Australia's best-known enthusiast vehicle insurer, now owned by Suncorp Group. Shannons covers classic cars, prestige vehicles, motorcycles, and home insurance for motoring enthusiasts. Our review examines whether the brand still delivers for collectors and car club members.
In This Review
What is Shannons Insurance?
Shannons Insurance has been a fixture in the Australian motoring enthusiast community since 1970, building its reputation as the go-to insurer for owners of classic, vintage, and prestige vehicles. Originally founded to serve car club members who struggled to find appropriate cover through mainstream insurers, Shannons developed specialist products that understood the unique needs of collectors and restorers. The brand was acquired by Suncorp Group in 2014, which has brought both scale advantages and some growing pains.
Today, Shannons offers insurance across four main categories: classic car, prestige car, motorcycle, and home insurance. Their vehicle policies stand out for features like agreed value cover (where you and Shannons settle on the car's value upfront), club plate cover for vehicles used only at sanctioned events, and laid up cover for cars undergoing restoration. For vehicles aged 35 years or older, Shannons allows owners to retain their unrepaired vehicle in the event of a total loss - a feature that resonates strongly with restorers.
The transition to Suncorp management has been a point of contention among long-time customers. While the brand retains its enthusiast positioning and continues to sponsor major car shows and club events, some policyholders report that the personal service and specialist knowledge they once valued has been diluted. Phone wait times have increased, and premium hikes of 30% or more have prompted complaints from previously loyal customers.
Shannons maintains strong brand recognition through its Shannons Club membership program, auction events, and partnerships with motoring organisations across Australia. The insurer processes claims through Suncorp's infrastructure, which provides national repair networks but may lack the specialist touch that enthusiast vehicles sometimes require.
Shannons remains a relevant choice for classic and enthusiast vehicle owners, though potential customers should compare premiums carefully given recent price increases reported across the portfolio.
How do customers rate Shannons?
Disclaimer: Ratings are sourced from public review platforms and industry reports. Scores reflect editorial aggregation and may not represent all customer experiences. Verify current ratings directly on each platform.
What are customers saying about Shannons?
Agreed value is the reason I stay with Shannons. My 1972 XA GT Falcon is worth far more than a standard insurer would ever pay out.
The laid up cover option saved me hundreds while my E-Type was being restored. No other insurer offered anything like it.
Used to be fantastic service - you could talk to someone who actually knew about cars. Now it feels like any other call centre.
Club plate cover is excellent value. I only take my classic out for shows and rallies, so paying full premiums never made sense.
Renewal came through 30% higher than last year. No claims, no changes. Loyalty clearly means nothing to them anymore.
Claim on my prestige car was handled well. Repairs done at an approved panel shop and quality was top notch.
Disclaimer: Review quotes are sourced from publicly available platforms and may be edited for length. They represent individual customer experiences and do not constitute financial advice. Past experiences may not reflect current service levels.
Shannons Insurance Products
Specialist cover for classic, vintage, and veteran vehicles. Agreed value, club plate cover, and the option to retain your unrepaired vehicle on total loss for cars aged 35+ years.
Cover for modern prestige and performance vehicles including luxury European marques and high-performance sports cars. Agreed value available.
Cover for classic, vintage, and modern motorcycles. Includes agreed value, club plate options, and cover for riding gear and accessories.
Home and contents cover for motoring enthusiasts, with features tailored to those who store vehicles or parts at home. Includes garage and workshop cover.
Shannons Pros and Cons
How much does Shannons Insurance cost?
Shannons pricing varies significantly depending on the vehicle type, value, usage, and storage arrangements. Classic cars used infrequently and stored in locked garages typically attract lower premiums than daily-driven prestige vehicles. The following are indicative estimates only.
Disclaimer: Pricing examples are indicative estimates based on publicly available information and typical customer profiles. Your actual premium will depend on individual circumstances including vehicle value, location, usage, storage, claims history, and other factors. Visit Shannons directly for an accurate quote.
The agreed value you set for your vehicle directly impacts your premium. Higher values mean higher premiums, but ensure full payout if the vehicle is written off.
Vehicles stored in locked garages attract lower premiums than those parked on the street or in carports. Shannons places significant weight on secure storage.
Club plate cover for vehicles used only at sanctioned events costs less than cover for daily-driven vehicles. Lower annual kilometres also reduce premiums.
A clean claims history and no-claim bonus discount will reduce your premium. Recent claims or driving offences will increase costs.
Your postcode affects premiums based on local theft rates, weather risks, and accident statistics. Metropolitan areas generally cost more than regional locations.
Shannons vs Other Specialist Insurers
| Feature | Feature | Shannons | Hagerty | RACV Classic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agreed Value | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Club Plate Cover | Yes | Limited | No | |
| Laid Up Cover | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Retain Vehicle on Total Loss (35+ yrs) | Yes | No | No | |
| Spare Parts Cover | Up to $5,000 | Up to $3,000 | Up to $2,000 | |
| Choice of Repairer | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Online Claims | Limited | No | Yes | |
| Multi-Policy Discount | Yes | No | Yes | |
| Motorcycle Cover | Yes | Yes | Limited | |
| Home Insurance | Yes | No | Via RACV |
Disclaimer: Comparison based on publicly available product information as of April 2026. Features and availability may change. Verify details directly with each insurer before purchasing.
Alternatives to Shannons Insurance
International classic car insurance specialist with Australian operations. Offers agreed value, spare parts cover, and a strong global collector car community.
Victoria's motoring club insurer offers standard and some classic vehicle cover options alongside comprehensive home, contents, and travel insurance.
Major Australian insurer (also Suncorp-owned) offering comprehensive, third party, and fire & theft cover. Better suited for modern daily drivers than classic vehicles.
Who is Shannons best for?
Shannons is built for owners of classic, veteran, and vintage vehicles who need agreed value cover and specialist features like laid up cover and club plate discounts that mainstream insurers simply do not offer.
If you primarily use your vehicle for club events, shows, and rallies, Shannons club plate cover can significantly reduce your premiums compared to standard comprehensive policies.
The laid up cover option and the ability to retain your unrepaired vehicle on total loss (for cars 35+ years old) make Shannons particularly well-suited for those actively restoring classic vehicles.
Owners of high-value modern performance and luxury vehicles benefit from Shannons agreed value cover, genuine parts options, and understanding of the prestige car market.
Our Verdict on Shannons Insurance
Shannons remains one of the strongest options for classic and enthusiast vehicle insurance in Australia. The combination of agreed value cover, club plate discounts, laid up cover, and the ability to retain unrepaired vehicles on total loss creates a product suite that mainstream insurers cannot match. For collectors and restorers, these features can make a genuine financial difference.
However, the Suncorp acquisition has introduced friction that was previously absent. Premium increases of 30% or more, longer phone wait times, and a perceived loss of specialist knowledge in the call centre are recurring themes in customer feedback. The brand still trades on its enthusiast heritage, but some long-time customers feel that heritage is being gradually diluted.
If you own a classic, vintage, or prestige vehicle and value specialist cover features, Shannons is well worth comparing against alternatives. Just be prepared to shop around at renewal time, as loyalty does not appear to be consistently rewarded with competitive pricing.
Common questions about Shannons Insurance
How we research and rate insurance companies
This review is based on data collected from the following sources, last verified in 2026-04-01:
Our editorial scores (out of 10) are calculated using a weighted methodology that considers:
Disclaimer: This review is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Ratings reflect our editorial assessment based on publicly available data and may not represent all customer experiences. Insurance needs vary - compare multiple providers and read the relevant PDS before making a decision. InsuranceCompared.com.au may receive commissions from partner insurers.
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