Partner at AKD Lawyers
Practice Areas: Personal Injury
Customizing your motorcycle—whether for performance upgrades, added comfort, or a unique look—can make your ride feel truly personal. However, if you’re involved in an accident, these modifications can complicate your insurance claim and potentially impact your legal rights. In Louisiana, modified motorcycle insurance often requires riders to disclose any custom parts or performance enhancements to their insurer. Failing to do so can lead to denied claims or reduced compensation, especially if the modification played a role in the crash.
From understanding how motorcycle modification insurance works to protecting your rights under Louisiana law, our team provides legal support when a modified motorcycle is involved in a collision. Whether you’re concerned about fault, mods coverage, or how your custom upgrades affect your payout, this guide outlines what you need to know.
Common Motorcycle Modifications and Why They Matter
Many riders make changes to personalize or improve their motorcycles. These can range from minor cosmetic changes to serious performance upgrades. Here are the most common types:
Engine Modifications
Upgrading the engine or exhaust system increases speed or changes how the bike sounds. These changes can also affect control and increase crash risk.
Suspension and Handling Changes
Modifying the suspension may help on rough roads, but improper adjustments can reduce stability and handling, especially in emergencies.
Cosmetic Changes and Accessories
Things like paint jobs, new seats, lighting, or handlebars are popular. While many are legal, they still need to meet Louisiana’s safety standards.
According to Louisiana Revised Statutes §32:303, motorcycles must meet equipment standards regarding lighting, braking, and sound. Non-compliant modifications may result in traffic violations and weakened legal claims.
How Modifications Affect Accident Claims in Louisiana
When a modified motorcycle is involved in an accident, insurance companies look at whether the modifications played a role. If they did, it could affect your payout.
Liability and Fault
Louisiana uses a pure comparative fault system. This means each person involved in an accident is assigned a percentage of fault. If your modification contributed to the crash—like making the bike harder to control—you may be held partially at fault.
Louisiana uses a pure comparative fault system (La. Civ. Code Art. 2323), meaning your compensation can be reduced in proportion to your share of fault—including fault due to risky modifications.
Insurance Coverage and Claim Denials
Insurance companies usually don’t cover modifications unless you report them. If you haven’t told your insurer about your upgrades, they may deny your claim or reduce the payout.
Insurance providers often deny claims involving undisclosed performance modifications, even if the modification wasn’t directly responsible for the accident.
This can be a costly mistake—especially if your bike has expensive aftermarket parts.
Louisiana Laws Governing Motorcycle Modifications
Louisiana law requires motorcycles to meet state safety standards. These include rules for lighting, noise, mirrors, and more. Cities like New Orleans may also have stricter local ordinances.
In New Orleans, aftermarket exhaust systems must comply with the city’s noise ordinance under Code of Ordinances § 66-135, which limits noise levels for motor vehicles.
If your bike is not compliant, you could be fined, and if your modifications are found to have contributed, your accident claim may suffer.
Insurance and Appraisals for Custom Motorcycles
If your motorcycle has been upgraded or customized, make sure you have the right insurance. A standard policy may not cover aftermarket parts.
You can request a custom motorcycle appraisal to determine its actual value. This helps you secure declared value or agreed value coverage, ensuring your full protection.
In Louisiana, even if a modified bike isn’t the direct cause of a crash, it can affect the settlement if the insurer believes it increased the severity of the injuries or the likelihood of the incident.
Table: Modification Types and Their Impact
| Modification Type | Legal Risk in Louisiana | Impact on Insurance | Potential Claim Complication |
| Engine Tuning | High | Often not covered | Can increase liability |
| Custom Exhaust | Moderate–High | Requires disclosure | May violate noise ordinance |
| LED Lighting | Low (if compliant) | May require add-on | Can affect visibility cases |
| Paint & Graphics | Low | Value increase only | Minimal impact |
| Custom Handlebars | Moderate | Safety-reviewed | May affect handling claims |
Best Practices for Modified Motorcycle Owners
To avoid insurance issues or legal complications after an accident, follow these essential steps:
- Disclose All Modifications
Notify your insurance provider about all performance upgrades, custom accessories, or cosmetic changes. Full disclosure helps ensure your modified motorcycle is properly covered under your policy. - Keep Detailed Records
Maintain documentation such as receipts, installation notes, compliance certificates, and appraisal reports. These records support your claim and help prove the value and legitimacy of your modifications. - Prioritize Legal and Safe Modifications
Ensure all customizations comply with Louisiana motorcycle laws. Avoid modifications that impair handling, visibility, or overall safety, as these could increase your liability or lead to claim denials.
FAQs About Motorcycle Modifications and Insurance Claims
Can my insurance deny a claim if I didn’t disclose my modifications?
Yes. Most insurers require you to report any non-standard parts. If you don’t, they may reduce or deny your payout after an accident.
What type of motorcycle modifications need additional insurance coverage?
High-value accessories, performance upgrades (engine, suspension), and unique paint jobs often require a declared value policy or policy add-ons.
Do modifications increase my liability in an accident?
They can. If the modification contributed to the crash or made the vehicle less safe, you may be assigned partial fault under Louisiana’s comparative fault rules.
How do I get my custom motorcycle appraised in New Orleans?
Work with a licensed vehicle appraiser who specializes in modified motorcycles. This helps determine an accurate agreed value for insurance.
Are there any motorcycle mods that are outright illegal in Louisiana?
Yes. Extremely loud exhausts, unsafe lighting, and removal of required safety equipment like mirrors or turn signals may violate Louisiana law.
What’s the difference between declared value and actual cash value insurance?
Declared or agreed value coverage reflects the bike’s appraised worth (including mods). Actual cash value considers depreciation and often excludes aftermarket parts.
Conclusion
Motorcycle modifications may improve performance or style, but they can complicate insurance claims and legal cases. In Louisiana, especially in New Orleans, it’s essential to know how changes to your bike can affect liability, claim value, and policy coverage.
Always disclose modifications to your insurer, follow state laws, and document your upgrades. These steps help protect your investment and legal rights after an accident. Please make an appointment for a free consultation with Alvendia, Kelly & Demarest Law Firm right now to find out how they can support your future.
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In 2003, after being dissatisfied with the quality of legal care for victims of car accidents, Roderick ‘Rico’ Alvendia sought to establish a new firm focused on providing high-quality legal services to aid injured victims and their families. J. Bart Kelly, sharing Rico’s passion for upholding justice, joined the firm later that year, and established a partnership.
