Had a similar experience with my '68 Camaro. Regular insurers just lumped it in as a high-risk sports car, even though I barely drove it and kept it garaged. Ended up going with a specialty classic insurer who actually understood the situation. If you're labeled high-risk in Hawaii, I'd suggest checking smaller local companies or brokers who can shop around for you. Sometimes they find niche insurers who offer better rates for specific situations...worked for me at least.
"Ended up going with a specialty classic insurer who actually understood the situation."
Yeah, regular insurers just don't get classics. Had a similar headache with my '72 Mustang—garage queen, barely touched pavement, but treated like I'm street racing daily. Specialty insurers saved me some cash and sanity...worth hunting around.
Specialty insurers saved me some cash and sanity...worth hunting around.
Specialty insurers seem great for classics, but how about us folks labeled "high-risk"? I've had my share of speeding tickets (yeah, guilty...), and regular insurers just jack up the rates like crazy. Here's what worked for me step-by-step: First, I gathered quotes from smaller regional companies—they sometimes offer better deals. Then, I asked about discounts for defensive driving courses. Surprisingly, completing one shaved off a decent chunk. Might be worth checking out if you're stuck with that dreaded "high-risk" label...
Specialty insurers can indeed be helpful, but from personal experience, they're usually more geared towards collectors or low-mileage classics rather than handling high-risk drivers. As someone who tends to be cautious (maybe overly so?), I've found that the key is patience and thoroughness in your search. Smaller regional insurers were a good choice—I had a friend who went that route after a couple speeding tickets, and he saw real savings compared to the big national brands.
Also, consider checking with independent insurance agents. They're not tied to one company, so they can pull quotes from multiple sources and sometimes find hidden deals you wouldn't see otherwise. I know it sounds tedious, but it can really pay off.
And yeah, defensive driving courses are surprisingly effective—I took one voluntarily just for peace of mind, and even without a "high-risk" label, it still lowered my premium noticeably. Definitely worth the time investment if you're trying to offset past infractions...
Totally agree about regional insurers—switched to one after my rates jumped due to an accident (wasn't even my fault...). Also, bundling policies like home or renters can sometimes help offset the high-risk premium. Worth looking into if you haven't already.
