With the popularity of custom car TV shows such as "Pimp My Ride", personalized cars are becoming hotter than ever before - and the accessories have come a long way from simple paint jobs and fuzzy steering wheel covers. Today, drivers want their cars to stand out from the crowd and express their personality and style. As a result, car owners are adding chrome rims and grills, customized murals, Spree wheels (spinner rims), pipes, flat screens, monitors, decked out stereo systems, ground effects and hydraulics that make their new rides jump, hop or low ride.

But what is the cost to insure these hot new accessories? And do you actually know if your auto insurance company will cover these new enhancements?

If you are thinking of pimping out your ride, these are some very important questions to ask your insurance agent! Modifying your car is a huge investment and you don`t want to find out after the fact that your vehicle is not covered.

Ask first, pimp your ride out later
The best course of action is to consult your auto insurance company first before you start pimping out your ride. This will help you find out what your auto insurance company does and doesn`t cover, if they are willing to insure your new ride and what the total cost would be to keep your customized ride covered.

If your current auto insurance company does not cover your customized parts on their ordinary policies, then you will more than likely need to add an endorsement to your policy. An endorsement is an extension of your comprehensive and collision portion of your auto insurance policy. If you currently carry full auto insurance coverage you probably already have these as part of your policy. If you don`t, you will more than likely have to upgrade your plan.

Also, keep in mind that most endorsement plans only cover up to $5,000. So if your new parts are more than the covered cost, you may want to look else where for coverage.

Don`t skip on the details
In order to properly write a policy that covers your entire investment, you will have to disclose every detail you have added to your new ride. This will help your agent develop a policy that protects your car in the event of an accident or theft.

Safety is key
Many auto insurance companies want to make sure that your new customized car is safe to drive. So be prepared to supply your agent with an itemized bill detailing everything that has been done to your new car, to what specification and by what company.

Why, you might ask? According to Ohio insurance agent, Brad Vermillion, many drivers attempt to do the work themselves. As a result, parts could potentially be installed improperly, not match regulated standards or be illegal to drive with on public roads.

Think the authorities will never find out? Think again! If you end up in an accident and it is discovered that your car was the cause of the accident due to illegal modifications or improper installation, your auto insurance company has the right to refuse you coverage. Rest assured they will still cover any damages you may have caused the other parties involved, but you will not see a dime.

So your best bet is to be honest with your insurance company and have a professional do the work for you. It will save you a lot of money in the long run and keep you out of harms way.

Fill out the fast form on ChoiceAutoInsurance.com for free auto insurance quotes and auto liability insurance for your pimped out ride.

Save money by getting the best deal on auto car insurance

Top Insurance Carriers compete for your business