If you’re not racking up miles, why pay for coverage you’re not really using?
That’s a fair point, but I’m curious how these pay-per-mile plans handle things like classic or collector cars. Mine spends more time under a cover than on the road, but when I do drive it, it’s usually for longer trips or shows. Do those mileage trackers work with older cars, or do they just assume everyone’s got a modern ride? Also, does the coverage compare to what you’d get from a specialty insurer? I like saving money, but I’d hate to find out the hard way that something wasn’t covered just because my car’s “different.”
Never thought about it from the classic car angle, but I get where you’re coming from. I use Metromile for my daily driver, and the tracker just plugs into the OBD-II port—my car’s a 2012, so that’s easy. But with older rides that don’t have that port, I think it gets trickier. Plus, specialty insurers like Hagerty usually cover things like agreed value and spare parts, which regular pay-per-mile plans might not. Might save a few bucks with mileage-based, but for something unique or valuable, I’d be a little nervous about the fine print...
Might save a few bucks with mileage-based, but for something unique or valuable, I’d be a little nervous about the fine print...
Yeah, that’s exactly my worry too. I tried to get my ‘88 300ZX on a pay-per-mile policy once, but the OBD-II thing was a dealbreaker—no port, no dice. Plus, Hagerty’s agreed value coverage is hard to beat if you’ve put real time (and money) into a classic. Saving a bit on premiums sounds nice, but not if it means fighting over value if something actually happens. Sometimes peace of mind is worth the extra cost, you know?
That’s a really fair point about the OBD-II requirement—older cars just aren’t compatible, and honestly, I’d be wary of any workaround. I’ve looked into mileage-based options for my daily, but for a classic or anything you’ve invested in, agreed value coverage just feels safer. The hassle of arguing over what your car’s “worth” after a loss isn’t worth a few bucks saved. Sometimes the extra premium is just the cost of sleeping better at night.
The hassle of arguing over what your car’s “worth” after a loss isn’t worth a few bucks saved.
Couldn’t agree more. I tried Metromile for my old Civic, and it was great for my daily commute—super simple since it just plugged right in. But when I thought about putting my ‘89 Miata on it, the OBD-II thing was a dealbreaker, plus I’d never want to risk some adjuster lowballing me if something happened. For classics or anything sentimental, agreed value is just less stress. Sometimes peace of mind really is worth the extra cash.
