Modifying your car can seriously affect how your car insurance quote is calculated and result in higher premiums. You might think that your car doesn’t apply and wouldn’t think to tell your insurer about the little work that you’ve had done… After all, you haven’t installed a mega sound system or V8 engine… But the fact is that insurers define car modifications as any changes that cause a car to differ from the original manufacturer’s standards.
Find out which car modifications are the most common, how they impact your insurance, and what you should tell your insurer.
Does your car qualify as modified
There’s nothing wrong with improving your car. However, you need to be aware that any modifications could influence your insurance cover and premium. Every insurer is different and could have a different take on what counts as a modification and what must be factored in when calculating a policy suitable for your specific car. Additionally, while some might charge more for a modification, others might not cover your car at all.
To help you find out if your car qualifies as ‘modified’, take a look at this list.
The most common car modifications:
- Super sound systems that exceed approved decibel levels.
- Changes that boost your engine capacity, such as a turbocharge, which forces compressed the air into the engine or an intercooler (air-conditioner) to cool turbocharged engines.
- Dropped suspensions.
- Extremely dark tinted windows.
- Fitment of bigger wheels, various body panels, spoilers, diffusers, tail fins, etc.
- Changes to the exhaust/silencer system to emit louder sounds, and decrease back pressure and increase exhaust flow.
- Cool air induction system to open your car’s airflow to improve performance.
How car modifications affect your car insurance.
Insurance is based on risk, so when an insurer creates a car insurance quote, they take into account your personal details and factors specific to your car.
Says Wynand van Vuuren, King Price spokesperson, “When it comes to your car, any modifications will need to be taken into consideration, because modifications can influence 2 major areas of risk: Your risk of having an accident and your risk of theft.”
Any performance modifications will be assessed to confirm whether they improve your car’s performance and, as a result, help your car reach high speeds faster than a standard manufactured car. This makes you more of a risk on the road.
Similarly, performance and aesthetic modifications could also make your car more appealing to thieves and your car could become a higher theft risk.
Usually, the higher the risk, the higher the price, which is why modifications generally result in a more expensive car insurance premium.
What to tell your insurer.
“The main thing is to be completely honest with your insurer about any changes that you’ve made to your car, even if you think they’re minor. If the modification is irrelevant, it won’t be factored in, but if it is relevant then an accurate premium must be calculated,” says Wynand.
If you don’t disclose these details, your policy might be invalidated. This means that if something happens, your claim could be rejected and you could be left paying for any costs out of your own pocket.
While you’re looking for affordable car insurance, keep in mind that shopping around for quotes from top insurers, like King Price, will help. The royal insurer is the first in South Africa to offer comprehensive car insurance premiums that decrease every month, in line with the depreciating value of your car. So, even if you have to pay a little more due to a modification or 2, your premiums will get less the longer you have your policy.
Get better, cheaper car insurance that decreases every month. Our affordable cover, decreasing premiums, and fair and logical approach to insurance is just what you and your car needs! Get a quote online, call our client care team on 0860 50 50 50, or pop us an email at [email protected]
Vehicle Modifications- What would be “Valid” Modifications and when would they be Illegal? https://t.co/MzzqAnrFIi #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/MsUdMQsrfd
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) February 18, 2018
Also view:
Vehicle Modifications, Alterations and Road Safety