Car modifications - what can i do without telling insurers?
Discussion
Just bought my first car and thinking about making some small mods - however being young the insurance is already through the roof, so i dont want to do anything that i have to declare on insurance. Thinking of - fitting an exhaust trim, spraying alloys, tinting windows. Would any of these have to be mentioned on insurance? Appreciate any replies!
Technically, you should be declaring any modification.
If you don't, you're only giving them an excuse not to cover you if something goes wrong.
The son of a friend of mine recently had an issue over an undeclared air filter. He pulled out in front of someone and had a fault claim, his insurer paid the 3rd party repairs but not his.
If you don't, you're only giving them an excuse not to cover you if something goes wrong.
The son of a friend of mine recently had an issue over an undeclared air filter. He pulled out in front of someone and had a fault claim, his insurer paid the 3rd party repairs but not his.
All of those would be classed as modifications by insurers. It was explained to me once that if your car was parked next to one exactly the same apart from the modifications you mentioned, they would be more likely to break into/ steal the one that isn't standard therefore it's considered an increased risk.
Better tyres is a good shout. Other than that improve the nut that holds the steering wheel.
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Munter said:
Better tyres is a good shout.
... although a set of Michelin PS4's on a cheap shed could cause some raised eyebrows if an insurance assessor gets involved. (And If I was a tealeaf, I'd take the car with the PS4s!)Wheel refurbs are probably fine, but don't go painting them a different colour. There was a thread a while back about insurance being withdrawn when a black box fitter reported that alloys had been painted black...
Make sure the tints are only on windows behind the B pillar. Any standard tint is all you're allowed on front windows. These certainly need to be declared.
If wheels are the same colour, you should be OK but with the variety of options, I doubt they would know what was original unless you put a garish colour on.
If wheels are the same colour, you should be OK but with the variety of options, I doubt they would know what was original unless you put a garish colour on.
Cotty said:
Dr Interceptor said:
Technically, you should be declaring any modification.
I would have though the OP could get away with spraying alloys as that would fall under maintenance. When I had my alloys refurbished I didn't tell my insurer.itsnotarace said:
None of those things
Fit some premium tyres if you have spare cash
Then concentrate on building no claims bonus
^^^Fit some premium tyres if you have spare cash
Then concentrate on building no claims bonus
Sensible advice but very boring. 30 year old you will probably wish you did this when you were younger, but where is the fun in that?
To answer your original question, you really should declare any and all modifications to your insurer. Even small cosmetic ones. In practice you'll probably get away with the small things you've listed, but better safe than sorry.
I didn't bother declaring such mods when I was young, I got away with it. Some will, some won't, such is life.
Bennet said:
That's talking about the wheels changing colour. If they were silver and refurbished and they were still silver that's not a material change. Otherwise every time you t-cut you car you would have to declare the paint you removed.I don't declare the tyres when I change them and could chose a different make and tread pattern each time
eybic said:
All of those would be classed as modifications by insurers. It was explained to me once that if your car was parked next to one exactly the same apart from the modifications you mentioned, they would be more likely to break into/ steal the one that isn't standard therefore it's considered an increased risk.
This. I changed from 19” to 18” wheels (commensurate change in sidewall height). All as shown on cars tyre decal in driver’s door. I thought I had better advise insurer. They confirmed I was correct to advise them. The new wheels and tyres were approved, supplied and fitted by dealer. However the issue is, the car was not as the original production specification. No cost for the amendment, but noted by insurer.eybic said:
All of those would be classed as modifications by insurers. It was explained to me once that if your car was parked next to one exactly the same apart from the modifications you mentioned, they would be more likely to break into/ steal the one that isn't standard therefore it's considered an increased risk.
I irony there being that if it was stolen you'd have probably got paid out as they'd never know, whereas you crash it or are crash into which would be nothing to do with the 'look' you wouldn't. NickGRhodes said:
Spend the money on advanced driving lessons.
This all day long.You'll make the vehicle drive better, be cheaper to insure and the best thing is you'll be able to transfer it to anything you ever drive. It'll also vastly reduce your chances of a claim to begin with.
When I was in my early 20's, an IAM membership made about 25% difference to my premium.
https://www.iamroadsmart.com/courses
silentbrown said:
Munter said:
Better tyres is a good shout.
... although a set of Michelin PS4's on a cheap shed could cause some raised eyebrows if an insurance assessor gets involved. (And If I was a tealeaf, I'd take the car with the PS4s!)The correct answer is tell them everything / park it in a garage with private security guard who was ex SAS an pay them every penny .
In reality most don’t tell there insurance s
t . When I was a lad we regularly turbo charged / engine swapped the hell out off old bangers that were otherwise cheap to insure . I’m not condoning this just being honest .
In reality most don’t tell there insurance s
t . When I was a lad we regularly turbo charged / engine swapped the hell out off old bangers that were otherwise cheap to insure . I’m not condoning this just being honest .samoht said:
silentbrown said:
Munter said:
Better tyres is a good shout.
... although a set of Michelin PS4's on a cheap shed could cause some raised eyebrows if an insurance assessor gets involved. (And If I was a tealeaf, I'd take the car with the PS4s!)Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff