11 tips for safely storing your treasured vehicle

Whether you own an antique classic car, 1950s sportster, supercar, or vintage military transport, you likely have an emotional attachment to your special vehicle. It may even be worth a lot of money; top classics these days are demanding prices in the hundreds of thousands or millions of pounds. That’s why it’s so important to protect your investment from theft or damage by storing it in a storage facility or protected garage.
 

Not just any garage or facility will do, however make sure you keep these tips in mind when deciding where to keep your classic car:~

Ideally, the facility’s alarm system should be installed by a reputable central station monitoring company. The system should include magnetic contact sensors on all exterior doors and windows, glass breakage and/or interior infrared motion sensors, and a combination of smoke detectors and heat sensors. A backup communication device for 4G signal continuity provides further protection in case the connection is disabled.

Consider connecting other monitoring devices, such as explosive gas leak detection, water flow/leak detection, digital video recording/camera system, and a backup generator into your central alarm as well. That way, you’ll be alerted if anything happens that could potentially damage your vehicle.

Unlike regular fire extinguishers that use fine powder, which can have a detrimental cosmetic effect on your vehicle, these use inert gas to put out small fires.

Try not to put items on shelves, racks, or hooks above your classic car. Leave room between cars if you have more than one.

If your garage or storage facility has windows, cover them with blinds so that your vehicles are not visible from the outside.

That way, if something happens to one facility, not all of your vehicles will be at risk.

If your car is being stored at an older building, hire a licensed roof contractor to evaluate the integrity of the roof system and make any repairs to prevent leaks.~

Chubb undertakes complimentary infrared surveys as part of a Motor Appraisal to help prevent issues such as electrical arcing, water intrusion, and missing insulation – all of which can damage a classic car.

Flammable materials, dirt and grime can interfere with the safe storage of your car. Therefore, if you need work done on your classic car, have it done elsewhere – in another garage or in a professional shop that specialises in classic vehicles.

Verify that your insurance will cover damage at a remote storage facility. Having an up-to-date valuation and Agreed Value coverage on your vehicle will ensure that you can repair or replace your car if something should happen at the garage. With the right insurance, you’ll be able to restore your special vehicle to its classic condition, quickly and efficiently.

Your car will thank you for avoiding temperature swings and humidity. Also, connect a battery maintenance device to the car so it will start right up when you are ready to take a drive.