Overhaulin'

Claiming on the car insurance would i be still able to claim?

If i have to claim on my insurance and i have not told them i have a amp installed under my seat,could i still claim,or would they void the insuarance all together on my insurance statment all its got is If the vehicle has been modified in anyway from the manufactuers original specification either by way of appearance and/or performance please enter details: No modification declared Its not saying anything about the inside of the car the audio side Why im asking my car has been in a prang (not my fault) But i have to options use my insuarance or use the mans insurance,if i use mine then when the work has been done they will bill the other company But i want to make sure i can still claim even though ive not told my imsurance company ive got a amp bolted under the seat Its good to hear its not going to matter,ive been told there is a 70% chance it will be written off Ive been told that my car could be wrote off,i wouldn't be claiming for my amp,what im asking is:would they still fix my car or if its wrote of would they pay me the book value of the car,the only thing that was damaged wing/two doors,quater back Thats why they think it will be wrote off

Public Comments

1. it should also say about the maximum audio cover you have, which is often £750. A lot of insurance companies dont see an amp as a performance or appearance upgrade.
2. YOU WONT VOID YOUR INSURANCE THEY JUST MIGHT NOT PAY FOR THE AMP IF IT IS STOLEN, IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO LET THE INSURANCE COMPANY KNOW IF YOU HAVE ADDED ANYTHING EXTRA FOR YOUR PROTECTION.
3. It is not a modification that will affect the performance of the car so an accident claim should be ok on that score. However, if the claim is for theft check the policy small print about declaring expensive sound, dvd or similar systems. If the policy specifically asks for details of additional sound systems but you have not declared it, then it may not cover the cost of the system under a claim.
4. Yes, you can claim and get your car fixed. If it had been damaged to the point where they would have declared it a total loss, you would have got only fair market value and not the fair market value plus the price of your amp. And since it is bolted in, it is part of the car and would go with it under those circumstances. Mostly what they are talking about under modifications is things like ground effects, different hoods, that type of thing, not upgraded sound systems. And the same thing applies there, if you spend lots putting on ground effects and didn't declare them, they won't pay for them if they get damaged.
5. hmmm...not sure about all that........ anything you ADD to the car WOULD be a modification. Any modifications should be declared if they aren't - you may not have the coverage you THOUGHT you had for the AFTERMARKET parts you add to your vehicle. The whole point of declaring something is so that you have the appropriate coverage level in case something would happen. Let me put it this way: Your AUTO coverage covers your AUTO. It does not cover your iPod, your phone, your CDs, etc. If you have presents in your trunk and they get stolen - THEY are not covered. Most autos come from the manufacturer with traditional standards...... 4 tires, aluminum rims, radio, mirrors, windshield.....get it? Most autos do NOT come with custom paint jobs, fender flares, racing tires, 10 inch rear spoilers.....amps under the seat.... So, unless you declare that stuff you have - your insurance company is only going to insure you for what you claim - a regular run of the mill vehicle.........which is...in this case....not the case. In the years I've handled personal auto claims - AFTERMARKET CUSTOM equipment was only covered up to $1000. If the equipment you have costs more than that.....you're kinda up a creek unless you had it endorsed to your policy for the amount of coverage you need. (Your amp would be considered aftermarket custom equipment. It is not OEM) Good luck. ~jifr!