Car Insurance

As many as 20 per cent of UK drivers could be invalidating their insurance by modifying their vehicles and failing to notify their insurer of the changes. Research from Nationwide Building Society reveals that one in five admit to changing their car, yet many are not aware that they are required to inform their insurer.

One in 10 respondents said they had made changes to the look of their vehicle including fitting a body kit or spoiler, non-standard alloy wheels or tinted windows. Around 7 per cent had made changes that affect the way the car drives, including fitting a sports exhaust, lowering the suspension, fitting a microchipped engine- management system or re-boring an engine. If not disclosed, modifications could invalidate a car insurance policy. Although the majority of insurers would not pay out on damage caused to the changed parts of the car in the event of a claim, they would pay for any other damage or injury caused.