Totally agree, insurance isn't a magic bullet. I've seen plenty of classics damaged by moisture buildup even in supposedly "safe" garages. Proper ventilation and drainage go a long way—plus, keeping cars off bare concrete helps prevent condensation underneath. Learned that the hard way with my old Mustang... rust spots popped up quicker than I expected. A little proactive planning beats dealing with claims later on.
Good points, ventilation and drainage seem key. I'm just about to insure my first classic (a '72 Camaro), and honestly, the storage issue has me a bit stressed. A few things I'm still unsure about:
- Does using moisture barriers or mats under the car really make a noticeable difference?
- Is it worth investing in a dehumidifier for the garage, or is that overkill?
- And do these new city rules actually address moisture control, or are they mostly about aesthetics and clutter?
Still figuring this stuff out...
"Does using moisture barriers or mats under the car really make a noticeable difference?"
Honestly, I was skeptical too, but after pulling my '68 Mustang out of storage one spring and finding rust spots underneath... let's just say moisture barriers became my new religion. Dehumidifier might be overkill though, unless your garage feels like a swamp.
Dehumidifier might be overkill though, unless your garage feels like a swamp.
I was initially doubtful about moisture barriers myself, but your Mustang story resonates. Rust is no joke, and even minor precautions can save headaches later. Agree on the dehumidifier though—probably unnecessary unless humidity's a real issue.
Yeah, moisture barriers are definitely worth the small investment. I put one down under my old Civic last winter—nothing fancy, just a basic tarp from the hardware store—and it made a noticeable difference. No rust spots popping up this spring, thankfully. Dehumidifier seems like it'd just run up your electric bill unless you're dealing with serious humidity issues. Better to keep it simple and save the cash for actual car maintenance...