March 2008 Car News - GBCarLoans.com

25th March 2008

Car modifications "dramatically" increase car insurance premiums

Modifying your car can hugely boost car insurance premiums, a leading price comparison site has warned.

Research conducted by Confused.com found that souping-up a vehicle with popular add-ons such as spoilers, alloy wheels and tinted windows can add 139 per cent to insurance premiums.

The increase is equivalent to a hefty rise of £545 on the average car insurance bill.

Will Thomas, head of car insurance at Confused.com, said: "As car modifications become more popular with young drivers, it is important that they are made aware of the ensuing cost of car insurance.

"Adding spoilers and tinted windows, for example, can not only dramatically increase car insurance premiums, but they can render car insurance void in some instances, especially when the driver fails to inform the insurer of any changes."

Mr Thomas also warned that customising a car can frequently limit its appeal to potential buyers and "greatly depreciate its value".

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