Car insurance typically does not cover aftermarket parts. Auto insurers may offer optional coverage for the added value of these parts, but generally the standard policy will not provide this protection. Comprehensive and collision coverage may be available to reimburse the cost of replacing or repairing these components, but usually only if they were damaged by an insured peril such as a car accident or theft. Drivers should contact their insurer to confirm what kind of protection is available for aftermarket parts.
Contents:
I. Definitions
When it comes to car insurance, it can be tricky to navigate the world of coverages and understand what exactly is covered by your policy. A key part of this includes understanding how aftermarket parts are treated for coverage purposes. To start off, before delving into the question of whether or not car insurance covers aftermarket parts, it’s important to define each term.
An “aftermarket part” refers to a vehicle component that has been made by a third party outside the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). These parts may serve as replacements for OEM parts or offer enhancements to an existing system like turbochargers and special lighting systems. In contrast, an OEM part is one made directly by a vehicle’s maker like Ford or Honda.
Car insurance offers protection against financial losses resulting from an automobile accident such as paying repair costs if another driver hits you or damages your car in some way. The degree and types of coverage vary depending on the policyholder’s needs. Generally speaking though, most policies include liability coverage which pays for repairs needed due to another driver hitting you while collision coverage pays for damage caused when you hit something else with your car like a tree or guardrail at the side of the road.
II. Types of Aftermarket Parts
When it comes to upgrading your car with aftermarket parts, there are two types: cosmetic and performance. Cosmetic upgrades can include things such as new rims, spoilers or a change of paint color. On the other hand, performance upgrades are typically geared toward increasing the power of the engine or improving certain components for racing purposes.
Cosmetic upgrades may not require any extra insurance coverage, but performance improvements may need additional protection under a custom parts rider. This is because modifications such as turbocharging an engine or replacing brakes could potentially affect your vehicle’s safety and performance on the road – and increase your risk of being involved in an accident. Therefore, you will want to make sure that any part replacements made to boost performance levels have their own insurance policy in place to give you complete peace of mind during and after the installation process has been completed.
Depending on where you live, some states will also require emissions testing if they deem necessary following any type of upgrade work carried out on your car which could mean additional fees that need to be taken into consideration when planning how much money to budget for your project overall. When seeking advice from a professional before making changes to vehicle parts, always ask about what sort of inspections (if any) might be required by law and whether or not these would necessitate further insurance coverage too so that everything is taken care of ahead of time without any potential headaches down the line.
III. What is Covered by Car Insurance
When it comes to car insurance, what is actually covered can vary depending on the policy you have. Many policies only cover the repairs or replacement of your vehicle in case of an accident, natural disaster, theft and other unforeseen events. However, some policies provide additional coverage for aftermarket parts and modifications made to the car.
It’s important to understand that not all parts are covered by your auto insurance policy. Generally speaking, standard components like brakes and radiators won’t be insured if they become damaged due to wear and tear from everyday use. Similarly, any aftermarket customizations done to the car (e.g. chrome rims) will also most likely not be included under a standard policy since these modifications do not improve safety or reliability of a vehicle – therefore insurers do not recognize them as valid items for compensation in a claim settlement.
On the other hand, there are certain types of aftermarket products that may be eligible for coverage provided by an insurer; this includes performance enhancing upgrades such as turbochargers or exhaust systems which add significant power or efficiency gains to a car’s engine at relatively low cost when compared with buying new parts directly from a dealership. While they may still increase your premium slightly, having extra protection in place should something go wrong can provide peace of mind knowing that you’ll get reimbursed for any losses incurred in the event of an accident or breakdown.
IV. Impact of Adding Aftermarket Parts to a Vehicle
Adding aftermarket parts to a vehicle can be beneficial for several reasons, ranging from increased performance and improved aesthetics to economic efficiency. However, it is important to understand that when making these changes, the vehicle’s insurance coverage may be impacted depending on the particular changes.
When upgrading an automobile with aftermarket parts, it is important to bear in mind that some insurers may not cover any accidents or other issues arising from these additions. Therefore, drivers must take care when choosing the type of components installed onto their vehicle as well as the manufacturer of these parts. In addition to ensuring quality equipment selection and usage, drivers should also make sure they are aware of what types of modifications will be accepted under their insurance policy before beginning any modification process.
In order to ensure comprehensive car coverage, owners of modified vehicles should make sure they thoroughly read their car insurance policy so that they are aware of all related specifics such as deductibles and limits prior making any changes or upgrades to their ride. They need to consider communicating with an independent agent if they have questions regarding how specific modifications may alter the way claims are handled by their provider if an incident were ever occur.
V. Does Car Insurance Cover Aftermarket Parts?
When shopping for car parts, it can be tempting to choose aftermarket parts due to their lower price. These are components that are not made by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), but instead a third-party entity. Though such parts may be less expensive than OEM products, purchasing them does come with risks – namely, will your auto insurance coverage still apply?
The answer largely depends on the type of policy you have purchased and the individual conditions of your policy. In some cases, policies may specifically exclude aftermarket parts or have limits as to what they cover. Many insurers will provide coverage for aftermarket items as long as they meet certain standards, however this is usually only limited in scope and level of protection when compared to OEM parts. Some states may impose different requirements which affect coverage for aftermarket parts – so it is best to check with local laws before making any purchases.
It is important to carefully read through your entire policy prior to buying any aftermarket car part and make sure that everything is clearly outlined within the agreement. If you do decide that an aftermarket part would suit you better than its more costly OEM counterpart then make sure that you take measures towards protecting yourself from potential future losses if anything were ever go wrong down the line.
VI. Additional Ways to Protect Your Investment
Aftermarket car parts can be an exciting and cost-effective way to customize and improve your vehicle. However, when it comes to ensuring you’re properly covered in the event of damage or theft, there are some other steps to take that should not be overlooked.
For starters, many individuals mistakenly assume that their car insurance will cover aftermarket parts as well as any other modifications they have made to the vehicle. Unfortunately, this is typically not the case. As such, inquiring with your insurer about specific coverage may be essential before investing in a custom system or adding expensive additions. If additional protection is required, riders can sometimes be added for an extra fee that offer coverage specifically for aftermarket parts and labor costs related to repair or replacement.
While obtaining adequate insurance coverage may seem like a hassle at times; taking additional precautions can help preserve peace of mind by protecting significant investments in cars and upgrades alike. Storing vehicles in a secure location when possible, equipping them with updated alarm systems if needed; or even having a trusted mechanic periodically inspect the car’s safety features could all serve as useful preventative measures worth considering over time.
