Classic car insurance without a garage: How to optimally protect your classic vehicle
26 Apr 2025
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
You love your classic car but don't have a lockable garage? Many owners believe that they cannot obtain special insurance coverage because of this. Discover why that's a myth and how you can fully insure your classic vehicle even with a carport or private property.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Classic car insurance without a garage is possible with many insurers if alternative protective measures such as a carport or a private parking space are available.
The chosen parking space directly affects the insurance costs; secure accommodation can reduce the premium by up to twenty percent.
Additional security measures such as alarm systems or GPS trackers can compensate for a lack of a garage and lead to better conditions.
Die Leidenschaft für klassische Automobile verbindet viele Menschen, doch nicht jeder verfügt über eine abschließbare Einzelgarage. Dies führt oft zur Sorge, keine adäquate Oldtimerversicherung zu erhalten, da der Garagenstellplatz als eine der wichtigsten Voraussetzungen gilt. Tatsächlich ist eine Oldtimerversicherung ohne Garage bei vielen Anbietern möglich, wenn bestimmte Bedingungen erfüllt sind. Dieser Artikel zeigt Ihnen, welche alternativen Stellplätze Versicherer anerkennen, wie sich dies auf Ihre Prämie auswirkt und worauf Sie in den Vertragsdetails achten müssen, um auch ohne Garage den vollen Schutz zu genießen.
Garage Requirement for Classic Car Insurance – A Fact Check
The assumption that a classic car insurance policy necessarily requires a garage is widespread, but not universally true. Many insurers require a secure parking space to minimise the risk of theft and damage, which causes millions in damages annually. However, some providers like LVM or Allianz no longer explicitly require a garage. Instead, they assess the overall concept of vehicle use and security. The key question for the insurer is not just where the vehicle is parked at night, but how the owner ensures its preservation. Having an everyday vehicle is one of the most important prerequisites for a classic car insurance policy. This regulation ensures that the classic car is used only for leisure drives, which reduces the overall risk by more than fifty percent. Consequently, the rigid garage requirement is increasingly giving way to a more flexible risk assessment by insurance companies.
These alternative spaces are accepted by insurers
If a permanent garage is not available, there are several alternatives that are recognised by insurers. The most important condition is that the parking spot provides better protection for the classic car than a public street. Many insurers consider a carport as sufficient protection against weather conditions such as hail or strong sunlight. A private, enclosed (i.e., fenced) property meets the requirement of removing the vehicle from direct public access. Even a fixed parking space in an underground or shared garage is often regarded as equivalent to a single garage. For instance, Allianz states that a carport or a space on an enclosed private property is sufficient. Here is a list of common alternatives:
Lockable underground parking spaces
Private shared garages with an assigned spot
Carports on your own property
A fixed parking space on a private property secured by a fence or gate
Monitored multi-storey car parks with regular use
The key factor is the precise description in the insurance application, as this determines the cost of vintage car insurance. Therefore, transparent communication regarding the chosen parking spot is essential.
Costs and Services: How the Parking Space Influences the Contribution
The location where you store your classic car directly influences insurance costs, as it is a key factor in risk calculation. A vehicle kept in a locked garage can provide up to a twenty percent premium saving compared to being parked on the street under a streetlight. A carport or a fenced private parking space often falls somewhere in the middle, with a discount of about ten percent. Insurers reward the lower risk of theft and vandalism with cheaper premiums. Some providers also tie certain services to the parking location. For example, comprehensive coverage that goes beyond the traditional fully comprehensive insurance might only be granted with a garage space. It is important to check the details, as there are several considerations with classic car insurance. Choosing the parking location thus involves weighing available options against the desired level of protection.
