectibles are registered for periods of five years

A classic car with a model year of 1976 or later (and registered before September 1, 2009), will become ineligible to be classified as a classic car once its five year registration period ends, or it is transferred or sold to a new owner

In Colorado, the minimum coverage stipulated for a classic car is as follows:

Bodily injury liability

coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident

Property damage liability coverage: $15,000

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

What impacts the cost of classic car insurance in Colorado?

Classic car insurance is usually less expensive than a regular

car insurance

policy. The price will vary, though, depending on the type of coverage you require for your classic car.

Here are the main factors that may have an impact on your classic car insurance premium:

Model year

Stated or guaranteed value—more expensive vehicles are pricier to insure

Mileage—your premium will be higher the more your drive the classic car

Customization—roadside assistance (like

towing and labor coverage

), spare parts coverage, and flatbed towing will raise your rate

Your driving record—many companies only offer classic car insurance to drivers with a

clean driving record

MORE:

Why car insurance is so expensive, explained

The benefits of classic car insurance

Regular car insurance just won’t cut it when safeguarding a classic or antique car against damage or loss. If the value of your car exceeds its original selling price, it may be certified as a collectible and you may need a specialized classic car insurance policy.

Here are some of the main benefits to buying classic car insurance:

Lower rates than regular vehicle insurance (often anywhere from 40% to 70% less)

Higher coverage limits (often up to $500,000)

Flexible deductibles and annual mileage caps

Guaranteed or agreed value coverage

Lots of optional add-ons, including spare parts and memorabilia coverage and flatbed truck towing

Discounts for adding more security features, such as GPS tracking, alarms, and VIN etching

Claims handling from fellow car enthusiasts

Potential discounts on collector car club memberships

MORE: How to get car insurance discounts

Do I need classic car insurance?

If you own any of the following vehicles, you should think about purchasing classic car insurance:

Antique & classic cars

Modern collector vehicles

Modified vehicles

Classic trucks and utility vehicles

Vintage motorcycles and scooters

Collector trailers

Motorsports vehicles

Retired commercial vehicles

Vehicles under construction

Classic military vehicles

Antique tractors

Vintage boats

Coverage options for classic car insurance

Your classic car insurance package depends on the type of car you have and what you’ll need to protect it.

Here are some common coverages for classic cars:

Coverage	Description
Comprehensive	Covers damage that isn’t the result of a collision, such as from severe weather or theft.
Collision	Covers damages resulting from a collision with another vehicle or fixed object.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist	Covers damages if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have auto insurance, or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages.
Agreed value coverage	If you’re in a covered accident and your classic car is a total loss, you’ll receive the full agreed-upon value (minus your deductible) without any loss due to depreciation.
Flexible mileage	Tiered mileage plans give you the flexibility to customize your policy based on how much you drive your classic car.
Roadside assistance	Coverage for tire changes, towing, battery jumpstarts, and other services that aren’t part of a typical auto insurance policy.
Spare parts	Add coverage for loss or damages to classic spare parts—even ones that are expensive or hard to find.

MORE:

Should I get a $500 or $1,000 auto insurance deductible?

Finding affordable car insurance for your classic car

If you’re on the hunt for classic car insurance in Colorado at a great rate, use the

licensed insurance broker

and comparison shopping app

Jerry

. It’s the easiest, most effective way to find a policy that is tailored for you.

After providing you with up to 50 quotes of the best classic car insurance policies across providers, Jerry handles all the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to!

Jerry partners with the country’s best insurance carriers to get you the most robust coverage for the most affordable price. The best part? The average Jerry driver saves nearly $900 on car insurance per year!

"This app is all about savings!
Jerry
just saved me $193/month on my car insurance. They literally found me the cheapest policies out there and with better coverage! Seriously, just sit back and watch Jerry work its magic." —Rachel B.

RECOMMENDED