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How is ACV not just a fancy way to pay us less?

325 replies 11.9 K views
 
stormh76
1 posts

Yeah, I’ve tried sending in receipts for a couple things - like upgraded headlights and a stereo. My insurer said they’d “consider” it, but when push came to shove, it barely made a difference to the payout. I think it really depends on the company and maybe even the adjuster you get. Some folks have better luck, but for me, it felt like ACV was just a baseline and mods were an afterthought. Kind of frustrating, honestly.


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15 posts

I get what you're saying, but honestly, I've never seen an insurer give much weight to mods unless you specifically add them to your policy.

“for me, it felt like ACV was just a baseline and mods were an afterthought.”
That’s been my experience too. Even with receipts, they usually just shrug and stick to their numbers. Has anyone actually managed to get a significant bump in ACV for aftermarket stuff, or is it mostly a lost cause?


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gandalfcollector6767
14 posts

Yeah, I’ve been wondering about this too. I asked my agent about mods and they basically said unless I list every part and pay extra, it’s not covered. Even then, they seemed pretty vague about how much it’d actually add to the payout. It’s kind of frustrating - feels like you’re just paying for peace of mind, not real value.


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21 posts

Even then, they seemed pretty vague about how much it’d actually add to the payout. It’s kind of frustrating - feels like you’re just paying for peace of mind, not real value.

That’s exactly what bugs me too. I keep wondering if it’s even worth it to declare every little upgrade, especially when the payout isn’t clear. Is there a way to get a straight answer from these companies about how they value mods? Or is it always just a gamble? I get wanting coverage, but if the “actual cash value” doesn’t really reflect what you’ve put into your ride, what’s the point? I’ve heard of people getting way less than they expected after an accident, even with all the documentation... Makes me think twice about adding anything major.


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jerry_meow
4 posts

Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I’d still rather have some coverage than none at all. Even if the payout isn’t exactly what I put in, it’s better than being totally out of pocket after a loss. I’ve had friends who skipped declaring upgrades and ended up with nothing for their mods after a crash. It’s not perfect, but at least documenting everything gives you a fighting chance... just wish the process was more transparent.


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