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Modified cars can be more expensive to insure, but increased competition among insurers means it’s still possible to get affordable coverage for your vehicle, as long as it’s street legal.
So you’ve added a hydraulic suspension to your Honda Civic, racing spoilers to your Camaro or a supercharger to your Cadillac. Now you’ve got to find insurance to cover it.
There are changes you can make to your car without having to change your insurance. Modification coverage varies by insurance companies, but in general:
For certain modifications, insurers will decide coverage on a case-by-case basis. If you’re customizing your car in a way that affects its performance or value, contact your insurer to find out if it’ll be covered — ideally before committing to the modification.
Adding a new muffler to make your car a little quieter shouldn’t increase your rate. But if you’re replacing your entire exhaust system to boost your car’s performance, you’ll likely pay a higher rate — or be denied insurance altogether.
Purely cosmetic modifications generally don’t affect your insurance rates. But if you add a spoiler that either isn’t safe or significantly increases the value of your car, your insurance premium will go up.
If you add an aftermarket sound system to your car, your insurer might not cover it if it’s stolen. If it is covered on your policy, you’ll likely see a rate increase.
If you’re thinking about upgrading your stereo, contact your insurer to find out if you can get it covered — and how much it’ll cost.
You’ll still need coverage like liability or comprehensive to cover your customized car, but you’ll need additional insurance to cover modifications. Generally, you have two options:
Discover coverage that’s broader than competitors, valuable discounts up to 30% off and perks like shrinking deductibles that reward no claims.
It depends. Most car insurance policies will pay the market value of a car’s make, model and condition, and is subject to depreciation. The money you’ve spent customizing your car isn’t reflected in its market value.
Your cars agreed value is how much you and your insurer agree the car is worth. It takes into account both the money and time you put into customizations, making it the preferred option for many modified car owners.
Insuring your car at an agreed value generally costs more, but you’ll be covered if your car is totaled in an accident. You’ll have to weigh the cost against the benefits when choosing to insure your car’s market value or agreed value.
It depends on how tripped up your car is. Like any car insurance policy, there are lots of ways to reduce the cost of your premiums:
Yes. If you don’t tell your insurer, they can reject your claim if you get into an accident — even if you’ve been paying your premiums. If your vehicle is under warranty and you don’t tell the insurer, you may void the warranty entirely.
It’s a good idea to tell your insurer about planned modifications before you make them so you can find out if you’ll be covered — and how much it’ll cost.
Here’s what to consider before deciding on insurance for your souped-up ride.
Drivers younger than 25 find it hard to find affordable insurance for custom cars. Not only are they hit with the high cost of driving while young, but also the extra expenses of covering modifications. Insurance companies consider these risks high and it’s reflected in high premiums. Sometimes providers even refuse to provide coverage. If you’re a young driver with a modified car, and are having trouble getting insured, it’s helpful to:
Unlike standard parts that cost a set price to replace, you’ll pay more for custom parts — and insurers will charge more to cover them. The more extensive and expensive the modifications, the more you can expect to pay for your insurance premium.
The good news is that by shopping around and comparing your options, including the best providers and best discounts, you could save on your modified car insurance.
Compare modified car insurance policies
Picture: Shutterstock
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