Overhaulin'

Question about car modifications effecting car insurance premiums (UK only)?

Hi. Basically.. I'm a young new driver and i want to modify my car. Now, before you go off on one thinking im some stupid boy racer, this is not the case, and i do NOT mean those types of modifications. Basically there are 4 things i want done to my car: 1) Fit a spoiler which IS standard on the higher models of my car. 2) Colour code the bumpers, side skirts and newly fitted spoiler. 3) Install front fog lights. 4) Fit some *Citroen* Alloy wheels, which are also standard on the higher models of my car. So, in reality i'm not actually changing much, just changing a few things similar to a higher model. My car is only a 1.1L. I'm wondering what effect each of these modifications will have on my insurance.. could you give me a seperate guess for each please? Also, as it's not even changing the car really.. would i even need to mention them? I mean, what harm does fitting fog lights make? yea but all the modifications are effectively factory ones.. my car will look NO different from another car straight out the factory.. all citroen parts etc

Public Comments

1. Yes you MUST mention any changes to your car regardless of how small they may seem. Failure to do so may invalidate your insurance. Have a read of this: http://www.fastquotes.co.uk/modified-car-insurance.html Pretty much sums up everything. For the record, Spoilers, Alloy Wheels, Trim Kits, Exhaust and muffler modifications all give a bad message to your insurer about your driving style - even if it doesn't increase the value of your car it says something about you as a driver which insurers WILL take into consideration when calculating your premiums.
2. It's not up to you to decide whether or not it is worth informing your insurance company about the modifications. You are required by law to tell them about ANY modifications from the standard specification of that model. It's up to them to decide if the changes will affect the cost of your premium. There are no excuse and no loopholes. It is impossible for anyone here to know how much your modifications to your car will affect your insurance, because we aren't you. However, you will find out the exact cost when you tell your insurer...
3. Lots of insurers have now stopped covering cars with any modifications, regardless of what they are. There are still some who will insure modified cars, but the modifications have to be with parts that are the same size and specification as those already fitted to the vehicle. Usually, if it is anything which affects the performance or braking ability of the car, insurers wont touch it, but if it is just cosmetic, then you should be okay. The only thing I think insurers may have an issue with is the alloy wheels as they are attractive to theives, so the insurer might charge you a bit extra. You need to keep photographs and receipts for everything you do to the car, as if you have a claim, and you have no proof you have done the work, they will just pay you the market value for a similar model without modifications.
4. your insurace company will not look upon these mads as a serious no no ...colour coding bumpers is not worth telling them ..nor the fogs ...but its best to tell them about the wheels and spoiler ..but i doubt if your premium will go up from huge to enormous ..i own a garage ..rarely does a car come in that is completely standard
5. Hi the only modifications that require you to tell the insurance company in law is engine and gearbox and brakes. like fitting a turbo if this is not standard, or supercharger i have hand controls they have been informed but are not interested at all. wide wheels which extend outside the body need flared arches to cover the tyres. loud exhaust will get you in trouble with the law as it breaks the noise laws. as does use of horns at night. but for the modifications you have mentioned i don't think it is needed as it does not effect how it drives or it's handling. if you do there is a possibility you could be charged by some super silly clerk in the insurance Office who is just jealous.
6. The only problem you might encounter is if you have an accident and need repairs for any of those modifications you plan on installing. Some policies have what they call "special equipment" which means that if it is not installed by the manufacturer as a part of a standard option package at the time of purchase. To have it covered by your insurance, you "might" need to purchase special equipment. If you bought your insurance through a agent, call them and pose the question. If you bought online, then call the company, specifically ask for a insurance adjuster, since the insurance adjuster will know if in an accident, would it be covered or not. If the adjuster states that these modifications are considered "special equipment", then have this added to your policy. If this is not considered "special equipment" on your policy, then it would be covered w/out any addtl cost.
7. One major insurer even considers car mats a modification. :-(
8. Although these are not performance mods, increasing performance is not the only thing insurers consider. When it comes to cosmetic mods there is the question of whether these mods make the car more likely to attract the car thieves' - an increased risk of it being stolen may affect your premium but to be honest as the parts you propose are all standard Citroen ones i doubt that any increase will be made to your premium.
9. I recently renewed my Land rover insurance. By declaring 3 modifications, it increased by 37%. The changes? A replacement brand new galvanised chassis to original manufacturer's specification, for safety, as everything bolts to it. It's the main structure. An Overdrive for better economy. An Alternator for reliability, as it has nearly double the charging ability of the original dynamo and regulator system. I would have preferred them to be called enhancements/maintenance, as they change nothing about performance. Apparently the chassis and overdrive make the vehicle more attractive to thieves. Go figure. I now have to pay £135 a year fully comp instead of £98. Gutted. At least my tax is free, and my insurance is up to date.
10. "yea but all the modifications are effectively factory ones.. my car will look NO different from another car straight out the factory.. all citroen parts etc" It makes no difference, you are still adding bits to it than it was standard. .
11. Your car would be insured as the standard specification for that model. If these options you wish to add were not available on your model from new then they are 100% modifications and should be declared. Higher models cost more to insure because of these differences being more expensive to fix in the event of a bump.
12. although you should inform your insurance company of all aterations, the only one that is a concern, would be the spoiler, as this could affect handling, all the others are just cosmetic.