Loud aftermarket exhausts, lowered suspensions, and even tinted windows could spell trouble for you on your next insurance claim!
21-year old Ontario resident Modasir Ayobi learned the hard way! Leasing a 2020 Subaru BRZ, he installed an aftermarket exhaust that enhanced the sound of the little sports car. But unfortunately, as the story goes with most young drivers – he got into an accident and when it came to making a claim for insurance purposes, the company refused.
While technically on a lease – meaning the car is to be returned after a set timeline, this isn’t exactly a new practice. Lot’s of people will modify their cars in small ways, returning things to stock when their time is up.
The total claim came out to $35,000 – the complete value of the car.
So what happened?
Apparently unbeknownst to Ayobi, his insurance policy states that ‘any and all modifications’ done to the car must be reported so they can properly insure you. “If I knew modifications would affect insurance I wouldn’t have done that,” he told Global News.
What the insurance company failed to understand was that the upgraded exhaust system doesn’t necessarily alter the car’s performance or handling. So how could that be blamed for the accident?
My opinion – it shouldn’t. But luckily for Ayobi, there is a happy ending.
After being contacted by several news agencies, the Insurance Company reversed their decision, likely in response to all of the bad press.
So moral of the story? Double check your Insurance policy.
