Unused Tow bar causing high insurance premium - can I remove it?

saskay

Hi,
Last year I bought a car [Peugeot 407] which had a tow bar fitted by the previous owner - but I have no use for it.

When looking for car insurance quotes I noticed that when I mention I have modifications on my car and select "Tow bar" as the modification - my premiums jump by 50%; they go from £650+ to £1300+.

So, the question is, can I remove the tow bar AND proceed by selecting "No Modfications" to a cheaper car insurance?

rich13348

I would imagine so.

sheramber

We have had a tow bar on two cars and have not had any increase in premium for adding it.

Both companies saidw e needed to tell them but there was no extra cost.

Astronaughtwannabe

Same here. Had a Peugeot for the last 7 years without the tow bar being an insurance issue.

Seems to be a quirk?

InsideInsurance

As long as it is properly removed rather than just sawing it off then you can.

I've certainly seen it cause increases in premium - as always insurers work on statistics rather than logic but if you want to try and be logical then it could either be because of the TP liability they get when you are towing something or the fact towbars tend to cause more damage in very minor reversing accidents than just a bumper.

Cant say I've seen it give that much impact before though.

forgotmyname

You need to try a different insurer, Ive had towbars on all my cars, previously they have said i didnt need to inform them or tell then about towbars.

Over recent years though more insurers are saying they will make a note, But not one of them have ever increased the premium for a towbar.

Which insurer?

FutureGirl

It may not be because it's a tow bar that is causing the rise in premiums, but because the car was modified to add this on after production of the car? That may be why others never had their premium rise?

If it was a mod added on later, there should be no reason why you can't take it off, it's your car!

forgotmyname

Nope 99% of the time i have fitted my towbar after buying a car.

Going back 5 years +, insurers just said they were not bothered about towbars, its only in recent years that they started making notes.
Even this year i bought another car and when phoning the insurance i said i
will be fitting a towbar, they said they will put it on the paperwork, but it wont affect the premium and i dont need to inform them when i fit it. They will just make a note that one is fitted.

Always fitted the towbars myself also, except the last car where the towbar supplier offered such a good deal i couldnt resist.

Just fitted the towbar to my current car though.

rs65

FutureGirl wrote: »

It may not be because it's a tow bar that is causing the rise in premiums, but because the car was modified to add this on after production of the car? That may be why others never had their premium rise?

Which cars come with a towbar as standard?

Keep_pedalling

rs65 wrote: »

Which cars come with a towbar as standard?

When I bought my Golf 18 months ago, it was supposed to be a factory option, but apparently not for UK cars. I was also looking Audi A3 at the time and I could have had a factory fitted one on that.

I need a towbar to attach a cycle carrier, and there was no increase on my insurance premium either. Sounds like you need to shop around.

forgotmyname

Factory fitted options are not the same as standard fit.

I think older Range Rovers had them fitted as standard.

Whilst getting quotes a year or so back one of the insurers asked if there were any factory fitted options. I could understand that on a brand new car that i ordered with the list of options i wanted. but on a 5 - 7 year old used car?