Classic Ford Car Insurance

Here at Lancaster Insurance Services, we are fans of the Fords of yesteryear. We’ve provided classic car insurance for everything from the boxy beauty that was the Ford Prefect, all the way up to a 2003 Ford Focus RS (just about a classic, in our book).

The manufacturer that introduced the world’s first mass produced car – the Ford Model T – in 1908 has gone on to make countless cars which are now deemed classics.

Rarely does Ford miss with one of its cars, which has resulted in a huge range of collectible vehicles. If you’re the owner of a classic Ford, be sure to speak to our team about how we help you find some affordable car insurance for it.

At Lancaster Insurance Services, we understand that you’ll do everything to ensure your classic Ford is protected for the long term. After all, these classic cars need to be preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Classic Ford insurance from Lancaster

Henry Ford built his first car – which he called a ‘quadricycle’ – in 1896. But it wasn't until 1901 that he started the Henry Ford Company, having recognised the potential for car manufacturing on a wider scale.

Then in 1908, Ford launched the Model T, or Tin Lizzie as it was also known. This was the world’s first mass produced car and it kick-started our passion for motoring. Affordable, simple and built to last, nearly 16 million Model T’s were produced.

Henry Ford was even quoted as saying: “There’s no use trying to pass a Ford, because there’s always another one just ahead.” Originally sold for between $260 and $850, this was affordable motoring for the masses.

Contrary to popular belief, the Model T didn’t just come in black. Red, blue, grey and green colourways were also available.

Today, you’re more likely to spot one of these vintage motors at a static show or historic rally rather than out on the road. Here at Lancaster Insurance Services, we want to preserve our past. That’s why we offer cover for all classic Fords - from the Model T right up to the modern day marvels like the Ford Sierra Cosworth and the Ford Capri.

What Ford classics do you cover?

HMRC may define a classic car for benefit in kind purposes as any car over 15 years old, but here at Lancaster, we think it’s more about the way you use your motor that determines its classic status.

Although no one will disagree that a Ford Anglia 105E is a classic car, there is more debate about whether a Ford Focus Mk1, for example, fits into the classic category.

Let’s look a both cars in a bit more detail as we highlight some of the Ford classics that we can provide cover for:

Ford Anglia

The Ford Anglia 105E sounds as British as cars come, but with its sweeping nose line, tail fins, and backwards slanting rear window, it clearly had more than a bit of American influence.

The Anglia 105E was the first Ford car to have electric windscreen wipers and a four-speed gearbox. That alone makes it a bona fide classic. But they were also incredibly fun to drive – although not quite as much fun as the second Harry Potter film made it out to be.

If you haven’t seen Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, an authentic 1962 Ford Anglia 105E was used as the film’s flying car.

Ford Focus Mk1

The Mk1 Focus was an undeniably brilliant car – meaning that it was a top seller in its day. But is it a classic Ford? As we say, there’s a debate to be had. Some would say that there are still a few too many on the roads for it to be deemed as such – but in a few years’ time, the Mk1 should easily acquire classic status.

If you’re thinking of picking up a Mk1, you’ll enjoy fine handling and typical Ford driving fun. If your budget can stretch to an ST, you've definitely got a future classic on your hands.

Ford Cortina

Ford launched the Cortina in 1962, aimed squarely at the mass market. And so, it proved, with the Cortina going on to be the best-selling car of the 1970s, with more than 2.8 million sold in the UK before production was brought to an end in 1983.

The Cortina wasn’t exactly designed to be a classic Ford – it was cheap to produce and run, meaning it was the perfect first car for those who passed their test in the 1960s and 70s. But that hasn’t stopped it from becoming extremely desirable for collectors.

Of course, some models are more collectible than others – such as the Ford Consul Cortina GT, launched in 1963. The first Ford to bear the GT badge since the war, it launched with the tagline: “Pure Ford fire, neatly packed into the race-bred, over-square engine.” What a car it was.

Ford Escort

The replacement for the Anglia, launched in 1968, the Ford Escort sold more than four million units in the UK, during the 33 years it was in production.

