On my Cub the max crosswind is supposed to be an entirely arbitrary and stupidly low 10mph/9kts. I exceed this figure very often. The aircraft, if flown in the right manner, will handle far more the this as the controls are quite powerful. I've done up to 20kts quite happily in the past using the wing (very) down method.
As the others have said, often it is quite possible for aircraft to handle more cross-wind than the max demonstrated. It is very dependent on the currency and ability of the pilot. A gusty wind is much more of a challenge than a constant wind also.
Why not grab a good instructor on a windy day and fly some crosswind circuits. I did this when training and it helped me become comfortable holding crossed controls on approach - a necessity for this kind of thing!
The ability to handle your machine upto, and perhaps, slightly beyond it's 'limits' certainly makes you more confident even if you are not always 'pushing the envelope'!
Kingy
PS Some crosswind limits are not as far off as the Cub's - don't do anything silly...
