Classic & Vintage Motorcycle Insurance

Unlike other bikes, many classic and vintage motorcycles hold their value and even become more valuable over time. While this collectability can make it more challenging to insure these bikes, it's critical to get the right kind of coverage that matches your bike’s worth in case something happens to it. This means finding a specific type of motorcycle insurance that's tailored to cover more valuable classic and vintage bikes that can cost a lot more to repair or replace after a disaster.

Fortunately, an independent insurance agent can help you find the right classic and vintage motorcycle insurance in your area. They'll get you matched to a policy that provides all the coverage you need to fully cover your classic or vintage motorcycle's value. But first, here's more about classic and vintage motorcycle insurance, what it covers, and why it's important.

When Is a Motorcycle Considered Classic or Vintage?

If your motorcycle is at least 25 years old and has retained its original look, it may be considered classic, vintage, or antique. How your motorcycle is classified depends on the insurance company, but sometimes, bikes that are only 20 years old can be lumped into the vintage category. Your classic or vintage bike is likely not your daily commuting motorcycle and is probably stored in a garage when not in use. However, if your motorcycle has been largely modified, regardless of its age, it's likely to be classified as a custom motorcycle by insurance companies, and you'd need a custom motorcycle insurance policy instead.

How Is Classic or Vintage Motorcycle Insurance Different?

Perhaps you bought an old rusty Indian and spent your time, money, and effort restoring it to its former glory. Or maybe you have an old Triumph sitting at the back of a shed, and it just needs some care and restoration to make it roadworthy again. A bike that's been lovingly restored can dramatically increase in value, not only because of the parts and labor you put into it, but also because it gains value on the market.

Vintage motorcycle insurance is different from standard motorcycle insurance in several ways. This kind of coverage is often based on an “agreed value” vs. a Kelley Blue Book value, which factors in depreciation. Since you have a restored bike, however, it's building value over time, so a different metric is needed for insurance purposes. 

Insuring a classic, vintage, or antique bike with standard motorcycle insurance could leave it significantly underinsured. If you’re in an accident that damages your classic motorcycle, you'll want to recover your bike’s actual value, not what it would be worth in the standard marketplace. A traditional motorcycle insurance policy would leave you coming up short if your bike was lost, stolen, or totaled.

Further, you may only have a classic motorcycle for show and never ride it. If that's the case, and your motorcycle is kept in a secure, locked garage, your insurance risks are dramatically reduced. You have less need for liability coverage, since you won’t be out riding your vintage bike where you could potentially cause harm to another person or their property. So, you could likely get a minimum coverage policy and pay much less for coverage than for a motorcycle you used frequently.

Do You Need Vintage Motorcycle Insurance?

If you have invested in a classic motorcycle, don’t skimp when it comes to insurance. Motorcycle insurance can be expensive, so many riders are tempted to leave their bikes uninsured to save money. But if you intend to ride the motorcycle, you could face fines and increased insurance rates, even on your automobile insurance.

All states require riders to maintain at least a minimum amount of liability insurance on their motorcycles. If you get pulled over while operating an uninsured motorcycle, you could face penalties such as hefty state fines or a suspended license, and would then have to insure the bike anyway. 

What Does Classic or Vintage Motorcycle Insurance Cover?

Classic motorcyclists have a variety of types of coverage to choose from. The type and amount of coverage you need depends on several factors, including whether you ride or lend out your bike, and other concerns typical of all motorcycle owners. Additionally, because your vintage motorcycle may have been rebuilt, retrofitted, or otherwise improved, that investment should be protected. Look for the following types of coverage in classic, vintage, or antique motorcycle insurance:

An independent insurance agent can help you build and customize the right classic, vintage, or antique motorcycle insurance policy.

How Much Does Classic Motorcycle Insurance Cost?

The cost of your classic or vintage motorcycle insurance policy varies depending on the type of bike you insure. But other factors may also impact the price of your premiums, including your age and location, your driving history and credit score, and the types and amounts of coverage you select. However, you can find minimum liability-only policies for as low as $75 per year.

Your insurance company may require you to get your motorcycle professionally appraised to determine its value, or you may wish to have this done if you and your carrier can't agree on its value otherwise. Regardless, you'll want to ensure your policy covers your motorcycle's full value so you won't have to pay any of the cost to repair or replace it out of your own pocket if an incident happens. An independent insurance agent can also help advise you on the appropriate amount of coverage for your unique bike.

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Here's How an Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

Independent insurance agents have access to many insurers that offer classic, vintage, and antique motorcycle insurance in your area. They're also free to shop and compare quotes from multiple companies, so they can find you the best overall blend of coverage and cost. And down the road, they'll be there to help file motorcycle insurance claims for you and update your coverage as necessary.