Modifying your vehicle for aesthetic, accessibility, or performance purposes can significantly affect your insurance premiums and coverage. These alterations, which improve your vehicle's value or increase its repair cost, need to be reported to your insurer to ensure adequate coverage.
What Counts as a Vehicle Modification?
A vehicle modification is any enhancement or change that affects your car's value, safety, or functionality. Here are a few examples:
- Engine or Performance Upgrades: Enhancements like turbochargers, superchargers, or engine swaps.
- Custom Paintwork or Bodywork: Unique paint jobs, body kits, or interior redesigns.
- Accessibility Modifications: Features like hand brakes, wheelchair ramps, lifts, or customized seating for better accessibility.
How Modifications Affect Your Insurance
Vehicle modifications impact your insurance in several ways:
1. Increased Value or Repair Costs: Modified vehicles tend to be more valuable, making them more expensive to repair or replace.
2. Attractiveness to Thieves: Unique modifications make your vehicle a more attractive target for theft.
3. Potential for More Severe Accidents: Performance enhancements can lead to higher speeds and, consequently, more severe accidents.
While some insurers might cover basic updates such as bike or ski racks, rims, tow bars, alarm systems, and even stereo systems, these changes typically still result in higher premiums. Each insurance company has its own policy, so it’s crucial to consult your specific provider.
Safety and Legal Considerations
Modifications that compromise vehicle safety or are illegal, like nitrous oxide systems, under-body lighting, or extremely dark window tinting, can result in denied claims or loss of coverage. Safety improvements, such as enhanced suspension, are sometimes covered, but you need to verify with your insurer.
Best Practices
The smartest approach when considering vehicle modifications is to consult your insurance professional. This ensures you have appropriate coverage and avoid any costly gaps.
Feel free to call us today to discuss your current or planned modifications and how they might impact your insurance: 519-736-8228.