After tinkering in your garage for months, your masterpiece is finally finished. You can't wait to see the envious looks from your neighbors as you cruise through town in your one-of-a-kind creation. But first, how to find cheap car insurance in Atlanta so your Atlanta collector car insurance is both high quality and highly affordable?

No collector car or antique vehicle can be insured for actual cash value (ACV) in Atlanta because the way ACV is typically determined is to compare your car to local sales of the same model in similar condition and with similar mileage. But no such animal exist. With an antique, classic car, or Atlanta collector, car insurance must be based on a stated or agreed value since these cars appreciate in value rather than depreciate, and no two vehicles are exactly the same.

Agreed value is an amount that you and the agent agree will be the insured value of your vehicle. This can be tough to establish, especially since your personal bias can distort your perception of the car's worth. In reality, your one-of-a-kind car is irreplaceable. But, you can't quote that figure to the insurance company!

The terms of your Atlanta collector car insurance policy will usually state that you're covered for the agreed value or the cost to repair your auto, whichever costs less. One way to go about pricing your collector car is with a good pricing guide. Research online can also be very helpful. You may even want to get the car appraised.

It may surprise you that collector car insurance normally is cheaper than standard insurance. But it makes perfect sense if you look at all of the eligibility requirements you have to meet:

• Drivers under age 25 aren't eligible for collector car insurance in Georgia (double check on any state laws, since they do change).

• Collector vehicles are driven on a limited basis and subject to mileage restrictions. Check your policy to see how many miles you can drive each year; going over that will disqualify your coverage.

• You can't get covered if your car sits out in the open. There's too much risk of theft, vandalism, or damage from the elements. You have to prove that your specialy vehicle is kept in a garage or other locked storage.
  
  

One more reason you can expect your collector car insurance to cost less lies in the way you handle your car. Insurance premiums are based on statistics and statistic show that owners of collector cars treat their vehicles like family. They want to keep them safe from harm, so these vehicles are driven with the utmost care.

When looking for an Atlanta collector car insurance policy, one way to go is to choose a company that specializes in collector car coverage. There are a number of these in the US, such as Hagerty, Dairyland and Safeco, and the agents that work for them are all very familiar with cllector vehicles. Their policies are tailor made for the type of vehicle you own.

You can also go with one of the mainstream companies like Liberty Mutual, Gieco, or State Farm. They will probably charge you more but if you have other vehicles already on a policy it may be that you want to take advantage of a mulit-car discount. It might take a little shopping around and number crunching to see what works out best for you. More on that later.

Once you've found a company you think is right for you, it's important to make some decisions about coverage. For example, will you keep your prize garaged, and register it just so you can take it for a spin on the occasional ride around town? Or are you planning regular trips to car shows and long weekend joy rides? Time spent on the road and miles logged per year have a major effect on rates.

Read your policy carefully before entering into any agreements. It's very important that you understand the policy and know what to expect in advance. I can't tell you how many times I've learned about an inconvient clause in my contract only after I had to file a claim (yes, some of us never learn).


Verify the eligibility requirements listed previously and ask plenty of questions. Ask about the company's towing policy. Do they provide flat bed towing to reduce the risk of damage caused by "normal" towing? Do they cover you if you go to specialty auto body shops, and if so, which ones are covered? Will they pay for parts that will restore your car to it's original condition or do you have to use the parts the insurance company dictates?

Last but not least, it's important to spend a little time comparing prices. Don't trust your collectible to the first company that offers a decent rate. Since you know what to look for in a policy, it's now easy to "compare apples to apples" when comparing rates.

The easiest place to do this is online, where it takes very little time to get multiple quotes for cheap car insurance in Atlanta from a single rate comparison website. Check out the ratings for any company you're considering and also see if there are consumer complaints. (You can do this online too.) You don't want to pay for what looks like a great deal on Atlanta collector car insurance only to find you get the runaround when you need them. And if you'd still prefer a local agent, your research will have you well prepared when you pay him or her a visit.

Now you can enjoy your labor of love with confidence and peace of mind.