@LBoogie because you have ‘scoured years of posts’ then you have likely read opinions on specialty insurance coverage vs. coverage provided by your ‘normal’ carrier. It appears you are comfortable with using Grundy, Hagerty and the likes. Ok.
I have a 11 month old VMC speedster and bought my insurance policy through Hagerty last February. I live in Southern California. My annual mileage estimate/limit is 2500 miles (the next higher offering was 5000). The agreed value (Guaranteed Value) is $56,000, which is a bit more than I paid, but was justifiable at the time I purchased my policy. I have a clean record. The policy lists myself and my wife as co-drivers (and the registration is the same). It is titled as a ‘74 Beetle. Coverage is $250k/$100k/$5k/$250k/$500k. The annual policy for me is $626. I recently received a renewal letter, the premium remains at $626.
When I was considering Hagerty, I too was lead to believe that I would be able to use the car for pleasure drives, as well as an occasional drive to work and such. I spoke with two different agents over the course of a few calls, and I took careful notes after each call. I was left with the distinct impression that ‘Hagerty wants me to get out and drive.’
Here are some excerpts from the pile of paperwork I received after I paid for the policy.
On a sheet titled Policy Highlights: “Flexible Usage - Our custom designed policy doesn’t restrict usage to just parades and car shows; we encourage you to drive your classic just for the fun of it.” Sounds good.
But on the policy itself, I found this: “Classic Vehicle” and “Antique Vehicle” mean a motor vehicle of unique or rare design and of limited production that is an object of curiosity and: 1. Is maintained primarily for use in car club activities, exhibitions, parades, other functions of public interest or for a private collection; and 2. Is used only infrequently for other purposes.” Wait…what?
I find these two descriptions somewhat at odds with each other.
But absolutely the primary reason I maintain my car is for the monthly cars and coffee events I attend, meet-ups with fellow car enthusiasts, test drives in support of upgrade/maintenance/repair validation, and trips to the best gas station in town (not my fault it is on the other side of town). Any drive I take ‘for other purposes’ will be such that their infrequency will not cause annual mileage overage, and any pleasure I take from such drives is purely incidental.