Modifying your car is a burgeoning trend in the UK with wrapping, custom alloys and new speakers among some of the most popular upgrades.
Certain car modifications can actually land you in some trouble if you fail to declare them to your car insurer. Failing to declare modifications with your insurer could see you invalidate your premium.
Research conducted by GoCompare reveals that just 1.7 per cent of drivers are claiming to have modifications on their vehicle. Due to how low this number is it suggests that there is a proportion of motorists that are failing to declare modifications.
Modifications are typically things that are non-standard which could cause problems when you go to make a claim with your insurer. For example, the non-standard alloy wheels or bumper could’ve played a role in why your car had an accident in the first place.
Similarly, if you have added a sueprcharger or something that improves the performance then the premium may have to be recalculated.
Car insurance policy costs are calculated on things such as the type of car, size of the engine its age etc which means that anything that is modified could change how much it costs.
Anything that isn’t classed as factory standard is deemed to be a modification including aesthetic changes such as specialist paintwork or decals, which will affect the cost of replacing your vehicle should it be damaged or stolen.
Declaring the modifications to the insurer will make sure that you don’t have any problems when you
The most popular modifications are non-standard alloy wheels followed by exhaust and suspension system changes
Matt Oliver, a spokesperson for GoCompare car insurance, said: “While modifications may ring bells of the bygone boy racer, it’s worth remembering that insurers don’t just class body kits, exhaust systems or suspension changes as vehicle modifications.
“The average used car buyer could find there are modifications they’re simply not aware
“Typically, modifications are anything which isn’t standard on a car, which could include alloy wheels, a satellite navigation system or even tinted windows – so it’s always worth checking what the factory standard is for your model of car to avoid landing in hot water when it comes to making a claim.
“Under two per cent of drivers are claiming to have car modifications, but we estimate this figure to be much greater, which leaves potentially millions of drivers open to invalidating their insurance and having their claims rejected.
“Different insurers have different views on what constitutes a modification – so it’s always wise to tell your insurer of changes or additions you make to your vehicle at the time of making them.
“Otherwise you could find yourself in the situation of having a claim rejected and possibly your car insurance declared void – that could affect your ability to be insured full stop, and not only for car insurance.
“Shop around and look for the best deal that suits you and your car, and if in doubt, check the service history for any modification and speak to your insurance provider.”