Your classic car collection might include one car for weekend drives, another you take to shows and a restoration project that hasn’t left the garage for months.
As your collection grows, keeping track of separate policies becomes another job in itself. Specialist multi-car insurance brings your vehicles together while allowing you to choose suitable protection for each one.
At Abbeyfields, we’ll discuss your cars and recommend cover based on how you use each classic in your collection. Here’s what to consider when deciding whether a multi-vehicle insurance policy is the right approach.
Consider specialist multi-car insurance
Multi-car insurance allows you to cover your classics alongside your everyday car and any other eligible vehicles. You’ll have one renewal date and one point of contact, making your insurance easier to manage.
To qualify for our multi-car insurance, you’ll need more vehicles than drivers. Each vehicle will have its own mileage allowance, permitted drivers and level of cover. In other words, your daily drive won’t need the same arrangements as a classic you use a few times a year.
It’s also always worth comparing the overall cost with separate policies, including premiums, excesses and administration fees.
Consider agreed value for your classic cars
Once you’ve considered the policy structure, look at what would happen if one of your cars were written off or stolen and not recovered.
You can ask us to agree your car’s value at no extra cost. Following an insured total loss, the settlement will be based on that figure, subject to your excess and policy terms.
Agreed value isn’t automatic, so we’ll discuss whether it suits each vehicle in your collection. We’ll need six colour photographs showing your car’s condition, and the insurer may also require a valuation form or an independent valuation.
Agreed value isn’t available for cars undergoing restoration. We’ll discuss a suitable basis of cover while the work progresses.
You should review your valuations as your cars’ condition or the market changes. Completing a restoration might alter a car’s value, but the amount you’ve spent won’t necessarily increase its market value by the same amount.
Choose mileage limits that match your plans
You might use one classic throughout the summer while only attending an annual rally in another. When estimating your annual mileage, include any longer journeys you’re planning. Tell us about European tours, show visits and any commuting or business use so we can check the cover you need.
A limited-mileage option could reduce your premium, provided the allowance reflects your plans.
Alongside how you use each car, we’ll need to know about any modifications. Declare all the upgrades, changes and replacements you’re aware of, including those made by previous owners.
Protect stored cars with laid-up insurance
Some of your cars may spend periods in storage or undergoing restoration. They still need insurance consideration, even when their annual mileage is zero.
Laid-up insurance can protect your cars against fire, storm, theft and accidental damage. To qualify, they must be stored in a locked garage or secure building. It doesn’t insure you to drive on the road at all, so you’ll need to arrange appropriate road cover before driving again.
Tell us where each vehicle is kept, including any separate storage premises. If several cars share one building, ask us how the policy would respond to an incident affecting all of them. Also mention any transport to workshops or shows so we can check the relevant protection.
Align renewal dates and keep your cover up to date
Once you’ve chosen suitable cover, bringing your vehicles together doesn’t mean immediately cancelling every existing policy.
You’ll receive the full multi-car discount from day one, while your other vehicles join as their current policies renew. As each vehicle joins, its renewal date is brought into line with the others.
You can also add or remove vehicles during the policy year. Tell us before collecting a new purchase so we can arrange its inclusion and explain any premium changes or administration fees. You should also keep us informed when you change drivers, storage, mileage or use.
Put your classic car collection in experienced hands
Whether you’re insuring two classics or bringing a growing collection onto one policy, you’ll want a broker who understands the differences between your cars.
At Abbeyfields, we’re an independent, family-run insurance broker with more than 35 years’ experience insuring classic cars. When you call, you’ll speak directly to a specialist who’ll take the time to discuss your vehicles, explain your options and help you compare the cover and costs.
With our multi-car cover, you’ll have a dedicated account manager who can help you update your policy as your collection changes. If you need to claim, we’ll guide you through the process.
Tell us what’s in your garage, how you use each car and when your existing policies renew. We’ll use those details to discuss whether bringing them together would suit you. Request a quote or call 0121 655 3420 to start a conversation about your collection.
