modified car insurance

[sammyboi36]

im currently with td meloche monnex however; they do not cover cars with performance enhancing modifications (exhaust, intake, lowered etc.) Like most people on this forum, I plan on lowering the car after the winter and adding exhaust, intake. I;ve done a bit of research and it seems facility association is the only insurance company that covers modded cars in ontario. am i correct? what insurance company are you guys with and what mods do you have?

[aris]

I'm with Johnson insurance and they do not know of any of my mods...nor would I tell them..years ago I had my truck appraisied and when I went to give my insurance company the appraisal papers and they canceled my policy cause of the mods (pilot was my insurance company)... Next place I went I told the broker my situation and she said we will not tell them anything about your mods... After that I never told my insurance company anything about mods

[SilentJay]

This is a double-edged sword... You can find an insurer that will cover your modded car but expect to pay a pretty heafty premium. If you take the other route, which I suspect most people here do, you can find an insurer without telling them about the mods however if you're involved in any incidents, they can elect to not cover you because of the mods once an adjuster comes out to survey the damage.

[Hyperion]

Don't ask don't tell.
Also, there's probably a few other threads on this already.

[yearoftherat]

Don't ask don't tell.
Also, there's probably a few other threads on this already.

People just don't want to search.....

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?19200-Anyone-notify-insurance-company-about-Mods&highlight=insurance%2Bmodified

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?24429-Insurance&highlight=insurance%2Bmodified


http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?23202-Modifications-and-your-Insurance&highlight=insurance%2Bmodified

[sammyboi36]

I'm with Johnson insurance and they do not know of any of my mods...nor would I tell them..years ago I had my truck appraisied and when I went to give my insurance company the appraisal papers and they canceled my policy cause of the mods (pilot was my insurance company)... Next place I went I told the broker my situation and she said we will not tell them anything about your mods... After that I never told my insurance company anything about mods

thats a huge risk your taking considering if you ever get in an accident even if your not at fault, knock on wood, you won't get covered

[terapr0]

I’m with State Farm and specifically asked their permission to install aftermarket rims, HIDs, SRI, full cat-back exhaust and frame braces. They gave me the go-ahead for all of them, and didn’t even raise my rates. It helps if you have a history with the company and hold multiple policies. Also, being polite, articulate and mature go a long way in helping your request. If you’re not good with words, write them a letter and spend time re-writing and proofreading until it sounds just write. Pitch everything as an “enhancement” that will “improve fuel economy” or somehow make your car safer. I’d also say its important to actually ask their permission to do something, don’t just tell them you’ve already done it. Feel them out a bit and see how they react. Start with something small, and gradually work your way up to the bigger things (thats what I did anyway)
If they say no, you better just forget about it or only stick with mods that can be removed quickly or blend in with the rest of the car. I might not ask about lowering springs, but if I get some I’ll just make sure to buy ones in the same color as stock so they wont be obvious at a glance. Same goes for sway bars and other things you want to hide.

$0.02

[sammyboi36]

I’m with State Farm and specifically asked their permission to install aftermarket rims, HIDs, SRI, full cat-back exhaust and frame braces. They gave me the go-ahead for all of them, and didn’t even raise my rates. It helps if you have a history with the company and hold multiple policies. Also, being polite, articulate and mature go a long way in helping your request. If you’re not good with words, write them a letter and spend time re-writing and proofreading until it sounds just write. Pitch everything as an “enhancement” that will “improve fuel economy” or somehow make your car safer. I’d also say its important to actually ask their permission to do something, don’t just tell them you’ve already done it. Feel them out a bit and see how they react. Start with something small, and gradually work your way up to the bigger things (thats what I did anyway)
If they say no, you better just forget about it or only stick with mods that can be removed quickly or blend in with the rest of the car. I might not ask about lowering springs, but if I get some I’ll just make sure to buy ones in the same color as stock so they wont be obvious at a glance. Same goes for sway bars and other things you want to hide.

$0.02

thanks for the info. i just did a quote with state farm and there looking for 640/month. im currently paying 170/month with td. im 22 by the way. if only i can somehow convince td..

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Don't ask about springs they won't cover it.

It's a roll of the dice really but it is very, very hard to insure a modified car properly.

