"Honestly though, I'd be careful about underreporting mileage. If something happens and they check, it could mess with your coverage."
Yeah, I get what you're saying, but honestly...do insurance companies even have the time or resources to check mileage that closely? I've been driving for decades and never once had a random mileage check or anything like that. Maybe it's different if you're labeled high-risk, but from my experience, unless you're claiming some super low mileage discount, they rarely bother.
Here's a thought—rather than worrying about mileage, have you tried shopping around with smaller local insurers or even credit unions? Sometimes the bigger companies have stricter criteria for high-risk drivers, but smaller insurers can be surprisingly flexible (and cheaper). I found a local place years ago, and they barely blinked an eye at my road-tripping habits. Just a heads-up though, don't mention your love for road trips too enthusiastically...they might think you're auditioning for a Fast & Furious sequel. 😉
Yeah, I see your point about mileage checks being rare, but honestly, it's not worth the gamble. Insurance companies might not randomly check mileage often, but if you're ever involved in a serious accident or claim, that's exactly when they start digging deeper. I've heard of cases where insurers denied coverage because of discrepancies like mileage or usage details.
Your suggestion about smaller local insurers is solid though. I switched to a local credit union's insurance a couple years back and found them way more flexible and affordable than the big names. Definitely worth checking out if you're labeled high-risk—just make sure you're upfront about everything from the start. Better safe than sorry...
Totally agree about being upfront—seen way too many claims get messy because someone fudged the details. One thing I'd add is to ask about discounts specifically for high-risk drivers. Sounds weird, I know, but some insurers offer safe-driving courses or telematics programs that can shave a bit off your premium. And yeah, local insurers can be hidden gems. Had a buddy who switched to a small Hawaii-based company and saved a decent chunk without sacrificing coverage. Worth a shot, anyway...
While I understand your point about safe-driving courses and telematics programs, my experience has been a bit different. I've actually tried one of those telematics devices to lower my premiums, and honestly, it felt like more trouble than it was worth. The constant monitoring made me overly cautious to the point of distraction, and even minor things—like braking slightly harder than usual—ended up negatively impacting my score. In the end, the savings were minimal compared to the stress and inconvenience.
Also, while local insurers can indeed offer competitive rates, I've found that smaller companies sometimes struggle with customer support or claims processing speed. Had an incident last year, and dealing with a smaller insurer's limited resources turned into a frustrating ordeal. Not saying it's always the case, but it's important to weigh those potential drawbacks against the savings...especially if you're already labeled high-risk and can't afford complications during a claim. Just something else to consider.
I get where you're coming from about telematics being a bit nerve-wracking at first... I felt like I was driving with my grandma watching me 24/7, lol. But after a while, I adjusted and saw some decent savings. Definitely not for everyone though, especially if it distracts you.
