Is there anyone out there added such things as tow bars or rear spoilers etc thinking that it is not necessary to inforn your insurance company.

I have to admit that I have added a tow bar and not thought to mention it to my insurers.

I wonder how I would get on if I had an acident with or without a trailer or caravan on the back.

I am sure I read somewhere on one of my insurance policies that a trailer/caravan was insured third party whilst attatched to the towing vehicle.

Is a roof rack and top box considered as a mod?

I really can't understand why factory fit items such as privacy glass are a modifications or even the spoiler as it's purely cosmetic... I'd like to see the underwriters justify the price hike.

How can it be when I can stick a 'one size fits all' halfords bike carrier on the back without notifying the insurance company? And they ARE risky beasties...

So I guess I'd better call the insurance company as I have installed a sticker on the back windscreen!

Rant over.  '57 GS TD4 in Stornoway. Privacy, Leather, Tred Cills. From ebay etc.. 18" 12 spoke HSE alloys, rear spoiler, clear side repeaters with clear leds, led interior light to replace bulbs, sports exhaust trim, TomTom 720.
Favourite Off road vehicle, still my Santa Cruz Mountain Bike! http://www.team-banana-racing.com

since i previously working in car insurance, i know to inform them of any additional items over a box standard model.

The way they look at it is if two car where parked next to each other and Mr Car Thief came along they would most likely go after the one with the extras especially if it was a steal to order.

Also, If you have spent £££££ on extras and the car was stolen/written off and your insurance company would only look into replacing a standard car without the extras.

But if it was something like a bodykit youve not told them about they may not even payout

My advice is to inform the insurance company of any mods/additional equipment pay the premium as its better than not been covered
 Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

All my insurers, morethan, asked is if there were any modifications to alter speed or performance.

Highlandcow wrote:

All my insurers, morethan, asked is if there were any modifications to alter speed or performance.

That's exactly what they should ask really, and I found many do (when I was still in the UK)....but quite often even adding a spoiler they want to charge you, however when I was looking at adding one many years ago to my Pug 106 xsi if I stated it was to help keep the rear window clean then there was no charge

The reason for starting this new topic was the quote below posted in another topic by the well respected hugely knowelegable npinks, this made me wonder where do modifications start and what is classed as a modification that the insurance company should be told about.

I would have thought by what is being said by others that a tow bar is something that insurers would be interested in as it has a great efect on the vehicle when towing, more so than when simply fitting a spoiler or alloy wheels.

npinks wrote:

builder wrote:

Hi npinks.

Do you mean that your insurance company wanted to charge you an extra £60 notes just because you were going to fit a spoiler.

Yep the Insurance company said it was a modification (which it is) and wanted £60 to cover the spoiler due to increased risk, this goes along with the other mods (tow bar, Side protection tubes & privacy glass)

That along with the £60 increase due to a SP30 i thought Sainsburys had brought out "Feel the Difference" Insurance.