Modifications give you the chance to imprint your personality onto your vehicle. You get to erase all of that bland factory-produced branding and replace it with something that reflects your individuality. By tweaking and adjusting your ride, you can make it go faster, have it look sleeker, or simply improve on its performance.
But before you take the plunge, you’ll want to talk to your auto insurance company about what modifications are covered and what changes could affect your policy rates. More often than not, altering a vehicle can blow its insurance premium rates out of the water.
While there aren’t many ways to get auto insurance on your modified car without having to fork out a premium price, there are some affordable modifications that will help keep your premium costs down. Because the only thing more fun than modifying your ride is finding a way to do it without increasing your insurance rates.
Check out these five affordable car mods that keep insurance prices low.
Accident sensors and blindspot detectors
Modifications that improve safety or security can actually drive down your insurance premium charges. This is because such devices provide an extra layer of protection that lowers the chances the car will get into an accident. Adding crash sensors and blindspot detectors to your vehicle is a great way to get the most bang for your buck in this case.
Alloy wheels
You don’t have to be a car expert to know that wheels make a huge difference to the overall look of a vehicle. Whether you have a luxury Lamborghini or a squished Volkswagen, the wheels can completely transform your vehicle’s appearance. Sure, you can buy some fancy but unreliable set of wheels from your local car parts outlet, but if you want something really cool-looking, you’ll need to step up your game. Cast and Forged wheels and flow formed wheels are among the most popular alloy options at the moment, lauded for their stunning visual appeal and their longevity.
Chances are, you’ll have to pay more for your insurance premium after upgrading your wheels. However, you shouldn’t worry too much about this, because thankfully, insurance companies don’t often punish consumers for simply upgrading their wheels.
Tow Bar
A tow bar won’t make much of an impact on your car’s performance or the chances of it getting stolen. So it’s another accessory that you can get away with without affecting your insurance premium in a significant way.
Tinted windows
You won’t be hit with a big hike in your insurance premiums as long as you don’t break any of your region’s window tinting ordinances. Since laws vary across the US, in some states, you may be ticketed for driving with illegal windows even if the tinting is legal where you reside. And suppose you get into a collision in another jurisdiction where window tinting is not permitted. In that case, it could affect how your insurance company deals with the claim since you’re violating the law where the accident occurred. For this reason, it’s worthwhile to double-check the rules in the places you’ll be driving before heading out on the road.
Car seats/interior
It’s the exterior of the car that leaves a lasting impression, no doubt about that. The brand, the model, and all of its extra magic are the surface appeal, the bells and whistles a buyer sees when they first decide to purchase the vehicle. However, once the dust settles from the purchasing process, most owners come to love their cars for what lies beneath the paint jobs because none of the fancy features would matter if the inside of the vehicle did not feel comfortable. So if you feel like it’s lacking in comfort or is just too plain for your liking, then think about doing some upholstery mods to make that car into a true reflection of you.
The majority of insurance companies aren’t overly concerned with minor interior cosmetic changes so long as it doesn’t increase the total value of your vehicle. However, don’t be tempted to take any unnecessary risks with your car’s safety — reporting any mods early on may help you avoid a steep bill later on.
Be sure to inform your insurer about any modifications you make to your vehicle.
Modifications made to your car are subject to increased risks, which makes it all the more vital that you keep your insurance company up to date on what’s changed in your automotive life. Even minor changes can have a significant impact on your auto insurance, so be sure to keep your insurer informed about all alterations you make. That way, they can incorporate any new details into your plan and ensure that no valuable parts of your vehicle go uninsured.