Modifications & Insurance

[NJSS]

I have two heavily modified cars, an MGB GT V8 and an MGA Convertible. My insurers have been advised in writing of the modifications & I pay an increased premium as a result.

I have minor mods to my SL350, and LR Discovery 4 which have been declared & have not resulted in any adjustment of premium; things like non-standard wheels etc..

I have read a number of posts, on various forums, by people who have modified their cars, and have not notified their insurers.

I don’t want to preach, but am concerned that a number of people might be inadvertently generating big problems for themselves.

My advice, quite simply declare every modification, in writing, before doing them.

If you have undeclared mods on your car, declare them NOW!

Some quotes below:-

“UK law specifies that if your car has been modified, you must declare the changes to your insurer, even if you didn’t make the changes yourself. If you don’t, your insurance could be invalidated.”

Source: How popular modifications affect your car insurance | Adrian Flux

“If you don’t tell us about any modifications, your policy will be declared void and any claims that you may have made will not be paid out. So, you must let us know before you get any modifications done.”

Source: Effects of car modifications on your insurance policy | AXA UK

“You have a legal requirement to declare your modified car to your insurance provider in the UK.”

Source: What modifications affect car insurance?

Good luck!

NJSS

 

[ChrisHGTV]

I have two heavily modified cars, an MGB GT V8 and an MGA Convertible. My insurers have been advised in writing of the modifications & I pay an increased premium as a result.

I have minor mods to my SL350, and LR Discovery 4 which have been declared & have not resulted in any adjustment of premium; things like non-standard wheels etc..

I have read a number of posts, on various forums, by people who have modified their cars, and have not notified their insurers.

I don’t want to preach, but am concerned that a number of people might be inadvertently generating big problems for themselves.

My advice, quite simply declare every modification, in writing, before doing them.

If you have undeclared mods on your car, declare them NOW!

Some quotes below:-

“UK law specifies that if your car has been modified, you must declare the changes to your insurer, even if you didn’t make the changes yourself. If you don’t, your insurance could be invalidated.”

Source: How popular modifications affect your car insurance | Adrian Flux

“If you don’t tell us about any modifications, your policy will be declared void and any claims that you may have made will not be paid out. So, you must let us know before you get any modifications done.”

Source: Effects of car modifications on your insurance policy | AXA UK

“You have a legal requirement to declare your modified car to your insurance provider in the UK.”

Source: What modifications affect car insurance?

Good luck!

NJSS

I was in this boat with the Alfa and it always played on my mind so i bit the bullet - and it actually worked out cheaper with LV with all the mods than i was actually paying with Admiral with only exhaust declared! Sleep much better now!

 

[markjay]

I am in the 'sleep well at night' camp

Having said that, some people are just risk-takers by their nature - and have applied to their cars modifications that are technically illegal and therefore cannot be declared to the insurer .

This includes (but not limited to) HID Conversions not done to original factory spec, all LED headlamp conversions, EGR delete, DPF removal, Cat gutting, and AdBlue delete.

See also:

Are You a Risk Taker?

What causes people to take risks? It's not just a behavior. It's a personality.

www.psychologytoday.com

 

[ALFAitalia]

Mine has few minor mods....lowered a tad, twin exhaust from another model on the same range. the only bit they cared about was the tuning box and map.....but that was quite simple....they were not that interested in what id done....just how much more power it made. The additional charges where not great (I'm 56 with 36 years NCB!) and went in 10% stages....so of the tuning was a 10% increase you paid so much, 10 to 20 so much more and so on.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Having said that, some people are just risk-takers by their nature - and have applied to their cars modifications that are technically illegal and therefore cannot be declared to the insurer .

This includes (but not limited to) HID Conversions not done to original factory spec, all LED headlamp conversions, EGR delete, DPF removal, Cat gutting, and AdBlue delete.

Funny thing is that my insurers will insure for cat and DPF deletes etc.....very odd as both are illegal.
Note....not all LED conversions are illegal....if the car is old enough....pre 84 I think.

 

[markjay]

Funny thing is that my insurers will insure for cat and DPF deletes etc.....very odd as both are illegal.
Note....not all LED conversions are illegal....if the car is old enough....pre 84 I think.

I stand corrected.

Personally, I wouldn't dream of declaring an illegal mod to my insurer. But then, I wouldn't have done the illegal mod in the first place.... but my bigger point about people driving around in illegally-modified cars being risk-takers, still stands.

As for LED conversion, I suppose my post should have read "HID and LED conversions not done to original factory spec".

 

[ALFAitalia]

Agreed.....they said as long as it has a valid MOT then its street legal.....clearly wrong but thats what they work too.
The other thing is that full house rally cars have loads mods that would be considered illegal by the insurance and Police.....but the rules of the sport say that have to be registered , taxed and insured for street use....as of course they are driven on the public road either during or between stages......and many of the green lanes they use are technically roads.....so they must be able to get cover!!!

 

[ChrisHGTV]

Mine has few minor mods....lowered a tad, twin exhaust from another model on the same range. the only bit they cared about was the tuning box and map.....but that was quite simple....they were not that interested in what id done....just how much more power it made. The additional charges where not great (I'm 56 with 36 years NCB!) and went in 10% stages....so of the tuning was a 10% increase you paid so much, 10 to 20 so much more and so on.

LV might be worth a look. My GTV is £172 fully comp (Im 51 with max no claims) - mods are suspension, brakes, induction, exhaust inc downpipes and performance cat, pedals, quick shift, Quaife LSD plus i added the clutch and lighweight flywheel that's going in. I was paying £250 with Admiral on a multicar with only exhaust declared, so a bit of a bargain. I had to check the pedals with them as they have broad categories. They went in under "interior". This is with limited mileage mind - i think 3k or 5k. I seldom get near either.

 

[Petrol Pete]

One of the biggest 'Elephant in the room/$hit waiting to hit the fan/I didn't realise' insurance issues is PPF (Paint Protection Film) on cars .

A whole world of hurt lurking there for the un initiated.