Drivers are being warned of a simple mistake that could invalidate their car insurance and land them with a fine.
When it comes to choosing a car, drivers often have different preferences over the make and models they like. But when it comes to making any modifications to your car, experts have warned it's essential to inform your insurance provider to avoid invalidating your insurance policy and being at risk of a fine.
There are various modifications that drivers can make to cars that can unwittingly increase your insurance payments or land you with a fine. Here we take a look at what some of those modifications are and how they could affect your insurance policy.
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Engine Modifications
Making tweaks to the engine of your car can affect your insurance policy. As you are changing the performance of the vehicle, there is the chance that as a more powerful vehicle, your insurance provider could see you as being at higher risk of an accident.
This could result in changes to the insurance which will cost you more money, something which you should weigh up to decide if it is worth the potential extra cost.
When making any modifications to your car, it is essential to get in touch with and inform your insurance provider, especially if you are changing the performance. There is the chance that not declaring any modifications could result in the invalidation of your insurance.
Exhaust Modifications
While modifying an engine can see you pay more for your insurance, making alterations to the exhaust of your vehicle can see you get into trouble with the law.
Many sports-style exhausts are not allowed on UK roads due to the excessive noise they make, and if you are caught driving with an excessively loud exhaust – you may be issued with an on-the-spot fine of £50. Your car may also be taken off the road until the offending modification is removed.
Body and Aesthetic Modifications
Changing the colour of the car or making other aesthetic modifications may make your car look more desirable and eye catching, but there are a few things to bear in mind when considering making these changes.
There is a chance that enhancing the look of the car such as adding custom paint jobs or upgraded alloy wheels may make them more attractive to unwanted attention, such as thieves. Increasing the likelihood of theft, and the value of the vehicle by making such changes, can of course result in the price of your insurance increasing.
Other aesthetic modifications, such as tinting the windows in a certain way can have other implications for you as an owner. While the rear side windows and windscreen aren’t subject to any regulations, the front windows and windscreen have rules around them.
If the windows do not allow 70% of light in, 75% for the windscreen, then there could be implications. The regulations are there to ensure there is no obscuring of visibility, and if you are in breach of these, you may be served a prohibition notice, meaning you won’t be able to use the car until the tints have been removed.
There is also the possibility of a penalty notice or even a court summons.
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