A classic car is a sizeable investment. You need to protect that investment by making sure the car is properly insured. The car insurance coverage you need will depend on how you use the car.

There are three types of classic car coverage. The most common coverage is for actual cash, or bluebook, value. In the event of a loss, this kind of car insurance coverage pays out the purchase price of the car less depreciation. State value, on the other hand, allows the owner to declare a value for the car that is greater than the book value. And agreed value ensures that the owners of classic vehicles will get all their money value even if the car is a total loss.

These types of insurance are offered through a standard insurance provider. The owner of a classic car should also consider a classic car insurance policy. These policies can be cheaper and less restrictive than a standard car insurance policy. Some classic car insurance policies require the driver to be 25 years or older. Some programs even require the driver be at least 30 years old. Classic car insurance programs could also limit the amount of driving you do to 2,500 miles or less a year. Annual odometer readings could also be required. The insurance provider will give you specific information on what requirements need to be met in order to insure your classic car.

Whether you choose a standard car insurance policy or a classic car insurance policy, make sure you find an insurance policy with flexible usage guidelines.  You want to make sure the car insurance policy is flexible enough to meet your needs while providing adequate coverage to protect your investment. Many insurance providers offer mileage programs for classic cars, which tend to be driven less than other vehicles.  Some programs will allow the driver to drop down their premium if they only drive the classic car a certain number of months a year.  This is an option to consider if you keep the classic car in storage for part of the year.

When the time rolls around to get your vehicle insured, do some comparison shopping. First, be sure your agent has experience with classic cars. You want to get the coverage you need, but you do not want to pay for expensive options that you do not. Make sure you get more than one quote. Compare coverage and premiums and see which company really offers you the very best deal. Just be sure the policy meets your needs, not the needs of some hypothetical classic car fan. It’s never a good plan to go for the cheapest policy only to find out later you weren’t covered.

Whichever kind of policy works best for you, be sure you use a licensed and experienced insurance agent. Licensed agents can look at your situation and offer you the exact coverage you need to enjoy your classic car worry-free.

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Driving a new car is a lot of fun, but buying one can be a major pain. Throw in the tight credit market due to the economic crisis, and that makes shopping for a new car on a budget all the more frustrating.

But it really is possible to get into a car you will love at payments you can afford. First of all, you need to know how big a payment really fits into your budget. When you are budgeting for you car, don’t forget you also have to pay for car insurance, fuel, taxes, repairs, maintenance, tax, license, and registration. But once you know how much you can afford to pay, you can move on to step number two.

Secondly, consider how you will use your new car. Will you do mostly highway driving? City driving? Do you need room to haul luggage or equipment, or is passenger room your first priority? Your needs and your budget determine the kind of car you should shop for.

Next, decide on whether you want to purchase a new car or a used car.  In the past, many people would buy new cars because used cars were considered unreliable.  However, with improvements in technology, cars are better and lasting longer, making used cars a worthy choice.  If you do decide to go the used car route, make sure you have access to the vehicle’s repair and maintenance history.  You don’t want to purchase a used car that has had major repairs that have not been disclosed.

Then decide whether to buy or lease. If you trade cars every two or three years, then leasing may be for you. It costs less per month and requires a lower down payment. But if you drive your cars for five, seven, even ten years or more, there is no doubt you will be better off buying them outright. That’s also true if you drive a lot of miles per year, such as driving from your suburban home to a job in the city every day or using your car in outside sales. If you lease a car, you are limited to a preset number of miles per year without having to pay a stiff penalty. Drive it too much, and you may have to spend a small fortune to pay off your lease.

Whichever you decide, buy or lease, be prepared to negotiate. Get the price on the model you want from multiple dealers. Look for specials. At the end of the sales year, dealers are eager to move older models off the lot to make room for the next year’s design. Search the Internet for even more great deals and special offers.

Finally, if you plan to use financing, get your loan approval before you even go to the dealership. Getting your financing approved in advance makes you a much more desirable customer, and you are far more likely to get their best deal.

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