Cops were either nice “meaning they weren’t dicks” or they just didn’t know any better.
As far as Insurance… its because you appraised the car so I assume there for, have it insured as is and for its appraised value. Meaning, you are paying for the cage “one way of putting it”. But simply slapping in a Cage, 90% of Insurance Companies will cancel coverage. Mine would only Insure me because I told them it was A) Removable and B) Was a Promotional Tool for the Business only to be installed when needed but I required Insurance to drive the Vehicle from point A - B.
With the MTO. If you read into the Highway Traffic Act it states that if you add any Bars, Tubes or “Safety Device” it must meet proper specifications and be approved where approval can be given. But also must comply with a MTO Safety Inspection meaning no Bars can Block or Obstruct Vision throu any Window or Mirror. You must be able to Roll the Windows Up and Down if they are Manual Operated in a effortless fashion with no interference from the Bars or Tubing. And lastly, you must be able to get In and Out of the Vehicle in an Easily and Effortless Manor.
Long and Short… They want to know the Cage is actually going to save you and not cause injury and that if you do get into an accident they can actually remove you from the car easily or would the cage interfere.
Now obviously not many people go throu this as I personally only know of a handful of people who have and they were all older gentlemen who competed in the Targa Rally but wanted to be able to use their Race Cars on the Streets to show off.