Whether you take your classic vehicle out once in a blue moon or every sunny day, you’ll want to look after it during the heat of summer. We've put together six top tips for taking care of your classic car.
1. Slip, slop, slap
Just like the rest of us, classic cars and trucks need a bit of sun protection. Keep a good coat of a quality polish on the paintwork to help protect it from New Zealand’s harsh ultraviolet rays, which can have a detrimental effect on the finish, especially on older paint jobs.
2. Clean as a whistle
A good coat of polish also helps shed water and dust, making it easier to keep your pride and joy clean when you take it for a spin.
3. Old school vinyl
Vinyl roofs were a common feature of cars built in the 1960s and 1970s but can easily succumb to the sun’s rays over time. Applying silicon will help stop it from drying out and cracking in the sun.
4. Hot, hot, hot
When parking in the sun, a windscreen sunshade will keep the sun off your vinyl dash pad, helping to protect it from cracking.
5. Keep your cool
Classic cars typically don’t have engine cooling systems as efficient as their modern counterparts, and there’s nothing more stressful than watching the temperature gauge slowly climbing into the red. If your car is prone to running hot in traffic, avoid roads you know are going to be busy, or plan your travels at a time when the roads are quieter.
6. Cover up
Check you've got the right cover for your needs. Some insurance providers have options specially tailored to classic vehicles. At AA Insurance, we offer two levels of cover:
Comprehensive: we’ll cover damage to your classic vehicle as well as any damage you might cause to someone else’s car or property.
Storage and Restoration: our second option is cover for your vehicle while it’s in storage, being restored, or transported by another vehicle. This type of cover is limited to these specific circumstances.
You can find out more about our Classic Vehicle Insurance on our website and in our policy document.
Any questions?
Now’s a great time to review your insurance. We recommend checking your details are up to date and ensuring the policy and cover you’ve chosen is right for you and your insurance needs.
If you have any questions about your insurance, need to update your AA Insurance policies or would like a quote, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re open from 8am to 8pm weekdays and from 8am to 6pm weekends and public holidays.
This blog provides general information only and is not intended to be a recommendation or personalised financial advice. Excesses, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply to AA Insurance Limited’s policies. Please check the policy wording for details of cover. The provision of cover is subject to the underwriting criteria that apply at the time.
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