The first generation had Coke bottle styling, rear-wheel drive and a four-speed manual gearbox. But we have a particular soft spot for the drastically different MkIII, which had front-wheel drive, a hatchback body, a more aerodynamic style, and vastly improved suspension.

The Escort was replaced by the Ford Focus at the end of the millennium, which is now creeping into classic status itself.

Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta is still very much part of the here and now, but the model was actually introduced in 1976 to meet the growing demand for smaller cars. Nimble, easy to drive, and cheap to run, the Mk1 Fiesta ticked all the boxes.

While the practicality of the Mk1 is to be admired, the hot hatchback models which came along in the 80s were arguably the better investment. The 1980 Ford Fiesta Supersport is a rare classic today – if you get your hands on one, make sure you insure it with adequate classic car insurance.

We can also provide Ford classic car insurance quotes for:

• Ford Consul
• Ford Zephyr
• Ford Zodiac
• Ford Capri
• Ford Corsair
• Ford Sierra Cosworth
• Ford Mexico

How does classic Ford insurance compare to normal car insurance? Will my insurance quotes differ?

All drivers are familiar with car insurance – after all, having a car insurance policy in place is a legal requirement if you want to drive a car on the roads in the UK. But it’s not until you own a classic car do you have to think about classic car insurance.

Put simply, a classic car insurance policy is specifically designed for vehicles which, perhaps, aren’t used on a daily basis and are given a bit more care and attention than a standard car.

As a result of this, you’ll usually be fairly well treated by classic car insurance, compared to standard car insurance. It depends on a number of factors, but you can expect lower classic car insurance premiums.

It’s only fair. A classic car owner is usually proud of their car and the way they drive it, and insurers – including us here at Lancaster – believe that this should be reflected in the price you pay for your annual insurance policy.

Classic car insurance also brings certain benefits, too. Here at Lancaster, some of the benefits we can offer include:

Limited Mileage Discounts

If you do cover relatively limited miles in your Ford (or other classic car), we may be able to reflect this with a discount on your annual insurance cover.

Two Year Agreed Valuation

When insuring a modern car, an insurer will have a clear idea of that car’s market value, and therefore of how much it will cost to replace. With this information at their disposal, they can make a more considered calculation and provide a reasonable quote to insure the vehicle.

With classic cars, however, it can prove a little tricker for insurers to come up with a valuation – particularly if the classic car in question doesn’t go on sale all that often.

Also, demand for particular models can fluctuate, particularly if collectors suddenly develop an interest in a particular classic. As a result, vintage car owners could risk finding themselves with a quote for insurance that falls short of the value of their car.

Here at Lancaster, we can remove this uncertainty with our Two Year Agreed Valuation. This is a valuation for your car, agreed upon by both you and us, the insurance providers. As its name suggests, the valuation is binding for two years, at which point the car is revalued.

Having a Two Year Agreed Valuation in place means that, if the worst happens and your Ford or other classic is stolen or written off, you will be reimbursed by your insurance provider, to the exact amount agreed.

Discounts for owners’ club members

We always advise our insurance customers that they join the owners’ club for their particular marque or model. Not only because it might mean they can claim a discount on their classic car insurance premiums, but also because they’ll be aligning themselves with a group of people who share in the love of the same make and/or model of car.

Owners’ club members normally meet a few times a year to show off their classic cars to each other at meets, shows and drives. When they’re not meeting at an event somewhere, members are usually chatting online, sharing their restoration projects and technical expertise.

Why do we offer discounts for owners’ club members? Well, it acts as further evidence that the classic car driver is taking the ownership of their classic seriously.

Other reasons to choose Lancaster to protect your classic include:

• Cover for classics that are MOT exempt
• Static show cover
• Historic rally cover
• Choice of repairer
• Salvage retention
• Free EU cover up tp 90 days
• Laid-up cover

What are some of the best Ford car clubs in the UK?

There is a car club for just about every vintage model of Ford. But here are some of the best and most thriving owners' clubs that we’ve come across:

Cortina Mk3 Club

Formed all the way back 1992, this lively club is aimed at owners and fans of what many people believe to be the best Cortina: that Coke bottle-styled Mk3 from the 1970s.

