In addition to driving carefully, and rarely, on the road, you’ll need to take care of your car when it’s not being driven too. As well as on-road limitations, some other activities are barred. Racing is generally a big no-no because of the risks involved. So if you want to take your classic on a track, rally with it, or take part in something like a hill climb, you should probably look for a different category of insurance.

Some policies may stipulate that vehicles should be garaged when not in use. Said garage may have to be climate-controlled, but at the very least, it should be fully enclosed and capable of shielding your vehicle from the elements. This serves a couple of purposes. Older vehicles might lack rust and paint protections, parts may also suffer if you leave the vehicle outside. While rust and weather damage may not seem like something an auto insurance policy would generally cover, some policies will pay out under certain circumstances. These can include accidents and natural disasters, and the exact terms will be laid out in your policy. One thing is for certain though, storing your vehicle negligently has a good chance of invalidating a claim.

Some older cars are also far easier to steal. They may predate immobilizers or feature an ignition cylinder that’s either easily bypassed or so worn that the car can be started with something like a flathead screwdriver. Either way, a garage helps. If you’re taking your classic on the road for whatever reason, then secure parking is likely a necessity for any overnight stays.