I used to be dead set against mileage caps, just on principle. But after a few years with my ‘68 Dart on a classic policy, I realized I maybe put 1,200 miles on it a year, tops. I get the worry, but for most folks with a true collector, it’s a non-issue. The agreed value alone makes it worth it. Only time it bugged me was when I did a long road trip, but that was a one-off. If you’re not using the car as a daily, the benefits outweigh the hassle.
I get where you’re coming from, but the mileage cap still bugs me a bit.
That’s the thing—I never know when I’ll want to take the car out for a spontaneous weekend or a longer drive. I’ve got an old SL, and sometimes it just begs for a proper cruise, not just the local coffee run. The agreed value is great, but I’m always a little nervous about accidentally going over and getting dinged if something happens. Maybe I’m just overly cautious, but I’d rather pay a bit more for flexibility.“Only time it bugged me was when I did a long road trip, but that was a one-off.”
That’s the thing—I never know when I’ll want to take the car out for a spontaneous weekend or a longer drive. I’ve got an old SL, and sometimes it just begs for a proper cruise, not just the local coffee run.
Yeah, I get that. I’ve run into the same issue with my old 911. The mileage cap always sits in the back of my mind, especially when the weather’s perfect and I want to just keep driving. There was one year I planned a couple of short trips, but then a friend invited me on a last-minute rally up the coast. I hesitated because I’d already used up most of my miles. Ended up skipping it, and honestly, I still regret it.
I know some folks say the cap is generous enough if you’re just doing shows or Sunday drives, but for me, it’s not just about events. Sometimes you just want to get out and go somewhere new, no plan, no stress about numbers. That’s hard to do when you’re constantly checking your odometer.
I’m probably more cautious than most—always worried about what happens if I go over and something goes wrong. Insurance companies aren’t exactly known for being forgiving. The agreed value is great, but like you said, flexibility matters too. I’d rather pay a bit extra and not have to think twice about taking the long way home or adding an extra stop.
Maybe it’s just my luck, but every time I try to “just stick to local drives,” something pops up and I wish I had more wiggle room. Not sure there’s a perfect answer, but for me, peace of mind is worth a few more bucks a year.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’d be careful about assuming “peace of mind” is just a few bucks more. Some carriers really hike up the premium if you want a higher mileage cap, and sometimes it’s not even an option for older classics.
That’s true, but they’re also strict about usage—if you go over and have a claim, it can get messy fast. I’ve seen folks get denied for just a couple hundred extra miles. Sometimes sticking to the cap is the safer bet, even if it’s a little limiting.“Insurance companies aren’t exactly known for being forgiving.”
“if you go over and have a claim, it can get messy fast.”
That’s definitely been my experience too. It’s tempting to just pay a higher premium for more miles, but with some of these older cars, the underwriters won’t even budge. I’ve had friends who thought a few extra weekend drives wouldn’t matter, then got burned when they needed the coverage most. The mileage cap feels restrictive, but I’d rather be safe than sorry—especially with how picky insurers can get about “agreed value” claims. Sometimes it’s just part of owning something special.
