Modifying your vehicle by changing the rims, exhaust, or adjusting the height of your vehicle can make your car unique, letting your personality shine through as you drive.
But those changes and modifications typically come with higher car insurance rates, and custom parts often require additional coverage. Here’s why adjusting the height of your car can mean higher rates.
Does adjusting your car height affect insurance?
Yes, raising or lowering your car is a type of vehicle modification, and requires additional car insurance coverage.
Many insurance companies offer extra coverage for custom parts and equipment to cover your modifications if your car is damaged in an accident, but you’ll pay a higher car insurance rate for the additional coverage.
➞ Learn more about car insurance for modified cars
Does lowering your car affect insurance?
Yes, you’ll pay more to insure your car if you have it lowered. Any vehicle modification will likely increase your insurance costs, but lowering your car comes with its own specific issues that impact your insurance rates.
Lowering your suspension makes your car more difficult to tow, causes potentially dangerous interactions between the frame and other parts like your tires or your sway bar, and increases the likelihood that your car will bottom out on speed bumps and rough pavement.
These problems all increase the chances you will need to file a claim, which raises your insurance costs.
Does raising your car affect insurance?
Yes, raising your car will likely affect your car insurance. Raising your suspension impacts your car’s stability, making it more likely to rollover when speeding or taking a sharp turn. The increased risk and the extra costs associated with the modification will cause your insurance rates to go up.
Do I need to tell my insurance if I raise or lower my car?
Yes, you need to tell your insurance company if you make any modifications to your vehicle, including raising or lowering the suspension. Your car insurance company needs to know when you make modifications to your car so they can accurately determine your rates.
What happens if you don't tell insurance about modifications?
It is important to tell your insurance company about any modifications to your car. Not telling your insurer about modifications is considered material misrepresentation, which is a fancy way of saying that you didn’t tell them something that would have affected your rate if they had known about it.
If you don’t tell your insurance company about any modifications made to your vehicle, they could potentially deny a claim in the future, or even cancel your policy altogether when they find out about your vehicle modifications.
How much does raising or lowering a car increase insurance?
Your insurance rates will go up with a modified car, but the exact amount you’ll pay is based on a number of factors, including which insurance company you choose.
The easiest way to save money on car insurance is to compare quotes between multiple companies, which you can do through online marketplace like Policygenius.
Frequently asked questions
What factors affect car insurance?
There are lots of factors that impact your car insurance. Some things, like your age or your driving history, have a big impact on your insurance rates. Other things, like your marital status, have a smaller impact on your rates. Modifying your car does affect how much you pay for car insurance.
Can you insure a lowered car?
Yes, but you’ll likely pay a higher rate than if you hadn’t lowered the car. Also, some insurance companies may choose not to insure a lowered car, so you may not have as many options for insurance as you would if you didn’t modify the vehicle.
Do car trims affect insurance?
Yes, the trim level of your vehicle likely impacts your insurance rates. Because of the different features associated with different trim levels, you are likely to pay more to insure a vehicle with a more expensive trim.
What modifications do you have to declare to insurance?
A standard car insurance policy doesn’t cover any modifications at all, so you need to disclose any modifications you make to your car. This includes custom rims, paint jobs, lift kits, and any other changes you make to your vehicle.
