You’re not wrong—most carriers just go by book value, and unless you’ve got every mod documented and added to your policy, you’re out of luck. I had to fight tooth and nail over upgraded wheels once. They just don’t get it...
That’s honestly what worries me the most about getting insurance for my first car. I keep reading stories like yours and it makes me wonder if it’s even worth upgrading anything. Is it really that hard to get them to recognize mods? Seems kinda unfair...
Is it really that hard to get them to recognize mods? Seems kinda unfair...
Honestly, it can be a pain, but it’s not impossible. I had to jump through a few hoops when I put a new exhaust on my old Civic. Had to send photos, receipts, the whole nine yards. But once it was on record, they covered it (well, mostly). It’s frustrating, but if you keep all your paperwork and let them know about upgrades right away, it’s doable. Not saying it’s fair, but it’s not hopeless either.
if you keep all your paperwork and let them know about upgrades right away, it’s doable.
I’m just starting out with insurance and honestly, keeping track of receipts feels like a full-time job. I barely remember where my wallet is half the time. But yeah, I guess if you want them to actually cover your mods, you gotta play by their rules... even if it feels like they’re making it up as they go.
- Totally get what you mean about paperwork overload.
- From what I’ve seen, insurance companies usually call a car “totaled” when repairs cost more than the car’s value (sometimes like 70-80% of it).
- Mods make it trickier. If you don’t have proof, they just ignore them.
- Honestly, it feels like they’re looking for any excuse to pay less... but if you stay organized (or at least snap pics of receipts), it helps.
- Not saying it’s fair, but that’s how they roll.