Typically, car modifications could affect your car insurance. However, it’s not as straightforward as a set amount. There’re many different factors which play into how your car mods can affect your insurance, all depending on the type of car you have and what you choose to have done with it.
Why do people get car modifications?
There are many reasons why people get car modifications. Including improving how their car drives, the speed it can go, how it looks on the outside, or the inside, and so much more.
Supercar enthusiasts will take great pride in their car and its modifications. There’re also many people who will take their car along to car meets to show others what they’ve done to their vehicle.
What are the main car modifications which will affect my car insurance?
All car mods will affect your car insurance, but how much will depend on what car you have and what the modifications are. As you can imagine, performance modifications such as enhancing the speed of your car will have a good chance of increasing your premium by a fair amount.
If you’re unsure about how a modification will affect your policy, make sure to speak to your provider beforehand. This means that you can weigh out whether it’s worth paying the added cost for the mod you would like.
What modifications can I get for my car?
There are two types of car modifications which people can get to their car. These are performance modifications, and cosmetic modifications.
Performance modifications:
- These are things such as enhancing the performance of your engine to make the car quicker. This can include remapping your car, changing the suspension, or upgrading the braking.
Cosmetic modifications:
- Cosmetic modifications are changes to how the vehicle looks, rather than how it drives. These are things such as the colour of your car, tinted windows, the interior, etc.
What car modifications are illegal?
Whilst there are a lot of car mods which you can get, there are a few which are illegal and will get you in trouble with the police. Below are just a few modifications which are illegal.
- Starting off with window tints. Legally your windscreen needs to be at least 75% tint-free, and your side windows need to be at least 70% tint-free. This allows you to have a clear view of your surrounding and the road ahead.
- You’ve probably heard of noise cameras being trialled to help reduce the noise pollution produced by cars. This means that whilst you may love a loud exhaust, legally the sound of your exhaust cannot exceed 74 decibels.
- We know that engine modifications are popular, but you need to be very careful with them. For example, you cannot modify your engine with Nitrous Oxide gas to increase the cylinder pressure of the engine. Whilst this is illegal, it’s also very dangerous and could cause your engine to explode.
- When it comes to lights you cannot have rear or headlight tints. You also can’t have neon lights on your car. As standard, your headlights need to be white, and your rear lights need to be red. This is universal on cars and therefore for safety reasons, cannot be changed.
- Spoilers aren’t an illegal modification, but they do have some strict rules around them. You need to make sure that if you have a spoiler, it’s not obstructing your view. It should also be securely fixed to your vehicle and not have any sharp edges.
Modifying your vehicle’s emissions is also a dangerous business, if you’re wondering whether a car modification is illegal or not, it’s best to check with your insurance provider beforehand.
Do I need to disclose my car modifications to my insurance provider?
Yes, legally if you have any modifications to your car these will need to be disclosed to your insurance provider. If you don’t let them know then your insurance policy could be invalidated.
If you decide to make additional modifications to your car, make sure you are letting your insurer know when you do this.
Why do car modifications affect car insurance premiums?
Car modifications will affect your car insurance premium, even if it’s only slightly. This is because car mods typically come with higher risks. So, if your car is cosmetically modified, it might be more attractive to thieves, increasing the risk of theft. Similarly, if your engine is modified, as it might be able to go faster, this leads to a higher risk of a collision.
In turn, these higher risk modifications lead to your insurance premium being higher as you’re more likely to claim. For more information on the differences between regular and specialist car insurance you can read our other articles.
What if my car came with modifications when I bought it?
As you’ll need to declare all car modifications to your insurance provider, this is the same if you bought the car with the modifications. Usually, they are listed in the car specification as they are often something which would draw you to the car or make it more expensive.
We also have a guide on what to look for when buying a used car.
Finding car insurance with a modified car
Here at Carbon Insurance Brokers, we work hard to find the right insurance for you and your car. Our Specialist Motor Insurance policy allows you to have peace of mind knowing that we’re here when you need us most.
If you have any questions, make sure to contact us to find out more. Our team have over 25 years’ experience, so we know how important it is to find a policy which best suits you.
