I've had mixed results with this too. With my daily driver, I tried the cautious route and ended up overpaying like you did. But for my classic Mustang, it's a different story—insurance companies can get picky about mileage and usage. If you're insuring something special or collectible, I'd recommend being upfront and accurate from the start. Saves headaches if you ever need to file a claim...trust me, been there.
- Totally agree with being upfront on classics—learned that the hard way with my '69 Camaro.
- But honestly, even when you're clear about mileage and usage, some insurers still find ways to nitpick if things go south.
- Illinois rules seem straightforward on paper, but there's always some fine print lurking around...definitely pays to read carefully.
- I've found specialty insurers better for classics; mainstream providers often just don't get it. Worth considering if you haven't yet.
- Good points, specialty insurers seem to know their stuff better. I've always been skeptical about how "straightforward" Illinois rules really are—every time I think I get it, some weird exception pops up. Curious though, anyone had experience with claims actually going smoothly under specialty insurers? Just wondering if they're genuinely easier to deal with when things get messy...or if it's just marketing hype.
Had a slightly different experience myself:
- Specialty insurers might know their niche, but when I had a fender bender last year, things weren't exactly smooth sailing.
- Sure, they were knowledgeable about the specifics, but the claims process still had delays and back-and-forth calls.
- Honestly, I think it comes down to luck and the adjuster assigned rather than insurer type...
- Illinois rules always seem straightforward until you actually need them—then it's all gray areas and fine print.
I get what you're saying about luck and adjusters, but honestly, as someone who's had more than my fair share of run-ins (literally), I've found specialty insurers way easier to deal with. Regular companies always gave me the runaround—tons of paperwork, confusing fine print, and calls that went nowhere. Switched to a high-risk insurer after a couple tickets piled up, and when I had another minor accident last year, it was surprisingly smooth. Maybe it's just me, or maybe I've finally mastered navigating Illinois' murky rules... who knows?
