Exotic and High-Value Collector Car Insurance

By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO

A low-mileage supercar kept under a cover, a limited-run sports car bought new and barely driven, a modern classic like an air-cooled 911 or a manual V12 that collectors chase: these cars sit between the classic car world and the luxury car world. They are worth far more than most daily drivers, they may be appreciating, and their owners often drive them only on clear summer weekends. The insurance question is which kind of policy fits. This page explains the options. For collector coverage in general, see our classic and collector car insurance guide.

We shop exotic and collector car coverage with carriers including Hagerty, J.C. Taylor, Liberty Mutual, Cincinnati and American Modern, among others. We’re a family-owned independent agency founded in 2005, with access to 40+ carriers, and we’ll confirm eligibility for your vehicle before you rely on a policy.

Collector policy or high-value auto policy?

The biggest decision for an exotic owner is how the car is used.

• A collector policy suits a car driven occasionally for pleasure, shows, club events and tours, stored in a locked, enclosed garage, with a separate daily car for each driver. It usually insures the car at an agreed value.
• A high-value auto policy suits a luxury or performance car you drive regularly, including to dinner, the office or a second home. Read more about high-value auto insurance in New Hampshire.

Some owners have both: a daily-driven luxury SUV on a high-value auto policy and a weekend exotic on a collector policy. We look at each car separately and make sure the liability limits line up.

Agreed value for modern collectibles

Modern collectible values can rise fast after a model goes out of production, then cool off just as fast. A standard actual-cash-value settlement relies on general market data that can lag behind a hot market. With agreed value, you and the insurer settle the number up front, and a covered total loss pays that amount, minus any deductible. To support the value:

• Keep the original window sticker, build sheet and options list
• Keep documentation of rare options, special editions or limited-run numbers
• Track recent sales of comparable cars with similar mileage
• Get an appraisal for very rare or very valuable cars
• Review the value at every renewal, and call us mid-term if the market moves

More on setting the number in our agreed value car insurance guide.

Repairs, parts and specialist shops

Exotics often need factory parts, carbon fiber or aluminum body repair and technicians trained on the brand. Ask how a policy handles partial losses: whether it pays for original manufacturer parts, whether you can choose a specialist or factory-certified shop, and how long parts may take to arrive. A repair done right matters as much as the total-loss value.

Storage and security

• Locked, enclosed garage: the usual condition for collector coverage.
• Alarm and tracking: many owners add monitored alarms and GPS trackers. Tell us about them.
• Climate and battery care: a battery tender and stable temperature help the car, and a well-kept garage helps a claim.
• Winter storage: keep comprehensive coverage active while the car is put away. See collector car winter storage.

Modifications, film and wraps

Paint protection film, ceramic coatings, wraps, aftermarket wheels, exhaust systems and tuning all change what a repair costs and what the car is worth. List every change when you apply and keep the receipts. Heavier modifications may move the car into a modified program; see modified car insurance.

Transport, events and track days

Many exotic owners ship cars to concours events, rallies or a second home in an enclosed transporter. Ask how the policy treats the car in transit and on display, and ask the transporter for its cargo insurance certificate. Our guide to car shows and trailering covers the details. Track days, high-performance driving events and timed events are commonly excluded, so talk to us before any track use.

Liability, umbrella and larger collections

An exotic can do serious damage in an accident, so carry liability that matches your other cars and add an umbrella policy. If you own several significant cars and more than one home, our high net worth insurance team coordinates everything so there are no gaps between policies. We work with collectors in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine.

• We don’t charge any fees.
• We are New Hampshire’s highest-rated agency on Google, with 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials.
• Our 15 employees serve clients from our Portsmouth, NH office and a Connecticut office.

Frequently asked questions

Can a modern exotic car go on a collector car policy?

Sometimes. Many collector insurers will write a modern exotic or limited-production car if it’s driven sparingly, stored in a locked, enclosed garage, and each driver has another car for daily use. If you drive it often, a high-value auto policy is usually the better fit. We’ll confirm eligibility for your vehicle.

What’s the difference between a collector policy and a high-value auto policy for an exotic?

A collector policy is built for limited, hobby use and usually insures the car at an agreed value. A high-value auto policy is built for cars you drive regularly and typically focuses on repair quality, higher liability limits and coordination with your home and umbrella. The right choice depends on how many miles you drive and how you use the car.

How is the value of a limited-production car set?

With agreed value, you and the insurer settle on the car’s value when the policy is written. For limited-production cars, that number is usually supported by the build sheet, window sticker, recent sales of comparable cars and sometimes an appraisal. Review it every year, because values for modern collectibles can move quickly.

Will my policy cover track days?

Usually not. Track days, high-performance driving events and timed events are commonly excluded from collector and high-value auto policies. If you plan to take the car on track, talk to us first so you know where coverage stops.

Do I need to tell my insurer about paint protection film or a wrap?

Yes. Paint protection film, wraps, aftermarket wheels, exhaust and performance changes all affect repair cost and value. List them when you apply and keep receipts so a claim can account for them.

Can you insure several exotic cars together?

Yes. Many collector policies let you insure several cars on one policy, each at its own agreed value. For larger collections, we also coordinate the cars with your homes, daily drivers and umbrella.

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.

“

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!

“

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.

Read more client testimonials

Sources

• Insurance Information Institute: Insuring your classic car