Spring Recommissioning: Getting Your Collector Car Back on the Road

By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO

For New England collectors, the first warm Saturday in April is a holiday. The garage door goes up, the cover comes off and everyone wants to hear the engine. A few hours of careful recommissioning before that first drive can head off a breakdown, a fire or a costly repair, and a short insurance review can make sure your coverage still matches the car and how you plan to use it this year.

This guide is the spring half of our collector car storage and winter lay-up checklist. For the basics of collector coverage, start with our classic and collector car insurance guide.

When to bring it out

The calendar says spring well before the roads do. Salt and sand linger on New England roads long after the last storm, and potholes and frost heaves are at their worst in April. A good rule: wait for a few heavy rains to wash the salt off and for the street sweepers to come through your town. On the Seacoast and the Connecticut shoreline, that’s often mid to late April. In the Lakes Region, the North Country and inland Maine, it can be May.

Before you turn the key

Look for uninvited guests

Mice and squirrels love a quiet garage. Check the air cleaner, the exhaust tips, the glove box, under the seats and the trunk for nests. Look for chewed wiring under the hood and under the dash. Chewed wires are a fire risk, so fix them before the engine runs.

Fluids and fuel

• Check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid and transmission fluid. Look under the car for drips on the floor.
• If you stored the car with fuel stabilizer, the gas is usually fine. If not, old fuel may need to be drained.
• Brake fluid absorbs moisture. If it’s been a few seasons, consider a flush.
• If you changed the oil before storage, plan another change after the first few drives.

Battery and electrical

• If the battery was on a tender, check the charge. If it sat disconnected, charge it fully before reconnecting.
• Clean any corrosion on the terminals.
• Test every light: headlights, brake lights, turn signals and hazards.

Tires and brakes

• Set tire pressure to spec. Tires lose air over the winter, and flat spots usually work out after a few miles.
• Check the date code on each tire. Old tires can fail even with plenty of tread.
• Make sure the brakes release fully and the parking brake works. Sticking calipers and seized wheel cylinders are common after a long sit.

Belts, hoses and the cooling system

Squeeze the hoses, check the belts for cracks, and look for white crust or green residue that signals a coolant leak. Remove any rags, rodent screens or plugs you put in the intake or exhaust last fall. Leave yourself a note on the steering wheel next time so you don’t forget.

The first drive

• Start the car and let it idle while you watch the gauges and look for leaks or smoke.
• Keep the first drive short and local, at moderate speeds, and test the brakes gently several times.
• Watch for frost heaves, potholes and leftover sand on back roads.
• When you get home, check the floor under the car again for new drips.

If the car won’t start or something feels wrong, don’t push it. Have it moved on a flatbed. Many collector policies include towing or roadside help; ask us how yours works.

The spring insurance review

Spring is the natural time to make sure your coverage still matches your car. A few minutes now prevents surprises at claim time.

• Agreed value. Winter auction results, a finished restoration or new parts can change what the car is worth. Send us updated photos and receipts. See agreed value car insurance.
• New cars. If you bought a car over the winter, make sure it was added to your policy within the newly acquired vehicle window.
• Drivers. Tell us about any new drivers in your home, such as a teenager who got a license this winter, and who will drive the collector car.
• Storage. If the car moved to a new garage, barn or storage unit, tell us where it lives now.
• Restoration. If the car spent the winter at a restorer, confirm how it is covered at the shop and on the way home. See restoration and project car insurance.
• Shows and trailering. If you plan to trailer to shows or club events, see car shows and trailering.
• Umbrella. Check that your collector policy’s liability still lines up with your umbrella policy.

Registration and paperwork

Before the first drive, check that your registration is current and that the insurance card in the glove box is the current one. Antique and classic plates come with their own rules in each state. Our New Hampshire, Connecticut and Maine collector car guides explain the basics, and our guide to antique vs. classic car insurance explains how plates and policies differ.

Plan the season

Spring is when the show calendar fills up: cruise nights, club tours, concours events and the first big swap meets. Collector policies are written for exactly this kind of hobby use. Commuting and errands usually aren’t part of it, so if your plans for the year include more driving than usual, tell us. And if you’re eyeing a new car this season, our guides to Porsche, Corvette and classic Mustang insurance cover what to know before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

When is it safe to take my collector car out in the spring?

In most of New England, wait until the road salt and sand have been washed away by a few good rains and the street sweepers have been through, often mid to late April on the coast and later up north. Your car will thank you for waiting an extra week or two.

Do I need to tell my insurance company when I take the car out of storage?

Usually not, if you kept coverage in place over the winter and the car returns to the storage and use the policy expects. Call us if anything changed: a new garage, a new driver, a car you bought over the winter or a restoration you finished.

How old is too old for tires on a collector car?

Tires age even when they aren’t driven. Many tire makers and restorers recommend replacing tires after a set number of years regardless of tread, so check the date code on the sidewall and ask your tire shop. Old tires can look fine and still fail at speed.

Should I update my agreed value every spring?

Spring is a good time to review it. Winter auction results, restoration work done over the winter and parts you added can all change what the car is worth. Send us updated photos and receipts and we’ll review the value with your insurer.

What if my car won’t start after the winter?

Don’t keep cranking. Check the battery, fuel and connections first, and if it still won’t start, call a mechanic or have it moved on a flatbed. Ask us about towing and roadside options on your collector policy.

What our clients say

From our client surveys. Comments are lightly edited for typos only.

“

Jon is super helpful and amazingly communicative. He responds fast with well thought out answers making the process of getting insurance for my home and car super simple.

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Very informative, responsive, and helpful with answering any questions we had. Helped us get the best deal and coverage, explained the differences between coverage options, and let us choose what worked best for us. Highly recommend!

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Excellent guidance on insurance options and fantastic quoting and onboarding experience. We trust their recommendations and feel that we have best coverage for peace of mind at best possible cost.

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