[Cab0oze]

im currently with td meloche monnex however; they do not cover cars with performance enhancing modifications (exhaust, intake, lowered etc.) Like most people on this forum, I plan on lowering the car after the winter and adding exhaust, intake. I;ve done a bit of research and it seems facility association is the only insurance company that covers modded cars in ontario. am i correct? what insurance company are you guys with and what mods do you have?
Im with them too. I think you should be ok as long as you dont do things to increase the HP output of your car (according to the person i talked to). mods are covered up to $2000.... so springs are ok, rims are ok, and exhaust should be ok too since that doesn't actually change the HP. just tell them yours broke so u replaced it. Intake just say its for a cleanable filter and looks, not for HP (cus lets be honest, these tiny mods dont do a whole lot, its not like putting a turbo in or something). Im not an expert, but thats just my .02.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Springs are considered a performance modification by most insurance companies.

[aris]

Springs are considered a performance modification by most insurance companies.

+1

[Fuyuzora]

Don't ask about springs they won't cover it.

It's a roll of the dice really but it is very, very hard to insure a modified car properly.


Springs are considered a performance modification by most insurance companies.

By some stroke of luck, my insurance agent (Co-Operators) was comfortable with adding Eibach Pro-Kits, Koni Sports, and SPC Camber links onto my policy. I asked before ordering any of the components. As an additional bonus, there was no change in premiums, either.

I think this has more to do with the long relations between my family and our insurance agent than it has to do with Co-Operators in general, though.

[sammyboi36]

Im with them too. I think you should be ok as long as you dont do things to increase the HP output of your car (according to the person i talked to). mods are covered up to $2000.... so springs are ok, rims are ok, and exhaust should be ok too since that doesn't actually change the HP. just tell them yours broke so u replaced it. Intake just say its for a cleanable filter and looks, not for HP (cus lets be honest, these tiny mods dont do a whole lot, its not like putting a turbo in or something). Im not an expert, but thats just my .02.

thanks for the info.

[vinnierap]

Don't ask don't tell.
Also, there's probably a few other threads on this already.


When you got your insurance did you sign anything stating you wouldnt modify your car in any way? I know I didnt.

Some companies ask for pictures of the vehicle when you get a new policy as well. If you didnt sign anything then they cant fault you for anything. Dont expect to get all your mods paid for if your car is in an accident.. You will still only get the vehicles "bluebook" value. (most companies get a few comparable cars from autotrader to decide how much they will pay you).

[Cab0oze]

When you got your insurance did you sign anything stating you wouldnt modify your car in any way? I know I didnt.

Some companies ask for pictures of the vehicle when you get a new policy as well. If you didnt sign anything then they cant fault you for anything. Dont expect to get all your mods paid for if your car is in an accident.. You will still only get the vehicles "bluebook" value. (most companies get a few comparable cars from autotrader to decide how much they will pay you).Aha, here we go. +1.
Thing is... if you buy your car used, and 'know nothing about cars', you could have a modified car (like a perf. exhaust!) and never know. I know I almost sold my 2004 3 sedan to an 80yr old man with a mazdaspeed accessory exhaust. Only reason I didn't was because I found a buyer for it last minute. The guy would never have known, and if he got in an accident, i doubt the insurance company would have known/cared either.

[Fuyuzora]

When you got your insurance did you sign anything stating you wouldnt modify your car in any way? I know I didnt.

Some companies ask for pictures of the vehicle when you get a new policy as well. If you didnt sign anything then they cant fault you for anything. Dont expect to get all your mods paid for if your car is in an accident.. You will still only get the vehicles "bluebook" value. (most companies get a few comparable cars from autotrader to decide how much they will pay you).
The thing is, you DID sign. A standard part of all automobile insurance is a clause for "full disclosure", meaning that the onus is on the policyholder to identify and report any and all changes to the car relative to its declared state. If you say you have a bone stock 2010 Mazda3 GT for instance, you're the one liable if the car is not actually equivalent to a 2010 Mazda3 GT.

This still applies even if the parts were already on the car at the time of purchase - again, the onus is on you to accurately represent the vehicle.

As for whether or not the company will care about every mod, that will obviously depend on the exact company, the nature of the mod, the competency of the inspector, and how pissy your agent feels on the given day. So YMMV in that respect.

But don't misconstrue contract law.

[PearlM3]

Guys, you gotta pay to play, I alwYs divulged cosmetic chNges like rims, lips, tints etc.... Almost no insurance companies will insure performance mods, want to know why? Because you are more likely to race/track your car. Anyone who sAys they didn't take off ramps twice as fast after upgrading suspension is lying. Anyone who says they haven't ripped it from a stop after swapping exhaust is lying. Insurance companies don't insure these things because it is proven you WILL drive different with them!

