In short
- AMV ranks first for insuring a classic car in 2026: the broker accepts vehicles from 15 years old (versus 25 to 30 years at most insurers), pays out at collection value rather than book value, and covers both classic cars and classic motorcycles. On accessibility and flexibility of a dedicated policy, it is the most open offer in the comparison.
- Allianz (Classic Car, agreed value) and April complete the podium with solid cover, but stricter eligibility on vehicle age. AXA, Solly Azar and Macif offer decent policies, more geared to occasional use.
- Classic car insurance costs less than standard cover because the vehicle is driven little, often 3,000 to 6,000 km per year. In return, the policy requires a locked garage, an experienced driver and, in most cases, another vehicle for daily trips.
A classic car is not insured like a recent saloon. Price, cover and above all the way a claim is paid rest on one principle: the agreed value, set jointly by the owner and the insurer. Still, you have to pick the right company, because eligibility varies widely from one policy to another. Here is the top 6 of classic car insurers in 2026, following on from our comparison of motorcycle gear insurance.
The top 6 classic car insurers in one table
| Rank | Insurer | Rating | Minimum vehicle age | Payout basis | Car and motorcycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMV (AMV Légende) | ★★★★★ 4.8/5 | from 15 years | Collection value | Yes, both |
| 2 | Allianz Classic Car | ★★★★☆ 4.5/5 | 30 years (25 case by case) | Agreed value | Cars mainly |
| 3 | April | ★★★★☆ 4.2/5 | 20 to 25 years | Agreed value | Yes, both |
| 4 | AXA | ★★★★☆ 3.9/5 | 25 to 30 years | Agreed value | Cars mainly |
| 5 | Solly Azar | ★★★☆☆ 3.7/5 | 20 to 25 years | Agreed value | Cars mainly |
| 6 | Macif | ★★★☆☆ 3.5/5 | 30 years | Market or agreed value | Cars mainly |
The gaps come mainly from the minimum age required. Where most insurers wait for 25 or 30 years, AMV opens the door from 15 years, which changes everything for a youngtimer owner.
1. AMV: the most accessible offer on the market
Rating: ★★★★★ (4.8/5)
AMV, a vehicle broker specialised since 1974, offers with its AMV Légende product a policy designed for old and classic vehicles. What puts it first is its entry threshold: the offer applies to any vehicle over 15 years old worth less than 100,000 euros, when competitors usually wait for 25 or 30 years. Compensation is based on the collection value, which reflects the collector character of the vehicle rather than the plain book value of an ordinary old car.
AMV’s other strength is its dual expertise: the broker insures both classic cars and classic motorcycles, in the same tailor-made spirit. Quotes and subscription are handled online, with discounts based on the age and number of vehicles to insure.
AMV advantages
- Eligibility from 15 years, the most open in the comparison, ideal for a youngtimer
- Payout at collection value, fairer than the standard book value
- Classic cars and motorcycles insured by the same specialist broker
- Online quote and subscription, sliding-scale multi-vehicle rates
- Vehicle appraisal, a safeguard in the event of a total loss
AMV drawbacks
- Vehicle value capped at 100,000 euros, which rules out the rarest pieces
- An appraisal less than two years old is required for damage cover
- As everywhere in the collection segment, use stays leisure, no daily trips
2. Allianz: the heavyweight of agreed value
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Allianz is among the reference players in classic vehicle insurance with its Classic Car offer. The company pays at agreed value, set by appraisal, and covers rallies and gatherings. The trade-off is stricter access: the offer mainly targets vehicles of 30 years and more, sometimes 25 years for a piece of proven heritage interest.
Allianz advantages
- Strong brand, dense agency network for direct policy support
- Clear agreed value and cover for collection events
- Good handling of high-value vehicles
Allianz drawbacks
- High minimum age, poorly suited to youngtimers of 15 to 25 years
- Offer more centred on cars than on classic motorcycles
3. April: the versatile broker
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
April, a wholesale broker well established in two-wheelers, offers collection policies for both cars and classic motorcycles, with agreed-value compensation. Access often opens from 20 to 25 years, a notch earlier than traditional insurers, which makes it an option worth watching when comparing offers.
