If you modify your vehicle to improve its performance or improve its appearance, you'll usually need a coverage endorsement or a customized, independent auto insurance policy. If your vehicle has special modifications, mention them when buying the policy. You may be asked to prove the value of the vehicle or the cost of modifications. The ideal would be to send the receipts for the modifications, but this is not always possible.
In that case, you may need to provide an approximation or ask someone to complete an appraisal. If you want to customize your car or buy a pre-modified vehicle, be sure to ask your insurance agent how much more you'll pay for coverage. Because how these coverages are offered and billed varies greatly from one insurance company to another, you'll need to talk to the individual insurer to determine how much the policy will cost and what options are available. Modified vehicle insurance is for cars, such as off-road vehicles, work trucks, or integrated camper vans that have been modified.
Modified vehicle insurance is a type of insurance that covers non-factory (or aftermarket) changes made to a vehicle after purchase. If you buy a car that has been modified before, you'll need to inform your insurance company before adding it to your policy. Modified vehicles often include expensive parts that require special attention at repair centers, so additional endorsements may be required in your car insurance policy to ensure that auto insurance covers your vehicle and its modifications. It's best to compare auto insurance quotes from several providers not only to get the best rate, but also to make sure that the companies you're considering cover modified vehicles.
We've also researched and ranked the best auto insurance companies so you can choose the one that best fits your modified car insurance coverage needs. If you have modified your work truck, sports car or motorhome with specialized parts, your regular insurance policy may not cover that part of your vehicle. To properly insure it in the event of repair or loss, insurance companies often require an additional endorsement of the modified vehicle or an entirely new policy that takes into account these additional costs. Auto insurance manages custom vehicles differently from factory ones, and drivers who don't plan for those differences may be unpleasantly surprised by claims denial or other problems with their insurance.
Finding out how much a new insurer will charge for modified vehicle insurance will be another important part of your research. If you modify your car with replacement parts, you'll need coverage that goes beyond a traditional car insurance policy. Car insurance companies are required to repair a damaged vehicle to return it to its factory condition or, in the case of older vehicles, to the condition it was in before the loss. Car insurance can cover a wide range of modifications, such as custom paint jobs, improved audio systems, suspension modifications and engine upgrades, among others.