That, and the fact that I have no intention of getting my IFR ticket in the
near future,

WHY?
Do you have VFR weather in your neck of the woods most of the time?
I just find it easier to file IFR, If it gets real bumpy I can always ask for
higher or lower and if denied cancel IFR.
Most of my flights are in VFR conditions, but I never know what the weather is
like at my destination. Of course I always call FS
but things can change in a hurry'
Hank