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Car makeovers make it hard to insure
Whether it’s souped up suspension or a wild sub-woofer, giving your car a radical makeover could make it hard to insure. Chris Walker reports.
February 8, 2010
Two key factors play an important role in determining the cost of car insurance – the risk that the vehicle could be involved in a collision, and the likelihood of theft. Vehicle modifications that add to the possibility of either happening will raise your insurance premiums.
Some modifications like tow bars are unlikely to affect the cost of cover. Others can even result in lower premiums, alarm systems being the obvious example. But there are plenty of modifications that can be a case of makeover madness, and paying more for car cover could be the least of your worries.
In late 2009 for instance, new laws were introduced in New South Wales that require engineering approval for height-altering suspension modifications. In justifying the new requirement, Minister for Roads Michael Daley said, “Hoons may think their car looks cool, but as far as I’m concerned anything more than a 5 centimetre change in a car’s suspension is dangerous and doesn’t belong on our roads.”
Comments like these underpin the need for careful scrutiny before modifying a vehicle. Your state’s motor vehicle registry can provide information on modifications that will prevent a car getting through registration. Be aware too, even seemingly harmless modifications could void your vehicle’s warranty, so be sure to check the paperwork before completing the bodyworks.
Even if the works on a car are legal, modifications that increase a vehicle’s appeal to thieves or boost its speed and power are likely to lead to higher premiums. Increasing a car’s engine size, turbo-charging, installing an expensive sound system or adding a set of mag wheels are all modifications that can become significantly more costly once you add in the effect of higher premiums.
Just how much extra you’ll pay in premiums depends on the insurer and the work involved. You may even find that none of the large car insurance companies are willing to offer cover. This is why it is imperative to compare cover online.
The key is to compare quotes before completing any modifications, or prior to buying a vehicle with non-standard fittings. Most importantly, be upfront with an insurer about any alterations or accessories when you take out a policy. Failing to mention any non-standard features could mean they’re not covered if you make a claim. At worst an insurer may void your policy altogether if it turns out that the modifications contribute to an accident.
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This article is over two years old, last updated on February 10, 2010. 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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