8 Car Modifications You Should Inform Your Insurer

Engine and Performance Modifications

Some popular engine modifications include turbochargers, superchargers, or nitrous oxide kits. These are meant to enhance your car’s speed and power output. If you are contemplating any such modifications, first consult your car maker whether such modifications would tamper with your warranty. If so, we advise that you drop all such plans because it is extremely risky.

However, if the car maker permits, such modifications can be carried out but informed to the insurance company because they raise the overall risk profile of a driver. The risk of accidents and aggressive driving increase significantly due to such modifications. As a result, your premium may increase significantly or worse, a claim may be denied if the modifications weren’t declared upfront. Always notify your insurer before making such performance enhancements.

Exhaust and Intake System Modifications

Another popular modification is when you upgrade to a free-flow exhaust or high-performance air intake may enhance your car’s sound and efficiency, but it’s not just an aesthetic choice. The common changes to your car these modifications could cause include increasing the vehicle’s emissions, noise levels, and engine behaviour. Since these affect both compliance and safety, insurers consider them as a high-risk modification. If you fail to declare such changes to the vehicle before the insurer, it can lead to claim rejections or even policy cancellations.

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

It is quite common to modify alloy wheels by increasing their size or type. Enhancements like these are often done to improve aesthetics or handling of the car. However, these might not be approved by the manufacturer and could affect vehicle dynamics, braking distance, and road grip. It is important to communicate any such changes to your vehicle to the insurance company.

Suspension Modifications

Suspension modifications include lowering the ride height, stiffening struts, or installing aftermarket coilovers. This is done to improve cornering abilities and aesthetics. However, these changes have a direct impact on stability of the car, and thus on passenger safety. Insurance providers consider these adjustments a material change in vehicle behavior, often leading to a reassessment of premiums. It is critical that you inform such changes to your motor insurance company.

Body Kits, Spoilers & Visual Mods

Another category of modifications include installation of body kits, spoilers, roof scoops, or flashy decals, largely done for aesthetics. However, there are downsides for such changes because it can change your car’s aerodynamics, increase theft risk, or even compromise structural integrity in an accident. It is necessary that you communicate such changes to your insurance company which can further call for a comprehensive vehicle inspection.

Window Tint, Lights, and Horns

Adding a darker window tint, installing high power lights and loud horns is quite common, even though there are strict regulations against them. All these factors can be considered as safety and compliance risks. If undeclared, your insurance claim might be rejected on the grounds of illegal vehicle modifications.

Interior & Electronics (Steering, Seats, Sound)

Tampering with the car’s electronics can cause serious malfunctions. There are examples where incompatible sound systems created wire short circuits and caused electrical failure in the cars. In addition, some of these modifications could be carried out after compromising with the necessary and factory fitted security systems. If left undisclosed, claims may be partially settled or outright denied in case of theft or accidents.

Tow Bars & Utility Accessories

These might sound like quite harmless and necessary mods to your car, especially if you live in areas where off-roading is normal. However, there are strict regulations in regards to shape, size, and dimensions of these equipment. Tow bars can also introduce third-party liability if used improperly. Insurance providers treat these as functional modifications that alter usage intent. Failing to declare them may not only affect claim settlements but also breach policy terms.

FAQs

What happens if I don't declare a modification?

Your insurer may reject or reduce your claim during settlement.

Do all modifications increase premiums?

No, safety mods may reduce premiums if declared and approved.

Are cosmetic changes like wraps or decals important to declare?

Yes, especially if they alter the car's value or visibility.

Can I modify my car and still stay covered?

Yes, but only if you inform your insurer and get it endorsed.

Is there any mod that doesn’t require declaration?

Minor non-structural accessories (like seat covers) may not require a formal declaration to the insurer.