Modified Car Insurance

Insurance for modified cars is the same as insurance for standard cars with the same cover options of third-party only (TPO), third-party, fire and theft (TPFT) or comprehensive plans.

What’s covered by your modified car insurance policy depends on the level of cover you choose but typically covers you for:

• Accidental damage
• Third-party claims
• Breakdown assistance

What’s not covered?

• Existing damage on your vehicle before insurance is taken out (e.g. dents, scratches)
• Costs incurred when driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Damages caused by negligence
• Unspecified car modifications
• Altered exhausts – it’s illegal to have exhausts emitting 72+ decibels
• Heavily tinted windows – UK law states windscreens must have 75% visibility and side windows with 70% visibility
• Coloured lights – the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 states headlights must be yellow or white and taillights red. Coloured lights may also refer to neon lighting underneath the vehicle.
• Converted lights – you can’t change factory standard halogen bulbs to LEDs (and vice versa).
• Badly modified spoilers – oversized spoilers that obstruct the driver’s vision are not covered.
• Nitrous oxide (“NOS”) conversion – while not illegal, most insurers won’t cover modifications like this due to dangerous acceleration speeds
• Normal wear and tear
• Goods in transit/personal belongings
• Unnamed drivers

Modified car insurance cover can start from as little as £225 per year. However, the final price is based on several factors such as vehicle model, driver(s) age and how secure the modified car is overnight/when not in use – amongst others.

What impacts the price of car modification insurance?

• Vehicle type – make, model, age, emission levels
• Which modifications have been done – extensive modifications increase insurance prices
• Driver age – a young driver (between 17 and 24) pays higher premiums than an older driver
• Level of cover chosen – TPO, TPFT or comprehensive
• Mileage – more time on the road increases your chance of an accident therefore increasing costs
• Policy add-ons selected – the more add-ons, the higher the insurance fee
• UK location – high crime zones have higher insurance premiums
• Vehicle security – cars in secured locations (e.g. locked garage) have lower premiums
• Claims history

Note: Car modifications affect insurance costs because the vehicle’s value increases due to the added upgrades, enhancements and improvements.

How Can You Get Cheaper Insurance Rates?

Follow these handy tips to lower your modified car insurance policy:

• Shop around and compare quotes from numerous insurance providers. SimplyQuote’s 100% free, online comparison tool streamlines this process for you.
• Opt for annual premium payments instead of monthly instalments. This eliminates monthly interest fees therefore lowering your premium prices.
• Choose the right car. A car in a low insurance group is a good way to make your insurance less expensive as these vehicles are smaller and cheaper to insure. Understand that modifications may push your vehicle into a higher insurance bracket.
• Keep up to date with vehicle services (at least once a year). This prevents general wear and tear and keeps vehicles in tip-top condition, reducing the likelihood of breakdowns or car failures.
• Ensure vehicles are properly secured when not in use. Think along the lines of locked garages, private driveways, a car alarm system or immobiliser or even CCTV surveillance cameras.
• Keep annual mileage to a minimum. The more time spent on the road increases your chances of a motorcar accident, driving up insurance prices.
• Opt for higher voluntary excess. This means your insurance premiums will be reduced, but you will have to pay more in the event of an accident.
• Add a named driver to your modified car insurance policy. Young drivers can reduce the costs of their premiums when adding an older, more experienced driver to their policy profile.
• Consider telematics technology. “Black box” devices are installed in your vehicle to monitor how you drive. Safer, low-risk drivers have lower premiums.
• Keep claims to a minimum. Unnecessary claims don’t sit well with insurers, causing them to hike your insurance prices.
• Choose the right cover best suited to your car’s modifications. Don’t opt for add-ons that you don’t need to avoid higher fees.
• Joining a car club can lower premiums, especially if your modified vehicle is a secondary car used for show, competition or display purposes.