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Sneaky Auto Insurance Exclusions You Might've Missed

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dennis_fox2493
Posts: 14
(@dennis_fox2493)
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"It's like insurers are looking for any excuse to dodge payouts... gotta stay sharp out there."

Yeah, that's the truth. I used to think the mileage thing was just a scare tactic until my buddy got denied coverage after a minor accidentβ€”turns out he'd been doing pizza deliveries on the side without telling them. Lesson learned, I guess. Still, it's frustrating how insurers can nitpick every little detail. Good on your insurer for being chill about it once, though; maybe they're not all bad... just gotta read that fine print carefully.

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Posts: 10
(@melissat41)
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Totally agree, insurers definitely look for loopholes. A few things I've personally noticed:

- Mods: Even minor stuff like aftermarket wheels or exhaust can void coverage if you don't disclose upfront.
- Lending your car: Had a friend lend his ride to a roommateβ€”accident happened, and the insurer tried to deny coverage because the roommate wasn't listed as an approved driver.
- Parking location: They grilled me once about overnight parking locations after a break-in.

Honestly, always better to over-disclose... insurers aren't exactly forgiving when it comes to claims.

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natefisher
Posts: 10
(@natefisher)
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"Honestly, always better to over-disclose... insurers aren't exactly forgiving when it comes to claims."

Haha, ain't that the truth. I once had a client who swapped out his stock stereo for a fancy touchscreen unitβ€”didn't mention it because he figured "it's just audio, right?" Well, guess what got stolen during a break-in? Yep, the insurer dragged their feet big time. Lesson learned: if you've upgraded anything beyond air fresheners and fuzzy dice, probably best to let them know upfront...

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ocean328
Posts: 6
(@ocean328)
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Fair point, but honestly, where do you draw the line? I mean, are we really supposed to call up our insurer every time we swap out a set of rims or put in a new steering wheel? I've been tinkering with classic cars for years, and if I had to disclose every minor upgrade or tweak, I'd be on the phone with them every weekend. Sure, big-ticket items like a touchscreen stereo or custom paint job make sense to disclose, but what about smaller modsβ€”like upgraded headlights or aftermarket mirrors? Are insurers really going to deny a claim over something minor like that?

I get the caution, and insurers can be picky, but at some point, isn't it just common sense? Maybe it's more about knowing your policy limits and exclusions clearly rather than overloading them with every little detail. Just my two cents...

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Posts: 9
(@rachelh46)
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That's a good angle, but the tricky part is insurers differ wildly on what's "minor." I've heard stories of claims denied over aftermarket LED bulbs because they weren't factory-spec... maybe it's worth clarifying with your insurer upfront how picky they'll actually be?

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