- Had the same thing happen with my ‘91 560SEC. One claim, adjuster barely looked at my stack of receipts. Next time, they wanted every oil change logged and proof of every part I swapped out.
- I keep a folder in the glovebox now—photos, receipts, even screenshots of online listings for similar cars. Might sound overboard, but it saved me a headache last year when someone backed into my bumper.
- Honestly, I wish there was a standard. The inconsistency is frustrating, especially when you’ve put real money into keeping the car original or adding tasteful upgrades.
- Not sure if it’s luck or just whoever’s on shift that day, but I’d rather be over-prepared than get lowballed on a payout.
- One thing I learned: digital backups help. Cloud, email, whatever. Paper gets lost, but I can always pull up a file on my phone.
- Guess it’s just part of owning something unique. Costs add up, so I’m careful where I spend, but documentation’s one place I don’t cut corners.
Never thought about keeping that much documentation, honestly. I’m just shopping for insurance now and already overwhelmed—didn’t realize they could be so picky about proof. Does it really make a difference if you’re with a specialty classic car insurer versus the regular big names? I’m not super organized, so the idea of tracking every oil change seems nuts, but maybe that’s just how it goes. Anyone ever get burned by not having enough paperwork?
Does it really make a difference if you’re with a specialty classic car insurer versus the regular big names?
I’ve wondered about this too. I went with one of the “big name” companies at first, mostly because it was easier, but when I actually had to file a claim (minor fender bender, thankfully), they got weirdly nitpicky about maintenance stuff. Didn’t have every receipt and they tried to say some of the damage was due to “lack of upkeep.” Felt like a stretch, but I didn’t have much to fight back with.
Honestly, tracking every oil change feels overkill, but maybe that’s just what these insurers expect? Or maybe the specialty ones are more chill if they know you’re dealing with an old car. Anyone here ever switch from a regular insurer to a classic car specialist and notice a difference in how strict they are about paperwork? I’m not sure if it’s worth the hassle to switch or just try to get better at keeping records...
Definitely get where you’re coming from. I’ve had similar worries about keeping up with every single receipt and oil change log, especially since my ‘72 Chevelle isn’t exactly a daily driver. Here’s what I’ve noticed after switching from a mainstream insurer to a classic car specialist:
- Specialty insurers seem to “get” that these cars aren’t perfect. They expect some quirks and don’t freak out over every little thing.
- When I had a minor claim (just a cracked taillight), the process was way smoother. They asked for photos and a quick description, but didn’t grill me about maintenance records.
- The big companies, in my experience, treat classics like any other car, which just doesn’t work. They want proof of everything, and if you’re missing a receipt from three years ago, they’ll use it as an excuse to deny or reduce your claim.
- Specialty insurers usually offer agreed value policies, so you know what you’ll get if something happens. That peace of mind is worth a lot to me.
I totally get that switching feels like a hassle, but honestly, the paperwork on the front end was less than I expected. Just needed some photos and basic info about the car’s condition and storage.
If you’re not ready to switch, maybe just keep a simple folder (digital or paper) with the big stuff—major repairs, upgrades, and annual maintenance. That’s usually enough to show you’re taking care of it.
It’s not just you—tracking every oil change is overkill for most of us. The specialty guys seem to understand that these cars are more about passion than perfection. If you love your vintage ride and want less stress when something goes wrong, it might be worth looking into.
Couldn’t agree more about the specialty insurers—those folks actually know what a carburetor is, which is more than I can say for some of the big-name reps I’ve talked to. Had a client once who tried to explain his ‘68 Mustang’s “occasional personality issues” to a mainstream company, and they acted like he was describing a UFO.
Honestly, the agreed value thing is a game changer. No more sweating over whether your pride and joy will be valued like a rusty Civic if something goes sideways. And yeah, nobody’s got a shoebox full of every oil change receipt since 1982... unless you’re my uncle, but that’s another story.
I’d just echo the advice about keeping track of the big stuff. If you swapped out the engine or did a major restoration, jot it down or snap a pic. The rest? Life’s too short to stress over every quart of oil. These cars are meant to be enjoyed, not turned into paperwork projects.
