Mileage Caps Aren’t Always a Dealbreaker
I get where you’re coming from—those mileage caps can feel like a leash, especially if you’re someone who actually enjoys driving your classic. But I think it’s worth mentioning that not every “classic” policy is as strict as people assume. Some companies will work with you if you know you’ll go over, or they’ll let you buy extra miles up front. It’s not always a hard 5,000 and you’re out.
About the odometer checks—yeah, it’s not super common for insurers to physically check unless there’s something unusual about the claim or the car’s usage. But it does happen. I’ve seen cases where someone had a total loss and the adjuster asked for service records or even photos of the odometer. If the mileage is way over what was agreed on, technically they could deny or reduce the payout. It’s rare, but not just an urban legend.
One thing people forget is that these policies are priced with the assumption that the car isn’t being used like a daily driver. If you’re putting on 10k+ miles a year, you’re basically in regular insurance territory anyway, so the savings start to disappear. For folks who genuinely only take their car out on weekends or to shows, it makes sense. For everyone else, it can be more hassle than it’s worth.
I’ve got a buddy who ran into this exact issue—he got a killer rate on his ‘68 Mustang, but after a year realized he was constantly anxious about going over. Ended up switching back to standard insurance just for peace of mind. Sometimes paying a bit more is worth not having to think about it every time you want to go for a drive.
Long story short: mileage caps aren’t always evil, but they’re definitely not for everyone. If driving is half the fun for you, it might be better to skip the classic policy and just enjoy your car without the stress.
Here’s how it played out for me: I tried the classic policy route with my ‘72 Chevelle. The price was sweet, but after a few months, I was constantly checking the odometer and second-guessing every drive. The stress just sucked the fun out of it. Ended up ditching the cap and paying more, but honestly, I drive it way more now and don’t regret it. If you’re the type who wants to hit the road whenever, those caps get old fast.
Mileage caps always make me pause. I get the appeal—cheaper rates, and if you’re just taking the car to shows or weekend spins, maybe it works. But honestly, I’ve got a Benz that’s technically “classic” now, and I hated feeling like every mile was costing me. For me, paying more for freedom is worth it. If you’re even a little spontaneous with your drives, those caps can get annoying real quick.
Mileage caps are one of those things that sound great on paper—until you’re actually living with them. I get why they exist, though. From an insurance perspective, the less a car is on the road, the less likely it is to end up in my claims pile (and trust me, some of those “just to the show” drives turn into epic road trips real fast). But I hear you on the freedom part. There’s nothing worse than glancing at your odometer and thinking, “Can I really take the long way home today?”
That said, I’ve seen folks get burned by going over their cap and then having a claim denied or rates jacked up. It’s not always clear-cut either—sometimes people forget about that one extra drive or misjudge how much they’ll actually use the car. If you’re even a little unpredictable with your driving habits, paying for unlimited miles might save you a headache down the line. For some, peace of mind is worth more than saving a few bucks upfront... especially if you’re prone to spontaneous Sunday drives that somehow end two counties over.
I totally get where you’re coming from. I tried a mileage cap policy once, thinking, “How often am I really going to drive the old Mustang?” Turns out, way more than I thought. There’s just something about a sunny Saturday that makes you want to keep going, and before you know it, you’re halfway to the next state for a burger you heard about on TV. The stress of watching the odometer honestly took some of the fun out of it for me.
I know some folks are super disciplined and only take their classics out for shows or parades, but if you’re even a little spontaneous, those caps can feel like a leash. I’d rather pay a bit more and not have to second-guess every detour or last-minute cruise. Has anyone actually had an insurer hassle them over a few extra miles, or is it mostly just a threat? I’ve always wondered how strict they really are when push comes to shove.
