I totally get your frustration. From what I've seen, a lot of insurers do rely heavily on automated systems and broad statistics to set their rates—it's just more efficient for them. But you're right, it misses out on the nuance. Classic car owners like yourself often get lumped into categories that don't really fit their actual driving habits or risk levels.
The good news is, there are still companies out there that specialize in classic or collector cars and actually take the time to understand the difference between someone who babies their vintage Mustang and someone who's out street racing every weekend. It might take some digging around (as you found out), but they're definitely out there.
Honestly, I wish more insurers would balance automation with human judgment. Numbers can tell you a lot, but they can't always capture the full story...especially when it comes to something as personal as how someone treats their car. Glad you eventually found someone who gets it though—makes all the difference in the long run.
I agree, finding a specialized insurer can really help. Another thing worth mentioning is that sometimes you can proactively communicate with your current insurer to clarify your driving habits. For instance, I've heard of people using telematics or mileage-tracking devices to prove they drive safely and sparingly. It might feel a bit intrusive at first, but it can help insurers see beyond the labels and stats...could even lead to lower premiums if you're careful enough. Has anyone here tried going that route?
"It might feel a bit intrusive at first, but it can help insurers see beyond the labels and stats..."
I get what you're saying about telematics, but honestly, it doesn't always work out as neatly as you'd hope. I had a client once who tried it—super cautious driver, barely drove at night—but the device flagged him every time he braked just a bit too sharply (like when someone cut him off). Ended up not making much difference to his premiums. Sometimes tech solutions sound great on paper, but reality can be messier...
Yeah, telematics can be a mixed bag sometimes. I've seen similar cases—clients who drive carefully but still get dinged for stuff that's out of their control. Usually, though, insurers look at overall patterns rather than isolated incidents. If your client feels the data isn't accurate or fair, it's worth reaching out to the insurer directly. Sometimes they can review specific events and adjust accordingly... doesn't always happen, but it's worth a shot.
"Usually, though, insurers look at overall patterns rather than isolated incidents."
Yeah, that's been my experience too. Had a friend who got flagged for "hard braking" a bunch of times, but turns out it was just him avoiding deer on his commute home (rural roads, you know?). He called up the insurer, explained the situation, and they actually adjusted his score. Doesn't always pan out that smoothly, but it's definitely worth speaking up if something seems off. Hang in there... telematics isn't perfect yet.
