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Modify your car insurance before your car

Laine Gordon avatar
Laine Gordon
- 2 min read
Modify your car insurance before your car

Thinking of splashing out on a new set of alloy wheels or window tint for your car? You may be unknowingly jacking up the price of your car insurance premium or even voiding an existing policy by doing so.

Insurance providers are very specific about the modifications they cover to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding. You’ll need to contact your provider with the details and value of any new accessory so they can either add it to your policy or discuss your options. Remember to keep a record of the purchase as proof of value too and to disclose all non-standard modifications made to your car to make sure you’re fully covered in the event of a claim.

Making even a minor modification can dramatically alter the cost of the premium you will pay on your insurance, depending on your provider, so motorists should consider whether the modification is really worth the extra insurance expenses.

Declare or beware

If a planned modification is set to increase your premium, then you may be tempted to keep tight-lipped when it comes to notifying your provider about any changes to your car. But by doing so, you could be doing yourself a huge disfavour. That’s because even the most minor alteration, such as fitting an aftermarket stereo or navigation system, must be declared when taking out a policy or else insurers may reject any future claims.

You’ll also need to inform your provider of any changes to your personal circumstances as well as modifications to your vehicle – failure to notify your provider of information such as a change of postcode or change in job could result in your policy being invalidated, for instance.

Been told ‘no’?

Not all car insurance providers will accept all modifications – some may balk at your decision to add a body kit to your car, for instance.

That’s why car insurance companies exist such as Just Car Insurance, specialists in cover for young people and modified cars, or Shannon’s, which specialises in cover for special or classic cars.

So it’s vital that motorists do their research and shop around to find the best value policy to suit their circumstances and vehicle preferences. Compare car insurance providers and policies online at RateCity to make finding the best option for your car as simple as a few clicks.

Disclaimer

This article is over two years old, last updated on August 8, 2011. While RateCity makes best efforts to update every important article regularly, the information in this piece may not be as relevant as it once was. Alternatively, please consider checking recent car insurance articles.

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Product database updated 29 Mar, 2024