Interestingly, the band of enthusiasts who formed the CCCA in the early 1950s did so after being spurned by another auto club. At the time, the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) was responsible for putting on many of the nation’s car meets and had strict rules for entry, deeming anything from the 1920s and ’30s as too modern and thus ineligible to participate. Some Packard and Cadillac owners didn’t care for that, and so they started their own club, defining their models as classics. They immediately started using the term, including at their first club exhibit at the 1952 International Motor Sports Show.

When it comes to qualifying for collector vehicle coverage it’s less about the labels and more about how you use your ride.

What Qualifies for Classic Vehicle Coverage?

Fortunately for car enthusiasts, OpenRoad has a simple and broad definition: If it’s a pre-1989 car, truck, or SUV it qualifies for coverage. Many modern collector vehicles, those newer than 1989, also qualify for coverage with OpenRoad. The only caveat being that the vehicle cannot be your daily driver. By focusing exclusively on classic and modern collector vehicles, OpenRoad can provide lower rates than standard auto insurance along with coverages and benefits specifically tailored to collector vehicle owners.

Why Don’t Daily Drivers Qualify?

By restricting the pool of eligible vehicles to collector vehicles, OpenRoad can offer rates far below those of a conventional standard auto policy. That’s because classic cars typically spend a lot less time on the road than a daily driver, which means they’re at lower risk of getting in a crash. By only covering a pool of vehicles with inherently lower risk OpenRoad can offer far lower rates as well as a coverage program better suited to these types of rides.

How Is Collector Vehicle Insurance A Better Fit For My Ride?

OpenRoad views your classic or modern collectible as an investment rather than a depreciating asset, as reflected by its agreed value policies. Agreed value coverage in a collector car insurance policy is a specific type of coverage that allows the policyholder and the insurance company to agree upon a predetermined value for the insured vehicle. This agreed-upon value is typically based on the car's true market worth, considering factors such as its rarity, condition, as well as the owner’s investments. It’s a true replacement cost based on the owner’s specific circumstances. If you ever have the misfortune of filing a total loss claim, you’ll receive a payout consistent with your car’s true market value rather than a depreciated value used by traditional auto insurers.

You also receive all the essential protections you’d expect from any standard auto policy, such as uninsured motorist coverage, comprehensive and collision insurance, and personal injury and medical compensation. It’s all included.

And there’s more to OpenRoad than great coverage at affordable rates. Each policy includes perks you will not find with conventional insurance, such as guaranteed repairs using OEM parts, coverage for tools and spare parts, and emergency evacuation coverage that reimburses any expenses related to relocating your vehicle in the event of a looming natural disaster, such as a hurricane or wildfire.

Will OpenRoad Insure Modified Classics?

OpenRoad supports all types of classics, including hot rods, street rods, custom cruisers, and even replica vehicles. While not all modified classics will qualify for coverage, OpenRoad considers each on a vehicle-to-vehicle basis. If your custom ride is deemed a good fit for OpenRoad’s program, it’ll be approved for a classic car insurance policy.