Vehicle Modifications

Gloomendoom

londonTiger wrote: »

all three would cause an increase, although I don't know if they're all increase in premium or just admin charges for disclosure.

My thoughts:

Towbar - definite premium increase as it means you're carrying loads on your vehicle which increases risk and danger.

parking sensors - on the fence here, some insurers will say it increases the value and therefore risk for them. IMO £20 sensor does diddly squat to the value - it might be an increase or just admin cost for amending insurance cover.

Lights - probably just admin cost, may be a little bit increase in premium. Mine was just £15 increase (I think it was admin), Just make sure the lights are legal - if you have a costly accident and you are at fault. The insurance company may void cover due to lights being illegal (especially the case if driving at night).

My experience of adding all three is that the towbar does not increase the premium and, in addition, is not regarded as a mod by some (most?) insurers. Cover for towing has been included as standard on every policy I have ever had. Adding extra lights and parking sensors have increased the premium, although the increase was the same whether I added, one the other, or both.

I have also found that it is usually cheaper to declare the mods at the start of a policy rather than add them in later and pay the associated admin charges. This does require some forethought though.

CB1878

Whatever the increase in cost you should always disclose any modifications as you could be rendering you motor insurance completely useless otherwise.

forgotmyname

For years now they stopped boy racers and other chav's driving around with blackpool illuminations on the front of their cars, But now its OK for manufacturers to do the same.

Madness. I wonder if everyone that got fined for driving around with extra lights on can get their money back because they were not fog lights but DRL's from the future

I wonder if my next car will be a mobile xmas tree?

RichardD1970

londonTiger wrote: »

all three would cause an increase, although I don't know if they're all increase in premium or just admin charges for disclosure.

My thoughts:

Towbar - definite premium increase as it means you're carrying loads on your vehicle which increases risk and danger.

Ever car I have had I have fitted a tow bar. Every insurance company I have used has either not been interested or just added as a note to policy at no cost.

leedsmodus

Rapished wrote: »

No none of them, are you looking to bring it down by adding these?[/QUOTE

You have to declare all Modifications whether a boy racer sticker or big bore exhaust, tow bar or tints

leedsmodus

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Ever car I have had I have fitted a tow bar. Every insurance company I have used has either not been interested or just added as a note to policy at no cost.

As long as you have declared it that is ok.

Should you claim, they may repudiate any claim if you have not told them about graphics, tow bar, tints, non standard manufacturer alloys etc etc, list is endless

leedsmodus

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Just before the bit about dimming with the indicators, the AA link also states that...



Which is exactly what the DRLs on my wife's car do. It isn't a fault.

I realise that the AA isn't an authority on the subject but if you search there is plenty of info on the web that will corroborate what they are stating. For example...

http://www.just-auto.com/news/lighting-laws-led-to-dimming-drls_id113148.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting
.
.
.

Skoda for example have a switch where DRL'S can be put on or off by asking your dealer. These are not a Mod. This is done by the Manufacturer

If you fit them as an extra yourself, then yes it is a Mod.

OddballJamie

leedsmodus wrote: »

Skoda for example have a switch where DRL'S can be put on or off by asking your dealer. These are not a Mod. This is done by the Manufacturer

If you fit them as an extra yourself, then yes it is a Mod.

Worth paying the extra for an Audi in that case, the DRL option is in the onboard computer.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

forgotmyname wrote: »

For years now they stopped boy racers and other chav's driving around with blackpool illuminations on the front of their cars, But now its OK for manufacturers to do the same.

Madness. I wonder if everyone that got fined for driving around with extra lights on can get their money back because they were not fog lights but DRL's from the future

I wonder if my next car will be a mobile xmas tree?

LOL, you brought back some memories for me there.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

leedsmodus wrote: »

Skoda for example have a switch where DRL'S can be put on or off by asking your dealer. These are not a Mod. This is done by the Manufacturer

If you fit them as an extra yourself, then yes it is a Mod.

it would be classed as a mod an electrical interior one, anything that is fitted after being built by factory is modifications it doesnt matter if a franchised dealer fit it its still a mod just like upgrading the stereo from a tape player VX one to a satnav vx one by the franchise dealership.