Mon. Nov 19, 2007
Old news: I have a Triumph TR-6 (British sports car) that had been sitting in my garage for 22 years, and I decided it had rested long enough. I delivered it to a restoration shop for rejuvenation.They're going over it piece by piece as you read. They have thousands of my hard-earned dollars and they're already requesting more. But before they can test-drive it, it has to be licensed and insured.
I called for and received information about registering a collectible car. Before I register it, it has to be insured. Another phone call and two days later I received an overstuffed envelope full of legal documents.
Turns out the largest insurer of collectible cars in the US is just a few miles down the road, so I'll be visiting them for clarification. I'll pay them a premium and receive a policy number with which I can acquire Historic plates, which I will then deliver to the restoration shop so they can get it on the road.
The advantage of Historic plates is that I only pay a one-time registration fee, and the vehicle does not require regular inspections by the DMV. But I can't drive more than 2500 miles (4100 km) a year, and then only to specific car-related events (shows).
Collector car insurance is based on the fact that the owners love their cars and treat them carefully, so it's cheap. It also restricts me to the same conditions as the plates.
Two more steps toward driving the car of my youth again.