Does Classic Car Insurance Cover Mechanical Breakdowns?

You got that dream car, you negotiated the price, maybe you spent the weekends building it to perfection, or you won it at auction.

Either way, the first thing you thought was: How do I protect this beauty?

So, you did your homework.

• Agreed value policy
• Theft
• Collison
• Weather damage

Then six months later, the engine needs a full rebuild. You call your insurer and you hear these words:

“That’s not covered”

What Does Classic Car Insurance Actually Cover?

Classic car insurance is essential, but coverage can be confusing. So, Legendary Car Protection has broken it down for you.

Collisions. Someone hit your ’63 Chevelle, your covered.

Theft. Your Ford GT disappears? Covered

Vandalism. Someone scratches your hood. Covered.

Weather Damage. Hail, floods, fallen trees? Covered.

Agreed value. If totaled, you get the full insured amount.

But what happens when something inside your car fails. Not from an accident, but from mechanical wear? That’s the gap most collectors don’t discover until it’s too late.

Wondering if your car has coverage gaps? Get a free quote at Legendarycarprotection.com and see what protection looks like for your vehicle.

Why Insurance Doesn’t Cover Mechanical Breakdowns?

Insurance protects against the unexpected:

Accidents

Theft

Weather

Mechanical failure is expected, it’s inevitable. Engines wear and transmissions age. Electrical systems get temperamental. When these components fail, insurances consider it the owner’s responsibility.

The Real Cost of Classic Car Repairs

According to Hagerty, specialized labor for collector cars run $70 to $125 per hour before parts. Industry data shows engine or transmission rebuilds on collector vehicles can easily exceed five figures:

• Engine rebuilds: $7,000-$12,000
• Transmission repairs: $4000-$6000
• Electrical diagnostics and repair: Varies wildly, but rarely cheap

Consider a matching number 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda convertible, one of the only 17 built with a four-speed 440 Six Barrel. Finding parts isn’t a phone call. It’s a hunt. The price will reflect that. Your insurance company doesn’t care about rarity. They cover collisions.

For more on at-risk components, read: “Fall into Protection.”

A single mechanical failure can cost more than years of coverage. See what a VSC costs for your vehicle, at legendarycarprotection.com use code 250OFF for $250 off any plan.

What Is a Vehicle Service Contract (VSC)?

A VSC covers what insurance doesn’t: mechanical breakdowns. It’s not an extended warranty (those come from manufactures for new vehicles). A VSC is third-party protection you can purchase anytime, from 1965 or 2026.

Per California Department of Insurance, VSCs function like a service agreement: you pay upfront or monthly, and when a covered component fails, the contract helps cover the repair.

Here’s what a VSC typically covers:

• Engine: Pistons, crankshafts, camshafts, oil pumps
• Transmission and drivetrain
• Electrical: (starters, alternators, ignition modules)
• Suspension, steering, brake hydraulics
• Air conditioning

At Legendary Car Protection, we built our coverage around collector realities. Coverage for  vehicles from 1930 to today, flexible terms, no long-term commitments, and a nationwide repair network. 

How to Protect Your Classic Car Investment?

Insurance covers accidents. A VSC covers essentially everything else.

Get a free quote at legendarycarprotection.com Use code 250OFF for a $250 discount for your first year of coverage.

You’ve invested in the car. Now invest in protection.