Extra car headrest: Do I have to declare this safety mod?

benawhile

My Vauxhall Astra J DY15UUP was purchased used in 2018.

I realised after purchase that with the standard cloth upholstery there is a seatbelt but no headrest provided for the rear centre (5th) passenger, which seems pretty dangerous but was legal at the time.

I was very concerned about this and research revealed that the leather upholstery version does have a centre headrest and pretty soon I found a 60% leather seatback on eBay with the extra headrest and easily fitted it to the car.

But now I find I am asked by insurers if the car has been modified. Does this count as a modification? If I answer “yes” on the online quotes I get a dropdown list but there is nothing like this mod presented as an option to choose, and if I select “body mod “ I always end up being told the car cannot be insured.

Can anyone offer advice? Specifically, if I do not declare as a mod do I risk invalidating the insurance? SAGA helpline were interested in the query but haven’t come back to me yet.

Unfortunately I didn’t keep the old seatback so that one is a non starter, and yes, although the car has since passed several MOT tests, I did fit the seatback myself at home. I will ask my garage about this tomorrow.

XRS200

It's clearly a modification.  If there's nothing in drop down lists, maybe get a quote without but phone them before accepting.

DullGreyGuy

It's a post manufacture modification but one most insurers won't be too interested in. If there is no option in the drop down then get quotes without the mod but before buying speak to your preferred suppliers and ask them to adjust the change in seats. Some will just note it but not charge a difference. 

benawhile

A thought: If the original seat was damaged and was replaced with the most similar available part, that would be a repair, not a mod. Only issue would be that this part includes part of a seat belt, but car has passed several M O T since. Anyway, thanks for advice, decision has been made, problem solved.