No insurance coverage for performance parts

Longboarder · #1 (**permalink**) 04-03-2002, 09:10 PM

Just an FYI:

I have added several "improvements" to my Tundra since I bought it a year and a half ago. I called my Insurance company to make sure all this stuff was covered. I learned that performance related improvements that were not installed by Toyota or the dealer are not covered. Some of the other things are covered (not all) but I have to submit the receipts and pay a higher premium. This would mean that if I got the Super Charger for my truck which will probably cost around $3500 and I am in an accident or it is stolen, I am out that $3500. Ouch!

Big Black Tundra · #2 (**permalink**) 04-03-2002, 09:27 PM

I have over 6000 dollars of aftermarket parts on my truck and i have full insurance on my parts. all i did was give my insuance agent copy of all my reciept and she holds it in a file for me. My stereo system, my lift, my grill and etc. is covered. I think your insurance agent or company is ripping you off. My insurance agent is Farmers.

Toy4ever · #3 (**permalink**) 04-03-2002, 09:35 PM

You need a better insurance company. Mine is the best USAA!!! They will honor everything. Just have receipts. Time to start shopping...

Longboarder · #4 (**permalink**) 04-03-2002, 09:46 PM

Man, it does sound like I am getting ripped! In fact, I am getting a lift kit and he specifically said that Mercury won't cover that.

Simias · #5 (**permalink**) 04-04-2002, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Longboarder
Man, it does sound like I am getting ripped! In fact, I am getting a lift kit and he specifically said that Mercury won't cover that.

i have Mercury and they cover everything that i have; rims and audio/video stuff. BUT again they aren't performance items (unless you count super sticky tires as a performance item

), so i'm not sure about that kinda stuff.

i thought that Mercury covered my exhaust on my old Civic, but not sure. i'll try to find out today.

Chris

Longboarder · #6 (**permalink**) 04-04-2002, 03:19 PM

I called my insurance guy back and mentioned the comments below and he said that he is pretty sure that most or all insurance companies will not cover performance items as well as some other items. He said USAA may be the only exception but you have to be a Military officier or dependant to get in with those guys. He said that for Mercury, stereo stuff is covered up to $1,000; but I didn't ask if you could pay extra to get more coverage for stereo stuff. Those add on's that can be covered, you have to pay some additional fees to have them covered. Anyway, that was his comments.

Simias · #7 (**permalink**) 04-04-2002, 03:52 PM

Mercury has covered over $2000 worth of A/V stuff for my ride already, but i did have to pay a little extra, not sure how much, but it wasn't much. well worth it though because i've had rims stolen off my car before and for the little deductable that i had to pay, i got a new set of better rims. you might want to talk to another agent.

Chris

Longboarder · #8 (**permalink**) 04-04-2002, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Simias
Mercury has covered over $2000 worth of A/V stuff for my ride already, but i did have to pay a little extra, not sure how much, but it wasn't much. well worth it though because i've had rims stolen off my car before and for the little deductable that i had to pay, i got a new set of better rims. you might want to talk to another agent.

Chris

He did say that audio equiptment was covered up to $1000 by default. He probably said that you have to pay extra to exceed that $1000 but I probably wasn't paying attention.

Longboarder · #9 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 10:24 AM

Since this post, I have spent some time calling a few Insurance Carriers. I am about to have several aftermarket audio/video/performance upgrades. I have talked to Mecury several times and get the same story, they don't cover performance stuff or electronics that is not installed in factory locations. They automatically cover the first $1000 on audio and then you have to pay extra up to a "reasonable" cap as long as things are in factory location. I also called 21 Century and Allstate and got the same story. The shop that is doing my electronics (audio/video) told me they do claim replacements and warned me that Farmers covers the least and USAA covers the most but you have to be Military Officier or dependant for USAA. Given the electronics I am installing, that basically means the will cover my front door speakers because everything else is going in non standard locations including Stealthbox, Amp, LCD in the dash, bla, bla, bla... It is really frustrating because all three Insurance companies told me good luck when I told them I was planning on installing high end electronics.

Simias · #10 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 10:35 AM

Longboarder,

mercury insured all of my A/V, but all i did was fax over the receipt and they verified it through my installer. i'm wondering if they realized that the LCDs are in my headrests. oh well, it's insured. i still have to insure my indash, so i'll see what they say. good luck!

Chris

2DaMax · #11 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 01:48 PM

I'm not sure if my insurance carrier does too. Time to gather some receipts and see how much more my premium will go up.

The other alternative will be to have a rottweiller sitting in the truck for theft deterent.

Longboarder · #12 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 03:02 PM

The dog sounds like the best solution! Can I barrow him?

I Emailed the Editor of two Car Audio magazines and asked their opinion on the matter. One of them, "Audio Sound and Security", responded:

"We did an article on this in our July '01 issue. We don't have the article up on the Website, but you can call our back issues dept. for a copy: 866/601-5199

Generally, the bigger companies will insure your car as a "show car" or "vintage" ride, much like they do old street rods. But, of course, you pay the premium for it too."

TRDPWRD · #13 (**permalink**) 04-21-2002, 01:00 PM

that's why I dropped the dough for a Clifford. I got the same story from my insurance company and others as well. I needed to make sure it couldn't be driven off(ignition kill and remote fuel pump cutoff), carjacked(BlackJax protection), and make a hell of a lot of noise if they attempt to jack it up, flat bed lift or tow it, so there are angle/height sensors also.

It's pricey, but it's about the best protection I could come up with to ease my mind when my Tun is out of sight.

I'm not so sure about packing heat as someone mentioned. If someone is stealing my truck, but not putting me or anyone else in danger, I don't think I'm going to take a shot at them. Not even my Tun is worth going to the pokey for.

Longboarder · #14 (**permalink**) 04-22-2002, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TRDPWRD
that's why I dropped the dough for a Clifford. I got the same story from my insurance company and others as well. I needed to make sure it couldn't be driven off(ignition kill and remote fuel pump cutoff), carjacked(BlackJax protection), and make a hell of a lot of noise if they attempt to jack it up, flat bed lift or tow it, so there are angle/height sensors also.

It's pricey, but it's about the best protection I could come up with to ease my mind when my Tun is out of sight.

I'm not so sure about packing heat as someone mentioned. If someone is stealing my truck, but not putting me or anyone else in danger, I don't think I'm going to take a shot at them. Not even my Tun is worth going to the pokey for.

I also got the high end Clifford with some custom mods that should surprise any thief. I am having a backup alarm installed with the Audio/Video gear for added protection. Lastly, I am debating on getting the Teletracer package (LoJack on steriods).

I did find some insurance companies that may cover some of this stuff but it isn't cheap. I will let you know who I end up with and how much it set me back....

2DaMax · #15 (**permalink**) 04-23-2002, 11:07 PM

You guys......I never had to invest that much money on a security system in my entire life. I have had expensive toys in my past vehicles and have protected them with a good alarm system, motion/shock sensor, and a super loud siren and that was enough.....maybe a pager that's hooked up to the alarm is the extent of it. The way I look at it, if they want your Tundra even with the most advanced security system in it, they will get it. That's why there's insurance. However, all the mods will cost you an arm and a leg to insure. But that's the price you pay to be indemnified for your loss.

With all the high-tech surveillance gear available to the public, why not put tiny cameras aimed at the driver and front passenger ready to broadcast via GPS to a recording device, computer, or a PDA? I'm sure the technology is already out there. If you can identify the theif, then you can spring on them the best surprise of their life, put them behind bars and maybe you'll get your gear back.