Car insurance
Modified Car Insurance
cover for a car changed from the maker’s standard, from alloy wheels to engine and suspension work
Cover for a car changed from standard. Declaring every modification matters as much as the cover itself, as undeclared changes can affect a claim or cancel the policy.
- Performance and cosmetic changes
- Cover for the modifications themselves
- Specialist insurers
- FCA authorised and regulated
Quick answerModified car insurance covers a car that has been changed from the maker’s original specification, such as new wheels, body kits, engine tuning, suspension or interior changes. Changes need declaring, because modifications can affect the risk of theft, accidents and repair costs. Specialist insurers can cover the car and, on some policies, the value of the modifications. Enter your registration and UK providers can come back with quotes.
This page is about cars changed from standard. High-powered standard cars are on our performance car insurance page.
At a glance
Modified Car Cover, in Brief
Six things that decide how modified car insurance behaves, before any of the detail.
- Declare every change
- Performance, cosmetic and interior
- Performance changes
- Engine, exhaust and tuning
- Cosmetic changes
- Wheels, body kits and paint
- Value of modifications
- Whether the changes are covered
- Theft risk
- Modified cars can attract thieves
- Specialist insurers
- Who understand modified cars
The basics
What Is Modified Car Insurance?
Car insurance for a car changed from the maker’s standard. It covers the car at the usual levels, and some policies also cover the cost of the modifications.
Third-party cover
Injury to others and damage to their property.
Fire and theft
Your car if stolen or burnt out, on higher levels.
Accidental damage
Repairs to your car on comprehensive cover.
Modification cover
The value of declared changes, where included.
Like-for-like parts
Replacing modified parts, on some policies.
Specialist repairers
Repairers familiar with modified cars.
How it works
How Does Modified Car Insurance Work?
You list every modification, give details of the car and drivers, and specialist insurers price the car as it is now.
You describe the car
Registration, model, value, and a full list of changes from standard.
You describe the drivers
The main driver, anyone else named, licences, claims and any convictions.
You describe how it is used
Social, commuting or business use, and roughly how far you drive.
You choose the terms
The level of cover, the excess, any extras and how you pay.
What it covers
What Does Modified Car Insurance Cover?
The usual levels of car cover for the car as modified, with cover for the changes themselves on some policies.
| Section | Where it sits | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Injury and damage to others | Core | Included at every level |
| Fire and theft | Core on higher levels | Subject to security conditions |
| Accidental damage | Comprehensive | To the car as declared |
| Value of modifications | On some policies | Check any limit |
| Like-for-like replacement | On some policies | Or standard parts instead |
| Courtesy car | Often included | Usually a standard car |
| Track days | Usually excluded | Can be added on some policies |
Standard parts or like for like? Some policies only replace modified parts with standard ones. Check how modifications are valued and replaced.
Exclusions
What Modified Car Insurance Does Not Include
Cover can exclude undeclared modifications, track use, racing, wear and tear, and changes made after the policy started.
Undeclared modifications
Changes the insurer was not told about.
Track days and racing
Unless specifically covered.
Wear and tear
Worn parts and mechanical failure.
Keys left in the car
Theft with the keys in or on the car.
Undeclared drivers
Someone driving who is not named or allowed.
Modification value over the limit
Above any cap on the policy.
Types
Which Modifications Need Declaring?
Almost any change from the maker’s standard. If in doubt, declare it.
Engine and tuning
Remaps, turbos and intakes.
Suspension and brakes
Lowering kits and upgraded brakes.
Wheels and tyres
Alloys and non-standard sizes.
Body and paint
Body kits, spoilers, wraps and paint.
Interior
Seats, steering wheels and audio.
Adaptations
Changes for a disability, often treated differently.
An older car with period changes? See our classic car insurance page.
Who it suits
Who Modified Car Insurance Suits
Anyone driving a car that has been changed from the maker’s standard.
Performance fans
Tuned and upgraded cars.
Show car owners
Cosmetic and display builds.
