American Collectors vs. American Modern: Classic Car Insurance Compared

American Collectors vs. American Modern at a glance

Sources: American Collectors about page; American Modern collector vehicle page. Information as of October 2026 and may change.

About American Collectors

American Collectors Insurance has provided agreed value insurance for collector vehicles and collectibles since 1976 and is based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Its policies are underwritten by American Family Home Insurance Company, a member of the American Modern Insurance Group, and in California by American Alternative Insurance Corporation, a Munich Re company. Vehicle plans cover classic and collector cars, custom cars and hot rods, imports and exotics, classic trucks and utility vehicles, and classic motorcycles, and it also offers a plan for collectibles.

About American Modern

American Modern Insurance Group is a specialty insurer that is part of Munich Re Specialty. Its collector vehicle program, sold through agents, uses agreed value, with taxes and fees included in a covered total loss after the deductible, and also offers a stated value option. Eligible vehicles range from classic, antique, muscle, and exotic cars to street rods, kit cars, trucks, military vehicles, collectible farm equipment, fire engines, late-model collector cars, and restorations in progress. Vehicles must be kept in a locked garage or building, titles may be held by an individual, trust, LLC, or corporation, and a newly acquired collector vehicle is covered automatically up to $50,000 for 30 days. Racing is excluded.

Key differences

• How you buy. American Collectors: directly and through agents. American Modern: through independent agents.
• Usage. American Collectors: limited pleasure use; check program rules. American Modern: limited use; vehicle must be kept in a locked garage or building.
• Valuation. American Collectors: agreed value. American Modern: agreed value, with a stated value option.
• Extras. American Collectors: plans for classic, custom, import, truck, and motorcycle collectors, plus a collectibles plan. American Modern: broad eligible vehicle types, from muscle cars to military vehicles and farm equipment, and automatic coverage for newly acquired collector vehicles up to $50,000 for 30 days.

Shared underwriting. American Collectors' policies are underwritten by a member of the American Modern Insurance Group, so these two programs share an underwriting family. Differences come from program rules, pricing, and how each is sold.

Who each may fit

American Collectors may fit owners of several vehicle types, including hot rods, imports, and motorcycles, and collectors who also want coverage for collectibles.

American Modern may fit collectors who want to work with a local independent agent, own unusual vehicles such as military or farm equipment, or title vehicles in a trust or business entity.

Classic vs. regular auto insurance

General comparison. Eligibility rules and coverage options vary by insurer.

Agreed value and how total losses are paid

The most important difference is how a total loss is paid. A regular auto policy pays actual cash value: the market value at the time of loss, minus depreciation, which can be far below what a collector car is worth. Classic policies typically use agreed or guaranteed value, where you and the insurer agree on the car's value when the policy is written, and that amount is paid if the car is totaled, minus any deductible where one applies. Stated value policies are different: they may pay the lesser of the stated amount or actual cash value. Read the valuation wording carefully, and update the agreed value after restoration work or as market values rise. Keep appraisals, receipts, and photos.

Common eligibility rules

Specialty insurers set their own eligibility rules, but common requirements include:

• Vehicle age or status. Many insurers look for vehicles at least 20 to 25 years old, though some cover modern collectibles, exotics, and limited-production vehicles.
• Condition. The vehicle is maintained, restored, or being restored, and is not a daily driver.
• Storage. A locked, enclosed garage or storage unit.
• Regular-use vehicle. Each household driver has another car for daily transportation.
• Driving record. Clean records and minimum driver ages, often 25 or older.
• Usage limits. Pleasure use, club activities, and shows, sometimes with annual mileage caps.

Extras to compare

• Spare parts coverage for parts you store for the vehicle.
• Restoration or under-construction coverage that increases value as work is completed.
• Flatbed towing to protect the vehicle during transport.
• Show and trip coverage, including transport to events.
• Inflation guard that increases agreed value over time.
• Roadside assistance designed for collector vehicles.

Storage and security

Most classic insurers require a locked, enclosed garage, and some accept secure storage facilities. Security measures such as alarms, cameras, battery disconnects, and steering locks reduce theft risk. Check whether the policy covers the car while stored at another location, such as a seasonal storage facility, and tell your insurer if storage changes.

Appraisals and inspections

Many classic insurers set agreed value using your estimate supported by photos, with a professional appraisal required for higher-value vehicles. An appraisal from a recognized appraiser documents condition, originality, and comparable sales. Update it every few years or after significant work. Some insurers inspect vehicles or request additional photos before binding coverage on high-value cars.

Classic car claims

Collector car claims differ from everyday claims. Ask whether you can choose a restoration specialist, how original or reproduction parts are handled, and whether the policy pays for diminished value after repairs. With agreed value coverage, a total loss pays the agreed amount; some insurers let you buy back the salvage. Report claims promptly and document damage thoroughly.

Shows, clubs, and transport

Car shows, club rallies, parades, and track-style events are central to collector ownership, but coverage varies. Most classic policies cover driving to and from shows and club events. Racing, timed events, and track days are usually excluded and need separate coverage. When trailering a car to an event, confirm whether the policy covers it during loading, transport, and unloading, and whether the trailer itself is covered.

Liability and umbrella for collectors

Collectors often have significant assets, and a serious accident in any vehicle can lead to a large claim. Classic policies include liability, but limits may be modest by default. Ask about higher liability limits, and consider an umbrella policy, checking whether the umbrella insurer requires the classic policy's liability limits to meet a minimum.

How to compare American Collectors and American Modern quotes

1. Decide the agreed value for each vehicle, supported by photos and, for higher-value cars, an appraisal.
2. Request quotes from both with the same agreed value, liability limits, uninsured motorist limits, and deductibles.
3. Compare mileage limits, storage requirements, and driver rules against how you actually use the car.
4. Compare extras: spare parts, roadside and flatbed towing, restoration coverage, and event coverage.
5. Ask each for the legal name of the issuing insurer and its financial strength rating.
6. Review the full total, including fees and any membership costs.

How to verify an insurer or agency

Before buying through any website or app, confirm who is selling you the policy and who will issue it:

1. Find the licensed agency or insurer named in the site's footer, terms, or license page.
2. Look up the agency or producer on your state insurance department's license search, or through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
3. Look up the insurer on your state insurance department's company search to confirm it is authorized in your state.
4. Save the insurer's name and policy number once issued, since that is who handles claims.

A legitimate service will make this information easy to find. Be cautious if you cannot identify the licensed entity.

What to have ready for a classic car quote

These details help produce accurate quotes.

1. Vehicle details. Year, make, model, VIN, and condition.
2. Agreed value. Your estimate, supported by photos or an appraisal.
3. Storage. Where and how the car is kept.
4. Usage. Expected annual miles and events.
5. Drivers. Licenses, records, and your regular-use vehicle.

American Collectors vs. American Modern FAQs

Related guides

• Compare classic car insurance companies
• Agreed value vs. stated value
• Classic auto insurance

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Your next step

Request a quote, and a licensed agent will compare collector car options available to us with the agreed value and limits you choose.