Tips for Insuring Your Customized Car

Insuring your customized car isn't as hard as you think it might be, even if you have one of the weirdest car customizations known to man. However, there are a few things to keep in mind while beginning this process.

Depending on the modifications, whether it be adding extra headlights, tuning up the engine, or putting on some new wheels, there are some considerations to be made when insuring the vehicle you've put so much time and money into perfecting.

Though these extra steps might seem like a downside to modifying your car, it's important to follow the correct process to avoid havoc.

Use an agent who is experienced in modified vehicles.

To avoid problems, the first thing you should consider when insuring your customized car is finding the best agent. Specifically, finding an agent that has experience in modified or specialty vehicles can prove to be the most important aspect of insuring your car.

General agents should hand these scenarios off to agents who are specialized in modifications. However, this isn't always the case. Ensure that you're putting your trust in someone who knows this kind of risk, the regulations, and the simple ins and outs of your modified vehicle.

Remember that your agent can make mistakes.

More often than not, people who do not find the correct agent for their vehicle wind up with a problem once a claim is made. This rings especially true when your agent is most familiar with standard vehicles, they could easily choose the insurance company based on a guess from the available policy endorsements, a huge mistake.

This is why it is important to find an agent who is experienced in modified vehicles. But it is also important to work hand in hand with your agent, even if they are experienced in customizations, mistakes can still be made. This way, you can avoid careless errors with your insurance provider.

As an important thing to keep in mind while insuring your car, choosing an unqualified agent could lead to your insurance company clashing with your needs, a common mistake made by both the agent and car owner.

Consider using an insurance company that expects to be working with customized vehicles.

Though maybe a bit more research is required for this, the time spent finding an insurance company that expects to be working with a customized vehicle is worthwhile.

If you want a modified from stock vehicle to be properly protected, you need to exercise caution, research companies, and practice due diligence to be sure you are choosing the best company for your needs.

Take advantage of the resources available to you such as understanding the difference between an agreed value versus a stated value. This will allow you to choose the best company for you.

Modified car insurance shouldn't be hard to find.

Discovering the best modified car insurance for you and your vehicle is much easier than you think. One of the many insurance companies that offer services for modified car insurance is Esurance.

As an easy way to gain financial protection for a customized vehicle, car insurance companies like Esurance will offer policies that include up to $4,000 worth of customized parts and equipment coverage.

This will pay for damage or replacements of many modified types of equipment. As one of the most important steps of insuring your customized car, finding companies such as Esurance is easier than you think.

Other companies that offer modification coverage like Esurance include Hagerty, Nationwide, Progressive, and QuotesMatch. In order to find options like these near you, simply plug your zip code into a modified car insurance search bar, such as the one offered by the DMV and learn the terms to know when buying car insurance. It's that easy!

Read the fine print.

Using Esurance as an example, you must be sure to read the fine print of the guidelines your insurance company has set up for your modified insurance.

When it comes to Esurance's policies, the company provides insurance policies for $4,000 of customized parts. However, the fine print writes that only 13 categories of equipment are provided with insurance coverage.

These categories include stereo, sound reproducing, radios, scanners, personal computers, body, engine, exhaust, suspension enhancers, custom chrome, paint, bars, and carpeting customization. Be sure to find your modifications on your insurance's list before committing to their company.

The consequences are simple: if you find that your insurance company does not cover your customizations, no matter how small they might seem to you, any damage or replacement of these parts will not be included in your insurance coverage. Be sure to look out for other common mistakes when buying car insurance, be prepared, and you should be fine.

Be aware of what isn't covered.

While insuring your customized car, you should also consider what your insurance company does not cover. Though you might not need them to cover custom grilles or height-extending roofs currently, you should also consider how much of a work in progress your car might be.

If you plan to further modify your vehicle, this is definitely something to consider when insuring your work in progress. Read the fine print, and then read it again.

Some modifications just won't cut it for certain car insurances, and discovering what isn't covered is equally as important as discovering what is covered, especially for the future.

Consider collector car insurance.

If you have modified your car with the hope to turn it into a valuable car, you should consider insuring it through a collector car insurance company.

Two examples of these include Grundy or Hagerty. Something to consider, even if you are in the beginning stages of your modifying process, insuring your customized car this way could turn your vehicle into something of value in the long run. Take good care of your car with collector car insurance.

Understand why car insurance goes up with modifications.

To conclude our tips to consider when insuring your customized car, keep in mind that if you choose to modify your car, you will likely have to pay a bit more than basic vehicle insurance. Though discouraging, car insurances look at modifications as two risks: a risk of theft and a risk of an accident.

Modifications to the look of the car might not always mean that the customizing was done correctly. Though we are sure this is not your case, insurance companies look at this as a higher risk for accidents. This is especially true for sports seats, spoilers, engine changes, and body-kits.

On the other hand, the risk of theft is also apparent for modified vehicles. Customizations like phone kits or performance modifications will increase the chances of your car being broken into or even stolen altogether.