Modifications - how do they affect your insurance?

[mystic fred]

I phoned my insurers yesterday to go over some figures regarding prospective vehicles and changes to my policy - they did ask a lot of questions about modifications to any vehicle and made me wonder how they can affect a premium, but they wouldn't tell me unless i had a specific vehicle in mind. Does anyone know the modification rules within insurance companies?


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[Krusher]

Generally modifications are anything you change on the vehicle that were standard when the vehicle left the factory. If not declared, then
in the event of an accident or claim could invalidate your policy...

[Drift]

Some wont insure a modded car and each have differing rules.

[Rifleman]

insurers need a specific vehicle so they can have it on their screens. That way all the details are in front of them. This is also why they require a registration number too as they have the details of the exact car in front of them. Their computors are linked to the DVLA so all the details are correct, I once was told that the vehicle I was enquiring about had been scrapped.
It had been advertised for sale.

[mystic fred]

thanks guys!

[tez1963]

[quote="Drift"]Some wont insure a modded car and each have differing rules.[/quote]

as drift says i went through this with my insurance company late last year, beleive it or not they would accept the lift,the bigger wheels, a winch on the front but would'nt accept the snorkel as they said this was too much of an engine mod so i had to change company to brentacre 4x4 insurance , they accepted everthing and was actually £50 cheaper

[harwood8472]

I've got a full legnth rack bolted to mine, I haven't told my insurance because its basically a roof rack and you can fit them to any car but was wondering because its bolted through the roof is it classed as a "mod" or just an accessory?

[BRODERS01]

This may be a daft question but I changed the stereo from a CDR500 to a sony head unit...do i need to notify the insurance company?

[Wilberforce]

MIght be worth it mate, if it was an expensive unit. Some policies have a maximum value for how much audio equipment they'll cover. This is important if your pride and joy is stolen, or trashed, as opposed to just being in an accident, as you may suddenly find all the money you poured into the sound system has gone up in smoke.

[BRODERS01]

[peej39]

I'm with Sureterm on a 4x4 policy, and they were quite happy with the usual mods, if I ever get round to it, but with a 10% premium.

[Retro Pedro]

Used to be with Admiral on a multi car policy - they would accept mods if advised, but then asked why I had modded it. When I told them for green laning and off road site use, they wouldn't extend cover for actual driving on green lanes and off road sites. Then wanted me to remove all the mods and return to standard set up to still cover the car with insurance. Needles to say they were told to go and swival and changed to Adrian Flux and now have the mods and use fully covered for a lot cheaper premium.