Sweet Ride! Are You Covered?

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Custom lowered red truck with rimsHave a tricked out ride? 

Many of us like to personalize our vehicles but for some of us riding in style is the only way to roll. Vehicle bling has come a long way and in many cases signifies our current personal and financial status. To show off, people buy slick looking rims, custom head lights, new paint job, better stereo systems, upgrade the suspension, and many other modifications. What these vehicle owners don’t take into consideration is their car insurance and how modifying the vehicle can increase the overall value. This is where carrying Custom Parts & Accessory coverage comes into play.

Why should I purchase Custom Parts & Equipment coverage?

Custom Parts & Accessory coverage is an optional coverage that can be added onto just about any auto insurance policy and is fairly inexpensive. This type of endorsement covers permanently installed custom parts, equipment, accessories, and enhancements that alter the performance or appearance of the vehicle. Without this valuable coverage in place you most likely won’t be covered in the event you get into an accident or back into a wall. Standard auto insurance policies base their vehicle worth on the Kelley Blue Book value and they do not factor in aftermarket parts or paint job costs into the total. So imagine crashing your 2013 BMW that you just rolled off the lot and put $10,000 down for a new set of rims and tires. The insurance carrier is going to look into the vehicle value to determine the payout and leave you responsible for the replacement cost.

Here are just a few examples of what is generally covered under this endorsement: 

  • Any dealer-installed equipment that is not offered by the original manufacturer.
  • Special equipment such as running boards, roll bars, undercarriage lighting, fog lights, bed liners, camper shells, trailer hitches, special roofs, etc.
  • Customized wheels – such as alloy or magnesium wheels or wheel overs, aluminum wheels or wire spoke wheels
  • Special tires – racing slicks, oversize tires or custom wide-tread tires
  • Spoilers, suspensions or performance-related equipment.
  • Stereo and sound recording equipment.
  • Television and DVD players permanently installed
  • Customized paint or decals
  • Chrome and reverse chrome
  • Aftermarket seats or leather seats not installed by car manufacturer
  • Anti-theft devices not installed by car manufacturer

Before adding or upgrading parts on your vehicle, we advise you check your current auto insurance policy or contact us to discuss what coverage options will best suit your needs. 

Enjoy your sweet ride and always remember to look twice for motorcycles.