For many fans of older cars, the so-called H licence plate is a coveted goal. This is because it not only visually identifies well-maintained classic cars as such, but the licence plate also has a number of advantages. But what happens if the beloved old car, into which so much heart and soul has been poured, is involved in an accident? And who is liable for professional repairs and how? These are important questions that are not only of interest to drivers of classic cars, but also to road users who cause an accident with such a vehicle. fairforce.one explains.
What exactly is an H licence plate?
An H licence plate is a special type of licence plate that is only issued under certain conditions. It can be used for vehicles that are more than 30 years old, have been well maintained and/or professionally restored and are virtually in their original condition. The "H" stands for "Historic" and not only looks good on the licence plate, but also provides tax advantages. This is why the classic car licence plate is very popular with fans of old cars.
However, it is not so easy to obtain and is subject to a number of conditions. In addition, drivers must have a special report drawn up and submitted at their own expense in order to be able to use the coveted licence plate. The most important condition, however, is the age of the vehicle. Because the question "H licence plate from when?" can be answered quite simply: only if the car is older than 30 years is it eligible for this. Of course, it must still fulfil the applicable rules for the main and exhaust emissions test and be roadworthy. In addition, a vintage car certificate is required to confirm the status as "almost in original condition" or "professionally restored".
H licence plate conditions:
- historic vehicle that is at least 30 years old
- Condition: Nearly original or professionally restored
- Vintage car certificate confirming the status as a "historical cultural asset"
- existing fitness to drive (proven by valid MOT and emissions test)
If all conditions are met, drivers of old cars can register/deregister their vehicle as an H-vehicle at the registration office and have a new H licence plate issued.
Accident with classic car - What to do?
If you have looked after your car for so long to finally be able to use the coveted H licence plate, it is all the more annoying if the vehicle is involved in an accident. This is because the older the car is, the more difficult it is to restore it to its pre-accident condition. The H licence plate can help classic car fans affected. This is because it proves that the vehicle is worthy of preservation and secures claims after an accident.
Under certain conditions, drivers of H cars can insist on the use of original spare parts for repairs. However, this is not always the case, as whether and which original spare parts must be used depends on the condition of the vehicle before the accident, its rarity value and factors such as the degree of originality. After an accident, a classic car damage appraisal decides on these details. This records the condition of the car before and after the accident and other information that determines how the repair is to be handled by the insurance company of the party responsible for the accident.
Accident victims in your situation simply get the best support from fairforce.one.
What does this mean for the classic car driver after an accident?
As the driver of a classic car, applying for an H licence plate can therefore be well worthwhile and, in the event of an accident, ensure that the car is repaired appropriately for its age. In the case of elaborately restored classic cars or vehicles in top condition, an expert report can be useful to prove the impeccable condition of the car and can be used as evidence in the event of an accident. Regular documentation of the current condition can also help to ensure that the claim is settled to your satisfaction. As a guideline, the expert opinion should not be older than two years.
After an accident, the damage appraisal should be placed in expert hands. This is because not every surveyor specialises in assessing cars that are more than 30 years old. So make sure that the appraisal is carried out by an expert who is familiar with these vehicles and can correctly determine the damage. There is also a special regulation for loss of use. If you only drive your classic car as a hobby and not as your main vehicle, you are generally not entitled to compensation for loss of use.
What about depreciation for classic cars after an accident?
A top-restored classic car that has been around for several decades often has a high value. This value is of course affected by an accident in the same way as the value of a younger vehicle. Accordingly, you are entitled to a reduction in value in the event of a repair - regardless of how professionally it is carried out - which the other party's insurance company must pay in the event of an accident for which it is not at fault.
In order to find out what you are entitled to and enforce your claims - in court if necessary - professional support is particularly useful. The experts at fairforce.one will help you with the settlement and ensure that you get what you are entitled to.
Accident victims in your situation simply get the best support from fairforce.one.
Depending on the cause of the accident, customers receive an average of €4802 Additional payment
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Accident with a classic car (from the other driver's perspective)
If you have caused an accident with a classic car, your motor vehicle liability will take effect and settle the damage to the other party's vehicle. In this respect, the type of vehicle does not affect the settlement by your insurance company. As with every claim, you must expect a downgrading in the no-claims class. However, you can avoid this by claiming the damage at the end of the year. Buy back from the insurance company. However, as the repair of a classic car is often very cost-intensive, you should check whether this step is worthwhile. Depending on the regulatory costs incurred, downgrading may be the more favourable option.
Steps towards the best possible claims settlement
Do you want professional support with your classic car accident? We shed light on the situation and help you with the complete handling of the claim with our network of specialists.
This is the best way to proceed:
- You can report your accident to us by calling the toll-free number 0800 30 111 60 or simply online.
- An expert from our network will contact you within just 5 minutes to discuss the next steps.
- You take a deep breath and can now lean back, because the specialists from the fairforce.one network will take care of everything else and check your claims after a road accident.
FAQ about the H licence plate
From when H licence plate?
Vehicle owners can obtain an H licence plate for cars that are more than 30 years old and are almost in their original condition or have been restored to a high standard. With a classic car certificate confirming this condition and the usual documents for vehicle registration, owners can re-register or re-register their classic car with an H licence plate.
Does an H licence plate have disadvantages?
Even if an H licence plate often brings tax advantages, it can sometimes be more expensive than a normal registration. Especially for small vehicles, an H registration is sometimes not worthwhile. At least not financially, because despite possibly higher costs, an H licence plate can make sense in the event of an accident. Here, owners should check carefully whether an H licence plate is worthwhile. Other disadvantages are the costs that are necessary for the special expert reports in order for a car to be considered a classic car, as well as the lack of customisation options. This is because in order to obtain the coveted H licence plate, the vehicles must be almost in their original condition and may not be individually tuned or adapted.
Is there an H licence plate insurance?
The advantage of an H registration is not only the status quo as a cultural asset worth preserving, but also the particularly favourable classic car insurance. Numerous insurers offer this, enabling owners of old cars to save a lot of money.
What does vehicle tax cost with an H licence plate?
In addition to potentially low-cost insurance, an H licence plate may also be worthwhile in terms of vehicle tax. This is because owners of classic cars with an H licence plate generally pay a flat-rate vehicle tax of 191.73 euros per year. That is just 15.98 euros per month.
Which insurance for motorhomes with an H licence plate?
Not only cars, but also motorhomes can obtain classic car status. This is the case if they are older than 30 years and fulfil the conditions for classic car registration. Some insurance companies also offer special motorhome insurance policies for these vehicles, which are particularly favourable.
