I've never personally tried the temporary mileage bump, but a buddy of mine did for a weekend rally. He said it was pretty straightforward, but they did tack on some weird "processing fee." Makes me wonder—is it cheaper just to upgrade the policy entirely?
"Makes me wonder—is it cheaper just to upgrade the policy entirely?"
Yeah, I've wondered the same thing myself. I did the temporary mileage bump once for a road trip with my '72 Mustang, and it was pretty painless overall. But you're right about those sneaky "processing fees"—they always seem to pop up out of nowhere. Honestly, if you're planning on attending multiple events or rallies throughout the year, upgrading your policy might actually save you some cash (and hassle) in the long run. I switched to a higher mileage tier last year, and while it felt like a bigger commitment upfront, it's been nice not having to worry about fees or last-minute adjustments every time I want to hit the road spontaneously. Plus, some insurers offer better perks or discounts at higher mileage levels, so it's worth checking into that too. Just my two cents...
Yeah, upgrading the policy is probably the smarter move if you're regularly hitting the road. I used to do the temporary mileage bump thing too, thinking it was saving me money. But honestly, after a while, those little fees and adjustments started to annoy me more than anything else. Plus, I always felt like I had to plan ahead way too much—kind of defeats the purpose of having a classic car you want to enjoy spontaneously.
I finally bit the bullet and upgraded my policy about two years ago. At first, it felt like I was paying more upfront, but when I actually sat down and did the math (which I hate doing, btw), it turned out I was breaking even or even saving a bit compared to all those temporary bumps and fees. And the peace of mind alone was worth it. Now I don't have to think twice about taking my '68 Camaro out for weekend drives or spontaneous meet-ups.
One other thing I've noticed is that some insurers give you better coverage options or perks at higher mileage tiers. Mine threw in roadside assistance and a discount on parts from certain suppliers—nothing huge, but still nice little bonuses that add up over time. Definitely worth checking if your insurer has similar perks.
Also, keep an eye out for any hidden restrictions or fine print when upgrading. A buddy of mine switched policies without reading closely enough and found out later he had mileage restrictions on certain types of events. He wasn't thrilled about that surprise.
Bottom line: if you're driving your vintage ride more than just occasionally, upgrading usually makes sense financially and practically. Just make sure you read everything carefully before signing off...
I went through something similar with my '72 Mustang. Thought I was being smart by sticking with the lower mileage policy and just paying the occasional fee when I needed extra miles. But after one close call on a weekend trip, I realized the stress wasn't worth the savings. Upgraded my policy last year—no regrets. Just double-check the fine print, especially around event coverage... learned that one the hard way.
Totally get where you're coming from—those mileage caps seem like a good deal until you're sweating bullets halfway through a road trip, counting every mile like it's your last dollar. Had a client once who thought he'd save a few bucks by skipping event coverage... until a rogue BBQ grill at a car show got too friendly with his paint job. Lesson learned: always read the fine print, and never underestimate the destructive power of hot dogs and charcoal.
