Jane Dotson
Car modifications can affect your insurance policy and premiums. Modifications can be aesthetic or functional, and can increase the value of a car, making it more expensive to insure. Alloy wheels are stronger and lighter than steel wheels of the same size, improving handling and performance. As such, they are considered a modification and may affect your insurance. This guide will explore how alloy wheels and other modifications can impact your insurance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of modification | Any change to a vehicle from its original factory specifications |
| Alloy wheels as a modification | Depends on the insurer, some consider it a modification, some don't |
| Impact on insurance premium | Depends on the insurer, some increase the premium, some don't |
| Impact on insurance claim | If the insurance company finds major modifications/differences in the insured car, they can reject the claim |
| Factors that determine the impact on insurance premium | Whether the modification increases the risk of accidents or theft, increases the value of the car, or enhances performance |
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What You'll Learn
Alloy wheels are stronger and lighter than steel wheels
Car modifications can affect your insurance policy and premiums. A car modification is any change to a vehicle from its original factory specifications, which can affect its appearance or performance. Alloy wheels are a common car modification, as they are stronger and lighter than steel wheels. They can improve car handling as there is less weight for the suspension to cope with and less resistance when steering.
If you are considering car modifications, it is a good idea to talk with your car insurance company first. Some insurance companies will not cover externally fitted parts, and you may need to add them to your policy with an Accessories Cover Add-on, which can increase your premium. Some insurers consider alloy wheels a modification, and some do not, so it is important to check with your insurer.
Some modifications are associated with higher risk and can result in significant increases in car insurance. Modifications that increase the value of a car can make it more expensive to insure, and some modifications can put a vehicle at increased risk of being stolen, which will increase premiums. However, some insurers will only increase your premium by 5% at most for modifications.
It is important to notify your insurance provider of any part of your car that is not factory standard, as failing to do so may result in claim rejection. Major modifications to your car will severely affect your car insurance premium if you have a Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy. However, if you have a basic Third-party Liability Policy, aesthetic changes to your car will not impact your premium, as this policy does not cover damage to your car.
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Alloy wheels can be ordered at the point of purchase
Car modifications can affect your insurance policy and premiums. A car modification is any change to a vehicle from its original factory specifications, which can affect its appearance or performance. Some insurers consider a modification to be anything that changes the car from its standard specification, including factory-fitted options.
Alloy wheels are often ordered at the point of purchase for new cars. They are much stronger yet lighter than steel wheels of the same size, improving car handling. This is because there will be less weight for the suspension to manage and less resistance when steering. However, if there is a history of alloy wheel theft in your area, your insurer may increase your premium.
If you are considering car modifications, it is a good idea to talk with your car insurance company first. While some modifications are unlikely to increase or decrease your insurance premium, others can lead to a significant increase. Modifications that increase the value of your car, for example, will make it more expensive to insure. Some modifications can also put your vehicle at an increased risk of being stolen, which will result in higher premiums.
Some insurers will not cover externally fitted parts (i.e. parts that are not fitted by the manufacturer) under a standard comprehensive car insurance policy. However, you can add them to the policy with an Accessories Cover Add-on, which will increase your premium. Aesthetic changes to your car will not impact its insurance premium if you have a basic third-party liability policy, as this does not cover damage to your car.
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Alloy wheels may increase your insurance premium
Alloy wheels are stronger and lighter than steel wheels of the same size, improving car handling. They are often ordered at the point of purchase for new cars, but they can also be an aftermarket modification. While some modifications are unlikely to affect your premium, alloy wheels may increase your insurance premium for several reasons.
Firstly, modifications generally increase the value of a car, making it more expensive to insure. Secondly, alloy wheels can increase the risk of theft, particularly if there is a history of alloy wheel theft in your area. This increased risk means higher premiums for drivers. Finally, modifications that enhance performance can make vehicles more dangerous and increase the risk of accidents, which will also increase premiums.
However, it is important to note that not all insurers treat modifications the same way. Some mainstream insurers may increase premiums for cosmetic modifications, while others may not. Some insurers may even refuse to cover modified cars because it is not part of their policy. Ultimately, it is up to the insurer, and it is recommended that you call them prior to making any modifications to understand how it may affect your premium.
Additionally, if you have a basic third-party liability policy, aesthetic changes to your car will not impact your insurance premium, as this policy does not cover damages to your car.
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Alloy wheels are considered a modification
Some insurance companies consider alloy wheels a modification, and some do not. For example, one user on a forum stated that their insurer, Admiral, charged them around £25 to add a set of alloys instead of steel wheels. However, another user on the same forum stated that they changed insurer when they added spacers, and their new insurer charged them around £40 more.
If you are considering adding alloy wheels to your car, it is a good idea to talk to your insurance company first. While some modifications are unlikely to increase or decrease your insurance premium, others can result in significant increases. Some insurance companies may not cover externally-fitted parts, so you may need to add an Accessories Cover Add-on to your policy, which can increase the premium. If you do not inform your insurance company of any modifications, they may reject a claim.
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Alloy wheels may not affect third-party liability insurance
Alloy wheels are stronger and lighter than steel wheels of the same size, improving car handling. They are often ordered at the point of purchase for new cars, but they can also be an aftermarket modification. If there is a history of alloy wheel theft in your area, your insurer may increase your premium.
While alloy wheels are a modification, they are not always considered one by insurers. For example, if you replace a set of 18" wheels with another set of 18" wheels, some insurers will not consider this a modification, while others will. Ultimately, it is up to the insurer, and it is best to call them before making any modifications to see how it will affect your policy.
Some insurers consider any change to the car from the standard specification a modification, including factory-fitted options. Others only consider changes made after the factory or first registration a modification. A tyre of the same specification—width, profile, load, speed rating, etc.—is not a modification. However, changing the wheels, irrespective of size, is usually considered a modification.
If you have a basic third-party liability insurance policy, aesthetic changes to your car will not impact the insurance premium, as this policy does not cover damages to your car. Comprehensive car insurance policies do not cover externally fitted parts by default, but you can add them with an Accessories Cover Add-on, which will increase your premium.
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Frequently asked questions
Alloy wheels are considered a modification, and modifications can affect your insurance policy. Some insurers define a modification as any deviation from the factory standard, so even changing your wheels to a different set of the same size could be considered a modification. If you do not inform your insurance company of this change, they can reject your claim. Modifications that increase the value of your car, or the risk of theft or accidents, will likely increase your premium. However, if you have a basic third-party liability policy, alloy wheels are unlikely to impact your insurance premium as this policy doesn't cover damage to your car.
It is best to contact your insurance company before making any modifications to your car. They will be able to tell you if your alloy wheels will affect your insurance premium.
Modifications that affect the performance of your car, such as engine modifications, are likely to affect your insurance. Aesthetic changes, such as custom paint jobs, may also impact your insurance, depending on the insurance company and their history with claims.
