Modified Car Insurance

It’s often those who are most passionate about their cars that modify them – modified car drivers want their vehicles to look good and drive with style. However, in the eyes of most car insurance companies, modifications are not to be celebrated, they are to be penalised.

Many drivers of modified cars point out that they take greater care of their vehicles and are therefore less likely to be reckless on the road and have an accident that prompts a car insurance claim. As such, they should enjoy cheaper premiums.

However, many modifications – such as enhancing the engine – increase the likelihood of an accident, in the eyes of an insurer, because cars with greater power are more likely to be driven at faster speeds. Spoilers and larger exhausts are also often tagged as symbols of ‘boy racers’.

Other modifications – such as the addition of alloy wheels, changing the lights, altering or lowering the suspension or adding a non-standard in-car entertainment system – may not directly affect how the vehicle is driven but they do make the car more desirable to thieves. These parts can also be more difficult to repair or replace and as such these cars too are hit with higher premiums.

Thankfully several specialist car insurers have emerged to deal with the needs of modified car drivers. They have specialist teams in place and often offer a number of incentives to help keep premiums affordable. Some of the specialists in the UK include Adrian Flux, Performance Direct, eModified Car Insurance and Endsleigh Car Insurance.

They offer additional cover options, such as track day cover for races, rallies and hill climbs. European cover is common too, in case you plan to take your car abroad, with cover for repatriation in case the vehicle breaks down while overseas. Most will also offer an agreed valuation of the vehicle, so you know exactly what payout you would receive if the car was written off.

Among the features they may offer to keep premiums low are:

Advanced driving discounts: Complete the Pass Plus, IAM or Max Driver qualification and you may slash as much as 25 per cent off a premium.

Car club discounts: Money off if you’re part of a specialist car club where you exchange ideas with other members to keep your vehicle in the best possible shape.

Garage discounts: Keep your car in a garage overnight and in a secure area during the day for further discounts.

Limited mileage discounts: If you don’t use your car every day you may be able to agree to a mileage limit in return for a discount.

Security discounts: Some modifications can help you save money including adding top-notch security systems such as insurer-recommended alarms, immobilisers and tracking devices.

Though specialists can often offer features you won’t find elsewhere, don’t assume they are the cheapest. Its well worth using a car insurance comparison website to see what cover is available for your modified car from regular insurers and then comparing these deals with those available from specialists.