Effect of mods on insurance? - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Wilden · 02-09-2009, 02:45 PM

I just had a thought. With all these modifications you guys are making to your cars, what is the effect this is having on your insurance premiums?

In the UK you need to declare any after-market adaptions or part-replacements that have been made to your car when you get an insurance quote. From what I have found out, from simply adding an air-dam the premium goes up by £30 ($40~) on the cheapest quote. I'll admit I am a new driver and that might be the cause for the seemingly extortionate rise, but I was wondering what issues any of you have had?

jthistle · 02-09-2009, 02:56 PM

My guess is most people don't bother telling their insurance companies.

Piwoslaw · 02-09-2009, 03:16 PM

I'd guess a mirror chop wouldn't score you points with the insurance company.

MetroMPG · 02-09-2009, 04:17 PM

My guess is: since every time I've tried to get insurance in recent years, the insurance co has specifically asked if the car is modified (without saying what type of modification they're asking about), they would probably use any opportunity to deny coverage in the event a claim is made involving a modified car.

PaleMelanesian · 02-09-2009, 04:49 PM

Of course, the standard thought is, "mods = performance = reckless driver". How do you counteract that line of thinking? In our case, the exact opposite is true.

MetroMPG · 02-09-2009, 05:11 PM

Unless you follow the popular media, which seem content to equate "hypermiling" with drafting trucks, recklessly coasting engine-off, and sometimes doing "death turns" around corners. Sticky wicket.

tasdrouille · 02-09-2009, 06:05 PM

When I asked my insurance company what they considered modifications, they said anything that adds significant value or performance to the vehicle. They said nothing about efficiency.

Wilden · 02-09-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tasdrouille

When I asked my insurance company what they considered modifications, they said anything that adds significant value or performance to the vehicle. They said nothing about efficiency.

Curious, that seems alot more reasonable, since most of the mods are going to be cheap jobs. It certainly seems like this needs a bit more investigation.

TestDrive · 02-09-2009, 07:41 PM

If you want them to insure your mod (in case it is damaged), they'll want to raise your rates. Otherwise, I doubt they will care. Basjoos was rear ended in his aerocivic, maybe he'll have something to say.

sepp · 02-09-2009, 08:51 PM

it probably has to do with if you add more things you add more value, so more things that can break or get damaged. wich means you add risk.

reality is that the things we add are usually homemade and of little value, and since they are usually placed on the exterior, they can protect the originall car. and thus decrease the risk.
on the other hand these homemade stuff dont have gone through any CE testing lol, so they could come loose and damage yours or other cars. but in that case i strongly doubt any company would pay for that anyway.