Understanding the Fine Print: Parking Space Clauses in the Terms and Conditions
The insurance terms often define the location where the vehicle is parked as the “predominant nightly parking spot” or “regular parking location”. These clauses are crucial because incorrect information can lead to a refusal of benefits in the event of a claim. If you specify a garage space when the vehicle is parked on the street eighty percent of the time, you are committing a breach of obligation. Our expert tip: Document your parking spot with photos and confirm acceptance in writing with the insurer before signing the contract. This provides legal certainty for both parties. Some contracts also include a “night-time clause”, which stipulates that the vehicle must remain at the agreed location between ten p.m. and six a.m. Variations, such as during a holiday trip, are usually covered but should be clarified if in doubt. A thorough comparison of classic car insurance policies helps to identify such pitfalls.
In five steps to the right insurance policy without garage requirement
Finding the right classic car insurance without a garage doesn't have to be complicated. With a systematic approach, you can find the right protection for your vehicle in five steps. First, you should determine the value of your classic car with an up-to-date appraisal, as this is the basis for any insurance sum. Second, define your actual parking space as precisely as possible to specifically look for providers who accept it. Third, compare not only the price but especially the benefits and clauses regarding the parking location. A low premium is worthless if the protection is inadequate in the event of a claim. Fourth, openly discuss any additional security measures you have taken. Fifth, seek professional assistance to review the offers. This way, you ensure that you know exactly when classic car insurance is truly worthwhile. If you are considering constructing a parking space, you can even secure financing for a garage.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked for free and receive concrete optimization suggestions.
More useful links
Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) provides a press release on the subject of vintage cars from the year 2023.
Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) offers a short report (PDF) on the inventory of vintage cars and their vehicle age in the year 2023.
Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) offers comprehensive statistics on vehicle age and the overall vehicle inventory.
TÜV-Verband provides detailed information about the H license plate for vintage cars and its requirements.
TÜV Nord offers a practical guide with tips on the topic of vintage cars.
Bundesministerium für Verkehr (BMV) gives an overview of the different vehicle license plates in Germany.
ADAC Motorsport presents the vintage car statistics for the year 2023.
FAQ
Muss ich dem Versicherer eine Änderung des Stellplatzes mitteilen?
Ja, eine Änderung des im Vertrag angegebenen, regelmäßigen Stellplatzes ist eine meldepflichtige Gefahrerhöhung. Wenn Sie dies nicht tun, kann der Versicherer im Schadensfall die Leistung kürzen oder verweigern. Ein Umzug oder der Wegfall des Garagenplatzes muss daher umgehend gemeldet werden.
Gilt der Versicherungsschutz auch, wenn der Oldtimer auf Reisen woanders geparkt wird?
Ja, der Versicherungsschutz gilt in der Regel europaweit und auch dann, wenn das Fahrzeug vorübergehend nicht am vereinbarten Ort steht, zum Beispiel im Urlaub vor einem Hotel. Die Klausel zum „nächtlichen Abstellort“ bezieht sich auf den regelmäßigen, alltäglichen Standort.
Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einer Garagenversicherung und einer Ruheversicherung?
Eine Ruheversicherung ist eine beitragsfreie oder beitragsreduzierte Versicherung für abgemeldete oder mit Saisonkennzeichen stillgelegte Fahrzeuge. Eine Garagenversicherung ist keine offizielle Versicherungsart, sondern beschreibt umgangssprachlich eine Kaskoversicherung für ein nicht angemeldetes Fahrzeug, das dauerhaft in einer Garage steht (z.B. während einer Restauration).
Akzeptieren alle Versicherer einen Carport als Alternative?
Nein, die Akzeptanz ist nicht einheitlich. Während viele moderne Versicherer einen Carport als ausreichenden Schutz ansehen, bestehen einige traditionelle Anbieter weiterhin auf einer massiven, abschließbaren Garage. Es ist entscheidend, dies vor Vertragsabschluss individuell zu klären.
Kann ich einen Oldtimer ohne Alltagsfahrzeug versichern?
Das ist sehr schwierig und nur bei wenigen Spezialanbietern möglich, oft zu deutlich höheren Kosten. Die Existenz eines Alltagsfahrzeugs ist für fast alle Versicherer der Nachweis, dass der Oldtimer nur als Liebhaberfahrzeug und nicht für den täglichen Weg zur Arbeit genutzt wird.
