A 20-year-old car is not considered a classic in most states. Most states require vehicles to be at least 25 or 30 years old in order to be registered as a classic car, and Pennsylvania is the only one of the 10 largest states that considers 20-year-old cars to be “classic” for registration purposes.
Even if you can’t register your 20-year-old car as a classic, you may still be able to get classic car insurance for it. Eligibility for classic car insurance varies by company, but most insurers cover cars that are less than 25 years old as long as they are considered to be exotic, a modern classic, or a collector vehicle. It’s also important to note that insurers and state DMVs generally have eligibility requirements besides the car’s age, like requiring the car to be in good condition.
How a 20-Year-Old Car Is Classified
| Organization | Considered a Classic? |
| Most State DMVs | No |
| Yes, if it has historic interest, such as a hot rod or muscle car | |
| No, but may be eligible for classic car insurance if it is an exotic or replica car | |
| Not disclosed; may be eligible for classic car insurance regardless of age | |
| Yes, depending on the make and model | |
| No, but may be eligible for collector car insurance if it is an exotic or replica car |
To learn more, check out WalletHub’s complete guide to classic car insurance.
This answer was last updated on 12/01/22 and it was first published on 06/28/21. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
