Car Insurance5 min read27 April 2026
The Impact of Modifications on Car Insurance
Tinted windows, tow bars, aftermarket exhausts — what you must declare, and what voids your policy.
Any modification to your vehicle that changes its value, performance, or appearance generally needs to be declared to your insurer. Failing to declare can result in a reduced payout — or a refused claim.
Modifications that must be declared
- •Performance enhancements (exhausts, ECU tunes, suspension modifications)
- •Tow bars and roof racks (these affect the vehicle's risk profile)
- •Aftermarket audio and entertainment systems
- •Wheel and tyre upgrades
- •Body kits or exterior modifications
- •Disability aids and conversions
Modifications that are usually fine without declaring
- •Window tinting (in most policies, minor cosmetic changes are fine)
- •Floor mats and seat covers
- •Dash cameras (usually encouraged by insurers)
Specialist insurance for heavily modified vehicles
If your car is significantly modified, standard insurers may decline cover or offer it with heavy restrictions. Specialist insurers like Shannons, Enthusiast Motor Insurance, or Elders offer policies specifically designed for modified and classic vehicles.
Rule of thumb
If in doubt, declare it. The cost of disclosing a modification is usually small. The cost of a refused claim is not.
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