Had a similar experience when I installed a basic roof rack—nothing fancy, just needed it for camping gear. Insurer flagged it as an "added risk." Still scratching my head over how extra storage space equals risk...
Had something similar happen after I put a hitch-mounted bike rack on my car. Thought I was being responsible—no more squeezing bikes inside—but nope, insurer said it "increased collision risk." Still don't get their logic...
Had a similar head-scratcher with my insurer when I added roof rails for camping gear. Their logic was something like "modifications alter vehicle dynamics," which sounded like corporate speak for "we don't wanna pay if something happens." I mean, sure, maybe a bike rack sticks out a bit, but enough to seriously bump collision risk...? Feels like they're just fishing for reasons to hike premiums. Guess I'll keep squeezing tents and sleeping bags inside for now...
Had a client once who installed one of those massive rooftop cargo boxes—looked like he was hauling a spaceship up there. He swore it didn't affect handling, but after a windy weekend road trip, he sheepishly admitted it felt like driving a sailboat on wheels. Insurers can be overly cautious (and yeah, sometimes nitpicky), but there's some truth behind their paranoia. Even small mods can change how your car behaves in unexpected situations...though I doubt your sleeping bag's gonna cause much trouble.
Totally agree about those rooftop boxes. Had a similar experience a few years back—borrowed one from a buddy for a camping trip. Thought it'd be no big deal, but man, the crosswinds on the highway were something else. Felt like I was steering a kite at times, especially when passing trucks. Even smaller things can make a difference. I remember swapping out wheels on my old Mustang—went just slightly wider, and the handling changed noticeably. Nothing drastic, but enough to feel different in tight corners or wet roads.
Insurance companies might seem overly cautious, but they've probably seen enough weird claims to justify their paranoia. Still, as long as you're sensible and keep mods reasonable, most insurers won't hassle you too much. Just don't go strapping a canoe sideways on your roof rack...seen that one before, and let's just say it didn't end well.
