Although the causes of traffic damage related to vintage cars that have been driven out of the garage for the summer are similar to those of ordinary passenger cars, the repair of rare machines often turns out to be even 4-5 times more expensive and may mean that the owner, in the absence of a suitable local workshop, has to take the hobby car abroad for repairs.

“Damage to vintage cars is mostly related to collisions with a wild animal or to collisions in traffic – for example, collisions with other vehicles resulting from manoeuvres or rear-end collisions. Over the past year, the highest number of claims indemnified under the Liiklus+ insurance has been damage caused by a collision with roe deer. The average damage in a collision between a wild animal and a car is about 1,800 euros. While the average insurance loss in the event of an ordinary car is about 2,100 euros, the loss amount in the event of expensive vintage cars in a similar accident is certainly several times higher and, in the event of rare models, the loss amounts are even larger” said Jonatan Jõks, Motor Insurance Product Manager at Seesam.

Small selection of repair shops is the reason behind taking vintage cars abroad for repairs

According to the insurer, vintage cars and hobby cars are vehicles that have been thoroughly restored and, in some events, it has even been possible to preserve their perfect original condition. This makes it difficult to find spare parts, and original body panels, garnishes, lights and glasses meant for restored classic cars as well as repairs thereof also cost significantly more than those of conventional cars.

“This, in turn, makes the choice of workshops that are able to offer high-quality restoration for these types of vehicles, which takes into account the value of the vehicle, or that are ready to undertake such repairs, very narrow. There have also been events in Seesam where spare parts have had to be restored abroad, and it is not uncommon for an entire vehicle to have to be sent across the border for restoration work,” Jõks said.

According to the insurer, owners of hobby cars are well aware of the fact that, even for a short service visit, the car must have valid motor insurance and, without this, it is not worth taking your chances on the road.

However, expensive repair prices have also increased interest in insurance meant for older cars in recent years.

“During the summer period, the number of Liiklus+ contracts increases by about a sixth, and these are the same car owners who take out a six-month insurance contract in order to enjoy the summer carefree with their vintage car,” Jõks explained.

About one-fifth of all cars insured in Seesam are special hobby cars. Of the latter, German makes such as BMW, Mercedes Benz and Audi are the most insured. According to the insurer, it is the first two makes that stand out in the Estonian hobby car culture, which are very common here and also constitute an important part of the youngtimer car culture. In the vintage car segment, Estonians’ interest in American vehicles is also notable. The hobby vehicle portfolio of Seesam also includes Chevrolets, Cadillacs, Buicks, Pontiacs and other cars from across the pond.

“We have insured vintage cars with years of construction dating back to World War II, and machines with years of construction in the 50s and 60s are also popular. Our oldest insured vehicles are a 1929 Franklin Airman, a 1934 Ford Model Y and, in addition, a 1936 Rolls-Royce. However, the most expensive car at the moment is the 1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello whose value reaches well over 100,000 euros on various European car portals,” Jõks revealed.