When it comes to protecting your classic car, common sense isn’t always enough to keep it safe from thieves and vandals. While damage to your baby is never something you enjoy thinking about, taking some time up front to put in the extra protection may save you tons of heartbreak, financial loss, and hassle in the long run.
So what CAN you do to protect your garage full of investments? Here are a few tips to keep your cars under your ownership, in one piece, and well-cared for when you travel to shows:
- Mind the basics: While it is common sense, you won’t make it very far in your classic if you forget to keep the doors locked, store it securely when it’s not in use, and never leave the keys in the ignition. Even when you are at home, make these practices regular habits. Forgetting once is all it takes for someone to lift your car right out from under your nose.
- Secure your garage: Whether you store your classics in a garage on your property or in a storage facility, choose the most well-monitored facility available in your price range. Security cameras, alarm systems, and any other precautionary measures will help ensure that your classic stays safe.
- Invest in an on-car alarm system. There are dozens of types in all price ranges, some self-install and others that will require the help of an expert for installation. Hotrod.com put together a fantastic article on their top five favorite security systems you can take a look at for great advice on the subject.
- Don’t be too trusting: It’s easy to trust everyone around you when you travel to shows and surround yourself with other car enthusiasts. But the sad truth is that many thieves mask themselves as enthusiasts at major car shows across the country, and take the opportunity to take advantage of trusting car fans. Don’t let just anyone take your car for a spin. Don’t leave your car unattended. Don’t give out too much information to anyone you don’t know (i.e. where or how your cars are stored, your address, the other cars you have stored with the ones at the show, a time of year you are usually on vacation, etc). This also stands when it comes to giving out your information on the internet. While this may seem obvious, many enthusiasts who participate in online car forums forget that privacy is still important when it comes to protecting yourself and your classics.
Of course, the most important thing you have to remember when it comes to protecting your classics is having adequate insurance coverage on your classic and collector cars! Without insurance, any minor incident you encounter can quickly turn into a huge financial burden.
Classic Auto not only offers competitive rates, but we provide the best coverage available with all the perks to take the stress out of classic car ownership and help you rest easy at night knowing your cars are protected and your investments are safe. Give us a call at 888-901-1338 for a free, instant classic car insurance quote!
