When it got totaled, insurance just shrugged and wrote me a check for what a stock Accord was worth.
Did you ever try to argue the value with them, or was it just a done deal? I see this all the time—people put money into mods, but unless you’ve got those upgrades specifically listed and insured, the payout’s always based on ACV for the unmodified car. Curious if you think it’s fair that insurance doesn’t just factor in “reasonable” upgrades, or is that just opening a can of worms?
Honestly, I’ve never had much luck arguing with insurance over value—once they decide, it’s like talking to a wall. I get why they don’t want to factor in mods, but it does feel like a raw deal if you’ve put in decent upgrades. Have you actually tried getting mods listed before, or is it just not worth the hassle? I always wonder if it’s even possible to get a fair shake unless you go full custom policy.
I’ve actually tried to get a couple of my mods listed, but honestly, it was way more hassle than it was worth. The insurance company wanted receipts, photos, and then they still came back with “that doesn’t increase the value” or “we don’t cover aftermarket parts.” I get that they’re trying to keep costs down, but if you’re like me and have a few tickets on your record, you’re already paying through the nose. Spending extra for a custom policy just isn’t in the budget.
It’s frustrating because you put time and money into making your car better, and then if something happens, it’s like none of it mattered. I’ve just accepted that unless you’re willing to shell out for a specialty insurer, you’re probably not getting anything close to what you put in. At this point, I just keep my mods simple and cheap—nothing I’d cry over losing. Maybe not the most exciting approach, but it keeps my wallet happier in the long run.
It’s a tough spot, for sure. I’ve run into the same wall—tons of documentation, then they just shrug off the mods anyway. Honestly, your approach makes sense. It’s not flashy, but at least you’re not sinking cash into stuff the insurance will ignore.
Yeah, I get where you’re coming from. The reality is, ACV’s designed to reflect what the item’s actually worth at the time of loss, not what you paid or put into it. Mods are tricky—unless they’re specifically listed and valued, most carriers just won’t factor them in. It’s frustrating, but it’s how the policy language usually reads. I’ve seen folks try to fight it with receipts and photos, but unless there’s an endorsement, it rarely moves the needle.