Performance
Changes that affect your car’s power, handling or braking - examples include:
Engine remapping or chipping
Turbocharging or supercharging
Exhaust system changes
Suspension changes
Uprated brakes
Modified car insurance
Compare modified car insurance.
What is modified car insurance?
Modified car insurance covers your car if you’ve had it altered in any way from its original manufacturer specification. It’s a standard car insurance policy but the premium factors in any changes that have been made to the vehicle, such as fitting alloy wheels.
When you get a quote through MoneySupermarket we’ll ask you whether your car has any modifications after you’ve confirmed your car registration, name and address.
What counts as a car modification?
There are several types of car modifications, which can affect your premium differently:
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Cosmetic
Changes primarily made to alter your car’s appearance - examples include:
Alloy wheels
Spoilers and body kits
Resprays or non-standard paintwork
Decals or stickers
Tinted windows
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Practical
Changes made for convenience, carrying equipment or accessibility - examples include:
Tow bars
Roof racks
Parking sensors
Hand controls
Altered pedals
Wheelchair lifts or ramps
Do I need to declare car modifications?
Yes. Tell your insurer about changes to your car so it can decide whether they affect your cover, price or policy terms. This includes modifications made by a previous owner that you know about. If you’re planning another change, contact your insurer before having the work done so you know whether it can continue to cover you.
MoneyHelper advises drivers to keep insurers up to date about changes to their car, specifically including modifications such as alloy wheels. If you leave out relevant information, your policy or a future claim could be affected.
Will my modifications be covered if I claim?
Not necessarily on a like-for-like basis. Declaring a modification means the insurer knows about the change when deciding whether to offer you cover, but policies can differ in how modified parts are repaired or replaced after a claim.
Some standard policies may replace damaged aftermarket parts with standard manufacturer parts. If replacing your modifications like-for-like matters to you, check the policy terms before buying. Specialist modified-car policies may offer this type of cover.
Are all car modifications legal?
No, a modification may be accepted by an insurer without automatically being legal for road use - for example, UK rules restrict how dark front windows can be tinted, while exhaust modifications must comply with noise rules. If you’re unsure whether a planned change is legal, check the relevant rules before having it fitted.
How will my modified car be valued if it’s written off?
If your car is written off, a standard policy will usually value it according to the policy terms and its market value, which may not fully reflect what you’ve spent on modifications.
If you’ve made extensive or valuable changes, check how the insurer will value the car before buying. Some specialist modified-car policies offer an agreed value, where the car’s value is set with the insurer in advance.
How can modifications affect car insurance?
Insurers assess modifications differently, but changes to your car can affect the risk they are being asked to cover.
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Performance
Changes to the engine, transmission or handling can affect how an insurer assesses the car
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Repair costs
Specialist or aftermarket parts may cost more to repair, replace or source after a claim
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Vehicle value
Some modifications can increase the value of the car or the parts fitted to it
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Theft and security
Some changes may make a car more attractive to thieves, while certain security upgrades may reduce risk
What does modified car insurance cover?
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What can modified car insurance cover?
Your car: Cover depends on the level of insurance you choose and the individual policy terms
Declared modifications: Your insurer can take accepted modifications into account when covering your vehicle
Third-party claims: Your policy can cover injury or damage you cause to other people or their property
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What might not be covered?
Undeclared modifications: Failing to tell your insurer about relevant changes could affect your policy or a future claim
Like-for-like replacement: Declaring an aftermarket part does not necessarily mean it will be replaced with the same modified part after a claim
The full value of your modifications: A standard market-value policy may not reflect everything you have spent on an extensively modified car. Agreed-value policies are designed for some unusual or modified vehicles but are not standard cover
Can I insure disability adaptations?
Yes. Adaptations made to help you drive or use your car can be insured, but you’ll need to tell your insurer about them just like other modifications.
MoneySuperMarket’s quote journey lets you declare adaptations including hand controls, altered pedals, wheelchair restraints and wheelchair lifts or ramps.
When comparing policies, also check whether specialist equipment or mobility aids are covered and what would happen if you needed a courtesy car.
A standard courtesy car may not have the adaptations you need. MoneySuperMarket’s dedicated disabled-driver guidance specifically recommends checking whether an appropriately adapted courtesy car is available.
