What You Should Know About Modified Car Insurance

Anyone who has ever driven a modified caryour modifications would be to provide examples
knows that insuring it can be complicated. If yourof cars like yours - same make and model year -
car is a high performance vehicle, you're probablywith similar modifications - selling for more than
paying higher rates than you would for a simpleryou believe your vehicle is worth. If they're in
car. Any changes to a car make it much harderworse condition, that's to your advantage.
for the insurance company to estimate value orWhy all modifications are not treated equal
assess risk. While finding insurance for modifiedAlso note that not all modifications are treated
cars is getting easier, there are still a few thingsthe same. While the addition of expensive rims
you should know.and engine boosters will increase the value of
There are generally 2 categories of modified cars:your car, odds are it will impact your insurance
"street racers", and "show cars". An example of anegatively. The reason being, that the expensive
street car could be a modified Nissan Cube andrims and engine make your car more attractive
show car could be a Leno 32 Bowtie Deuceto thieves. Also note, that performance exhaust
Roadster. Of the two, street racers are muchsystems or body kits are almost always taken on
more difficult to insure.a case-by-case basis.
Why Street Cars are difficult to insureWhile the aforementioned modifications impact
The reason why insurance is more difficult to getyour insurance negatively, adding a sophisticated
for street cars is because of the type ofcar alarm system or insuring more than one
modifications and type of driver. Generally withvehicle or paying your policy in full for the year will
street car racers the modifications include:impact your rate positively. Overall modified
- Performance Modifications such as suspension,vehicles don't generally qualify for any special
engine tuning, filters, exhausts and induction kitsdiscounts, the best you can do is to lower your
put up your insurance as they make the carrisk profile. It wont lower your premium, but it in
faster which increases the likelyhood of anthe long run it will lower the chances of being in an
accident.accident.
- Aesthetic Modifications such as body kits, tintsHow to lower your risk profile
and spoilers increase premium as it makes the carThese steps can help improve how insurance
more attractive to thieves and vandals.companies see you:
- Drivers are generally younger, less responsible- Drive carefully. Obey traffic laws never speed in
and are more likely to get into accidents.residential areas, and always use your seatbelt.
Now that you understand why getting insurance- Always lock your car when you park it, and if
for a street car like a suited up Mitsubishi Lanceryou have access to a garage, use it.
Evolution is going to be expensive, you can move- Consider taking a performance driving class,
on to the next step in finding insurance.where you'll learn techniques to avoid sliding on
Getting insurance for a Street Car Racerwet pavement or locking your brakes when you
First thing to note when shopping for an insurer isstop.
that you must make full disclosure regarding allWhile these tips won't necessarily have a direct
modifications of your car. Undisclosedimpact on your insurance premium, they will help
modifications may not only limit the value of yourto improve the reputation of drivers of modified
car should it be in an accident, but it can also be acars, which in turn put all of them into lower risk,
reason for the insurance company to cancel yourwhich will in turn lower premiums for all
policy, leaving you responsible for all damages as aperformance car owners.
result of the accident. A good way to disclose