The Relationship Between Vehicle Modifications and Auto Insurance

Some people really love their cars and take a great pride in them. They use them as an extension of their personalities and customize them in a great variety of ways, improving both the appearance and performance as much as they possibly can. There is a down side to this however. It may add value to your car and it may create a head turner or increase its performance but it will also almost certainly increase the cost of your car insurance.

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But what’s the reason behind this?
Well, not only are these modified cars more likely to be targeted by thieves and vandals, but according to research by insurance companies they are also more likely to become involved in accidents leading to a claim on the car insurance company.
Car insurance companies see things very clearly and it’s actually quite a simple equation – the greater the likelihood of a vehicle being involved in an accident and hence them having to make a pay-out, the greater the insurance premiums will be.
Drivers who modify their cars for improved appearance and performance are more likely to be involved in accidents, and not only are these cars more attractive to the drivers but they are also a much more attractive proposition for thieves.
We’re not even talking about significant modifications when it comes to raising the cost of car insurance. It can often be something extremely small, in fact any way in which the motor has changed from when it first drove out of the factory or drove from the forecourt of Gardena Nissan when it was still brand fire new.
Some of the changes which do have a negative impact on insurance prices include:
• Alloy wheels – something as simple as changing from factory wheels to alloy wheels may make your insurance more expensive.

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• Navigation system – if you change the navigation system in your car this can be counted as a modification which increases auto insurance payments.
• Entertainment system – fitting an expensive entertainment system into your car can increase its attractiveness no end… and hence make it more likely to be stolen or damaged by thieves trying to get at the equipment.

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It’s not all bad news though – some modifications can actually help to lower the cost of your car insurance. Check it out with your insurance company but some will offer reduced premiums if you fit your car with:
• Tracking systems – this can make your car a less attractive target to thieves as well as make it easier to trace should it be ever stolen.
• Immobilizers – it’s all about reducing the likelihood of your car being stolen.
If you make any modifications to your car at all then you must inform your insurance company to see what impact it will have (if any) on the price of your premiums. If you don’t do this you may find that, in the event of an accident, damage or your car being stolen you will only get a proportion of the claim money you were expecting . . . or you may not even be eligible to claim anything at all.
At Downtown Nissan they’ve got a great choice of vehicles which are perfectly fine just as they are . . . the way they were when they rolled out of the manufacturer’s factory. Before you buy a new car you should always check out the insurance costs however, and before you make any modifications at all you should always check on how it may impact the price you pay.