Do I need specialist modified car insurance?
Not always. Some standard insurers cover cars with relatively straightforward modifications, while extensively customised or unusually valuable cars may be better suited to specialist cover. MoneySuperMarket does not currently compare specialist modified-car policies.
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Standard insurance with modifications cover
Better for cars with basic modifications accepted by standard insurers
Look out for how modified or aftermarket parts are repaired or replaced
Your insurer may offer standard policy valuation rather than agreed-value
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Specialist modified car insurance
Better for heavily modified, unusual or high-value cars
You may be able to get like-for-like cover for modified or aftermarket parts
You can also get agreed-value cover so your modified car is insured for the right amount
How much does modified car insurance cost?
The cost of modified car insurance varies by provider and policy type, and your premium will depend on your car, the modifications you’ve made and how each insurer assesses them.
Insurers will also consider the usual pricing factors, such as your age, location, driving history, annual mileage and previous claims. Because insurers can treat the same modification differently, comparing quotes can help you see how much your particular changes affect the cost of cover.
Is insurance more expensive for modified cars?
It can be. Some modifications can increase the cost of insurance if an insurer thinks they make your car more powerful, valuable, expensive to repair or attractive to thieves.
But not every modification will increase your premium. Practical, accessibility or security changes may have little effect, while some could potentially reduce the price depending on the insurer. The impact will depend on the modification and your individual circumstances.
How to get cheaper modified car insurance cover?
If you’ve had your car modified, you might want to consider the following to help balance the higher insurance costs:
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Paying annually
Paying your car insurance premiums annually usually works out cheaper than spreading the cost over 12 months
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Volunteering a higher excess
Paying a higher voluntary excess tells insurers you’re unlikely to bother with small claims that wouldn’t be worth the cost
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Build a no-claims discount
If you can go for over a year without claiming you’ll start to accumulate a no-claims discount on future premiums
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Reduce your mileage
The less time you spend on the road the lower your chances of being involved in an accident, so giving a lower estimated mileage can cut your premiums
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Consider pay-as-you-go:
Pay-as-you-go car insurance lets you pay for cover either by-the-mile, by-the-hour or based on your driving, and can be a cheaper alternative for some drivers
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Avoid auto-renewing
You might be able to find a cheaper deal on your car insurance if you compare quotes rather than auto renewing your policy
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Choose a specialist insurer
If you’ve made some modifications that significantly alter your car’s performance or value you might need to consider an insurance provider that specialises in modified cars rather than a standard insurer.
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Make safety or security upgrades
Not all modifications result in higher premiums. If you make upgrades, such as fitting a reversing camera or a Thatcham-approved alarm, you potentially reduce your level of risk which should reduce premiums.
What do I need to get a quote?
Getting a modified car insurance quote is easier if you have a few details ready. You’ll usually need:
Details about you: Your age, address, occupation and driving history
Details about your car: Its registration, mileage, value and how you use it
Your modifications: Any changes made to the car from its standard specification
The cover you want: You'll be able to choose from third-party, third-party fire and theft or comprehensive cover
Any extras you want: You can also add extras to your policy, such as breakdown cover, legal protection or courtesy car cover
Our expert says…
Our expert says...
Declaring a modification is only part of choosing the right policy. Check what would happen to the modified parts if you made a claim and how the insurer would value the car if it was written off. If you’ve spent heavily on modifications, those details can matter as much as the premium.
Sarah Tooze Car & Van Insurance Expert
Our recommended guides
Does age affect insurance for modified cars?
Car insurance is almost always more expensive for younger drivers, and this is true for modified cars too. Unfortunately for young drivers, they are associated with a higher claim risk due to their inexperience on the road – as a result, insurers charge higher premiums.
How to insure a car that was modified after its purchase?
If you’ve modified a car after purchasing it, you just need to inform your insurer of all the work that has been done to the car so they can factor it in when deciding your premiums.
What modifications can lower the cost of insurance?
