Generally, one could define a car as ‘classic’ when it is more than 20 years old and doesn’t travel more than 10 000 kilometres per year. This, however, has long divided car enthusiasts.
A ‘veteran’ car is considered to be one built before World War I, and a ‘vintage’ car built before 1930. ‘Post-vintage’ is a classification used for cars built between 1930 and the end of World War II.
There’s an air of indecision surrounding what cars built after this period are considered to be. Some consider cars made in the 1950's as ‘classic’, whilst others believe them to be from the 1980's.
Modern classics, however, are generally defined as cars aged between 15 and 25 years old.
Either way, driving a classic car even short distances on the road without auto insurance is incredibly risky, and many owners of classic cars somehow manage put them onto their regular insurance policies, provided they have actual seatbelts, but this isn’t always a good idea.
Ordinary insurance is for ordinary cars. The book value of an ordinary car goes down every year, and so does the total amount that the insurance company will pay out in a claim.
Well-maintained classics, however, hold their value and often appreciate in price. You definitely want the right insurance, which recognises the real value of your car.