New wheels, lowered suspension - premium punishment?

zazou

I'm thinking of buying a new set of wheels for a car I'm buying and possibly lower it a little bit.
The wheels I'd get would perhaps be an inch larger but maintain the same diameter as they come from the same type of car but a different spec. The shorter springs would also be compatible with a higher spec car.

I take it that I have to declare the change to the insurance company. Can I expect a punishment from them in the form of increased premiums?

This isn't a performance hot hatch, just got a boring 4 cyl diesel taking almost 10 seconds to get to 60mph.

forgotmyname

Some insurers wont even touch the car with some modifications.

If you fail to declare the changes and they find out then they could cancel your cover and leave you seriously out of pocket.

May work out cheaper to buy the better spec car with those parts fitted as standard.

Retrogamer

Depends on the insurance company.

I went from 16" to 17" alloys on mines but same width and premium never changed but i'm insured with a modified friendly broker.

Car_54

When you make such modifications, the insurers assume that either

a) You're going to drive irresponsibly, and so higher risk, or

b) You've got more money than sense, so they might as well have some of it, and

c) The car will be more desirable to the sort of towrag who likes these things, so higher risk, or

d) all of the above.

arcon5

Wouldn't really call it a punishment.
A matter of statistics.

dacouch

Car_54 wrote: »

When you make such modifications, the insurers assume that either

a) You're going to drive irresponsibly, and so higher risk, or

b) You've got more money than sense, so they might as well have some of it, and

c) The car will be more desirable to the sort of towrag who likes these things, so higher risk, or

d) all of the above.

e) The manufacturer designed the car to certain specifications, will the changes make the car more unstable or unsafe

gilbert_and_sullivan

Input some details on the meercat and note the premium and companies who quote, then add wheels and suspension mods in the relevant sections and note which companies vanish and what happens to the quotes.

dacouch

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Input some details on the meercat and note the premium and companies who quote, then add wheels and suspension mods in the relevant sections and note which companies vanish and what happens to the quotes.

If you do this then do not be tempted to not declare the modifications as the quotes will be recorded by the Insurers.If you ever take insurance out with out declaring the modifcations they have a very high chance of catching you out and the previous quotes with the modifications are a slam dunk that you intentionally did not declare the mods.

Strider590

You'll probably need to go to a specialist insurer, the mainstream insurance companies won't touch a lowered car with a barge pole. Whether done correctly or not, they'll assume it was a bodge, springs cut down, original shocks still in place, tracking not adjusted. Basically they'll assume it's a dangerous car.

Gloomendoom

Strider590 wrote: »

You'll probably need to go to a specialist insurer, the mainstream insurance companies won't touch a lowered car with a barge pole.

I use Chris Knott as a broker. Be warned, they ask a lot of questions.

Compared to insuring a bog standard car, it still isn't likely to be cheap though.

Hoof_Hearted

Car_54 wrote: »

When you make such modifications, the insurers assume that either

a) You're going to drive irresponsibly, and so higher risk, or

b) You've got more money than sense, so they might as well have some of it, and

c) The car will be more desirable to the sort of towrag who likes these things, so higher risk, or

d) all of the above.

They may have a point with b....