Car insurance: what counts as a modification?

bluphoto7

What counts as a modification? Is it ANY deviation from factory?
I'm about to paint my black grille silver instead, does that count?
I have a phone holder on my dashboard and a national trust sticker on my windscreen.

I fitted a towbar and winter tyres.

All undisclosed modifications: is my insurance still valid?

I added windows to the sides of my van and told my insurance. They're fine with that and have that modification on file now.

I'd quite like to put Ford Focus / Mondeo seats in my ford transit to give me the lumbar support feature (and to look better).

Blanking an EGR valve? Updated radiator? Front or back bumper upgrade from a different / later / facelifted or earlier, lower-range model? Upgraded wiper blades? Using a different grade of oil?

Wheels: what about driving with no wheel trims? Or buying new wheel trims from Halfords? What about painting your black wheels silver? What about painting them orange? What about putting Ford standard alloys on where steels were previously fitted? What about driving with no spare wheel? What about putting steel wheels on where alloys were previously fitted? Taller, thinner, wider softer, harder, (blacker!) tyres

Aftermarket parts: what about insurance repairs being done with pattern parts instead of ford original? Exhausts, filters, engine components, do they all have to be ford brand? What if there are slight differences between brands of replacement parts?

Is the reason for the modification relevant? Looks, economy, performance, reliability or emergency repair?

It's difficult to know what to inform and what there's no need to. My insurance company generally accepts modifications but charges £30 for EACH time they update my record, even if there's no premium change for the "modification". £5 for a cup holder would become £35 if I inform my insurance company.

I recently had a claim and realised I'd forgotten to tell them about adding a rear view mirror when I fitted the back windows. Nothing came of it and it wasn't mentioned. Also, they're not aware and didn't argue the fact that I've stuck down carpet tiles in the back of the van. Do I assume, therefore, that minor modifications don't need to be notified?

lee111s

Find a new insurer.

I have two policies. The policy for my golf is with greenlight insurance. They allow lots of modifications without any additional cost. For example they are happy for me to have my golf tdi remapped from 130bhp up to 180bhp with zero consequence.

I have my lotus insured with Adrian Flux. There was no extra charge for upgraded suspension springs/dampers, changing the colour of the wheels, adding a front spillter or changing the exhaust back box.

Most large well known insurers take the p1ss with car modifications and charge extortionate premiums for things which in reality, make little difference, if any at all to a car.

bluphoto7

I'm about to start with Adrian flux too. They charge 20 or 30 for changing the policy at any time.

Was with DL until end of this month but they won't entertain me adding seats to the back of the van.

rs65

bluphoto7 wrote: »

Do I assume, therefore, that minor modifications don't need to be notified?

No. All modifications should be notified. Some won't matter though.

InsideInsurance

Changing consumables is generally not going to be of interest to anyone unless your adding performance enhancement - though not sure how wiper blades could improve your 0-60 time.

Most the other changes you mention all need to be declared.

The majority of people dont do weekly mods to their cars, indeed most probably make no changes at all in the whole time they own the car. If you are doing bits and pieces here and there then you are creating a rod for your own back with the admin fees. Do all the changes you want at once or dont do them and thus only one admin fee.