Best Car Insurance for Antique and Classic Cars in New York (2025)

The best car insurance companies for antique and classic cars in New York include Hagerty, Safeco, and Leland-West.

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Your classic or antique car is unique, so standard insurance may not offer adequate coverage to protect your investment. Insurers tailor classic car insurance to a car’s value and how often you drive it. In New York, vehicles also face weather-related risks like flooding, coastal storms, and extreme heat.1 That’s why having the right coverage — and climate-controlled storage — is especially important for classic cars.

Insurance for classic cars often includes policy limits and restrictions on how often you can drive the car. Since these factors can affect your coverage and premium, it’s a good idea to compare insurance companies to find the best fit for your classic car.

Best antique car insurance companies in New York

The best antique car insurance companies aren’t the same for everyone. Consider factors such as your vehicle type, its value, and how you use it to find the right classic car insurance for you.

Hagerty: Best overall

Hagerty is the top pick for many New York drivers who own classic cars, based on its extensive coverage offerings. The company covers a wide range of vehicles, including race cars, modified cars, and exotic cars.

You can also buy “vehicle under construction” insurance if you’re restoring a collector car. This increases your car’s coverage value by 10% each quarter — up to a maximum of $25,000 — ensuring your car is covered as work progresses.

Safeco: Best for regular use

Leland-West: Best for spare parts coverage

New York’s extreme weather increases the risk of damage to classic cars and their components, making high spare parts coverage crucial. Leland-West offers some of the highest spare parts coverage, at $2,000 at no additional cost, and you can buy more if needed.

  • Our editorial team analyzed regional and national auto insurance companies that sell policies in New York to assess which offer the best rates, coverage options, customer service, and savings to drivers. We prioritized competitive rates, 24/7 customer service, low-mileage discounts or programs, safe driving discounts, homeownership discounts or bundling options, and specialty or supplemental coverages.

How classic car insurance works

Many classic car insurers limit your annual mileage, with limited use including travel to car shows and auto-club meetups. Also, your insurer may not cover your classic car unless you have a primary car for everyday use. Review your policy to see what’s covered and if you need to buy specialized coverage.

Insurers typically require the car to be safely and securely stored. You must keep your car in a locked, enclosed space, like a garage or storage unit.

Finally, some companies insure only drivers with clean records and cars in good condition.2 Requirements vary by company, so make sure you understand the conditions before choosing an insurer.

How to pick coverage limits for classic car insurance

Coverage limits for classic car insurance differ from standard auto policies. While standard auto insurance covers your car’s depreciated value, classic car insurance covers your car’s agreed-upon value.

Your policy’s agreed-upon value is the amount you and your insurance company determine your vehicle is worth. It’s also the maximum amount your insurer will pay to replace your vehicle after a total loss.

It’s important to note that your classic car’s value may increase, unlike regular cars that depreciate in value. This is why increasing your coverage limits regularly is essential to account for your car’s rising value.

What classic car insurance covers

Like a standard auto insurance policy, classic car insurance includes liability coverage for property damage and injuries you cause. You can also choose a full-coverage policy — which adds comprehensive and collision — to pay for repairs to your car.

Is classic car insurance required in New York?

Even if you drive a classic car, you must carry the minimum-required coverage limits to drive a car in New York.3 The minimum limits are as follows:

  • $25,000 in bodily injury and $50,000 for death of a person involved in an accident

  • $50,000 in bodily injury and $100,000 for death of two or more people in an accident

  • $10,000 per accident for property damage 

  • $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

  • $50,000 in personal injury protection (PIP)

How to qualify for classic car insurance

Similar to regular car insurance, classic car insurance comes with specific requirements you must meet to qualify for coverage. Additionally, certain “high-risk” factors may influence your costs and eligibility.

Antique car insurance in New York FAQs

If you’re shopping for insurance for your antique automobile, the additional information below may help as you research your coverage options.

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

    For an insurer to consider a car classic or antique, it’s usually at least 25 to 30 years old, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). But you can qualify for classic car insurance in situations where your vehicle doesn’t fall within that age range.

    For example, Triple-I recommends classic car insurance for vehicles with values that exceed their original price. This could include modified cars, race cars, or luxury vehicles.

  • Can you drive an antique car every day?

    Probably not. Many classic car insurance companies restrict coverage for cars used every day. If you drive your antique car regularly, consider looking for an insurer that offers daily-use coverage.

  • Which company provides the best car insurance in New York?

    The best car insurance company in New York depends on your needs. CSAA is a good choice for affordable coverage, and Progressive is worth considering for its discount options. Travelers offers great customer service, and Liberty Mutual is best for flexibility. USAA is also a top choice if you’re a military member or an immediate family member of one.

Alani Asis
Alani Asis

Alani Asis is a personal finance freelance writer with nearly three years of experience in content creation. She has landed bylines with leading publications and brands like Insider, Fortune, LendingTree, and more. Alani aims to make personal finance approachable through fun, relatable, and digestible content.

Alani has been a contributor at Insurify since January 2023.