I realized three days after my accident that my odometer read 3,200 miles since the last renewal, but my policy had a strict “2,500 Mile Annual Limit.” I spent the next week terrified that the adjuster would zoom in on the dashboard photo and void my coverage for “Material Misrepresentation.”
Key Takeaways
- Soft vs. Hard Caps: Some policies (American Modern) have hard caps where coverage suspends. Others (Hagerty) have “flexible” mileage where going over just triggers a conversation or a rate hike.
- The Odometer Photo: In 2026, AI claims processing automatically reads the odometer from your crash photos and compares it to your renewal application. You cannot hide it.
- Pro-Rating: If you go over, some decent carriers will just charge you the premium difference for the higher mileage tier rather than denying the claim.
- “Unlimited” isn’t Unlimited: Even “Unlimited” policies often have a “reasonable use” clause. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, they will flag it as a daily driver.
The “Why” (The Trap): Material Misrepresentation
If you signed a form stating “I will not drive more than 2,500 miles,” and you drive 5,000, you lied on the contract.
This gives the insurer grounds to rescind the policy back to the inception date, refund your premium, and deny the claim entirely.
This is most common with “Antique Plate” insurance programs directly from standard carriers.
[IMAGE: Photo of an odometer reading showing high mileage vs. a policy document circling “2,500 Mile Limit”]
The Investigation: I Called Them
I asked underwriters what happens if I crash at mile 2,501.
1. American Modern (AMIG)
- The Rule: They offer tiered mileage (1k, 3k, 6k).
- The Consequence: Strict. If you are significantly over, they investigate usage. If it looks like commuting, Denied.
2. JC Taylor
- The Rule: Traditionally very strict usage.
- The Consequence: They emphasized that the car must be used for “club activities and exhibitions.” High mileage implies general use.
3. Hagerty
- The Rule: No fixed mileage limit for most stock vehicles.
- The Consequence: If I drove 5,000 miles, they might call me at renewal and ask, “What’s going on?” They might move me to a higher rate class, but they likely pay the claim.
Comparison Table
| Policy Type | 2,500 Mile Limit Exceeded | Consequence |
| Strict Tiered Policy | Yes | Potential Denial (Breach of Warranty) |
| Flexible/Unlimited | Yes | Premium Increase at Renewal |
| Antique Auto Program | Yes | Denial (Violation of Usage) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Check Your Odometer Now: Go to the garage. Look at the miles. Compare it to your last renewal paper.
- Call Before You Crash: If you are nearing the limit, call your agent today. Say: “I’m driving more than expected this year. Can I buy more miles?” They will usually say yes for
20−20−50. - Document the “Why”: If you went over because of a long road trip to a Nationals event, keep the event registration. That proves “Hobby Use” even if mileage is high.
- Fix the Odometer: If your odometer is broken, fix it. A broken odometer is a huge red flag to adjusters (implies hidden mileage).
FAQ Section
Does towing mileage count?
No. The mileage limit applies to the car’s engine running miles. If it’s on a trailer, the odometer isn’t spinning.
What if I just bought the car?
The limit starts from the day you bind the policy. Take a photo of the odometer on Day 1.
Can I get a rollover allowance?
Generally, no. Unused miles do not roll over to next year.