Motorists have been warned that holiday luggage racks and tow bars could void insurance

The warmer summer weather brings with it a heightened sense of adventure, so it’s only natural that you want to pack up the car and head out on an exploratory journey. Because of this, many drivers will consider making changes to their vehicles, whether it’s something as simple as tinting the windows to keep out the sun’s glare or attaching a massive tent to the roof, all of these changes can have an effect on the first of insurance. .

The bottom line is that anything outside of a manufacturer’s official list of accessories is considered a modification by most insurance companies. While many simple changes will likely not see the current cost of your premium, it could result in your coverage provider denying you coverage in the unfortunate event of an accident.

With that in mind, we’ve gone through some popular summer car modifications and explored their potential implications for insurance premiums.

Tow bars

Naturally, many vehicle owners want to carry larger loads during the summer, which they enjoy on camping trips or cycling adventures. Tow bars provide a great opportunity to either tow a small trailer or add bike racks to the rear of your vehicle with minimal fuss.

It may seem obvious, but fitting a tow bar means that as a driver you may be towing trailers, caravans or bulky items, putting your vehicle at risk on the road. Furthermore, fitting an aftermarket tow bar is considered a modification by most insurers and will therefore need to be informed.

In most cases, insurers will simply make a note on their systems and no extra charges are added, but some may find that premiums go up, so it’s worth shopping around with providers to find the best deal.

Roof bars and roof rack

Again, adding roof bars or roof racks will likely change your vehicle’s insurance profile, with some providers considering this an added risk as it could affect how the vehicle handles or increase the chances of theft or damage .

As with tow bars, aftermarket roof racks and roof bars (those not fitted at the factory) are considered a modification, so it’s wise to let your insurer know if you’ve added them.

There have been horror stories of insurers canceling policies on notice of a change, but they are more likely to add a note to the policy or charge a small fee for a change.

Window shades

In addition to adding a certain aesthetic to your vehicle, window tints can reduce the amount of potentially harmful and distracting sunlight that can enter a cabin during the brighter summer months.

The law states that any vehicle first used on or after April 1, 1985 must have a front windshield that lets in at least 75% of the light, and front side windows that let in at least 70% of the light.

Traffic police are often equipped with light-measuring equipment that analyzes window tint and can issue on-the-spot fines for anything that doesn’t comply with the regulations.

Even though window tinting is legal, it can still have a negative effect on insurance policies as it is classed as a modification.

Additionally, tinted glass can be more expensive to repair or replace, which could have a negative impact on your monthly or annual insurance premium cost.

Alloy wheels and bodywork

If loading up your vehicle and hitting the open road isn’t your idea of ​​a dream motoring summer, perhaps sprucing up your car with some fresh wheels and bodywork.

Alloy wheels are one of the most common vehicle modifications as owners look to reduce the weight of heavy steel options and give their vehicles a sportier look. If the alloy wheels were not fitted at the factory by the manufacturer, adding them is classed as a vehicle modification, so it is in everyone’s best interest to notify the insurer.

If there is a particularly bad problem with the theft of alloy wheels in your area, this could lead to higher premiums. But since changing wheels is so popular, it usually doesn’t come with heavy financial penalties.

However, adding wild body kits or extra bodywork to a standard vehicle is often frowned upon by insurers. Not only can these sport kits affect how a vehicle handles and drives, but they are also typically not built to the same impact standards as the OEM kit.

This means they are more likely to crack or break in an accident, forcing an insurer to make expensive repairs and potentially causing damage to other cars and pedestrians.

According to insurance experts Adrian Flux, adding a body kit can increase your premium by 10-15%, with the company suggesting that a special modified vehicle policy is best for these types of additions.

Engine and performance improvements

Although not limited to summer, many car owners make the most of the bright evenings and warmer days to tackle those hobby mechanic jobs like engine upgrades and simple performance modifications.

Everything from changing your air filter to aftermarket exhaust systems can improve your vehicle’s performance and change the way it drives, meaning any changes like this need to be communicated to your insurance provider to ensure adequate coverage .

That said, upgrading your braking and suspension system to something better than stock parts could actually result in a reduction in your insurance premiums if your supplier deems it a significant safety improvement.

In-car sound and entertainment systems

There is nothing worse than being stuck in traffic on a long journey and only having the FM radio to escape the boredom. This is probably why so many owners of older vehicles decide to upgrade their in-car entertainment system to something more modern.

Fortunately, adding a head unit compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto probably won’t affect your insurance premiums, but it’s still worth telling your insurer.

In some cases, a desirable head unit could increase the risk of vehicle break-in and therefore increase premiums.

If not informed, some insurers may not cover the cost of stolen or broken infotainment equipment if it differs from the standard equipment fitted to the vehicle.