Hi everyone, I'm an Ontario resident and a new member of the 'club' (have had my blk G sedan for four weeks now). I just installed a Skunk2 Plenum Spacer and an OEM headunit iPod interface (PA11-NIS works great!!!), and am working on 19" ADR M-Classic rims, a Stillen CAI, a tint job and clear corners.

I'm a bit uneasy after having read the disclaimer on the Skunk2 box that says "installation of this product may alter insurance coverage".

My question is: how do you handle insurance coverage when you make minor modifications to your vehicles? Some websites say that ANY modifications to the vehicle's "appearance or performance" renders it a "modified vehicle", does anyone have any real-world experience with this in Ontario? I'm a 31-yr old male insured with The Personal (no accidents on my record), if that helps.

Thanks and look forward to the replies!

Cheers

 

Hi there
I actually own an insurance agency so I will try to help you out.
Insurance companies hate mods as a rule but each different company will be different in how they treat claims. We have a lot of people doing mods to their sound system and as long as they stay under $1500 for their equipment they will be all right, anything over that and you want to tell your insurance company so that they can modify (lack of a better word) your policy.
If you have real high end stereo equipment in your car and don't tell your insurance company and have a claim, you are pretty well screwed.
When it comes to performance mods, very mild ones like a CAI or things like that, the insurance company would probably pay out on in a claim (be nice to the adjuster who is doing your claim because they have some leaway)
Big mods like a supercharger or what have you puts you in a different league.
You may need to find a different company (not me! lol)
The Personal Insurance company would not be good with that because they don't like anything out of the ordinary IMO.
Also, if you smash up your car racing at the track, you will NOT be covered under your insurance on that one so make sure you wrap your car in bubble wrap before you head to Mosport! lol
I hope this helps
Matt

 

Hey matt....what about things like rims? my rims are probably just over 2G (CAD)...do I need extra insurance to cover? Is it motor vehicle insurance (like ICBC as I'm from BC) or third party that I would ask from?

 

If the wheels are stolen, you'd get the replacement value for OEM which is much higher than 2G's. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

Wow-thanks for the great response Matt. The skunk2 plenum spacer is actually a fairly 'invisible' mod from a visual perspective (just looks like another part of the plenum to the everyday observer), so hopefully that won't be an issue.

My concern is more in the area of liability. I can handle the remote possibility of having to pay out a damage claim if something happens to the car, but if I'm in an accident that results in harm to another person, can The Personal avoid paying out a LIABILITY claim (i.e. a million dollar lawsuit) because I've modified my car?

Thanks for your help Matt, I really appreciate it!

Cheers

 

Good subject, guys, and Matt, tnx for the valuable info as usual...
C.

 

http://www.casc.on.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=8606

 

That is a great thread Ballz!
In regards to the liability, your liablility will cover you for your actions if you hurt someone. Your mods won't effect your liability.