If you own a classic car in Massachusetts, you already know it's not just transportation—it's a piece of history on wheels. Whether it's a pristine 1967 Mustang or a lovingly restored Model T, your classic car deserves insurance that actually understands its value. The good news? Massachusetts has a thriving classic car community and plenty of insurance options designed specifically for antique vehicles. The challenge? Navigating the Commonwealth's insurance requirements while finding coverage that protects what you've invested in your collector car.
Here's the thing about insuring a classic car in Massachusetts: you can't just slap on a regular auto policy and call it a day. Standard car insurance values your vehicle based on depreciation, which means if your 1957 Chevy gets totaled, you might only get what a regular 67-year-old car is worth on paper—not what you actually paid or invested in restoration. That's where specialized classic car insurance comes in, and it's surprisingly affordable when you understand how it works.
What Makes Classic Car Insurance Different in Massachusetts
Classic car insurance in Massachusetts operates on a fundamentally different model than your daily driver's policy. The centerpiece is agreed value coverage. When you insure your classic car, you and your insurance company agree upfront on what the vehicle is worth. This value is based on professional appraisals, recent sales of similar vehicles, or documented restoration costs. If your car is totaled or stolen, you receive the full agreed-upon amount—no depreciation, no surprises.
This is different from stated value coverage, which sounds similar but works very differently. With stated value, you tell the insurer what your car is worth, but they only pay fair market value at the time of loss—which could be much less. Always confirm you're getting agreed value coverage, not just stated value.
Massachusetts Insurance Requirements for Classic Cars
Even if your car qualifies for antique plates, Massachusetts law still requires you to carry the same mandatory insurance coverage as any other vehicle. As of July 2025, those minimums increased significantly. You need bodily injury liability coverage of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, property damage coverage of $30,000, personal injury protection (PIP) of $8,000 per person, and uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
These are just the legal minimums. For a valuable classic car, you'll want comprehensive and collision coverage as well—and this is where most people need that CARCO inspection. Before adding these coverages, many insurers require an independent inspector to photograph your vehicle and document its condition, mileage, and options. The inspection is free, takes about 15 minutes, and can be scheduled at your convenience. The insurer gives you a 10-day grace period to complete it, but your comprehensive and collision coverage won't activate until the inspection is done.
Mileage Limits and Usage Restrictions
Here's where classic car insurance gets interesting. Most policies come with annual mileage limits, typically ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 miles per year. This isn't a punishment—it's actually what makes the coverage so affordable. The logic is simple: the less you drive, the less risk there is of an accident, and the lower your premium.
In Massachusetts, driving 5,000 miles or fewer annually can qualify you for a 10% discount on your premium across most coverage types. That's a significant savings, especially when combined with the already-lower base rates for classic vehicles. Most insurers don't require you to install a tracking device—they trust you to report your mileage honestly, though they may ask for odometer photos periodically.
Usage restrictions are equally important. If you register your vehicle with Massachusetts antique plates, you're legally restricted to using it for exhibitions, club activities, parades, and other functions of public interest. You can also use it for test drives to prepare for these events and to transport the vehicle to and from repair facilities. What you can't do is use it as your primary vehicle for daily commuting or running errands. If you want to drive your classic car more freely, you may need to keep standard plates and accept standard insurance rates.
Antique Vehicle Registration and Storage Requirements
To qualify for antique plates in Massachusetts, your vehicle must be at least 25 years old. The registration process requires submitting an application form to the RMV along with a certification and affidavit confirming your vehicle's age and intended use. This document must be notarized. You'll pay a $30 registration fee plus a $20 special plate fee. If you want to use an authentic year-of-manufacture plate instead of the standard antique plate, you can—but the plate must be in good repair, clearly legible, contain no more than six characters, and the RMV must inspect and approve it. Year-of-manufacture plates can't be used for vehicles with a model year of 1979 or later.
Storage requirements are non-negotiable for classic car insurance in Massachusetts. Your vehicle must be kept in a secure, locked garage or structure when not in use. This protects your investment from theft, weather damage, and vandalism, and it's a requirement virtually all specialty insurers enforce. Street parking or outdoor storage will disqualify you from most classic car policies. If you don't have garage space, you'll need to arrange secure indoor storage before you can get proper coverage.
How to Get Started with Classic Car Insurance
Getting the right coverage for your classic car starts with documentation. Gather any appraisals you have, photos showing your vehicle's condition, receipts for restoration work or major repairs, and documentation of comparable sales if you've researched similar vehicles. This information helps establish the agreed value for your policy.
When comparing quotes, don't just look at the premium. Ask about the agreed value amount, annual mileage limits, whether there are restrictions on how you can use the vehicle, what the claims process looks like, and whether spare parts coverage is included. Some policies will cover the cost of tracking down rare replacement parts, which can be invaluable for older vehicles.
Many Massachusetts classic car owners work with insurance agents who specialize in collector vehicles. These specialists understand the unique needs of classic car owners and can often find coverage options and discounts you might miss on your own. They can also help you navigate the interplay between your antique registration status and your insurance requirements, which can get complicated if you're switching between antique plates and standard registration.
Your classic car represents more than transportation—it's a passion project, a piece of automotive history, and likely a significant financial investment. The right insurance policy protects all of that. Take the time to find coverage that values your vehicle the way you do, and you'll have peace of mind every time you turn the key and hear that engine roar to life.
