Appraisal and Insuring a modified/altered Vehicle in BC
/
It’s important that owners of Hot Rods and Modified vehicles have the vehicles correctly insured and registered at ICBC.
Recently they made some changes, I thought you should be aware of.
Most modified/altered vehicles –lets call them Hot Rods---- now need to have a “Declared Value” policy.
I will try to make it as easy and short as possible.
Its very important for you the owner, if your faced with a total loss you will not be a happy camper!
Vehicles in BC insured with ICBC are insured by “Rate Groups” Great if you drive a newer vehicle, terrible if you drive a Hot Rod, because a Hot Rod doesn’t fall neatly into a rate group.
So how do you get the coverage you need?
Here is info from ICBC--- copied of the website:
“ICBC requires a declared value for certain vehicles in order to accurately assess the insurance premium for the vehicle. Declared value vehicles are vehicles that cannot be readily placed in a standard rating category based on their year, make and model, due to unusual features, such as modifications and additional equipment that significantly alters the value of the vehicle. In such cases we rely on the vehicle owner to accurately declare the value and pay the appropriate premium. It is important that the vehicle owner knows the value of their vehicle, and that they review it on a regular basis and update it, for example when they perform upgrades or additional modifications, or as it depreciates. This ensures that the owner has enough insurance coverage for the vehicle but is not overpaying.”
Ok so basic stuff.
How to accurately show ICBC the Value of the vehicle {They term this Actual Market Value, or ACV for short}
An Appraisal is the best method, it must be from an insurance recognized appraiser of Collector Vehicles such as Oceanside Auto Appraisers Ltd.
Ok now you have the cars Value or ACV, that’s the first step!
Now you need to discuss with your agent, show them the Appraisal, and ask them if your covered to the amount in the Appraisal or do you need to get a Declared Value Policy, to top up your regular Modified insurance coverage.
They will advise you, after viewing the Appraisal and your Current “Rate Group” .
Yes, I know this all sounds like a giant pain, But and it’s a Biggy, if you don’t have the correct insurance coverage---or the car is incorrectly registered you wont be a ‘happy camper’.
I have a special coming up in July for VIHR owners only, you guys can take advantage of the offer and save almost $70 off the cost of a regular Appraisal. If you are interested, contact:
Lyndon Sayler (250) 585-6724 lyndon@sayler.ca
Jim Sayenchuk (250) 616-6150 jimsayenchuk@shaw.ca
David Sampson – Owner/Appraiser
Oceanside Auto Appraisers
SVA BC - Island Representative
Cell: 250-927-4634
