Parents find it particularly stressful when our children grow older and become drivers. The stress increases as they evolve from part-time drivers of their parents' cars to full-time operators of their own autos. It’s likely you have already insured your young driver against injury or damage that he or she could cause to other people. However, are you sure that their car is also properly covered….especially in the age of "pimped-out" vehicles?
If you're not familiar with the term "pimped-out," it's slang for cars that have been customized for flash and performance. Many young drivers operate such cars and it can have an affect on their coverage. Even if you bought insurance to cover damage caused by collision or other sources of loss to your child's car, it might not be enough. That protection is based on the car's value according to its original manufacture. If hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of additional features have been added to the car, there won’t be enough coverage to handle a significant loss.
"Pimped-out" cars may merely have a special paint job or could involve a complete vehicular makeover. Some features that can be part of the process include:
- flashy custom paint jobs (including murals)
- custom hub caps (including spinners or motorized caps)
- mirror-finished chromed parts and features (such as special tail pipes)
- window tinting
- re-upholstered seats (such as leather and/or embroidered)
- decorated dash boards
- special floor mats
- hydra-pumps
- special hydraulic pumps or shock controls
- body cut-outs (roofs, doors)
- custom electronic sound systems
- special navigation equipment
- DVDs, computer equipment
Why not take a fresh look at your child's "ride" and call the (agency name) to talk about "pimping out" their insurance coverage?