[Krieger88]

My car was backed into in Dec, their insurance paid for the door to be replaced but a standard autobody shop won't dynomat and custom install aftermarket speakers. My speakers were fine so it's not even replacing any parts it's pretty much dynomatting and paying for the labor for a reinstall of a job that is less than a year ago done. I emailed an invoice to the insurance agent handling the case but haven't heard back, just wondering what everyone else thinks before I give her a call tomorrow.

So in short, doors fixed, my speakers are fine but need to be reinstalled (involves modding the door so it fits. And dynomat) so I'm only asking for labor.)

 

[SkizeR]

nope. only way you will have a chance is if you have them reported to your insurance company as a "mod" and pay for it to be covered

 

[jtaudioacc]

body shop should have contracted someone to do that and sent in a supplement. i used to do work like this all the time for body shops.

 

[Viggen]

I would also think they should cover the work. Car should be equal to before the accident.....

 

[Beckerson1]

It doesn't come stock. Therefor is considered a Mod. That's between OP and insurance as to if that would be covered. Sometimes you have to push a little.

 

[RandyJ75]

Depends on your insurance company, if they balk, make sure you give them a hard time about it. Don't just walk away.

 

[2010hummerguy]

nope. only way you will have a chance is if you have them reported to your insurance company as a "mod" and pay for it to be covered

But it is the other person's insurance, his insurance has nothing to do with it.

Absolutely they should cover this. You may need to pressure them a bit, most insurance companies are ****ty to work with. Especially the cut rate ones like Progressive and Geico.

Edit: Yikes, I did not realize how much the laws suck in some states. Best of luck!!! Keep in mind that recovery may be possible in civil court.

 

[SHAGGS]

Unless you have a specific rider on your policy, you're SOL.
It's like gap insurance.
Their insurance is only obligated to pay to put it back to stock.
This includes custom paint, and interior/exterior mods.
Everything has to be documented on file with the insurance company, to be considered "part" of the car.
At least that's how it's been with every company I've dealt with.

 

[Theslaking]

My insurance will cover up to $4000 in modifications. I pay extra for this coverage. If your insurance company is any good they will fight to get your stuff replaced. For mine modifications are considered original condition replacement if they are permanent. If it's an amp laying in trunk, they won't cover it. If it's a amp rack built in, they will. To get my exact equipment covered I had to produce copies of receipts. Even though the stuff was used they still cover my purchase price and installation up to $4000.

 

[maggie-g]

I sent my insurance a copy of the receipt for the sound deadener and they covered it and are back billing the offenders insurance. Something else you want to look in to is a diminished value claim.

 

[SHAGGS]

That's the way mine is, too.
They originally told me that any aftermarket stereo equipment had to be professionally installed to be covered.
Simply as a way to verify it's securely mounted and wired.
I showed my agent my car, and he just smiled, and said; "I think that more than qualifies. If you've got a minute, can you take a look at my car?"
When I get everything "done" I'm just going to give them a CD, with all the photos, vids, and scans of the receipts, for them to keep on file.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

I sent my insurance a copy of the receipt for the sound deadener and they covered it and are back billing the offenders insurance. Something else you want to look in to is a diminished value claim.

Not all states allow a diminished value suit. Arizona doesn't.

 

[maggie-g]

Not all states allow a diminished value suit. Arizona doesn't.

http://www.mwl-law.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/diminution-of-value-in-all-50-states.pdf

 

[BlackHHR]

We went through this 6 months ago. The HHR got t-boned on the passenger side. The front passenger door was replaced to factory spec.
The rest was on me.

 

[Krieger88]

I wasn't able to give the insurance lady a call today and she still hasn't responded to my email with the invoice for the install. I'm going to call tomorrow to find out for sure, and if she shoots me down I'll have to figure out something else. I really don't want to pay a whole lot for the install. Might see if my installer would do a trade (he's been wanting to hear sundown subs for a while and I want to get rid of my sundown sds and go back to sundown sa-10's.

 

[maggie-g]

if they refuse to pay it, ask for explanation in writing citing where in your policy this situation applies and why it isnt covered.

 

[MetricMuscle]

My car was backed into in Dec, their insurance paid for the door to be replaced but a standard autobody shop won't dynomat and custom install aftermarket speakers. My speakers were fine so it's not even replacing any parts it's pretty much dynomatting and paying for the labor for a reinstall of a job that is less than a year ago done. I emailed an invoice to the insurance agent handling the case but haven't heard back, just wondering what everyone else thinks before I give her a call tomorrow.

So in short, doors fixed, my speakers are fine but need to be reinstalled (involves modding the door so it fits. And dynomat) so I'm only asking for labor.)

Who do you have insurance with?

 

[Krieger88]

Who do you have insurance with?

I have Geico, they have Amtrust (never heard of them).

But somewhat good news, the insurance lady responded and said I had to have the bodyshop talk with the insurance adjuster, so I was told to send the invoice my audio installer gave me to the shop and it'll most likely be taken care of. So I'm kinda relieved but also anxious.

 

[Theslaking]

The fact that they are even open to the idea is a good omen.

 

[Navy Chief]

Maybe I am just really lucky but I have USAA and they will cover me up to $10,000 in custom work, which is probably what I have invested if I had to pay to have it all done again. Because USAA is a somewhat private insurance company (only open to military and their families) they have great policies.

A few years ago I had everything stolen out of my Blazer, not only did they give me top dollar for all my gear which was about 7 years old at the time, they actually paid me for what my labor would have cost to install it. Then they directed me to a car audio specialist claim department who offered me either cash or new gear at damn near cost rates. I ended up getting an Eclipse 7200 MKII to replace my Eclipse 5506, (2) Memphis baby belles and 4 memphis 10s to replace my 2 older eclipse amps and 2 Eclipse 12s. On top of all that they had to replace my side window at a price of $1400 dollars, which was how they got in.

If you can get it I strongly recommend USAA, they even refund me (and all their customers) money every year. Apparently they actually make too much as an insurance company and have to refund part of it each year to meet some requirement, or so I have been told.