I would really like to drop my sedan, but am concered about insurance problems on a moded car.
I have seen threads on several forums expressing concers that insurance companys can refuse a claim under certain conditions.
For example if a cars suspension is modified (lowered) & you are in an accident where you have lost control; the insurance refuses the claim because you changed the specs on the vehicle.
Also, when I insured I had to stipulate whether or not the car had any mods, which then gives them an out if anything has been changed.

<font color=blue>________________
04 Silverstone G35, 5AT, Prem, Aero
ES100 225/45-18 front 245/40-18 rear
Painted calipers, side marker signals
Debadged INFINITI</font color=blue>

 

Best way to know is to ask your agent. Hopefully you have a cool one, and they can answer honestly and not hold the info on your intentions against you. I joke around with my Alstate agent about speeding and stuff, and she just laughs. She's really helped me make the most of my insurance coverage dollars, too.

_________________________________________
Me failed English? That's unpossible!

 

SEMA would have a field-day with that one! [img]/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif[/img] The aftermarket springs would have to be shown to be the cause, or at least a highly contributing factor, in the accident in order for the insurance agency to be able to deny the claim for that reason.

Of more concern to me is the added value that mods place on my vehicle. Think about it. Your car gets totalled, along with the $10K in parts you have in it. Or all of those $10K in parts are stripped from the car and you're left with a pretty stock vehicle afterward. Is the carrier going to cover it? Will they only pay you the value of the car if you have a total loss? Will they pay you for the stollen parts if all of the OEM equipment is there and undamaged?

I went through this with USAA when I was modifying my '97 Eclipse GSX several years back. I was told by the rep. on the phone that as long as I had pictures/documentation to present to them in the event of a loss, then there would be no problems. Naturally, I wanted that in writting, but I never did get it. Thankfully I never did have a loss. But I'd prefer to be able to insure the vehicle for $10K (or whatever value the parts add) over blue book and clearly reflect the increased value via premium to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings if/when there is a loss.

'05 IP(or ?) 6MT... ...Never too soon to think about modifications!!

 

I was wondering about this too ‘cause my hubby wants a supercharger for his car. We have USAA too, so you just helped his case some! [img]/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif[/img] I’m just curious, were they unwilling to put that statement in writing (will cover w/adequate documentation), or did they just keep ‘forgetting’ to send it?

03.5 5AT Sedan
<font color=black> Black on Graphite / Prem / Sport / Winter / Tint / Aero Package </font color=black>

 

I worked on the insurance industry and altough I am not a claim adjuster, I maintain their claims system. I have never seen a claim denied because of lowering the car. If anything, a lowered car is more stable than a stock one.

 

USAA never refused to send me something in writting, but I never recieved anything after asking twice. I just documented who I talked to and that I had made the effort to get my premium INCREASED to cover the added value.

I have experience in the insurance industry, along with access to one of the most knowledgable consultants in the industry ( [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img] ), so I dropped the issue with USAA and just accepted that IF I ever had a loss then I'd battle it out with them at that time (IF they even gave me any problem... ...which USAA isn't exactly notorious for.)



'05 IP(or ?) 6MT... ...Never too soon to think about modifications!!

 

I have USAA as well and that is something that I have been thinking about since the mods keep piling on. I got the same answer you did as far as keeping the documentation and all will be well. I did not have the forsight of asking for that in writing, i'll give it a shot. They did however added my wheels to my policy, but that is the only thing i have added, i have not added any other mods. Thanks for reminding me of that.

Lakers are going down!!!

G35sedan03
03.5 BS, 6MT, premium, 19" Kaizer wheels, Skyline badges, PIAA HID upgrade, Racing pedals, clear lenses, 35% tint, 7-wire ground, TEIN basics, side mirror blinkers

 

Always remember that you insured the car as stock, if you alter/modify the car you can cause your carrier to alter or modify the policy. Yes, you can have a claim deined due to alterations-lifted trucks are easy example. All carriers adjust claims differently so find out what yours thinks of the mods you"might" do.

03.5 Sedan/B.Sil/Prem/Wntr/Aero/Tint/Rims/Hotchkis Sways--WHERE ARE OUR PARTS!
69 Chevelle Hard Top BB/4.11's/Posi

 

Thanks for the feedback BigRon and G35sedan03! We’ll definitely call before we mod, but it’s good to hear that they’ve told more than one person that they’ll cover any losses with proper documentation. Thanks!

03.5 5AT Sedan
<font color=black> Black on Graphite / Prem / Sport / Winter / Tint / Aero Package </font color=black>