newb + insurance/law questions
 

hi guys,
I'm new to this community, and a total newb to this 'tuning/modding' world. I'm a late bloomer, as it took me to my mid 20's before I got interested w/ cars and performance. Aside from watching those drift jap dvd's, I'm not really that much interested in racing, nor making my car look like a ricer car. In fact, even though I drive a Civic, my cousin tells me that I look like I'm driving a station wagon lol. Well, that is for better gas mileage and that's another story for another day ;).

Basically, my question is about insurance & law. Right now, I got a DD civic that I just started to play around with. Just finished installing CAI, and looking forward to adding performance parts little by little.

First off, with the suspension. I'm not planning on slamming my car to the ground, just looking to improve handling and comfort. So the question for this is, does insurance companies refuse cars w/ performance suspension? Is there a law that says how 'low' your 'ride' can go?

Secondly, the engine. My civic's got stock engine, which is a whoppin' 106hp i think. I'm planning to ride on it until it dies on me, or at least starts giving me a problem. However, If I do an engine swap, would I still pass those emmission tests and will the insurance companieS refuse to give me coverage?

Thirdly, the exterior. I'm planning to change my headlights and backlights to aftermarket. How do I know if those parts are 'street legal' here in canada (or ontario to be more specific)? My car's due for a new paint as well. I'm either switching to black, dark blue or those metallic greys. Do i need to inform my insurance co. about this colour change or just the MTO? What if, say my Car is light blue, and I go for dark blue? does that indicate a change of colour and worth notifying MTO and my insurance company?

Lastly, Do these modications have to be reported to the insurance company all the time? Or is it just for the major parts i.e. engine swap?

Thanks

Once you start putting aftermarket/performance parts on your car, the insurance company can either a) raise your premium b) cancel your policy or c) refuse to pay out on a claim if you don't disclose the modifications to the car.

If you replace the engine with an engine that runs well, you will pass emissions. If you go with a larger engine, tell the shop doing the emissions what engine it is. A larger engine will produce more emissions. They might have to run it as a "kit" car (someone with this might be able to confirm).

Read the box the lights come in. Does it say DOT approved? Does it say "For off-road use only", or "show only"? DOT approved might only mean that SOME of the pieces included are approved, but as a whole, it isn't.
Normally, aftermarket (tail lights especially) attract unwanted attention.

So, add performance, engine, I/H/E, projectors, fresh tails, dark tints and lower it, and yeah, you'll attract the police if you drive like a jerk. Be a good boy and you'll probably get minimal hassle.

If you change the colour of your car, I believe you have 10 days to notify the ministry, and yes, you should also inform your insurance company. It will have no effect on your premium.

don't drive like an idiot, stay away from cop hot spots (where you see 16yr olds doing burnouts in a home depot parking lot only to be pulled over after they leave) and don't do crazy illegal mods. Since you're in your mid 20's insurance should be a lot cheaper now. After 25 it just drops.

Ill make it simple for you, insurance companies do will not cover a Honda that has ANY type of performance mod. If they find out you will be cancelled and a cancellation in Ontario is bad news.

yea...ummm...no!!!

I've had modded civics and insurance knew...I've had claims, no problem...thing is I'm a responsible mature driver and have paid my insurance dues

^^^ exactly... Just go in their and show them why your not a high risk driver and they wont treat you like one. After pics were taken of the car they tried to put me in a high risk market however I was able to get out of it by setting a meeting and just talking to them (this was when I was 19). I am 24 now no tickets or accidents started insurance at 150 Im down to 109 and the big 25 is just around the corner!

the big 25 is really mythical...if you are already at 109/mth its not gonna go down much more than that...hell I turned 26 and my rate went up from 98bucks to 105 with no changes to my driving record and such, same address etc...

Thats funny.. my insurance knows my HONDA is Modified.. and they didint cancel on me?? :haha:

so, u got 3 people opposing what u said...we wanna know where u heard that bullshi t

liesssssssssssss

i think he was generalizing and not meant to say it categorically. generally, an ins co. can be quiet edgy or unaccommodating to mods..typically for a younger age driver driving a civic.

Heard what bull****? I think you and everyone on TCC has been living under rock's for the past few years. You might have been able to get away with some minor mods 3-4 years ago but just see how fast you are cancelled nowadays. With "street racing" all over the news, insurance companies do not want anything to do with the "tuner" crowd and I dont care what anyone says, this is a FACT. A set of wheels and stereo system is fine but those are not mods imo, im talking about engine swaps, even a CAI on a stock engine is grounds for a cancellation. Maybe alot of you use brokers, brokers =/= the actual company. I swear some people on here mustbe living in a bubble, Ive been driving 8 years, have a PERFECT record and spent hours on the phone to virtually every insurance company in Ontario and have yet to find any that will willingly cover mods. But hey I guess me and everyone else on the other multiple forums im on are wrong.

Ok, list what insurance company you are with and what your mods are, ill personally phone them to confirm.

Which insurance comapny and what are your mods

25 doesnt mean much, I just turned 25 and got my renewal in the mail, dropped like 3-4%.
Again what are you mods and what insurance company is this?

Im a responsible mature driver as well and I certainly have paid my dues, 8 years and a perfect record, was this when you had your 1st gen CR-X because im sure times have changed.

uhm, not really too crazy about having a ricer car, and first on my agenda is to upgrade my suspension, most likely an illumina + h/r sport springs. my car's a sedan, and i plan to keep it as simple as possible. although for a 11 year old car, it doesn't have any rusts on the exterior, it does have tons of scratches all over, not do mention the stone chips that already outnumbers the amount of paint on my front bumper. so i'd definitely be going for a paint job, and put those red/white crystal tail lights as the only other a/m exterior part. anyways, thanks for the feedback guys...

Just stop filling this board with lies.


kthxbye

LOLspeak FTW

OP is not so great akshully

I am sorry but this pure bull if you're not making a generalized statement. Many insurance companies WILL cover you but for a price, it's when you starting getting into imported Skylines etc. that it gets harder to insure but still, you CAN insure it for a price.

My brother's friend who was 19 at the time imported a fairlady and got insured with only his G2. He had a tough time getting insurance and found the best and cheapest way was under his mom's insurance policy, for 550 or so per month.

This was not stone ages ago, this was a year ago.

Thank you for generalizing the entire community of tcc, not surprising with your last statement.

Some companies can be real ****. When I was shopping 2 years ago, I remember one policy clearly stated that ANY modification to your vehicle is grounds for termination. Yes, this includes a stereo system as well.

You're not trying hard enough, continue the fight. Make an excel spreadsheet and share your findings, the people love it and no I'm not being sarcastic.

I'm wondering which forums you lurk because I've heard NOTHING like you're claiming for ANY other of the forums I lurk and I just don't lurk on car forums.

Heck if you're so willing, try Coseco @ 1-800-810-4990. Let me know if my insurance company covers ANY kind of mods, I wonder myself.