Will Insurance cover aftermarket parts?
 

I have a question for everyone. I have been driving for 11 years and all of my accidents have been due to someone running into me. So I would like to know if the other person insurance will cover aftermarket parts on my car. I finanlly own a car worth putting some money into for aftermarket parts (previously own a 05 Corolla, and 91 Corolla), but afraid that someone sooner or later will run into me again. Or worse case scenerio I run into someone. So I am nervous about spending my hard earn cash on parts and get into accident and have to repurchase all the parts. So please leave me your stories of your experience with this issue. Thank you ahead of time.

Yes, if you get aftermarket insurance.

For the most part, no. At least not more that the stock part cost. Basically if you replace anything with something aftermarket and it gets damaged in an accident you will only get reimbursed for the cost of the stock part. However if you upgrade the stereo for example, then you can get that covered.

I went through this with my truck. Upgraded suspension, exhaust, bumpers, wheels, tires, rock sliders, skid plates. None of that was covered for the added value.
Things that did get covered; brush guard (before I went to a real offroad bumper), stereo, added hitch, tonneau cover, line-x bed liner.

Get the idea? Pretty much anything you replace (other than the stereo system) won't be covered. Anything you add might be covered.
You have to call up your insurance company and have them add it to be covered and it may change the cost a little.

I have "aftermarket" insurance on my tC currently, and Progressive covers up to $5000 in parts. However, I am not sure what the payout would be, as I have fortunately not needed it as of yet.

*crosses fingers*

enigmarron Ummmm, No. If you get aftermarket insurance, it will be covered. You will have to pay more for it but with most carriers it is available.

Your "basic" coverage will not cover anything aftermarket greater than the original OE value.

A good guide:
http://www.carinsurance.com/aftermarket-parts.aspx

if you want something non stock insured you have to tell your insurance company about it.

otherwise they will not insure it

be careful though, if you tell your company that you've installed coilovers and a full exhaust system they MAY deny you coverage

always check the fine text of your insurance provider

This is what the two different insurance companies I have dealt with both told me. Obviously not all insurance companies are the same, so ultimately you have to call yours. Just make sure to ask what your "aftermarket insurance" actually covers. Like the companies I've dealt with it could mean just added parts, but sounds like others cover upgraded parts.

Most companies will allow you to add non-factory additional equipment to your policy. However, it's USUALLY for things like upgraded audio systems or wheels. Depending on the company, they might be cool and still cover other stuff. I have a client whose RSX-S got vandalized/stolen, and they threw in extra money for his intake and exhaust. But if it were a turbo kit, that may not have been covered.

A nice thing to get if a company offers it is OEM coverage, which is useful when you have really nice stuff. I added it to my policy just to play it safe with the stock Evo steering wheel (Momo), seats (Recaro) and wheels (BBS) since even though they're factory, I'd rather not get replacements that may not match, which is sometimes what can happen.

I have USAA and I specifically asked this question before modding my last vehicle - 2010 STi. They told me that no additional insurance was required, and as long as I kept my receipts any aftermarket items would be covered up to the property damage limit on my insurance policy. Basically, they treat having aftermarket parts installed on/in the car no differently than if i had them all stored in the trunk and were destroyed during the accident.