In addition to a four-yearly magazine, aptly named Coke Bottles, there is a well-populated online forum featuring active advice, parts for sale and parts wanted sections among others.

The club also puts on an annual get-together featuring awards, a static show, and plenty of opportunities to exchange restoration stories and ideas.

Ford AVO Owners' Club

This club is even older having formed in 1980 to unite owners of the special range of vehicles produced, between 1968 and 1975, by Ford's Advanced Vehicle Operations plant (AVO), based in Aveley, Essex.

In that seven-year period, Ford produced five absolute AVO classics: the Twin Cam, RS 1600, Mexico and RS 2000 versions of the Mk1 Escort, as well as the RS 3100 Capri. The Escort 1300E has also been added to the group, as the first 5,000 1300Es were built at the AVO plant.

Benefits include a copy of the award-winning club magazine, HAVOC. Members can also obtain a written appraisal and valuation of their classic Ford, useful for classic car insurance purposes.

Ford Classic and Capri Owners Club

When we say there is a club for every model and marque, we really mean it. This club is specifically for owners and fans of the Ford Consul Classic & Consul Capri models of 1961 to 1964.

The club gives members access to its own extensive spares programme, spanning everything from replacement panels via interior trim to mechanical parts. Meanwhile, annual or biannual 'autojumble' gatherings allow owners to pick up parts which are hard to come by, for a decent price.

Ford RS Owners Club

Ford RS Owners Club is for owners (and those interested) in all models since 1968. This club also known as the ‘Fast Fords’ includes the infamous Escort – for example, the Twin Cam, Mexico, RS 1600 and RS 2000, and rally icons such as the Mk2 RS 2000 and Mk3 RS Turbo and its iconic replacement, the Focus. Also, the sporting Sierras including the renowned RS Cosworth.

Each year, they have a range of exhilarating summer events across a variety of Regional Concours all over the country welcoming all owners and fans of these fast Fords. Not only that, the Club can organise discounts on classic car insurance.

Fordsport

The broadest of them all is the Fordsport owners' club – open to anyone who owns a high-performance Ford, no matter its year or modifications.

The range of cars represented in this club is huge and spans Ford’s history. Ranging from vintage Consuls and Anglias, right to the finely-tuned Focuses and Fiestas. You will see Ford's '70s, '80s and '90s sporting lines – the memorable Fiesta XR2, Escort XR3 and Sierra XR4, as well as various Escort RS rally heroes.

It isn’t a surprise, given how big this club is, that they can be seen attending the Lancaster Insurance Services Classic Motor Show – two of many major vintage car events of the year.

I own more than one cherished classic Ford. Can I get multi car cover?

Yes, absolutely. We understand that owning one classic Ford is sometimes not enough, and before you know it, you’re restoring one and driving another.

You’ll be pleased to hear that we can cover all of your classic cars under one policy. This means only one renewal date and less admin for you.

Using the call-back request form on our website, tell us more about you and your cars. Then, we’ll call you back at a time that suits you, to arrange the right cover for your circumstances.

How do I get a quote for classic Ford insurance cover?

It’s really easy! Fill in the form on our website for a quote with your personal details and your classic Ford’s information.

The more information you provide, the better. Giving us your car registration number, estimated annual mileage, how the car is typically used, plus any accidents and convictions within the last five years helps give you the most accurate quote.

There are several choices you can make at this stage including whether you want fully comprehensive or third party, fire and theft cover. You can also adjust your voluntary excess, and choose monthly or annual payments.

However, if you’d find it easier you can request a call back  (at a time that suits you), where we’ll call you to take some details and find the our best insurance deal for you and your classic Ford.

Or, if you prefer, call our UK-based call centre on 01480 484826 to speak to us straight away – we will be only too happy to discuss the variety of insurance options available to you.

Need to make a claim? Our 24-hour claims helpline is here to help make the claims process as stress-free as possible.

Want to take your fast Ford out on the track? We can help find track day insurance too, as well as modified car insurance for your modified Ford.