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The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you. SHARE: Adam Gault/Getty Images March 18, 2021 Mandy Sleight has been a licensed insurance agent since 2005. She has three years of experience writing for insurance websites such as Bankrate, MoneyGeek and The Simple Dollar. Mandy writes about auto, homeowners, renters, life insurance, disability and supplemental insurance products. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of how we make money. Our content is backed by LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our Insurance Disclosure. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Our insurance team is composed of agents, data analysts, and customers like you. They focus on the points consumers care about most — price, customer service, policy features and savings opportunities — so you can feel confident about which provider is right for you. We guide you throughout your search and help you understand your coverage options. We provide up-to-date, reliable market information to help you make confident decisions. We reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible. All providers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide. And we constantly review our criteria to ensure we’re putting accuracy first. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
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You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. Bankrate logo Insurance Disclosure
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in . Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way. Car modifications give you a way to stand out from the crowd and make your car your own. You may modify your car to make it look unique, improve the performance or because you want custom paint. Some people need modifications to their vehicle because of a disability, so they can drive or ride as a passenger. You can even modify your car for safety reasons. Compare rates and save on auto insurance today! Get quotes Close X RatesRates keep going up in 2022. Compare rates and save on auto insurance today! Get quotes Close X This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions. Compare auto insurance rates
Answer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers. Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like: Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year Arrow Right Are you overpaying for auto insurance? Arrow Right Safe drivers choose Allstate Arrow Right Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249) Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in . Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way. See more providers in Choose from insurers in Show More RATE INCREASE ALERT Rates increased up to 12% this year
Shop for a better rate before you renew your current policy. This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions. Compare auto insurance rates
Answer a few questions to see personalized rates from top carriers. Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like: Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year Arrow Right Are you overpaying for auto insurance? Arrow Right Safe drivers choose Allstate Arrow Right Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249) Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in . Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way. See more providers in Choose from insurers in Show More Regardless of the reason for car modification, the costs you’ll incur aren’t just for parts and accessories. Depending on the modifications, it may than it would if you left it in its untouched condition. What is a modified car
A modified car is one that is altered, whether aesthetically or by installing parts, to adjust the car’s performance or to add extra safety features. Some common car modifications include: Adaptive equipment for disabilities Custom paint Custom wheels Interior and exterior lights Racing seats and harness Stereo systems Supercharger or turbocharger Suspension upgrades Winch system Window tint And while you can technically do whatever you want with your car, making any modifications can void your manufacturer’s warranty. It’s worth checking out before you begin modifying your car so that you know what you’re getting into. What is modified car insurance
A typical car insurance policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, often referred to as full coverage, covers damages to your vehicle if it is involved in an accident. However, this coverage may not include modifications or customizations. Some insurance companies offer specified coverage for customization or modification at an additional cost. If you’re involved in an accident and don’t have coverage for the mods, you’ll only be covered up to the original manufacturer version of the car. This could be a substantial loss if your modified parts are also damaged in the accident. If your insurer won t cover your modifications
Some traditional insurance companies offer modification coverage on a regular car insurance policy, but some don’t. You may be able to get a classic car policy with companies like AAA or State Farm, but not all cars qualify. Mods also have to be permanently installed in the vehicle to be covered under a standard car insurance policy. There are also specialized car insurance providers who offer coverage for , hot rods, classics and other modified vehicles, with limitations. Companies like American Modern, Grundy and Hagerty offer coverage with modifications if your original insurer won’t cover your modifications. Do I have to tell my insurer about my car modifications
No, you don’t have to tell your car insurance company your car is modified. And if you have just liability coverage, you may not need to. But if you have or collision coverage, the modifications you paid for won’t be covered if you’re involved in an accident. Just telling your car insurance provider isn’t enough to get your modifications covered. You need to provide receipts and proof that you purchased the items and that they were installed on your vehicle, including pictures of these items installed properly. How much does modified car insurance cost
The cost of modified car insurance varies depending on how much coverage you need and the types of modifications completed. Since you are asking the insurance company to cover more in the event of a loss, you should expect to pay more for car insurance. Depending on the modifications done, the insurance company may also consider insuring the car to be a , which can also increase the cost of your car insurance. Agreed value policy
Some companies offer an agreed value policy to cover car mods, which may be the for modified car insurance. An agreed value policy states the value of your car including all modifications, which both you and the insurance company agree to. If you are involved in an accident, the insurance company will pay up to the agreed value to repair or replace your car. Some agreed value or specialty car insurers will also offer coverage for restorations and spare parts. These optional coverages cost more but will provide even better protection while your car is being restored or if you have spare parts or specialty tools to work on it. Discounts for modifications
Not all car mods come with a higher price tag for . If you add a mod to your car for safety reasons, this could actually get you a discount on the premium. Whether it’s a classic car, hot rod or just a modified version of a standard car you see on the road, here are a few other ways you can get discounts on your modified car: Complete a state-approved safe driving program Drive less miles Install and use anti-theft devices Insure more than one vehicle with the same insurer Insure your home or purchase renter’s insurance from the same insurance provider Maintain a show-quality car and only drive it for those occasions Pick a higher deductible Provide proof of car club memberships Store the vehicle in the off-season and provide proof If your insurance provider doesn’t offer discounts for car modifications, it may be worth it to shop around. Each company has its own criteria and for modified cars, so you might be able to find the best deal by switching car insurance companies. Frequently asked questions
What if I buy a car that has already been modified
Though you won’t have to go through the effort and expense of modifying the car yourself, you will still want to notify your insurance company about any modifications. If you don’t have receipts and want them to be covered, take pictures and detail serial numbers or other identifying factors to submit to your insurance company. If you don’t want coverage for your car mods, it’s up to you if you notify them. Does debadging count as a modification
If you remove the manufacturer emblems and badges it’s still technically a modification, though this type of mod is unlikely to affect your car insurance rates. Does a roof rack count as a modification
Yes, even if the roof rack comes from the dealer with the car, it counts as a modification. If it’s included in the MSRP, it likely won’t affect your car insurance premium. If you added it on after purchase, you may want to let your insurance provider know so they can determine if you need extra coverage. SHARE: Mandy Sleight has been a licensed insurance agent since 2005. She has three years of experience writing for insurance websites such as Bankrate, MoneyGeek and The Simple Dollar. Mandy writes about auto, homeowners, renters, life insurance, disability and supplemental insurance products. Related Articles