Insurance prices aren’t affected by standard alloy wheels, but if you upgrade them or paint them a different color, your premiums may go up. Better alloys may enhance your chances of having your wheels stolen, which is a popular insurance claim.
Do you have to declare alloy wheels on insurance?
Your vehicle’s alloy wheels will be insured if they were installed by the manufacturer, and you won’t have to inform us about them on your insurance policy. You must notify us on your insurance coverage if the alloy wheels were not installed by the manufacturer and were installed afterwards.
Does painting your car affect insurance?
While the color of your car does not normally have a direct impact on your insurance rates, a bespoke paint job does. This is because if a custom paint job is destroyed, it will cost more to repair or replace. Anything that raises the total value of a car might also raise insurance costs. If you add a custom paint job or modified parts to your vehicle, it’s always a good idea to notify your insurance company to make sure it’s insured.
Does Respray affect insurance?
Yes, it is possible! Some colors and paints, such as metallic and pearl tints, might be costly for the insurer to replace or repair, which is why color impacts the cost of automobile insurance. They are also more expensive and have an impact on the value of your vehicle.
Does painting calipers void insurance?
Painting the calipers has no effect on anything that could cause an accident, increases or decreases the risk of fire or theft, or changes the cost of repairs to get the car back to factory specifications.
Does tint increase insurance?
While any alteration to your car that is not factory standard must be reported to your insurance provider, many modifications are unlikely to affect your insurance cost. Some of these are listed below.
Water cooling systems (brakes)
A water cooling system is another addition that increases braking performance. Misting devices, for example, have been installed to some cars’ brake ducts to prevent them from overheating. These are unlikely to have an impact on your insurance premium.
Sound systems
Sound systems are a common (and relatively inexpensive) modification. The majority of people have seen or heard a car with an aftermarket subwoofer. This is a speaker system that emphasizes low-frequency sounds like bass and sub-bass. You won’t see a premium increase unless you choose a high-value system.
Dashboard add-ons and upgrades
You can change your dashboard for a variety of reasons, such as adding a built-in satellite navigation system or a car phone, or for aesthetic reasons, such as installing wood paneling. In either case, it’s unlikely to have an impact on your premium.
Custom gear knobs
Modifications to gear knobs are also possible. Some drivers will replace their current one because it is worn out or because they prefer something more ergonomic or aesthetically pleasant (e.g. leather, sparkly). Skulls, gaming joysticks, and film prop replicas are among the novelty alternatives. They may influence your ability to shift gears, but they are unlikely to effect your insurance premiums.
Novelty hub caps
Some automobile owners choose to personalize their vehicles by putting spinning hub caps or light-up hub caps on their wheels, for example. While these can pose a theft risk and require notification to your insurance carrier, non-performance wheel changes are unlikely to effect your premium.
Do tinted windows affect insurance?
Tinted windows will neither raise or lower your insurance premiums as long as they are legal.
While there are no limits on tinting your back windows and windscreen in the United Kingdom, there are restrictions on tinting your front windscreen and side-view windows. The front windscreen must allow at least 75 percent of light in and the front side windows must allow at least 70 percent of light in.
Is a tow bar classed as a modification?
Because tow bars deviate from the manufacturer’s factory specification, they are classified as a modification, thus you should notify your insurer if you are installing one on your vehicle. The addition of a tow bar, on the other hand, is unlikely to affect your insurance cost.
Do wind deflectors affect insurance?
Wind deflectors are often a manufacturer’s option, and your insurer is unlikely to raise your premiums as a result of installing them. However, because they are a bodywork change, your insurer should be notified if you install wind deflectors.
Are headlight modifications legal?
Custom headlights are frequently prohibited. Only white lights can be installed in the front of your automobile, and red lights can be installed in the back. Colored LEDs are not permitted and may result in an on-the-spot fine, the cancellation of your insurance coverage, and the impoundment of your vehicle until it is declared road-legal again. This includes LEDs in washer jets, which are not allowed.
What about under-car neon lights?
Under-car neon lights are a popular upgrade. These can be lawfully installed, but the tubing must not be seen, and the light must not be so bright that it distracts you or other road users. Flashing under-car lights, for example, are prohibited.
In general, lighting will not raise your insurance premiums. However, your insurer may request a supplement based on your claims history and theft risk, especially if you’re a younger driver.
Lowering your suspension
It is acceptable to lower a car’s suspension as long as it does not compromise steering or headlight aim. Headlight aim is governed by tight guidelines, as alterations to headlights have the potential to dazzle other vehicles.
Another problem with lowering a car is that it loses its capacity to clear uneven road surfaces like speed bumps. Over-lowering can also make the car’s handling less effective, putting the driver and passengers at risk. However, this change is purely cosmetic and is unlikely to have an impact on your premium.
Replacing bushings
Small rubber or polyurethane suspension components that isolate vibration, offer cushioning, and minimize friction between metal elements are known as bushings. Some drivers replace rubber bushings with polyurethane bushings, which last longer and perform a better job of dampening vibrations and reducing weight transfer.
These won’t affect your insurance coverage, but you should still declare them like you would any other change.
Racing elements
Following the introduction of speed cameras on British highways in the 1990s, track days became increasingly popular. As a result, people began to modify their vehicles for track use by installing roll cages and roll bars. In the case of an accident, these frameworks are incorporated into the car to protect the driver and/or passenger.
You may need to seek a modified auto insurance policy from a specialist insurer if you can’t find an insurance provider that would cover these under ordinary coverage.
Do alloy wheels increase insurance?
Insurance prices aren’t affected by standard alloy wheels, but if you upgrade them or paint them a different color, your premiums may go up. Better alloys may enhance your chances of having your wheels stolen, which is a popular insurance claim.
What happens if you don’t tell insurance about modifications?
If you don’t declare changes to an existing plan, your insurance will be worthless. If it is not declared at the time of application, you will be committing fraud because you willfully gave inaccurate information.
At the time of application, or even if you phone to inform them of the modifications, some insurance firms will flatly refuse to insure modified automobiles. Before discussing with the insurance company, never make any modifications to the car.
Your insurance becomes void not when you are charged by a law enforcement authority like the DVLA or the police, but when the modification is done. This suggests you’ve paid for something that’s not worth the paper it’s written on.
Driving without insurance is illegal and can result in a £300 fine and 6 points on your license at the absolute least; however, you could face a much larger fine, as well as being prohibited from driving and having your car seized.
Do stickers affect car insurance?
Any “modification” of an automobile that alters its factory appearance, including stickers and decals, can be considered a “modification” by a car insurer. Each insurance provider will take a different stance, which means that putting up as little as an innocuous minion sticker might nullify your policy. This is an extreme example that is unlikely but not impossible to happen.
Surprisingly, some stickers are significantly more likely than others to nullify insurance. The most common sort is bogus emblems that make your automobile appear to be a sport edition. “GTI” badges for VW Golfs, “M” badges for BMWs, and “ST” badges for Fords are all well-known examples. This is due to the fact that they raise the perceived worth of your vehicle, making it more appealing to thieves.
As a result, you should always think hard before putting any sticker on your car because there’s a potential it’ll void your insurance, leaving you without coverage in the event of an accident.