Center of gravity? What if you have three or four really fat people in your car? That would alter your center of gravity! How about if you are carrying a load that the car is rated for? That would do it, too. Wording is stupid!

 

Actually, the article was pretty accurate and thorough, except for the part about possible denial of coverage.

The word is "risk". If you got your standard-issue Mr./Mrs. America / Canada -mobile, the insurance company knows where it stands. They can 'average you in' with all the others of your ilk out there in Suburbia and even Outer Slobovia and pretty much know how much they are going to pay out per policy per year on the average.

It's when they have to start thinking about 'unknowns' that they start to get antsy. Daddy just bought junior an Acura Integra. What's Junior going to do with that vehicle? CAI? NOS? Mr. Smith puts big 22" dubs on his Chevy Silverado. What's he insured for - the standard stuff for around $1,700, or the big ones for around $3,200? Basically, if you don't tell your insurance company about an increased risk, you're assuming that additional risk yourself. On a comprehensive claim, the insurance company would be within its rights to pay you only for the standard stuff. Unless you told them in advance.

Anyway, the article mentioned what to do if you have 'extras' on your vehicle -

"In short, if you've outfitted your car with thousands in chrome and electronics, you need more insurance. Policy holders should talk to their insurer about buying what's called an endorsement to cover the improvements they've made, says Tom Price, a product consultant for standard auto for Nationwide Insurance. The endorsement applies to the comprehensive and collision portion of the insurance, not the liability coverage."

The insurance company I work for has exactly such a rider. $1,000 in coverage of "non-stock" items is already included as a part of the standard policy. More coverage can be obtained, in increments of $1,000, up to $5,000 total. The additional coverage is surprisingly cheap.