I guess if you’re more spontaneous, it’d feel like a leash... but for folks who just want to cruise on weekends, maybe it’s not so bad?
That’s what I keep wondering—does having a mileage cap actually change the way you enjoy the car, or do you just plan around it? Like, does it ever make you say no to an impromptu road trip, or do you just not think about it? I’ve got a coupe I love to take out whenever the mood hits, but I’d hate to have to check my odometer before every drive. Is the peace of mind with those insurance savings worth that trade?
I get where you’re coming from. The mileage cap can feel restrictive if you’re the type to just hop in and go, but for a lot of folks, the savings are worth that little bit of planning. Some owners tell me they barely notice it—weekend drives and car shows don’t usually push them over the limit. But yeah, if you love those spontaneous road trips, it might feel like a buzzkill sometimes. It really comes down to how much flexibility matters to you versus the lower premiums.
Classic Car Insurance and the Annual Mileage Cap—Worth It?
Yeah, I totally get the trade-off here. Here’s how I usually break it down for myself: First, I look at my driving habits over the past year—am I really taking the car out more than a couple times a month? If not, the cap’s probably not going to be an issue. But if you’re like me and sometimes get the urge for a random Sunday cruise that turns into a 200-mile detour... well, those miles add up fast.
One thing I’ve found helpful is to actually track my mileage for a few months before committing. Just jot it down after each drive or snap a pic of the odometer. It’s surprising how quickly those little trips can stack up, especially if you hit a few shows or take a longer route home just for fun.
I will say, the savings are real—my premium dropped quite a bit when I switched. But there’s always that nagging feeling in the back of my mind, like, “Am I going to regret this when I want to do a last-minute road trip?” For me, it’s worth it most years, but I do miss that total freedom sometimes. Guess it comes down to whether you’re more about saving money or having zero restrictions.
- For me, the mileage cap is usually worth it, but only because I’m pretty disciplined about when I take the car out.
- The savings are hard to ignore—my premium dropped by almost 40% after switching to a classic policy with a cap.
- That said, I’ve definitely had moments where I wanted to join a last-minute rally or go on a longer trip and had to think twice.
- One thing I wonder: has anyone ever actually gone over their cap? Did your insurer give you grief or just bump up your rate?
- Sometimes I wish there was a more flexible option, like rolling over unused miles to the next year...
I get the appeal of those savings—dropping your premium by 40% is nothing to sneeze at. But as someone who’s behind the wheel more often than I’m behind my desk, I’ve found the mileage cap to be more of a headache than a help. There’s always that moment where you’re weighing whether a spontaneous drive is “worth” the miles, and honestly, it kind of takes the fun out of owning a classic.
Sometimes I wish there was a more flexible option, like rolling over unused miles to the next year...
Couldn’t agree more. I’d love to see insurers treat unused miles like rollover minutes from the old cell phone plans. Instead, it feels like you’re being punished for actually wanting to enjoy your car. I’ve never gone over my cap (yet), but I live in fear of that awkward call with my agent where I have to explain why my odometer looks suspiciously high after a summer road trip.
Maybe it works if you’re super disciplined, but for those of us who get tempted by every sunny weekend, it’s a tough trade-off.