Everyday modifiers
Wheels, tints and small changes.
Project builders
Cars being modified over time.
Buyers of modified cars
Changes made by a previous owner.
Adapted car drivers
Changes for accessibility.
Young driver with a modified car? See our young drivers car insurance page.
Modified or standard
Modified Car Cover vs a Standard Policy
A standard policy prices the car as it left the factory. Modified cover prices the car as it is now, with the changes declared.
| Modified cover | Standard policy | |
|---|---|---|
| Priced on | The car as modified | The standard car |
| Modifications | Declared and rated | Not expected |
| Parts cover | Can include modified parts | Standard parts |
| Insurers | Often specialist | Mainstream |
Bought a car already modified? Ask the seller for a list of changes, as you need to declare them even if you did not make them. See our excess guide for how claims are paid.
Cost
What Modified Car Insurance Is Priced On
The modifications, the car, the drivers, where it is kept, how it is used and the claims history. We do not print average premiums.
Why the changes matter
Performance changes can raise the accident risk, and visible changes can raise the theft risk.
Why the drivers matter too
Age, experience, claims and convictions for everyone named carry a lot of weight.
What the quote is rated on
The main factors
- ModificationsType and valueBase
- The carModel and groupRate
- DriversAge and historyRate
- PostcodeWhere it is keptRate
- No claims bonusClaim-free yearsAdjust
Security
Trackers and immobilisers can help.
Garage storage
Can help with higher-value builds.
Receipts
Support the value of changes.
The details
The Disclosure Details That Decide a Modified Car Claim
Modified car claims can turn on whether every change was declared. Four details come up again and again.
Declare every modification
Performance, cosmetic and interior, including changes made by a previous owner.
Tell the insurer before new changes
Or as soon as they are made, so the cover keeps up.
Keep receipts and photos
They support the value of the changes after a claim.
Check track day terms
Track use is usually excluded unless it is added.
Quote checklist
What You Will Be Asked for a Modified Car Quote
Six things shape the quote: the car, the modifications, the drivers, their history, how the car is used, and where it is kept.
The car
Registration, model and value.
The drivers
Everyone who will drive, and their licences.
Claims and convictions
Recent claims and any motoring convictions.
How it is used
Social, commuting or business, and mileage.
Where it is kept
Postcode and overnight parking.
The modifications
A full list of changes from standard.
Comparing
Checking Modified Car Quotes Side by Side
Four areas decide whether a policy suits your car: the cover, the excess, modification terms, and the wider terms.
The cover
- Level of cover and courtesy car
- Windscreen cover
- Driving other cars
The excess
- Compulsory excess
- Voluntary excess
- Windscreen excess
Modification terms
- Value of modifications
- Like-for-like replacement
- Track day options
Terms
- No claims bonus protection
- European driving
- Paying monthly or upfront
Check how modified parts are replaced. Some policies only pay for standard parts. Unfamiliar terms are explained in our plain English jargon guide.
Cutting costs
How to Reduce the Cost of Modified Car Insurance
The levers are security, storage, accurate disclosure and the excess. We publish no savings figures.
Fit security
Trackers and immobilisers can help.
Garage the car
Secure storage can help the terms.
Choose the excess deliberately
A higher voluntary excess is a lever, worth using only at a level you could pay.
Join an owners club
Some insurers recognise membership.
Set a realistic mileage
Lower mileage can help.
Compare specialist quotes
Specialist insurers price modifications differently.
Glossary
Modified Car Insurance Terms Explained
The words that come up most on a modified car insurance schedule.
- Modification
- Any change from the maker’s original specification.
- Remap
- A change to engine software to alter performance.
- Like for like
- Replacing a modified part with the same kind of part.
- Track day
- Driving on a race circuit, usually excluded.
- Adaptation
- A change made for accessibility.
- Main driver
- The person who drives the car most.
- Named driver
- Someone else allowed to drive the car under the policy.
- No claims bonus
- A discount built up through claim-free years.
- Compulsory excess
- The part of a claim the insurer sets that you pay.
