The Complete Guide to Insuring Your Modified Car

Below is a full car insurance modifications guide to better understand what’s considered as a modification to your car, the specific modifications that increase your insurance premium the most, and how to declare a car modification.
 

What is classed as modified for insurance?

Any alteration you make to the cosmetics or performance of your car is considered a modification.

Here are some of the main types of car modification:
 

• Car Bodywork Modifications - Such as the addition of spoilers and body kits.
   
• Car Handling Modifications - Such as alterations to your brakes, suspension and lowering your car.
• Cosmetic Modifications - Including new alloys, tinted windows, certain car wraps and paint jobs, and even certain wrapped headlights if it obscures the light. Tow bars, roof racks and security immobilisers also fall within this category.
   
• Engine Modifications - Changes to air filters and intakes, exhaust systems and engine management system.
   
• Audio Modifications - If you install new audio entertainment systems or upgrades, this is considered as a modification.
   

What car mods make insurance go up?
 

Most car modifications will make your insurance premium go up, as they increase the value of your car, and can also increase the risk of you being involved in an accident and making a claim.
 

Car modifications that will hike up your premium the most include turbo/supercharging, transmission or gear changes, body kit modifications, changes to your wheel arches, and updated brakes.
 

How do I declare a car modification? 

When applying for, or renewing your car insurance premium, you’ll be asked if there are any modifications you’ve made to your car that change it from its original factory state.

If you make any modifications during your car insurance policy, you need to inform your car insurance provider as soon as possible, or in some cases contact them before you’ve carried out the modification. Check your insurance policy for this information as each insurance provider has different stipulations.

What happens if you don’t tell your insurance company about modifications?

If you fail to let your insurance provider know about any new modifications you’ve made to your car, or fail to disclose the full extent of modifications you’ve made, you could end up being accused of insurance fraud.  Your policy will also be invalidated in the event you need to make a claim if your car was stolen or damaged.

So, it’s in your best interest to be completely honest with your car insurance provider about the types of modifications you’ve made to your car, so it’s fully protected, and any claim you make will be accepted.