How old must a car be to be considered a classic vehicle?

Is a 20-year-old car a classic? Some insurers and car organizations might say “yes.” In general, though, auto insurance companies consider a vehicle eligible for “classic” status once it is at least 25 to 30 years old, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

However, car insurance companies have their own definitions. For example, you are eligible for State Farm classic car insurance if your vehicle is aged 10 to 24 and has “historical interest,” such as a hot rod or muscle car.

Once a vehicle like this is 25 years old, it is an “antique” in State Farm’s eyes and is no longer considered classic or eligible for classic car insurance.

GEICO classic car insurance is available on cars that are at least 25 model years older and meet other criteria: a new exotic car; common antiques; used sports cars; a new replica car like a 1966 Batmobile; or a classic military vehicle, hearse or fire truck.

The type of vehicle can also make a difference. For example, how old does a truck have to be a classic? The answer can be different than with a car.

Hagerty Insurance offers only collector car and classic car insurance on the model year 1979 and older cars. But it offers collector truck and SUV insurance on vehicles at least 15 years old.

Classic car insurance can be a good investment for owners of special or vintage vehicles too. This coverage protects your classic cars in ways that a standard auto policy does not.

For example, classic car insurance reimburses you for the car’s value. Unlike most vehicles, which depreciate as the years roll on, classic cars often increase in value.

These policies also tend to allow you to bring your vehicle to a specialized repair shop should it need to be fixed. Such shops often charge much higher costs than a typical repair shop, but the sellers of classic car policies understand the importance of specialized service if the job is to be done right on classic cars.

Finally, these policies might offer coverage for special types of towing guaranteed to protect the car in the event of a breakdown and coverage for specialized — and often expensive — spare parts.

As mentioned previously, the Antique Auto Club of America says “antique” cars are 25 years old or older.

By contrast, American Collectors Insurance says an antique car was manufactured in 1975 or earlier.

States may also have their own rules regarding vintage automobiles. Some states also may use terms other than “antique” in describing older cars.

What age is a car considered vintage? As mentioned above, American Collectors Insurance considers a car to be “vintage” if manufactured between 1919 and 1930. However, definitions may vary. And, as with antique cars, states may have rules for what qualifies as a “vintage” car.

This depends on your state. Most states impose sales tax on classics, but some states, like Montana and Alaska, don’t. In some states, the sales tax for classic, vintage and antique cars, or vintage cars is the same as any other car, but in other states, the amount differs for classics. Check your state’s sales tax laws so you’ll know what to expect.

Yes. Many vehicles reach antique or vintage status and last longer than 30 years.