Anything that is non-standard on your car, wasn't part of the car when originally manufactured and anything that is added or fitted to your car at a later date is known as a car 'modification'. Any modification that improves the performance of your car is considered high-risk (sporty body kit, bigger exhaust, spoilers etc), and the cost of your car insurance will rise as a result, so long as you tell the insurance companies that is. In some cases new and young drivers choose not to tell insurance companies and run the risk of a rocketing car insurance premium.

It is important to distinguish between modifications that improve the performance of the car and those that improve the security of the car. in the cases of new & young  drivers, modifications are done because of the look of the car. Car security devices such as immobilisers and extra locking devices (thatcham systems), although they are actually modifications, can actually lower the cost of your car insurance premium. You should consider adding recognised security devices if your car does not already have them.

Before modifying your car for performance reasons, you should carefully consider whether it will have an effect on your premium, It is very rare that it doiesn't have an effect on premiums. Insurers suggest that modifications should be kept to a minimum. Always tell your insurer about any modification to your car before you carry it out; your insurance may be invalid if you fail to inform them.In some cases in more recent cars, insurance companies actually go out (as part of their audits), and check modifiations and where the car in kept during the day etc.

Remember to be completely honest with your insurance provider;a modification during a road traffic collision can be the difference between an insurance pay out or not. Please see below some examples of modifications: 

Engine Replacement

Out of all the possible modifications to your car, engine replacement and modification has the largest affect on your premium.

Exhaust

Any modifications to the exhaust that is different from the original specifications will result in an increase in your premium. This is not saying that you can't hange your exhaust to a similiar exhaust. But anything that has an effect of performance, will affect insurance premiums.

Alloy Wheels

You may consider the addition of alloy wheels simply improves the look of your car. However, they too will increase the cost of your car insurance because they have the opportunity in some cases to be a victim of theft. Tell your insurer about the wheels and detail which ones they are and size including tyres.

So, modifications tend to mean an increase in insurance premium, so if you can, stay away. 

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