You may need Alaska classic car insurance if your car is over 30 years old and primarily driven for historical exhibition. Here’s everything you need to know.

Written by Bonnie Stinson

Reviewed by Kathleen Flear

Updated on Dec 2, 2022

Table of Contents

What is classic car insurance?
Alaska classic car insurance
What impacts the cost of classic car insurance in Alaska?
Benefits of classic car insurance
Coverage options for classic car insurance
Finding cheap car insurance for your classic car

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In Alaska, a car is considered vintage when it is over 30 years old and primarily driven for historical exhibition—though it must be safely modified for road use. Alaska classic car insurance must include

liability insurance

and

uninsured motorist coverage

Insuring a classic car is quite different from insuring an everyday commuter car. It isn’t driven as often, replacement parts can be harder to find, and it’s probably worth more than your average vehicle—so you'll need specialty coverage.

So, what do you need to know about classic car insurance in Alaska? The

car insurance

comparison and

trustworthy broker

app

Jerry

has compiled this quick guide for you.

What is classic car insurance?

Classic car insurance provides coverage specifically for classic or antique cars. Although classic car insurance offers many of the same protections as a regular auto insurance policy, it also comes with some limitations, such as mileage caps and maintenance requirements.

What is a classic or antique car?

A classic car is a vehicle that is 10 to 24 years old and has historic interest, like a hot rod or muscle car.

An antique car or historic vehicle is 30 years or older and primarily driven for historic exhibition. When the car is more than 30 years old, it is considered an antique for insurance purposes.

A custom collector vehicle has a body and frame manufactured before 1949 (or is a replica of such a model).

What makes classic car insurance different?

Savings alert! Classic car insurance is generally less expensive than regular auto insurance since most classic cars get limited use—infrequent pleasure driving, club activities, parades. On the flip side, most policies have a mileage cap.

There is also no set "book value" for specific makes and models since every classic car is unique. You’ll have to negotiate with your insurer about the value of your car. Your car will be covered up to that value without depreciation.

Classic car insurance differs from typical car insurance in a few additional ways:

Storage: Classic cars are required to be stored securely, such as in a locked garage.

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

Customization: Owners generally have options for customizing their classic car insurance policy, depending on what they need.

Note that because historic vehicles are only used occasionally on the state highway system, it’s not necessary to renew your historic vehicle registration annually in Alaska.

MORE:

Classic car coverage

Alaska classic car insurance

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

Be at least 30 years old

Be modified for safe road use

Your vehicle needs the following equipment to be considered road safe in Alaska:

Hydraulic service brakes on all wheels

Sealed beam or halogen headlights

Safety belts for all occupants

Turn signals and turn signaling switch

Safety glass or Lexan

Electric or vacuum windshield wiper located in front of the driver

Standard or blue dot taillights

Parking brake that operates at least two wheels on the same axle

In Alaska, you can purchase special license plates with a "historic vehicle" or "collector’s car" status from your local

DMV

. The fee is $10 for a historic vehicle and $50 for a collector’s car.

In Alaska, the minimum coverage for classic cars is liability coverage ($50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury or death and $25,000 for property damage).

Be aware that insurance is not required in areas where registration is not required—except in cases where the driver has received a ticket for a violation of six points or more in the last five years.

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What impacts the cost of classic car insurance in Alaska?

Classic car insurance is generally less expensive than a regular auto policy. However, your exact price will depend on the coverage you require to protect your vehicle.

Here are some factors that can impact your classic car insurance rate:

Model year

Stated or guaranteed value—more expensive cars cost more to insure

Mileage—the more you drive, the higher your premium will be

Customization—flatbed towing, roadside assistance, and spare parts coverage will increase your premium

Your driving record—many companies will only offer classic car insurance to drivers with clean records

MORE:

Why car insurance is so expensive, explained

Benefits of classic car insurance

Regular car insurance coverage is not sufficient to protect a classic or antique vehicle against damage or loss. If your historic car’s current value exceeds its original selling price, you may need specialized classic car insurance.

Here are some of the key benefits to getting classic car insurance:

Lower rates than standard car insurance (often anywhere from 40% to 70% less)

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

Flexible deductibles and annual mileage limits

Guaranteed or agreed value coverage (somewhat negotiable)

Plenty of optional add-ons, including towing with flatbed trucks and coverage for spare parts and memorabilia

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

Claims handling from fellow car enthusiasts

Potential discounts on collector car club memberships

Do I need classic car insurance?

If you own any of the following, you probably need specialty coverage:

Antique & classic cars

Vintage boats

Modern collector vehicles

Modified vehicles

Classic trucks and utility vehicles

Motorsports vehicles

Vintage motorcycles and scooters

Retired commercial vehicles

Collector trailers

Vehicles under construction

Classic military vehicles

Antique tractors

Coverage options for classic car insurance

Your classic car insurance package will depend on the type of car you have and what you 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 vandalism.
Collision	Covers damages resulting from a collision with another vehicle or stationary object.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist	Covers damages if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have auto insurance.
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 deduction for depreciation.
Flexible mileage	Tiered mileage plans give you the flexibility to customize your policy based on how much you actually drive your classic car.
Roadside assistance	Coverage for tire changes, towing, and other incidental expenses 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 cheap car insurance for your classic car

If you’re looking for classic car insurance in Alaska, be sure to compare rates from at least three reputable providers to make sure you're getting the best rate.

If you're in the contiguous US, you can use the

Jerry

app to do all the hard work of finding the best insurance rates for you.

When you find a good deal, Jerry handles all the paperwork and phone calls to get you registered. They’ll even help cancel your old policy for you. Finding a better rate has never been easier!

"
Jerry
is really great! I was paying $226/month on my previous policy and now I’m only paying $103/month with Progressive. I’m glad I found this service." ––Zachary W.

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