nsurance is something we all have to deal with, no matter where we live or what we drive. And as each year passes, all insurances just continue to rise in cost—some, such as homeowner’s in this great state of California rise while simultaneously getting reduced in coverages (wonderful, isn’t it?!). But for us, regardless of whether we drive a $1,000 patina or a $100,000-plus show truck, we all need to cover our ass(ets)!

Recently, I watched a horrifying video Jason Bowman (BIG 10 Garage) posted on the socials about our beloved May ’26 cover truck, Rick Bryce’s 1972 GMC, aka DBLMNT. If you weren’t privy to what I’m referring to and aren’t sure what the accompanying screenshots depict, let’s just say a freak fuel delivery issue sparked an engine fire, and while the truck is not a total loss (V3.0 is currently underway at BIG 10) and could’ve been way, way worse, it’s something we all need to be very aware of … myself included.

While this was not necessarily deemed a mechanical failure wherein an inferior product was to blame, per se, it does bring up the point of making sure our trucks are above tip-top working order EVERY time we get behind the wheel. Speaking of which, as I was attempting to drive my ’48 Chevy from Orange County back home to Riverside, California, week before last, I had a couple-few (all but one) lug nuts decide to commit mutiny on my left rear wheel on the freeway, and in the process took a couple lug studs with it! Now, fortunately, the one lug nut that remained literally saved the wheel from coming off completely, and I was able to limp to the side of the 91 East safely—and for the first time EVER, my AAA roadside service responded in record time (big thanks to Bitetto’s Towing in Anaheim!). Suffice it to say, had the wheel come off, and heaven forbid any other vehicles got gathered up in the melee, I’d have been personally responsible—financially speaking—for any and all damage caused to my own vehicle. Why? Because, at the time, since my truck was mostly spending time in the shop, I only had liability coverage. Same with the ’69 C10. Sure, the coverage would’ve taken care of the other drivers, their vehicles, and any property damage—but only to a certain extent … the rest would’ve ended up coming after me and property assets (which is why I have the most coverage on my home as possible). But the truck itself—all my responsibility to fix.

What’s crazy is, classic car insurance is not that expensive—there are just certain requirements and limitations when it comes to driving (mileage caps and vehicle condition are the main ones, and the fact that neither of my trucks are “finished” in the insurer’s eyes is the main reason I’ve neglected to get them covered appropriately … till now). Seeing Bryce’s GMC engulfed in flames made me realize, if I’m going to spend any time on the road behind the wheel of either truck, I need to be properly and fully covered. While my current carrier, AAA, does offer classic car insurance (Stated Value policies), they are very picky about what they cover (according to my agent, “preferably fully restored/finished,” neither of which apply to my trucks at the moment). Hagerty and Grundy, however, will cover “in-progress” classics (to an extent, both in the condition state of the vehicle to the amount of coverage issued). Both companies understand us car people, and having used Hagerty in the past, I can attest to that—and will continue to use them moving forward.

But this is more than just food for thought. Always being on top of your truck’s mechanical state (not to mention carrying a fire extinguisher!) is just as important as having it fully covered, for any unfortunate event: collision, theft, or something as simple as the dreaded rogue, unmanned grocery cart. Why take chances? Now, while Jason Bowman likely could not have predicted the catastrophic failure on DBLMNT, Bryce was fully covered and will rebuild … better and stronger than ever! Let that serve as a notice to us to keep our ASSES covered!