Tow bar

[rongagin]

I have just bought a car with a factory fit tow bar. Speaking to a friend he suggests that I need to inform my insurer that my car is modified?

So is a tow bar a modification? If factory fit is that the same?

[HustleRussell]

I DIY fitted my towbar. No insurance company I've talked to yet gives a damn.

[Fastdruid]

I'd consider an aftermarket tow bar a modification but a factory one isn't.

I know it can get a bit awkward with "dealer fit" options but as long it's a true factory one then that's not a problem.

Just for the record I didn't declare mine (factory fit removable one).

[caelite]

I had the same thought as you after buying a car a few months ago. I called my insurer who said to declare it would not increase my insurance quote. However they where wanting a £20 admin fee for me to add it to the policy... so I suppose ill tell them next year.

[rongagin]

Thanks for the replies. As it happens my insurance is up for renewal next month so will mention it then.

Interesting some think an aftermarket tow bar and fit is regarded as a mod, must be loads on the road undeclared.

[Retroman]

What car leaves the factory with a tow bar?
I thought they left the factory without them and the dealerships fitted them.

Edited to correct pre coffee spelling.

Edited by Retroman on Sunday 10th April 13:35

[scorcher]

Retroman said:

What car leaves the factory with a toe bar?

Toe bar? None.

[V40Vinnie]

I have one on my Volvo. I told this to the insurance and was told they do not consider it a modification (CO-OP)

[smashie]

On my previous Mercedes and current Kia I have declared the tow bar to my insurance. The Kia it was fitted by the dealer and not the factory and I do not know who bodged it on the Mercedes. There was no increase in cost for these. I have not told them about the tow bar on my BMW as this is on the build sheet and therefore as far as I am concerned it came like that from the factory.

[berlintaxi]

Retroman said:

What car leaves the factory with a toe bar?
I thought they left the factory without them and the dealerships fitted them.

Loads of cars now available with retractable towbars fitted by the factory, very few with a toe bar.;)

[bad company]

Electric retractable tow bar is on the options list for several BMW models including my 3 series.

Great for carrying our bikes and no need to declare to insurance company.

[Mill Wheel]

Just bought a car with dealer fitted towbar, AND filled in a quotation form for Admiral and Swinton through a price comparison site.
Both had a rider next to the "Is it modified?" box suggesting "anything likely to increase the performance or value".
My towbar would have cost £600 to buy and fit, but is not reflected in the SH value of the car as far as I can tell.
May know more after work on Monday, but we were considering taking it off after the wife bashed her shin on it while putting shopping in the boot!

[catso]

When did insurance become so anal that something like a towbar needs to be declared? I can understand if you are actually towing something valuable or that adds to the risk that you might need extra cover but simply having a towbar surely doesn't change the risk factor anymore than, say a different radio aerial...

[V40Vinnie]

catso said:

When did insurance become so anal that something like a towbar needs to be declared? I can understand if you are actually towing something valuable or that adds to the risk that you might need extra cover but simply having a towbar surely doesn't change the risk factor anymore than, say a different radio aerial...

You're half right. Consider this, if you're daft enough to reverse into someones car the towbar could be the difference between a scuff or a new bumper..

[catso]

V40Vinnie said:

catso said:

When did insurance become so anal that something like a towbar needs to be declared? I can understand if you are actually towing something valuable or that adds to the risk that you might need extra cover but simply having a towbar surely doesn't change the risk factor anymore than, say a different radio aerial...

You're half right. Consider this, if you're daft enough to reverse into someones car the towbar could be the difference between a scuff or a new bumper..

My Dad had someone rear-end his car, totally the other chap's fault. My Dad's car had a towbar and barely suffered, the other car was substantially damaged - driver should have been more careful...

[eatcustard]

Told my insurance, they did not care or alter insurance.
As it does not alter the theft risk, value or improve performance of the car.

[motco]

HustleRussell said:

I DIY fitted my towbar. No insurance company I've talked to yet gives a damn.

Had 'Indespension' in Reading fit mine and the insurers were not interested. If I bought winter tyres or different wheels on the other hand...

[R1 Indy]

When i fitted a towbar to the CLK55 i called Admiral, who was not interested.

If Admiral are not interested, i doubt there are any insurance companies who do?


Its odd tho really, as surely adding a couple of ton to your rear end on a dodgy trailer has to be a bigger risk, than say an aftermarket exhaust system...

[anonymous-user]

motco said:

HustleRussell said:

I DIY fitted my towbar. No insurance company I've talked to yet gives a damn.

Had 'Indespension' in Reading fit mine and the insurers were not interested. If I bought winter tyres or different wheels on the other hand...

You have to tell themselves for you fit winter tyres? What if your car came as new with a set of winter tyres to put on in the winter, like mine did?

[motco]

REALIST123 said:

motco said:

HustleRussell said:

I DIY fitted my towbar. No insurance company I've talked to yet gives a damn.

Had 'Indespension' in Reading fit mine and the insurers were not interested. If I bought winter tyres or different wheels on the other hand...

You have to tell themselves for you fit winter tyres? What if your car came as new with a set of winter tyres to put on in the winter, like mine did?

R1 Indy mentions Admiral and I was considering using them until I asked about fitting a differently styled but otherwise identical OEM wheels to my Z3 and they wanted £90 more. I explained that the car could have been specified with these wheels and I wanted them only for aesthetic reasons but it cut no ice. I did not go to Admiral and did not buy the wheels either.