Many drivers have customized vehicles, and it's important to keep these vehicles protected with customized vehicle insurance. Car insurance companies offer protection for customized vehicles, including parts and equipment, but knowing how this customized vehicle insurance works is absolutely essential to choosing a dependable policy.
In most states, you've already got coverage for some car modifications through your standard insurance policy. Collision and comprehensive coverage will usually handle about $1,000 of damage to a car's custom parts, and for most drivers, this is more than enough coverage to handle the potential costs of an accident. For drivers that heavily modify their vehicles, additional coverage is necessary. Most car insurance companies offer an add on known as custom parts and equipment coverage (or CPE) for these drivers, and this coverage can be purchased as needed to cover all of a driver's equipment. There are a few limitations to CPE coverage. Items insured with custom parts and equipment coverage need to be permanently installed on a vehicle, so something like a CD player that was left in a car (but not installed in the car) wouldn't be handled by CPE coverage.
Customized vehicle insurance also requires some sort of proof of the covered items. This is because car insurance companies can't afford to pay out on claims for custom parts and equipment that were never installed. If you drive a customized vehicle, be sure to keep track of all of your customizations. Keep all of your receipts, and take plenty of pictures. If your vehicle is involved in an accident or if it's stolen or damaged, you should submit a claim immediately. Contact your insurance company for instructions on what to do next, and keep records of all of your communication with the car insurance companies. You'll get the most out of your customized vehicle insurance if you understand its limitations and if you follow the proper procedures for submitting a claim.
When considering custom parts and equipment coverage, you should find the cost of all of your vehicle's modifications. If they're under $1000, double check with your insurance agent to make sure that you don't need any additional coverage. You won't get any added benefits for buying coverage that you don't need, just higher car insurance bills. If you drive a heavily customized vehicle, get quotes on CPE coverage from several car insurance companies to get the best possible rate. You'll keep your vehicle protected under various circumstances, and you won't have to worry about losing a large amount of money due to auto theft or a car accident with this special insurance add-on.
