Insuring a classic car: how to protect your prized vehicle

Proud owners of classic cars often lavish their vehicles with care and attention. But do they take as much time and trouble over their motor insurance? A classic car insurance policy is often cheaper than insurance on a modern vehicle, but it pays to make sure that you buy the right cover for your prized possession.
Some enthusiasts only take their cars onto the road during the summer months. Previously they could let their insurance lapse over the winter when the car was off the road. But they could now fall foul of a new insurance law, which makes it an offence: if you car is taxed it must now also be insured. 
If you don't drive your classic car at all, you should apply for a Statutory off Road Notification. Insurance and road tax are then no longer mandatory.Even if you only take your prized possession out on the road during the summer months, you still need to have the correct cover in place. If not, you risk falling foul of new rules, known as continuous insurance enforcement (CIE). Under these rules, it is now a legal requirement to have a classic car covered by a relevant policy at all times. The only scenario in which this is permitted is if the owner has declared it off-road with a SORN (Statutory off road notice). If you apply for a SORN, insurance and road tax are then no longer required.