Insuring an Expensive Car
You can also insure a high-end car online. However, due to the car’s high value and increased risk of theft, insurers do have stricter requirements. Do you own a luxury car from, say, Porsche, BMW, or Audi? Compare insurers and calculate your car insurance premium.
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Also for luxury cars such as Porsches, BMWs, and sports models
Insure Your Luxury Car Online
It is not necessary to purchase exclusive auto insurance from a specialized auto insurer. These days, even regular insurers can insure expensive cars.
Insuring an exclusive car is no problem at Alpina. You'll immediately see your premium and any additional security requirements.
What is an expensive car?
Insurers consider a car to be “expensive” when its official new price (list price) exceeds €70,000 to €80,000. This refers not to the current market value, but to the price at which the vehicle was delivered from the factory.
If a car’s catalog value exceeds this threshold, insurers typically impose stricter requirements for insuring the vehicle. For example, a good security system is required, and additional conditions are often imposed to limit the risk of damage or theft.
New models and sport versions
Not every model from a well-known brand is automatically considered an “expensive car” in the eyes of the insurer. Often, this specifically refers to new models with a high list price or sports models with powerful engines and extensive options.
Consider, for example, an Audi A3 versus an Audi RS3: while the standard A3 is relatively easy to insure, the RS3 is immediately placed in a higher risk class due to its performance, value, and susceptibility to theft. The same applies to top-of-the-line models from BMW (such as the M5), Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, or Tesla Performance models.
Expensive car brands
- Aston Martin
- Audi (especially RS models and the e-tron GT)
- Bentley
- BMW (especially M models and the 7- and 8-Series)
- Ferrari
- Jaguar
- Lamborghini
- Land Rover (especially Range Rover models)
- Lexus (top-of-the-line models such as the LS or LC)
- Maserati
- McLaren
- Mercedes-Benz (primarily AMG models and S- and G-Class vehicles)
- Porsche
- Rolls-Royce
- Tesla (especially the Model S Plaid and Model X Performance)
- Volkswagen (Golf GTI, Golf R, Tiguan R, or Touareg)
Insurance companies usually classify these brands directly as “expensive cars,” especially when it comes to electric cars, new models, or special sports editions.
Choose from 3 coverage options
Comprehensive coverage is often the best option. It covers damage to others as well as damage to your own vehicle—even if you’re at fault. This is especially important for new cars that depreciate rapidly.
Get extra coverage for your valuable car and choose from optional coverages such as legal assistance, roadside assistance, accessories coverage, or replacement transportation.
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We'll take a look at your car, compare a wide range of auto insurance policies, and help you choose the right coverage.
Insure Expensive Accessories and Upgrades
As a standard, accessories are often covered up to about €1,000. Do you have more expensive parts or have you performed a complete upgrade?
In that case, you can easily add this additional amount to your coverage. A set of original or sport rims often exceeds the standard coverage amount. You can choose the amount for which you want to insure your accessories. You can always adjust this amount later.
Security Requirements for High-End Cars
Expensive cars are a popular target for criminals. As a result, strict additional security requirements are standard when insuring an expensive car. These security systems reduce the likelihood of theft and increase the chances that a stolen car will be recovered.
5 Different Types of Car Alarms
There are 5 different classes of car alarms:
- Class 1 Car Alarm: Immobilizer
- Class 2 Car Alarm: Alarm System
- Class 3 Car Alarm: Alarm System with Tilt Detection
- Class 4 and 5 Car Alarms: Vehicle Tracking System
Insurance companies often require at least an SCM security class 3 alarm system. A car must have an alarm system with automatic immobilization and tilt detection.
For even more expensive or exclusive cars, Class 4 security may be required. This means the car must be equipped with a vehicle tracking system that can locate the car after it has been stolen. In some cases, Class 5 is even required. In that case, the vehicle tracking system is automatically activated as soon as the alarm goes off.
In addition, insurers sometimes require that the car be parked in a locked garage to reduce the risk of theft. Parking in a garage is considered an additional security measure, especially for convertibles or other expensive cars.
Always check whether your car meets the insurer’s security requirements before purchasing insurance. If you don’t meet a security requirement, you’ll need to purchase that system separately. Calculate your premium, and you’ll immediately see which security system you need for the insurance.
Fair Market Value Rule
If you own a luxury car, it’s a good idea to choose thereplacement value coverage. If your car is declared a total loss or is stolen, the insurer will pay you an amount that will allow you to buy the same car again.
New cars depreciate rapidly, and otherwise you’ll often only be reimbursed for the lower current market value. The replacement cost coverage usually applies only if you’re the car’s first owner and is limited to a period of 1 to 3 years after purchase. The terms of this coverage may vary by insurer.
Cost Basis Rule
If you’re not the first owner, or if the car is older, you can often opt for a purchase value policy. This policy works the same way as the replacement value policy, but for used cars.
With the replacement cost coverage, the insurer will reimburse you for the purchase price if your car is declareda total loss.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Insuring an Expensive Car
Why is it difficult to insure an expensive car?
Insuring an expensive car can be difficult. The risk of break-ins or theft is higher for an expensive car than for a less expensive one. The more expensive the car, the greater the risk for the insurer and the higher the potential claim amount. Many insurers are therefore particularly reluctant to insure these cars.
However, there are often modified terms or additional requirements. For example, the car must be equipped with a reliablesecurity system.
At Alpina, you can easily insure your exclusive car online. Compare various insurers and calculate your premium right away.
Which insurance company insures expensive cars?
Most standard auto insurers also insure high-value cars. Therefore, it is not always necessary to purchase an exclusive auto insurance policy from a specialized insurer. However, specific conditions often apply, such as the requirement to have an alarm system or additional security measures in place.
Should I get exclusive auto insurance?
No, you can also get insurance for many expensive cars from regular insurers, as long as your vehicle falls within their underwriting limits and meets the security requirements. However, a more expensive car often means a higher premium than for a regular car.
What do insurers consider to be an expensive car?
Most insurers generally set a limit of €70,000 to €80,000 in list price to classify a car as “expensive.” This refers not to the current market value, but to the vehicle’s original new price.
Brands such as Porsche, Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes often fall into this category with their top-of-the-line models because the insured amount is higher than for a standard car.
At Alpina, insuring exclusive cars is no problem. Calculate your premium right away.
Does my expensive car always have to be covered by comprehensive insurance?
That’s certainly a wise decision, especially for new or very expensive cars. Comprehensive insurance also covers damage you cause yourself, such as parking damage or a fender bender. With an expensive car, those costs can really add up, so comprehensive coverage gives you financial peace of mind.
Are you looking for an affordable option with less comprehensive coverage? Then choose limited comprehensive insurance.
What security requirements apply to luxury cars?
For high-end cars, an SCM Class 3 alarm system is required as a minimum. For luxury models, Class 4 or even Class 5 may be required, in which case the vehicle must be equipped with a tracking system that automatically activates in the event of theft. Sometimes the insurer also imposes requirements regarding parking, such as a locked garage.
Calculate your premium, and you'll immediately see which security system you need.
What is the difference between the replacement cost and the purchase price method?
The replacement value policy applies to new cars and ensures that, in the event of a total loss or theft, you will be reimbursed the amount needed to purchase the same car new. The purchase price policy applies to used cars: in that case, you will be reimbursed the amount you originally paid.
Since new cars can lose value quickly, this helps you avoid having to pay a lot out of pocket.
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