April advantages
- Open to vehicles from 20 to 25 years depending on the case
- Covers both cars and motorcycles
- Broker network for tailored support
April drawbacks
- Cover and price vary by distributing broker
- Less direct subscription than a fully online offer
4. AXA: the reassuring generalist
Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.9/5)
AXA offers a classic vehicle policy backed by its agency network, with agreed-value compensation. The offer suits a collector who values a nearby adviser and a contract tied to their other policies. Eligibility generally targets vehicles of 25 to 30 years.
AXA advantages
- Physical agency network and dedicated adviser
- Option to bundle the collection with household policies
AXA drawbacks
- Standard age conditions, no opening for youngtimers
- Rates sometimes less competitive than a specialist broker
5. Solly Azar: the specialist of atypical profiles
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.7/5)
Solly Azar, a French wholesale broker specialised in niche markets often overlooked by traditional insurers, offers solutions for old and classic vehicles. A useful lead for a profile that standard companies are reluctant to cover, with subscription through a partner broker.
Solly Azar advantages
- Expertise in atypical profiles and unusual vehicles
- Flexibility in building the policy through the broker network
Solly Azar drawbacks
- Indirect distribution, no direct online subscription
- Lower public profile than the big brands
6. Macif: the mutual option
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)
Macif lets you insure a classic vehicle within its mutual offer, with a good cover-to-price ratio for occasional use. Eligibility follows the administrative definition of collection, from 30 years, which shuts the door on more recent vehicles.
Macif advantages
- Mutual insurer known for its service and claims handling
- Consistent if the household’s other policies are already with Macif
Macif drawbacks
- Access reserved for vehicles of 30 years and more
- Collection offer less specialised than a dedicated broker
How to choose your classic car insurance
Three criteria settle the choice. First the vehicle age: a youngtimer owner of 15 to 25 years logically turns to AMV, which accepts it when others refuse. Then the payout basis: agreed value or collection value protects far better than a book value, especially after restoration. Finally the use: the collection policy assumes leisure driving, limited mileage and parking in a locked garage, in exchange for a price well below standard insurance.
Mistakes to avoid
- Insuring a classic car on plain third-party cover: without agreed value, the payout after a claim collapses.
- Under-declaring the value to pay less: the real protection is cut on the day of a total loss.
- Overlooking the conditions of use (garage, mileage, secondary driver) that can suspend cover if breached.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best classic car insurer?
For a flexible, accessible policy, AMV leads in 2026: the broker insures vehicles from 15 years at collection value, cars and motorcycles alike, with an online quote. Allianz (Classic Car, agreed value) and April follow with solid cover but stricter age conditions. AXA, Solly Azar and Macif offer decent policies, more suited to occasional use. The best choice mainly depends on the vehicle’s age and the payout basis you want.
From what age is a car considered a classic?
Administratively, the collection registration is granted from 30 years. But insurers apply their own thresholds: most cover an old vehicle from 25 or 30 years, while AMV goes down to 15 years. A vehicle of 15 to 25 years, called a youngtimer, can therefore be insured on a dedicated policy without waiting for the collection registration.
Why does classic car insurance cost less?
Because the vehicle is driven little, often 3,000 to 6,000 km per year, for leisure use. This low mileage reduces the risk of a claim, hence a price below standard insurance. In return, the policy imposes conditions: locked garage, experienced driver and, at most insurers, owning another vehicle for daily trips.
What is agreed value in classic car insurance?
The agreed value is the amount set jointly by the owner and the insurer, usually based on an appraisal, and paid in the event of a total loss. It protects far better than a book-value payout, which underestimates a restored old vehicle. AMV applies a similar logic with the collection value, which factors in the collector character of the vehicle.
Can a classic motorcycle be insured with the same insurer?
Yes. AMV and April cover both cars and classic motorcycles, which simplifies management for a multi-vehicle collector. AMV, a two-wheeler broker specialised since 1974, applies sliding-scale rates based on the number of vehicles insured. For rider gear, our comparison of motorcycle gear insurance details each insurer’s limits, and our ranking of young driver 125 insurance rounds out the two-wheeler side.