Member Needs Help w/ His CNG Car

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Permalink Reply by Ron Everitt on August 24, 2009 at 8:57am

Sounds like a VINGATE more than an insurance problem,maybe a back track to the Federal auction???????

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Permalink Reply by John Denman on August 24, 2009 at 9:44am

OK.

Lets begin here:
US Code - Title 15, Chapter 50, Sections 2301-2312:
Legally, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty on a vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part caused or contributed to the failure in the vehicle (per the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)).

If the car was indeed converted by the factory then you should be able to contact the factory for the warrantee data IF the vehicle is less then ten years old. In either case the factory will maintain a configuration of all VIN #'s.

I do know a few people who have insured their CNG vehicles with State Farm.

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Permalink Reply by SJC on August 24, 2009 at 10:53am

It has to have a VIN to transfer title and register the car. I would just check with other insurance companies, there is not that much difference between your car and the base model so not being able to asses damage repair costs does not sound like a valid reason to me.

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Permalink Reply by V Pace on August 24, 2009 at 4:21pm

Hi,

This could be an area where we need to push for legislation regarding laws requiring insurance companies to have a valuation method and plan in place to reasonably insure vehicles converted to alternative energy technologies.

Vincent

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Permalink Reply by Ted Wallace on August 25, 2009 at 8:21am

I'd like to see the VIN you are inputting.If you don't want to publish it you can e-mail it to me ted@tedwallace.com. I am a new car broker and was once an insurance agent. Insurance agents don't like any uncertainity. If you can give them the info instead of ask for it you'll be much better off. Worse case sernario that might come up is if something happens and your car is lost or destroyed they might not give any consideration for the cost of the alterations.

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Permalink Reply by Phillip Messer on August 25, 2009 at 2:53pm

Robert,

I understand you live in New Jersey with New York close by. CNG vehicles are most common in NY and CA and I"m thinking that insurance for your vehicle should be available in the NY metro area, especially if you work there. If your agent won't demonstrate a desire to help you solve the problem, make it clear that you will take your business elsewhere. They work for us; we don't work for them. An independent agent or broker may be the best solution. Hope this helps; please reply when you have found coverage. I wish you the best, my friend.

Phill Messer, driver
UPS Freight System
Mobile, AL

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Permalink Reply by Ron Everitt on August 27, 2009 at 8:38am

Hurraw UPS:) but anyway yeah it's usually either New York or California spearheading such good matters but all we foreigners got to do is simply push that handle onward:)

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Permalink Reply by Shawn Rife on August 25, 2009 at 9:45pm

I'll share my experience with unusual vehicles; the same rules should apply... I use to buy, build, and modify classic and exotic vehicles, old and late model - serious modifications... I insured with State Farm, The Hartford, and Allstate at the time. Basically it comes down to having an agent who has some actual policy knowledge, and not just relying on a computer system. If the agent if fumbling over a VIN, stop them, give them a copy of the title for their record, or have them request the record from the state the vehicle is titled in. The equipment I would install never matched the vehicle’s VINs, which was not a problem, the insurer, however does need record of the customization, or mod. A good agent should consider receipts, or other records documenting the non-factory work and how it changed or increased the value of the vehicle. In your case however, you should have all the documentation you need while working with a competent agent. If this is not enough (i.e. In the event of a “shade tree” nat. gas conversion) get a certified appraisal of the vehicle. Your insurance agency should have a list of independent appraisers in your area who they trust, if not check your local yellow pages, but BE SURE your insurer will accept the appraisal FIRST. Your certified appraisal will be in depth containing a statement summarizing the necessity of the increased value of the vehicle; it should contain detailed vehicle photos and a summary of fare market value given the conversion vs. a standard vehicle in its class. Get a copy for yourself and one for your insurance agent. This should help!
Shawn Rife

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Permalink Reply by Ted Wallace on August 27, 2009 at 11:12am

It's not that hard to decode the VIN and figure out what the problem is.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Beach on August 27, 2009 at 12:39pm

Do a Tweet here on my Twitter to 11,000...I see I have a few ins. companies as followers...
http://www.twitter.com/tonybeach

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Permalink Reply by Ted Wallace on August 28, 2009 at 9:04am

I just called GEICO to change coverage on one of my cars. The manager there said they have no problem insuring duel fuel cars as long as the work was done by a qualified mechanic. So Robert can get coverage there and anybody else who is contemplating a conversion needs to be sure to use an ASE certified mechanic (that's the normal dsignation for dealerships and decent repair shops).

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Michael Paganini on September 12, 2009 at 7:43pm

Took care of it surferpags long time sale person with DMV documents, hope I helped, thanks David for your space.........

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