Insurance and modifications

[chow]

Im sure this topic has been killed over and over again but i have one real question because i have myself stuck in a problem.

So i ordered my Eibach lowering springs and Stillen sway bar, have them here with me waiting to install when i hve time.I was originally going to get my Eibach's installed this week so i called my insurance company to see what their policy was.

They basically said that if its lowered then any accident is my fault. IE if i kill someone its my fault and ill have to pay for everything.

I dont know if this is true or if its just BS. But im sure that if i do get into an accident they will find every little thing to pin on me as to not pay for my car.I'm just thinking that not paying for a huge accident at all is such BS when its mandatory to buy insurance when it does nothing for you.

Any thoughts?

[Sacky2.5]

i call major

they dont even have to know u have it on.

[chow]

I know that but.. If i get into a huge crash say a total.. They WILL check the car out. Im almost sure of it.

Once they look at whos driving im sure they will check it and find anything to pin on me.. Anyone else have suggestions?

[ESP]

Ask to see what their documented policy on vehicle modifications is. If it says ANYWHERE that if your car has any aftermarket parts then any ensuing accident is automatically your fault, then you're pretty much hooped. If, however, it's just your broker telling you this then I'm pretty sure you could fight any claim like that in court (provided you have a sensible lawyer).It would seem rather ridiculous though if they actually do have a policy like that...after all, there are a number of car manufacturers that will install their own branded lowering springs (ie. TRD, Nismo, etc) and whatnot as part of a package right at the dealership..........

...insurance companies are crap like that. My advice is that if you can afford it, go with ING. If not them, then Aviva is you next best.

[hopetriumphs]

i agree.

[bunda4th]

That is total BS. When I had my Eclipse GS-T and got into an accident (other person at fault). Insurance cover everything.

My car was lower with Tein Basic coilover and full 3" Apex'i N1 exhaust. They gave me a brand new exhaust and new tein for my rear that got damage.

I say switch insurance company if they are like that.

[spockrock]

chow who is your insurance company??

[tuffmag]

you need to tell that Insurance company to SUCK it...there are other companies out there that don't throw that .if you are found to have caused the accident and they prove your mods caused it then you could be liable.

IMHO, but I am not an insurance dealer.

Some modifications can increase the safety performance of a vehicle.

Serious, check out another Insurance dealer...

[BlackNWhite]

chow who is your insurance company??

We want to knowwwwww.

[ESP]

That is total BS. When I had my Eclipse GS-T and got into an accident (other person at fault). Insurance cover everything.

Under those conditions, no self-respecting insurance company would dare withhold paying out to a client who is not at fault. The only thing that might happen is your insurance premiums might go up because you have undeclared modifications, but that's unlikely.

The only tricky situation is if you ARE at fault in an accident...in that case, they could claim that because you have undeclared modifications on your car they're only willing to pay the injured party and if you have any damage to your own vehicle you're S.O.L.Even then, that's a stretch and you'd have to be dealing with a pretty shady insurance company in the first place to find such a bum deal....................

[dangeris]

Total BS!!! Magnason - Moss act. Just like the manufacturer, the insurance company will have to prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that the aftermarket part installed, was a DIRECT influence or cause of the accident or failure of a part.

Drop your current insurance and go with e-surance!

[LinkNuc]

I've been with NJM, StateFarm and now GEICO that's BS, who is your insurance company?

[nurseryboy]

Before I started "modding" I talked my insurance agency (State Farm) and asked them if there would be any issues with my coverage if I modified anything. Not only did they say that it would be fine, they said they would cover the parts too in the event I was in a wreck. I just need to keep a receipt of anything I put on my car. So, needless to say, you need to confirm that what you were told is correct, and if that's their policy, find another place.

[tuffmag]

Another thought...

If that Insurance company you are with give you that BS about Mods, think how hard it would be to get your money if you have a wreck anyway....Think about that one.

[{WBK}Viper]

Found this on a website thought it was interesting.

"The important thing is to disclose your modifications. You may be tempted not to disclose the modifications you've made to your car, so that your premiums remain relatively low. However, this is not a wise move as, technically, you are not covered if you do not disclosed any modifications you've made. If you had an accident, the assessor from the insurance company can, and probably will void your insurance policy if the assessor notices any undisclosed modifications. And I'm not just talking abut engine modifications, even if you fit a set of alloy wheels, or a body kit after you have signed an insurance policy, you must disclose your modifications to you insurance company."

http://www.custom-car.us/insurance.aspx

[tuffmag]

Hey Viper,

where did you get that info? you have the URL, Link,...

thanks,

It sure makes sense to me.

[{WBK}Viper]

The link is in the post. lol

[maxentropy]

I *had* Nationwide Insurance until I asked about aftermarket products and how much to insure them. Once they found out I had lowered my car, I received this email:

--------------------------------------------------

Andrew

I was notified by our underwriter that due to the fact that you have lowered the front and rear suspensions on the vehicle that Nationwide will be non renewing your policy come your renewal of xx/xx/08. Since the vehicle has been altered in a way that is not from the manufacturer, it does not meet our criteria to be insured under the Nationwide auto policy. I am so sorry.

