Trying to fudge numbers is tempting, but yeah, it’s risky. I had a buddy who got burned that way—insurance companies aren’t dumb.
Yeah, this part hits home. I’ve always wondered if those “occasional” extra miles would really get noticed, but I’m not about to gamble with a claim denial. I do have to ask, though—how strict are they actually? Like, do they check odometers at renewal or just during claims? The savings are nice, but part of me thinks they’re counting on us not reading the fine print... Maybe I’m just a bit paranoid, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.
I do have to ask, though—how strict are they actually? Like, do they check odometers at renewal or just during claims?
From what I’ve seen, it’s mostly at claim time when they really care, but I’ve had one company ask for a photo of my odometer at renewal. Felt like I was submitting evidence in a trial. The fine print is sneaky—sometimes it’s not even about the miles, but how you use the car. I’d rather save myself the headache than try to outsmart their system... they’ve got way more practice.
Had the same thing happen—got an email at renewal asking for a “current odometer reading.” I had to dig through my phone for a pic because I’d already left for work. Honestly, I get why they do it, but it does make you feel like you’re being cross-examined. I just stick to the mileage limit now... not worth the stress.
Yeah, the annual odometer check can feel a bit much, especially if you’re not expecting it. I’ve seen folks get tripped up just because they forgot to snap a pic before heading out, or their phone died at the worst possible moment. It’s not like anyone’s trying to sneak in an extra road trip to Vegas, right?
But honestly, from the insurance side, it’s all about risk. Those mileage caps are there because the less you drive, the less likely something’s gonna happen to your classic. Still, I get how it feels a little Big Brother-ish. I’ve had people try to fudge the numbers, but that just opens a whole can of worms if there’s ever a claim.
Personally, I’d rather play it safe and stick to the limit too. Not worth the headache if you ever need to file a claim and they start questioning every mile. Plus, it gives me an excuse to keep the car in the garage and just stare at it sometimes... which is half the fun anyway.
Honestly, I totally get where you’re coming from. The odometer check can sneak up on you, and it’s always at the most inconvenient time, right? I’ve had people call in, kind of panicked, because they forgot to take the photo and now they’re worried about being over. It’s never about trying to sneak in a wild road trip—usually just life getting in the way.
You nailed it with this:
Not worth the headache if you ever need to file a claim and they start questioning every mile.
That’s really the crux of it. When a claim comes in, the first thing we look at is whether everything matches up—odometer, usage, all that. If there’s any gray area, it just slows things down and can make what should be a straightforward process way more complicated than it needs to be. I’ve seen folks get tripped up by something as simple as rounding up their mileage or forgetting about a couple of extra drives during the year. Not fun for anyone.
I get that it feels a bit Big Brother-ish sometimes. The mileage cap isn’t perfect, but it does keep rates down for everyone who treats their classic like a garage queen. I’ve seen people push back on it, but honestly, when you look at how much lower the premiums are compared to regular coverage, it does make sense. Still, I wish there was a little more wiggle room for those “just one more cruise” kinda days.
And yeah, there’s something to be said for just hanging out in the garage and admiring your car. Sometimes I think half my clients enjoy polishing chrome more than driving anyway. At least with the cap, you’ve got a good excuse to keep it safe and sound... and maybe avoid those “just one more mile” temptations.
If you ever do get close to the limit, just give your agent a heads up. Sometimes there’s a little flexibility or options to bump up the cap for special occasions—definitely better than fudging numbers or hoping nobody notices.
