To some vehicle owners, style and speed are top priorities. This is the main reason why select drivers modify or set up their vehicles by making particular modifications to further improve their performance and appearance. But these modified cars usually come with higher auto insurance premiums since insurance providers consider them high-risk items.
In addition, insurance providers might find drivers of modified cars to exercise hazardous driving behaviors, plus their auto parts in some instances might even have a higher value than the modified vehicles themselves.
What exactly is a modified vehicle?
Modified vehicles are different than your typical luxury car, vintage hot rod, or fancy sports car. Generally speaking, a modified vehicle is one that’s been altered or modified for the purpose of enhanced performance and appearance.
Components used to modify these vehicles usually include aftermarket parts. Auto insurance providers in different states might also have certain standards for what’s considered a modified vehicle such as those that have custom paintwork, significant increases in performance, and structural modifications to the chassis, body, and frame.
Let’s say that you own a modified vehicle and live in Aurora, IL, for instance; you might need to obtain extra car insurance coverage for your vehicle, including equipment and custom parts coverage or collector car insurance to cover such enhancements.
What affects your premiums and coverage?
While modified auto insurance might be a bit difficult to find, this doesn’t automatically mean that you can’t get appropriate coverage for your modified vehicle. Do note though that some certain factors would play a role in determining your premium and overall coverage.
These include the state where you live, the specific insurance provider you choose, and the extent of the enhancements you made to your vehicle. Modifications or enhancements could take on many forms but typically include these custom equipment and components:
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- Custom paint job
- Racing harnesses
- Roll cages or roll bars
- Supercharged or turbo engines
- Hydrogen- or nitro-equipped engines
- Auxiliary lights
- Sound systems, such as computers or stereos
- Custom spinners, rims, or tires
How do you choose your coverage?
Basically, you want to ensure that all your modifications will be covered. Lots of comprehensive auto insurance plans come with some kind of coverage for custom components, but you might want to buy supplementary equipment coverage to make certain that all your bling would be covered if you do get into an accident. You can also check if your vehicle is eligible for collector car insurance.
What should you report to your insurance provider?
In the event that you get into an auto accident and fail to disclose enhancements on your vehicle, or if they turn out to be illegal in your state, your insurance provider won’t cover them. In some instances, you might be compensated for a portion of your insurance claim, but not for all enhancements affected by the accident.
However, your insurance provider can also opt to void your coverage altogether because of unreported enhancements. Put simply, to make sure that you’ll be completely compensated following an accident, report every single modification you have made on your vehicle.
