When is an Old Car Too Old?

0
1737

2There is no greater collectors items than a classic car, showing the signs of the technology end engineering from years gone by, a rustic look that is waiting to be brought back to life, a car that is the very epitome of style… Car enthusiasts love old-fashioned cars are turn them into a project, a labour of love and passion that rejuvenates an older car and takes it back to its former glory. The cost of this is something that is often overlooked when the enthusiasm for the car takes over. It is not simply the refurbishment of the vehicle that could be costly but the very expense of owning something, which is considered to be a classic. The age of a car can have a direct impact on the cost of running costs, fixing costs and things such as insurance premiums.

Specialist car insurance companies are often needed for the most classic of vehicles although every day insurers will be able to offer advice, quotes and policies that will ensure your car is covered. Car insurance from Budget Direct covers a multitude of areas, as with many other insurers, and it is best to gain a a variety of quotes before a decision is made. Classic cars require a different level of care, they have additions, and features and technology that are not used in modern cars and this is something, which could deter insurers, as the cost of repairs could be excessive.

There are several reasons why classic cars are more expensive to insure and maintain. As a car ages, the engineering becomes dated and problems become more apparent, maintenance needs to be done, repairs made and more problems are likely to arise. The safety features that are found in modern vehicles are a key element in the prevention of accidents and injury and the technology and materials used reduce the level of damage caused during an incident and are substantially cheaper to repair as they are more commonly found parts, older cars are far more fragile and it is harder to source replacement parts which are needed.

Security features are another element which reduces the cost of car insurance, classic cars are coveted by others and can be seen as an opportunity for financial gain, the amount of thefts and break ins are higher than with a standard vehicle due to the lack of security such as alarms and central locking.

It goes without saying that personal details will affect the premium cost of the insurance policy. Older drivers with a high no claims bonus and a low accident history are deemed to be better candidates to insure and this will be reflected within the cost of the policy. Drivers with a questionable driving history will be hit with an expensive premium, which could make the overall cost of owning a classic car too great. It is something, which takes much consideration with the cost being one of the biggest reasons why people are unable to indulge in owning a classic vehicle.

Cars are considered to be ‘old’ when it reaches the age of 10 or has hit a certain number of miles, typically 100,000. As soon as these figures are reached a car loses value and is seen as a risk to insurers with the number of problems increased. A car becomes out dated very quickly with the amount of new makes and models that are released every year and the technology, which is continually developed.