With all that said, your taking a risk when you mod your car, that insurance may void your insurance. But like many have said, you gotta pay to play

[vinnierap]

The thing is, you DID sign. A standard part of all automobile insurance is a clause for "full disclosure", meaning that the onus is on the policyholder to identify and report any and all changes to the car relative to its declared state. If you say you have a bone stock 2010 Mazda3 GT for instance, you're the one liable if the car is not actually equivalent to a 2010 Mazda3 GT.

This still applies even if the parts were already on the car at the time of purchase - again, the onus is on you to accurately represent the vehicle.

As for whether or not the company will care about every mod, that will obviously depend on the exact company, the nature of the mod, the competency of the inspector, and how pissy your agent feels on the given day. So YMMV in that respect.

But don't misconstrue contract law.

YMMV?????????? what does that mean..lol..

All im saying is, if they didnt ask dont tell...I had a done integra, motorswap and everything.... I got insurance from statefarm and they didnt ask if it was modified, so i didnt tell them.

If they ask you if its modified by honest cause they can call your bluff and tell you to bring the car in for pictures. If they advise you that they dont insure modifications thats one story, if they dont mention anything why should you?

Insurance is gonna screw you one way or another, so dont screw yourself by by giving them too much information!

[Fuyuzora]

YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary.


If they advise you that they dont insure modifications thats one story, if they dont mention anything why should you?

Please re-read my post. The reason for full disclosure is because it's legally required for your insurance to remain valid. The full disclosure requirement is part of the written contract you signed. Without it, should you be involved in a collision, they can declare that you had already violated the terms of the contract and thus leave all liability on your shoulders. This can potentially total hundreds of thousands (or millions) of dollars if personal injury were to occur (to another motorist, cyclist, pedestrian...).

To restate the latter half of my post:

What you may or may not be able to get away with will depend on your insurance provider as well as other factors (type of mod, crankiness of agent, etc). However to state that it's okay because they "didn't tell you to" is patently wrong.

If you're comfortable with assuming the risk incurred by driving around with potentially invalidated insurance, that's a personal judgment call for you to make. I'm not here to nanny you. But it's important to fully understand the situation surrounding insurance and failure to disclose information.

[sammyboi36]

i think pearlm3 and fuyuzora is bang on. i plan on disclosing all my mods for the fact if i get in a collision, i dont want to void my contract and be liable for all incurring damages.

The thing is my insurance company states they do not insure cars with ANY performance enhancing mods (exhaust, intake, springs etc). im not too worried about getting exhaust and intake as they are minimal hp improvements. However, im iffy on springs. i plan on doing these mods after the winter so i have a few months to reflect which direction im going to take

[bluemazda3]

:sad no they dont... tsk tsk


People just don't want to search.....

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?19200-Anyone-notify-insurance-company-about-Mods&highlight=insurance%2Bmodified

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?24429-Insurance&highlight=insurance%2Bmodified


http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?23202-Modifications-and-your-Insurance&highlight=insurance%2Bmodified

[zoso]

When Studying Legal issues they always teach you DISCLOSE DISCLOSE DISCLOSE

It's a big risk, you could hit someone, let alone injure them. If that's the case and your Insurance denies coverage based on a few mods than you could owe 10's of thousands.

[mazda_gurl]

Im with Meloche Monnex - I asked them about Mod coverage. I was told that I would have to provide them with a photo of my car in order for them to determine if they will cover it and if so, what my premium would be.

I never gave them this information. I haven't disclosed my mods either.......

[FLIPDADY]

Another member got into an accident before. Insurance found out that the car was modded. Result was that they threatened to cancel coverage.

[midnightfxgt]

I have researched this topic to death :)

DISCLOSE! Also, just because your agent says it IS covered or "should" be covered, don;t take their word for it. If your in an accident, and the policy is underwritten that the vehicle is stock etc, and it is not, you could be on the hook, and the excuse that the agent said it was OK, won't hold up. Selective amnesia happens.

It's a pain, but what I did was ask my agent, then call another agent and pretend to be a new client inquiring. It was amazing the difference of opinions. FYI - State Farm is one of the strictest on mods. I have family who works for the company and deals with modified investigations etc.

Power adders is defined differently depending on the company. Most define it generally as "items such as: Nitrous Oxide, turbocharger, superchargers, or any other Power Adder". They leave it general and vague for a reason! They are protecting themselves more than they protect you.

I was really only able to find one that would insure my car with EVERYTHING. Royal and Sun Alliance facility. I went through Frost Whetter and Oaklin in Peterborough as they were knowledgable about the process. I went from $130/mth to $230/mth, insured for almost $30K.

-John

[Cab0oze]

Another member got into an accident before. Insurance found out that the car was modded. Result was that they threatened to cancel coverage.
Did they end up cancelling it?