Classic Ford Bronco Insurance

By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO

Few vehicles have climbed in value like the early Ford Bronco. A truck that was once an inexpensive, rusty off-roader can now be one of the most valuable vehicles in a New England garage, especially a clean original or a professionally built restomod. We insure original roadsters and half-cabs, wagons restored over many winters, full-size Broncos from the late 1970s and high-dollar restomods with modern engines and suspensions. Each needs a value that keeps up with the market and a policy that fits how you drive it.

This guide covers what’s specific to insuring a classic Bronco. For how collector insurance works in general, start with our classic and collector car insurance guide. We shop collector car coverage with carriers including Hagerty, J.C. Taylor, Liberty Mutual, Cincinnati and American Modern, and we’ll confirm eligibility for your vehicle before you rely on a policy.

Bronco generations collectors care about

First generation (1966 to 1977)

The early Bronco, built in three body styles: the open roadster (early years only), the half-cab sports utility, and the wagon. Inline-six and V8 engines, a short wheelbase and a simple design made it popular with off-roaders, which is why so many were modified, and why original examples are now sought after. Special models such as the Sport and the Ranger trim draw extra interest.

Second generation (1978 to 1979)

The first full-size Bronco, built on the F-Series pickup platform with big V8 engines. Produced for only two model years, these trucks have a growing collector following.

Full-size Broncos (1980 to 1996)

Later full-size Broncos are increasingly collected, especially clean, original and low-mileage trucks and special trims. Many are still driven regularly, which affects which kind of policy fits.

The new Bronco (2021 to today)

The current Bronco is a modern SUV and is usually insured on a regular auto policy, or a high-value auto policy for special editions driven often.

Original, restored or restomod?

How an early Bronco is built decides how it is valued and insured.

• Original and survivor trucks. Uncut fenders, original drivetrains, original paint and documented history carry a premium. Many early Broncos had their fenders cut for bigger tires, so uncut trucks are prized.
• Restored to original. Value depends on the quality of the restoration and how correct the details are. Keep receipts and photos.
• Restomods. Modern V8 swaps such as the Coyote 5.0, modern automatic transmissions, disc brakes, power steering, upgraded suspension, air conditioning and new interiors. Professionally built restomods can be worth far more than an original truck.

Restomods and other heavily changed trucks are usually insured under modified-vehicle rules. See modified car insurance for how that works, and antique vs. classic car insurance for original and restored trucks. If your Bronco is mid-build, see restoration and project car insurance.

Setting the right value

Bronco values have moved quickly, and an out-of-date agreed value is one of the most common gaps we find. Support the value with photos, receipts, a builder’s invoice and parts list for restomods, and recent sales of similar trucks. Review the value at every renewal and after any work. Our guide to agreed value car insurance explains how values are set and kept current.

Buying or building a Bronco

Whether you’re buying a survivor or having a restomod built, a little paperwork up front protects your insurance value. Match the VIN on the frame and the paperwork, have a Bronco specialist check for hidden rust and past repairs, and ask for every receipt and photo. Many restomod builders work out of state and ship finished trucks by enclosed transport, so ask who covers the truck while it’s being built, while it’s at the shop and while it’s on the carrier. Call us before delivery day so the truck is insured from the moment you own it, and keep the build invoice and parts list. Those documents are the foundation of the agreed value.

Off-road use and how you drive it

Many Bronco owners bought the truck to use it. Collector policies are written for hobby use: shows, club events, tours and occasional pleasure drives, and they commonly limit or exclude off-road use. If you take the truck on trails, to the beach or to off-road events, tell us, so we can find coverage that fits. A Bronco you drive often may belong on a regular or high-value auto policy. If you trailer it to shows or trail events, see car shows and trailering.

Rust, storage and New England winters

Early Broncos rust in the floors, rocker panels, rear quarters, door bottoms, tailgate and around the windshield frame, and the frame itself can suffer after years of salted roads. Have any truck inspected before you buy, and keep a collector Bronco off winter roads. Store it in a dry, locked, enclosed building. See collector car storage and winter lay-up, and if your Bronco came out of a barn, see our barn find guide.

If you have a claim

Reproduction body panels and parts are widely available for early Broncos, but original sheet metal, rare trim and custom restomod components take time to source. Ask whether you can choose your repair shop, such as the builder who made the truck, and keep documentation of the build so the insurer can see what was there before the loss. A covered total loss on a collector policy with agreed value is paid at the agreed amount, less any deductible.

Why work with an independent agency

Specialty insurers look at a Bronco differently, and their rules on use, storage, modifications and value change over time. An independent agency can compare them side by side and coordinate the collector policy with your daily-driver auto insurance, your home insurance and your umbrella policy, so liability limits line up and nothing falls through the gaps.

Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance is a family-owned independent agency founded in 2005. Our 15 employees work from our Portsmouth, NH office and a Connecticut office, we are licensed in 10 states, and we work with 40+ carriers. We are New Hampshire’s highest-rated agency on Google, with 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials, and we don’t charge any fees.

We work with collectors from our Portsmouth office across New Hampshire, Maine and Connecticut, and in our other licensed states. See our state guides for New Hampshire, Connecticut and Maine.

Frequently asked questions

Can I insure an early Bronco on a collector policy?

Often, yes. First-generation Broncos from 1966 to 1977 are commonly insured as collector vehicles when they’re used for hobby driving, stored securely and backed by a separate daily driver. We’ll confirm eligibility for your vehicle.

How do I insure a restomod Bronco built by a specialty shop?

A restomod Bronco is usually insured as a modified vehicle, at an agreed value that reflects the build. Ask the builder for a detailed invoice and parts list, keep photos of the build, and share them with us so the value matches what you paid.

Does it matter if my Bronco’s fenders are cut?

It can affect value. Many early Broncos had their fenders cut to fit bigger tires, so original, uncut examples are sought after. Tell us about the body’s condition and history so the agreed value reflects your truck.

Are full-size Broncos from 1978 to 1996 collectible?

Increasingly, yes. The 1978 and 1979 full-size Broncos in particular have a growing following, and clean, original later trucks are collected too. Whether one fits a collector policy depends on its condition, use and storage.

Will a collector policy cover trail driving in my Bronco?

Not always. Collector policies commonly limit or exclude off-road use. Tell us how you use the truck, and we’ll find coverage that fits, whether it’s a show truck, a weekend cruiser or a trail rig.

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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