Drivers who makes changes to their motors are more likely to have an accident and will pay higher insurance premiums on average says a new report.
The survey conducted by MoneySuperMarket found that more than a quarter (28%) of drivers with modified cars had been in an accident in the past five years, compared to just 22 per cent of those have made no changes to their car.
More than 2000 motorists were interviewed in the survey, finding that close to half hadn’t even bothered to inform their insurer of vehicle modifications, even though this could invalidate any potential claims.
And while we may think of souped-up boy racer cars when we think of modifications, it is actually the older generation most likely to change their car, with fitting a tow bar (20%) the most common car modification, followed by alloy wheels (15%) and parking sensors (9%).
“There are numerous reasons why you might want to modify your car, from improving performance to making it more aesthetically pleasing,” said Tom Flack from MoneySuperMarket.com.
“While we generally think of modifications as loud exhausts and body kits, something as small as getting a parking sensor installed can count as a modification, so it’s worth notifying your insurer whenever you make any change to your vehicle.
Different insurers have alternative views on what constitutes a modification, so it’s worth taking the time to check if any changes you make will impact your policy.
“If in doubt, talk to your insurer.
“While your car insurance may go up as a result of a modification, you don’t have to accept the price and stay with your current insurer.
“By shopping around, you could easily find a cheaper deal with a different insurer and save yourself up to £222 in the process.”