I got this from the Vital Motion board
http://www.j-body.org/forums/read.php?f ... 508&t=7508
here is the J-body thread about it:Here is a little information for some of you: Insurance companys are all basically mini brokers for a LARGE company known as capital one (could have name wrong). Well since they are all basically different branches of one large company they have very much the same policies. One of which, the newest, states if your car has any modification to the suspension other than OE (stock) you will not be covered by the insurance company. This means if you get into an accident and the cop reports that you have modified suspension, your insurance company basically abandons you and you are forced to pay all DAMAGES; ambulance, police, physical, mental etc...
a boring, regular rear-ender goes for around $9500!!!!
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Conten ... 7832583249
"The Star" Article:
Laurance Yap, July 5
I'm a 46-year-old IT professional with IBM and have always been a fan of cars. Not just imports or domestics or muscle cars or trucks, but all vehicles with four wheels (and even some with two). A year and a half ago, it was time to retire the minivan and I bought a base 2002 Pontiac Sunfire sedan.
It's basic transportation, but still fun to drive with a decent little four-cylinder engine and five-speed transmission. About six months after getting the car, I discovered http://www.j-body.org and found that there is a whole group of people out there modifying their Cavaliers and Sunfires. I bought a set of used lowering springs (40 mm) and installed them myself.
That little change to remove the 4x4 look of the car hooked me up with the local Durham Region J-Body owners and I got many ideas for other modifications to my car by attending the weekly Sunday meets at the AMC complex in Whitby. All were very low-budget and could be done in my driveway.
I entered the car in a couple of J-Body shows as well as ImportFest and The First Episode. I had a great time and my 19-year-old son also attends the shows with me.
Earlier this year, I talked with an owner of a Honda Civic who, like me, was insured with State Farm. He had recently had an accident and his Civic was totaled. When the adjuster examined his car, he was informed that since it was modified (that is, lowered) and State Farm had not been informed (as dictated in the policy), his vehicle would not be covered.
I contacted my agent right away and was requested to bring the car in for pictures. They checked the car over, took some pictures, and said "No problem. Thanks for letting us know." About three weeks later I received a registered letter from the State Farm underwriters informing me that they appreciated the opportunity to provide me with coverage in the past but would no longer be able to insure the car. I had three weeks to find another company to look after me.
I have been with them for more than 15 years and have a clean driving record, so I shouldn't be a risk - they just don't want to cover "modified" cars. I then started calling most of the companies in the phone book. As soon as you mention the lowering, they want nothing to do with you. I even had one company say that they would insure "customized" cars but not "modified."
Eventually, I asked State Farm if my insurance would be re-instated if I returned the suspension to stock. My agent checked with head office and they agreed, provided I took the car to an adjuster who would verify the condition of the car.
While the car was being inspected, I asked the reasoning behind not wanting the car lowered. Was it because this reduced the height of the bumpers and increased the risk of damage? No - it was because lowering the car makes it more aerodynamic and allows it to go faster. I asked about coil-over suspension so the stock height could be maintained and then lowered for shows. No - that suspension would probably be stiffer and allow improved performance. This argument would also seem to apply to new higher performance shocks and struts. I didn't bother discussing it any further.
My point is that many of the enthusiasts out there who have modified their cars may very well have voided their insurance without knowing it. The insurance industry may be able to accomplish what the police haven't been able to (yet) by making all these vehicles illegal to be on the street because they can't get coverage.
http://www.j-body.org/forums/read.php?f ... 508&t=7508