strong>Amish Shah : How does modification of the vehicle affect the auto insurance quote? Do I need to compare auto insurance quotes if I make any modification to my vehicle?
Compare auto insurance quotes, for modified vehicles.
Response : A very good question, yes Amish I would certainly advice you to compare auto insurance quotes if you modify your vehicle. I will explain this why it is important to compare auto insurance quotes later. First let us talk about how modifictions would affect auto insurance.
The vehicle is the main thing you are insuring. Just as no two modified vehicle are alike, no two visits to the insurance man to protect those cars will turn out the same way. Insurance companies are in the business of assessing the risk and rating it as per their assesment. When modifications are made to a vehicle, the nature of the risk changes. It would either become a higher risk or the modifications are done to make the vehicle more safe. It would be in your best interest if you have all the details of the allterations made to your vehicle listed. This would help in informing the underwriter on a case-by-case basis for each. Facts are your friend in insuring a modified vehicle, followed closely by attitude.
First, do not, under any circumstances lie about a modification. Full disclosure is an absolute must. If you do not disclose a modification the company is within its rights to terminate your coverage in the event of an incident. This would be considered a misrepresentation by the insurance company and the auto insurance policy will be void. The company can claim that any change, even something as simple as changing out the front seats, alters the driver’s perception of the road thus creating an unsafe situation. The only way to counter that is to disclose the change with full documentation of exactly how the modifications affect safety and driving performance.
At the same time, while you should not lie, you should also couch your disclosure in terms the company wants to hear. A change that increases rpms and horsepower to enhance speed, while sexy to your ears translates to fast, reckless driving in the insurance world with a greatly increased chance of an accident and claim. Talk in terms of engine efficiency. Downplay the speed demon aspect of the change or emphasize that it is for on-track use only. Make it clear that the vehicle is always securely stored and not driven daily. This alteration is changing the nature of the risk to higher and you will have to compare auto insurance quotes and review car insurance.
The risk can become lower also if you add and highlight the presence of theft deterrent systems like GPS tracking and monitoring. Be prepared to negotiate every change individually and realize that some changes may counterbalance others. An improved braking system, for instance, may take some of the premium sting out of an engine modification that enhances speed. But also, be realistic. Some things the insurance company will not like no matter what you do. It’s hard to make a case for the safe use of a roll cage and a nitrous oxide injection system. If, however, that equipment can be removed for off track use, you may be able to negotiate a better rate.
After each modification, apprise the insurance agency of the change and review the terms of the policy. Be sure you understand the following insurance terms:
Actual Cash Value: A policy that will pay benefits at a depreciated “book” value. Modifications will not be covered.
Stated Value: A policy that accepts a value for the vehicle at the time the coverage is written but that does not bind the company to using that value in determining a claim payment.
Agreed Value: The only policy that gives the owner a complete return on modifications. Coverage considers the cost of totally rebuilding the car with identical specifications.
The most important thing to remember in a modification scenario is to never let the policy languish. In essence “modify” the coverage every time you modify the car. Disclose everything. Document everything. Be prepared, if necessary, to educate the insurance company. Review car insurance coverage and compare auto insurance quotes at all times to get low auto insurance rates. Be prepared to shop online and give yourself enough time for this.
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