Generally speaking, there are two kinds of collectible cars: those which are 25 years old and older – true antiques – and those which are not. Neither type is appreciated less by their owners, and both come with special issues that also distinguish them from the cars we drive to and from work every day.
One of the defining issues of collector cars is the way they are insured. Whether we are talking about a high-end luxury performance car, an antique roadster that has been lovingly restored to working order, or a modern muscle car, all of these vehicles require special insurance.

When you go shopping for your specialty car insurance, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• While some mainstream insurers are branching out into specialty insurance for antique and performance cars and motorcycles, most do not. For this reason, you should plan on needing a separate policy. Even if you can bundle the coverage for your specialty vehicle and your regular car, you may find that the collector policy is cheaper on its own.

• Your car does not have to be an antique to be a collectible car. Many specialty insurers are accepting modern muscle cars – performance vehicles that are ten-to-fifteen years old – rather than twenty-five.

• Appraisals are not always required. While most insurers reserve the right to request an appraisal, most also only require proof of ownership and photos proving that the car is in good working order.

• Collector insurance isn't necessarily expensive. Because specialty insurers use "agreed value" insurance – you and they come to an agreement of the actual replacement cost of your car, and insure the car for that amount. Regular insurance uses "actual cash value" which is generally less money. Despite this, collector car insurance is still less expensive because insurance premiums are based on perceived risk, and specialty insurance is for cars that generally aren't driven every day, and are therefore less of a risk.

• There will be some caveats that come with specialty coverage. Generally you must prove that the car is garaged when not in use, that it isn't driven every day, that you have a regular policy for a regular car, and, in some cases, that you have a significant amount of driving experience and/or a competitor's license.

Now that you know what specialty insurance is and why you need it, you also need to know how to find it.

There are several ways:

• Ask your current insurance agent. Either your regular insurance company has a specialty line, or they can refer you to a company who does.

• Check with a local motor club. If you belong to any kind of organization centered around specialty vehicles chances are someone has a list of cheap insurance companies to share. Ask questions, and find out how fellow members feel about their insurance.

• Use the Internet. Whether you're searching for cheap insurance for your daily drive, or specialty insurance for a vintage hotrod, the 'net has tons of options. You can even find companies that specialize just in luxury cars, or only in antiques.

However you find the insurance company you ultimately go with, be sure to compare auto insurance quotes from a couple of different insurers – doing so may help you find benefits or discounts you weren't previously aware of.