If you own a classic, performance or collector car, you already know the importance of storing it properly and servicing it right. But choosing the right specialist car insurance? It’s a question that many owners ask us.
Specialist car insurance should reflect how your vehicle is actually used and stored – not just its market value. Whether it’s a low-mileage Ferrari, a hypercar that’s used on high days and holidays, or a cherished classic tucked away in long-term storage, your cover needs to match the real-world risk.
At Windrush, we believe pairing the right insurance with secure car storage is essential, especially for collectors and investors. So we spoke to Alastair Main, General Manager for Windrush Car Storage, to get his expert view on what works – and what often doesn’t – when it comes to specialist car insurance.
Why mainstream insurance often falls short
Mainstream providers work well for everyday vehicles. But for cars that are barely driven and that are kept in professional secure storage, they often fall short. These providers base their quotes on generalised assumptions: regular mileage, street parking, routine wear and tear.
“Our clients’ cars are often only used on high days and holidays,” Alastair explains. “Some barely even leave the garage. But most insurers are not great at tailoring the insurance to reflect the fact that these are high value cars that are stored securely with really low mileage.”
Alastair believes that insurers need to take into account the fact that in many cases, these high value cars are stored securely and driven small distances each year, which therefore reduces risk.
Choosing the right specialist car insurance: expert advice from Windrush
That’s where specialist car insurance providers come in. These companies focus specifically on enthusiast-owned, collectible or performance vehicles and are better equipped to understand low-mileage usage patterns, collector value, and specialist storage.
Classic car and performance car insurance specialists that Alastair often recommends to Windrush clients are:
- Hagerty: a well-known provider of specialist classic car insurance, appreciated for their enthusiast-led approach, agreed-value policies, and tailored terms.
- Chubb: a go-to choice for clients with prestige, classic and high performance cars.
- Hiscox: designed for motorists with a love of high-end cars, including luxury vehicles, classic cars, and performance cars.
“These providers are accustomed to dealing with high-value cars and factoring in low mileage usage,” says Alastair. But, he warns, even within the specialist insurance sector, there’s still room for improvement.
Specialist can still mean ‘standard’ - and that’s the problem
As Alastair notes, even good insurers don’t always adjust their policies to account for vehicles kept in professional, secure car storage environments like Windrush’s.
“Some insurers still don’t reflect the reduced risk for securely stored and infrequently driven vehicles,” he explains.
Windrush’s facilities are climate-controlled, access-restricted and professionally monitored – far removed from a locked garage at home. Yet not all insurance policies recognise this. Premiums often remain high simply because of the car’s value, without balancing that against its minimal exposure to real-world risk.
This is an area that Windrush wants to explore more in the future – helping clients to build better cases for fairer insurance premiums for high-value classic and performance cars.
Specialist car insurance that matches specialist care
If you’ve chosen Windrush for secure car storage, you already value discretion, preservation, and peace of mind. The right specialist car insurance policy should reflect the same standards.
That doesn’t mean overpaying for premiums based solely on vehicle value. It means working with insurers who understand how collector cars are actually used and kept – and who reward clients who invest in proper care.
Windrush can support clients with insurer recommendations, agreed valuations, and supporting documentation to ensure you get cover that reflects your car’s real-world profile.
FAQs: Specialist car insurance and storage
Do I need specialist insurance for cars in storage?
Yes. Even while stored, cars must be insured, and ideally with a policy that recognises their usage, storage conditions and value. Windrush requires all vehicles to carry fully comprehensive cover.
Is car insurance affected by where I store my vehicle?
It should be. Professionally stored cars pose significantly lower risk. Some insurers recognise this – Windrush can help support with documentation and detail that supports premium adjustments.
Is classic car insurance different from performance car insurance?
Both fall under the umbrella of specialist car insurance, but the focus differs. Classic car insurance tends to centre on agreed value, limited mileage, and preservation. Performance car insurance often includes track-day options, high-power coverage, and cover for modifications or non-standard parts. Either way, storage, security, and usage details play a major role.
Is it best to have an ‘agreed value’ insurance for a classic or collector car?
Agreed value is an integral part of classic car insurance. It’s the amount your insurer agrees to pay you if your classic is written off after a crash and is specifically designed to reflect the true worth of your classic car.
Looking for the right specialist insurance car cover?
Windrush regularly supports clients with advice, introductions, and documentation to ensure their vehicles are insured properly – and fairly. Get in touch with our team to discuss how to pair world-class storage with the right specialist car insurance.
