Insurance, and Mini Trucks

Edited: 9/23/2008 10:30:32 PM by 72bumpside

Max, I know you do builds that involve a lot of frame work as do other shops, but your here to ask, so I will. What goes along with a stockfloor build and insurance? Is it a dont tell them and hope for the best, or just accept the fact that if you get and there is frame damage is going to come to the same end result if its stock floored or just a reworked stock frame?

I guess if you were to get hit hard enough to tweak the frame you may should worry about things other than the truck

Also, what happens with the vin number if you are clipping a truck, or plain building a full front to back frame? If using the "clip" can you cut it out and weld it back in over the transition? Is that legal or again, a "hope for the best" type situations...

noone? and im also talkin about if someone is driving it a lot, almost daily.

Grant being that this is Max's forum id wait on his response most people have enough respect not to post answers when this is Max's deal.

Max I apologize if I am stepping on your toes on this, but I do have a small amount of knowledge to throw out there.

First of all check with your insurance company to make sure that your vehicle will still be covered once you cut your frame! I know of a few big-name companies that will DROP YOU immediatley, if they find out that you have cut into your frame without telling them. So please find out if your new suspension will void your insurance!

Once you are assured that they will cover you, be sure to take pictures along the way of everything you do (including cutting/notching the frame)and give those and an itemized list of parts and prices to your insurance company. DON'T FORGET RECEIPTS! If you do the work yourself, make up a time sheet of all of the hours you have into your frame.

I'm lucky enough to be riding with Nationwide and they said that as long as I had pictures of everything and all of my receipts I would be covered. (Of course, it bumped my payments up $25 a month for $50,000 worth of "custom vehicle insurance" but I think its worth it.

I have had a friend who was involved in an accident that was not their fault and when the insurance company sent out their estimator, he saw that the frame had been modified and they couldn't give him a dime. They say that if the vehicle was stock it wouldn't have been affected the way it was. I think its b.s. but you never know. So he was stuck paying it off and having to try to buy another vehicle all on his own.

So moral of the story, double check with your insurance company before you break out the welder...

(No I'm not an insurance guy, but I want to see as many slammed trucks on the street cruising as possible)

wasn't aware of the new rules. your thoughts max?

Originally posted by KEEF



Grant being that this is Max's forum id wait on his response most people have enough respect not to post answers when this is Max's deal.

If anybody has productive information, please feel free to share. This is my forum, but I don't know everything.

Every insurance company has their own rules as to how they address "custom" vehicles. I'm with Allstate and they have told me just to take pictures and keep the receipts. Reguardless who you are with, it would be a good idea to ask them what they are willing to cover and what they expect from you for proof.

As for the VIN, I don't have any solid answers there either. I think that the rules would change from state to state. Call your DMV or ask a registration service to see what the concerns might be there. I have not ever had any problems with the DMV on custom vehicles, the biggest hoop that I have ever had to jump through was to have a CHP sign it off and that was as painless as it could get.

Ok Max just didnt want nobody stepping on ur toes buddy. A few of the trucks ive done for people they used our detailed billing on the job and added that much additional coverage on top of reg replacement insurance and like Matt stated above it doesnt cost much for the additional coverage. We havent had a case where fab work/bags etc were damaged yet so i cant say as to how well they will honor that part but as far as body and paint work they have never balked.

Take pictures, a lot of pictures. Additionally make sure to get a couple full appraisal of the vehicle. This will cost you $100-$300 each. A good appraisal guy will go over the whole vehicle, every nut/bolt/etc and determine its value. You will then want to present that value to your insurance company and make sure that the vehicle is covered for that value.

I have been on the recieving end of doing this wrong, just telling your insurance company your ride has a new frame and $xxxxx amount of work done to it and some pics wont mean anything to them when its time to pay you. You will want and NEED that appraisal to cover your ass. I was rear ended in my taco and had "extra stated" coverage on it, but did not have a appraisal. So all the custom paint/bodywork/etc was not covered, even though it was stated that the truck was custom. A detailed appraisal is everything.

I know people that have been screwed by progressive, nationwide, and others on there "stated value" policys. More or less they dont have to replace anything if they dont believe you since its just a stated value and nothing backing it. Get appraisals, keep reciepts, and pics to cover your ass.

Edited: 9/25/2008 11:21:20 AM by bagged85

what brandt said, but in the case were the frame has ben modified and them not paying, get your insurance company to fix it and let them sue the other company for reinbursment unless u can work with the adjuster.they may be evil and stingy, but they will fight for there customer if need be. if you dont have a reciept for the frame work done, then they will usually pay for stock replacement and what is aftermarket/modified is up to you. if you get hit and its not your fault, it shouldnt matter what was done to it b4 it was hit, they should pay to put it back like it was. if its not going to be a total loss that is. if your in an 86 yota that the kbb on it is 500 bux, a dent in the door would likely total it if its your fault. thats y my ranger will never have more then liability on it(and the fact that im a body tech)

i will get an appraisal on it once its back up and running. being its not body worked, painted, or interior, is that going to greatly decrease "value" as the appraiser sees it? Or will he focus mainly on the modifications done, and the prices I payed for things?