What is Classic Car Restoration Insurance?
Classic Car Restoration Insurance is specialist cover for businesses, tradespeople and enthusiasts who restore, repair, or rebuild vintage and classic vehicles. Unlike standard car insurance, this policy is designed to protect you while working on customer vehicles—whether you’re running a classic car workshop, managing restoration projects, or taking vehicles on test drives. It’s sometimes known as classic motor trade insurance or restorer insurance, offering tailored protection for unique vehicles and specialist tools.
What the experts say…
"Classic car restoration is a labour of love, but the risks are real—from irreplaceable parts to road tests in rare vehicles. Standard insurance simply isn’t built for the unique needs of restorers, whether you’re a business or a passionate hobbyist. That’s why specialist restoration insurance exists: it lets you work on classics with confidence, covers vehicles and tools in your care, and protects you against claims if things go wrong. The best advice? Only pay for the cover you need, keep your details up to date, and always compare quotes to get the right fit for your workshop or garage."
– Ian Beevis, Founder of Clean Green Compare
What’s Covered by Classic Car Restoration Insurance?
These policies are designed for the risks and requirements of classic vehicle restoration, with cover typically including:
- Road risks cover – Lets you legally drive, test, collect, and deliver classic cars, including non-standard and project vehicles.
- Vehicles in your care – Protection for customers’ classic cars while stored, repaired, or restored at your premises.
- Specialist parts and equipment – Cover for rare parts, tools, ramps, and restoration gear.
- Goods in transit – Covers vehicles or classic parts while being moved between sites or transported to shows.
- Public liability insurance – Covers accidental injury or property damage claims linked to your restoration work.
- Employers’ liability – Required if you employ staff, covering injury or illness claims from employees.
These features help protect your classic car business, workshop, or hobby against the most common risks. For broader options, see our main motor trade insurance page.
Add-ons for Classic Car Restorers
Every restorer’s needs are different, so you can tailor your insurance with optional extras:
For high-value or rare classic vehicles, not just market value.
Protection for vehicles off the road during long-term restoration.
For moving cars or parts between locations or events.
Support if you or a team member is injured while restoring a car.
Covers legal costs if you face a dispute or claim.
For vehicles you’re restoring or testing, as well as transporters.
For restorers taking cars to shows or events overseas.
Exclusions – What’s Not Covered?
Every policy has limits, so always check your documents. Common exclusions for classic restoration include:
- Everyday use – Not for regular commuting or private trips (unless specified).
- Motorsport or competition – No cover for racing, rallying, or timed events.
- Undeclared vehicles or drivers – Only vehicles and staff you’ve listed are insured.
- Deliberate damage or neglect – Claims may be refused for poor workmanship or lack of care.
- Theft due to poor security – Unlocked vehicles or premises may invalidate theft claims.
- Unauthorised modifications – Non-approved changes to vehicles may not be covered.
Who Needs Classic Car Restoration Insurance?
You’ll need this type of cover if you:
- Run a classic restoration business? – Protect your workshop, staff, and every customer vehicle in your care.
- Restore classics part-time? – Get covered even if you work from home or around another job.
- Offer mobile restoration or repairs? – Stay protected while working at clients’ sites or on the move.
- Store valuable classics or rare parts? – Safeguard customer vehicles, tools, and components against theft or damage.
- Buy, sell, or source classic cars? – Insure your trade vehicles in transit, at auction, or awaiting restoration. See our import car insurance guide.
- Transport restored vehicles to shows or customers? – Protect cars while moving, demonstrating, or delivering them as part of your trade.
- Run a seasonal or occasional restoration side business? – Flexible cover is available even if it’s not your main job. See part-time motor trade insurance for details.
If you restore or work on any vehicle you don’t own, standard car insurance won’t be enough.
Get Classic car restoration insurance Quotes Today
How to Get a Classic Car Restoration Insurance Quote
Getting covered is simple (for tips on making the process quicker, see our guide to getting a motor trade insurance quote):
How Much Does Classic Car Restoration Insurance Cost?
Premiums depend on your business, vehicles, experience, and extras chosen. Insurers look at:
- Number and type of vehicles – Higher-value or rare classics may cost more to insure
- Workshop and storage – Secure, alarmed premises can lower your premium
- Experience and claims history – Clean records and experience with classics help keep costs down
- Optional cover – Adding agreed value, breakdown, or equipment cover increases the price
- How you pay – Annual payments are often cheaper than monthly
For more on how insurers set prices, see why is car insurance so expensive?
Ways to Save Money on Classic Car Restoration Insurance
Try these tips to keep your premium down:
Find more tips in our motor trade insurance guide.
FAQs – Classic Car Restoration Insurance
Can I get classic car restoration insurance for vehicles under restoration that aren’t yet roadworthy?
Does classic car restoration insurance cover tools, ramps, and specialist equipment used in restoration workshops?
Many classic car restoration insurance policies offer the option to cover your specialist tools, ramps, and restoration equipment. Make sure to check your policy or add equipment cover to protect everything you use in your restoration trade or workshop.
Can a classic car restoration business insure multiple classic vehicles and its own trade vehicles?
Yes, classic car restoration insurance for businesses can cover multiple customer vehicles as well as your trade vehicles. For private use or hobby cars, you may need a separate policy—check with your provider if you mix trade and personal restoration projects.
Is European breakdown or overseas show cover available with classic car restoration insurance?
Some classic car restoration insurance providers offer European breakdown and overseas use as optional extras—especially useful if you transport restored classics to shows or clients abroad as part of your trade.
How does classic car restoration insurance work for importing or sourcing vehicles in the restoration trade?
If your restoration business imports classic cars or sources vehicles from overseas, you’ll need specialist import insurance. Some classic car restoration insurance policies offer this as an add-on, helping protect high-value vehicles during shipping and storage.
How can a classic car restoration business get the lowest insurance quote?
To reduce your classic car restoration insurance premium, only cover the vehicles, parts, and staff you need, invest in workshop security, and build a no-claims bonus. Always compare quotes from several providers to make sure your restoration trade gets the best deal.