Thank you. Brenda

--------------------------------------------------

I've done a lot of research so far to figure out what to and not to do in regards to informing insurance of your mods or not. Like WBK Viper mentioned, inform your insurance company of what modifications you have, give them photocopys of the receipts for the products and installation as well as take photos of each modification. A lot of insurance companies charge extra for modifications, but it is worth the extra few bucks a month.

Most insurance companies will cover any cosmetic/body modifications, but will not cover modified suspension or performance (aftermarket turbo, etc) modifications.

I just personally switched from Nationwide to Traveler's Insurance and they are covering all of my modifications including modified suspension.

[spockrock]

Hey chow,

I spoke to RBC insurance and they told me that if it does not effect performance then its not violating the insurance, however the part is being covered is another issue. From the what I was told by the operator whom spoke to the underwriters is you just need to fax them the receipts for the parts, and claims would not be denied.

Oh and the parts have to be professionally installed.

[chow]

Sorry for the late reply but im with TD Meloche.(Canadian insurance from a bank i assume)

Yeah so im not worried AT ALL about them covering my parts because really, if i kill someone my parts will not be on my mind at all. Im just worried about some crazy freak accident where i total a car and say, kill a guy as well. The company may just say, hey look, you broke our agreement so were not covering you on this one. IE I'm going to be sued by the guys family for millions for death and etc. Thats about all im afraid of.

Because i talked to one of my friends who runs a shop in Toronto and he told me that most of the guys who go to him (for bigger and badder things, like engine swaps etc) have their cars towed to his shop when the accident occurs, then his shop swaps ALL OEM parts back on before the insurance guy shows up to examine the car. So im guessing they do this because insurance will not cover there asses if the car is modded.

Anyways, my lowereing springs are sitting in my house waiting... They're kinda just staring at me... They really want to go on................... I hear this voice in my head saying screw the insurance................... But at the same time.. I dont want to be liable for a death and etc.

I'm still really confused.

And also.. If i get into that freak accident (I cause it) if they dont pay for my car because of the mod then... thats bs too. It would be like a trade off of a brand new car replacement for some 200$ lowering springs.. I can see which one id go with.

And another question.. If someone rails my car and totals it.. Does the insurance company look at MY car as well? Because i would imagine that the guy who was at faults insurance company will cover me. So i assume they wont check me and pin me for "excessive speed due to racer look".Or some BS like that.

[spockrock]

Sorry for the late reply but im with TD Meloche.(Canadian insurance from a bank i assume)

Yeah so im not worried AT ALL about them covering my parts because really, if i kill someone my parts will not be on my mind at all. Im just worried about some crazy freak accident where i total a car and say, kill a guy as well. The company may just say, hey look, you broke our agreement so were not covering you on this one. IE I'm going to be sued by the guys family for millions for death and etc. Thats about all im afraid of.

Because i talked to one of my friends who runs a shop in Toronto and he told me that most of the guys who go to him (for bigger and badder things, like engine swaps etc) have their cars towed to his shop when the accident occurs, then his shop swaps ALL OEM parts back on before the insurance guy shows up to examine the car. So im guessing they do this because insurance will not cover there asses if the car is modded.

Anyways, my lowereing springs are sitting in my house waiting... They're kinda just staring at me... They really want to go on................... I hear this voice in my head saying screw the insurance................... But at the same time.. I dont want to be liable for a death and etc.

I'm still really confused.

And also.. If i get into that freak accident (I cause it) if they dont pay for my car because of the mod then... thats bs too. It would be like a trade off of a brand new car replacement for some 200$ lowering springs.. I can see which one id go with.

And another question.. If someone rails my car and totals it.. Does the insurance company look at MY car as well? Because i would imagine that the guy who was at faults insurance company will cover me. So i assume they wont check me and pin me for "excessive speed due to racer look".Or some BS like that.

I know this isn't the best idea but just look for a new insurance company and tell them you want to do said modifications to them, I don't want bs about this, if you wont insure the parts fine, just at least cover my ***.

[maxentropy]

Chow, take this seriously.

Tell your insurance company what mods you have now and are looking to get. Confirm with them that you are covered. If not, get new insurance.

Be safe, air out that laundry, because you don't want to be left cleaning it up after an accident...

[chow]

And so if they dont cover my car after the drop i dont install them?



Waste of money

Anyways.. Ill cal lthem asap.

[spockrock]

And so if they dont cover my car after the drop i dont install them?



Waste of money

Anyways.. Ill cal lthem asap.

Tell them what I did, springs do not make my car go faster, I don't race I just want the car to look better.

[chow]

Im going to call under a protected ID.

The last thing i want them to do is flag my account. Put down a sticker saying modified car on my account and give them more of a reason to check it if i e ver get into a small accident.

Like i wwas saying.. The parts i can lose because they arent worth alot.. 3-4g's but the car... now thats 41 gs in canada.

[{WBK}Viper]

I just called my Insurance company and they said they will cover any additions or modifications to my car up to $1000 minus depreciation.

I just need to inform them of what I'm doing. I will call them before every modification I make just to make sure.

[maxentropy]

Dude, if you want to be safe:

Call them, tell them you want to install a new aftermarket suspension that lowers your vehicle 1.5". If they don't cover it, switch insurance agencies or don't put them on.

DO NOT INSTALL THEM AND NOT TELL THEM. You will screw yourself over in the end.

I just went through all of this. Do your research and you can end up saving money/spending about the same but also covering all of your modifications too!

Good luck!