- Voluntary excess
- An extra amount you choose to pay on a claim.
Why MyMoneyComparison.com
Why Compare Modified Car Insurance with MyMoneyComparison.com?
MyMoneyComparison.com is an FCA-authorised UK comparison service that introduces drivers to specialist brokers. We do not sell insurance and we do not give advice: the broker you choose arranges the policy. Using us is free.
One form, one car
Describe the car once, instead of repeating yourself to each broker.
Advice given
We are an introducer, not a broker. We do not sell policies and we do not recommend one insurer or product over another. Read our editorial policy.
Authorised and regulated
MyMoneyComparison.com Ltd appears on the FCA register under FRN 916241.
Incorporated
A UK company since 2013. FCA authorisation is separate and later; the register carries its date.
FAQs
Modified Car Insurance FAQs
Answers on declaring changes, performance, cosmetic work and values.
What is modified car insurance?
Car insurance for a car changed from the maker’s standard, from wheels and body kits to engine and suspension work. Specialist insurers price the car as it is, and some cover the modifications too.
What counts as a modification?
Almost any change from the original specification, including alloy wheels, tinted windows, body kits, engine remaps, suspension changes and interior upgrades. If in doubt, declare it.
Do I have to declare modifications?
Yes. Insurers ask about changes from standard, and undeclared modifications can lead to a claim being reduced or refused, or the policy being cancelled, even for an unrelated claim.
What if the car was modified before I bought it?
You still need to declare the changes. Ask the seller for a list, and check the car for non-standard parts before you ask for quotes.
Will modifications increase my premium?
They can, especially performance and visible changes. Some changes, such as approved security upgrades, may not raise the price, and a few can help the terms.
Are the modifications themselves covered?
Some policies cover the value of declared modifications, often up to a limit. Others only replace modified parts with standard ones, so check the wording.
Are cosmetic changes treated differently?
Insurers look at how each change affects the risk. Cosmetic changes can raise the theft risk, while performance changes can raise the accident risk, and both can raise repair costs.
Is an engine remap a modification?
Yes. A remap changes the engine’s performance and needs declaring. Keep details of the remap and who carried it out, as insurers can ask for them.
Are track days covered?
Usually not. Many car policies exclude track use. Some specialist insurers can add track day cover for a set number of days, usually with its own excess.
Do disability adaptations count?
Adaptations still need declaring, but insurers often treat them differently from performance or cosmetic changes. Tell the insurer about any adaptations so they are covered if damaged.
Can young drivers insure a modified car?
Often, yes, though it can cost more. Specialist insurers can quote, and fewer or milder modifications can help the price. Declare every change, however small.
Do I need to tell my insurer about new changes?
Yes, before or as soon as you make them. A change made mid-policy that is not declared could affect a claim, even one unrelated to the change.
What evidence helps?
Receipts, photos and details of who did the work help show the value of the changes and support a claim if parts are damaged or stolen.
Can a modified classic be insured?
Yes. Classic insurers can cover period or later modifications. Declare them in full, as they can affect the agreed value and the terms an insurer offers you.
Does security help?
Approved trackers, immobilisers and secure parking can help, especially for modified cars that attract thieves. Some insurers set security conditions for higher-value builds, so check them.
How do I compare modified car quotes?
Look beyond the price to how modifications are covered and replaced, any value limits, track day options, the total excess and any security conditions attached to the car.
Ready when you are
Get Quotes for Your Modified Car
Enter your registration and tell us about the drivers. UK providers can then come back with quotes. Free to use, with no obligation to buy.
- Modifications declared and covered
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About this page
This page explains UK modified Car Insurance: what it covers, what it leaves out, and how declaring every change decide a claim. It is general information rather than advice. Policies differ between insurers, so read your own documents and put the questions raised here to your insurer or broker.
How we approached this page
- Published UK modified car policy summaries
- Modification disclosure and valuation terms
- Financial Ombudsman material on motor insurance complaints
Legal & Regulatory Information:
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