Car safety and security measures are modifications which may lower the cost of insurance as they reduce risk for the insurer. For example:
A car alarm or an immobiliser: Could help prevent your car from being stolen
A vehicle tracking device: Could help the police to recover your car if it’s stolen
Parking sensors or a reversing camera: Could reduce the risk of a low speed manoeuvring accident
Before fitting any of this technology though it’s a good idea to speak to your insurer to check whether a reduction will be made and how much it will be.
Can you add modifications to your car mid policy term?
Yes, you can customise your vehicle whenever you choose, but you must notify your insurance company.
That’s because the existing insurance policy covers your car for its original condition. Once that is changed, the policy needs to be adjusted to suit or you risk invalidating the insurance.
Your insurer will decide how the modifications affect your premium.
Will I need specialist insurance for a modified car?
There are some cases where you may need a specialist modified car insurance policy.
Most minor, legal modifications can be covered by standard car insurance. However, some modifications can affect which insurance rating group your car fits into. This means that your cover may be more expensive or, in some cases, a modification could void your cover, especially if you fail to tell your provider about it.
If you have plans to make modifications to your car there are specialist policies available that will cover both big and small modifications with no hassle. These special policies are priced differently to standard car insurance and may have different terms so it's up to you to decide whether the cover is worth the cost.
At MoneySuperMarket, we do not offer quotes for specialist policies. However, we can find you quotes for car insurance providers that will cover existing modifications made to your car.
Do I need to tell my insurer if I add a tow bar?
Yes, you must inform your insurer if you fit a tow bar, even if it’s a removable one. If you don’t then you risk your insurer not paying out if you need to make a claim or your insurance being voided.
What happens if I don’t tell my insurer about car modifications?
If you don’t tell your insurer about car modifications then you risk:
Invalidating your policy: Your insurer has based your premium on the car in its original, unmodified condition
Rejected claims: Your insurer may refuse to pay out if you have an incident and they discover you had not informed them about a modification
Higher premiums: If your policy is cancelled you’re likely to face higher premiums when you next take out car insurance
Does a personalised number plate count as a car modification?
No, insurers don’t consider a personalised number plate a modification but you will still need to notify your insurer, and an admin fee may be charged to update your records.
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At MoneySuperMarket, we want to give you clear, accurate and trustworthy information so you can make confident financial decisions for your circumstances.
Every page on our website goes through a careful editorial process before it is published. It’s written or reviewed by one of our experienced experts, checked for accuracy, and updated regularly to reflect the latest information.
We do use AI tools to support our research and drafting, but a human editor is always in the loop to review, fact-check and approve everything before it’s published, so you can trust that what you’re reading is both reliable and up to date.
You can read more in our editorial guidelines.
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We get paid by the companies we work with, but the payment we get doesn’t have any bearing on the information we provide. We get paid in different ways, depending on the type of product or service you buy through us. Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible, but we only show results from our partner providers.
Our comparison service is, and will always be, free to use.
Why should I use a price comparison website?
One of the best ways to get the lowest prices and best deals is to compare quotes from different companies. We do the work for you, comparing quotes side-by-side and giving you all the information you need so you can choose the right deal for your needs and your wallet.
We don’t give recommendations or financial advice, but we give you clear information so you can choose financial products that suit your circumstances.
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No, not every company can be included in our service. This is because some companies don’t want their products included on comparison sites, and some decide that they would rather not pay a fee. There are also a few smaller providers who can struggle to cope with the volume of customers that can find their products if they appear on MoneySuperMarket.
Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible so that you can choose the deal that suits you.
Is car insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
Yes, you can earn SuperSaveClub rewards when you buy car insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
This includes:
Up to £15, which you can withdraw as a pre-paid Mastercard or a gift card for brands like Sainsbury's and Amazon.co.uk
Free Days Out pass (worth £180), which gives free entry to a range of UK attractions
Cashback of up to 10% when you spend at brands including eBay, Just Eat and Argos
To earn SuperSaveClub rewards on purchases you must:
Sign up to SuperSaveClub (it's free)
Be signed in to your account when you make the purchase
More information can be found on our SuperSaveClub homepage.
Is car insurance eligible for Price Promise?
Yes, car insurance is included in our Super Save Price Promise.
If you buy through us then find the same deal for less we will:
refund the difference
give you a gift card worth up to £15
Terms and conditions apply. More information can be found on our Price Promise page.
Reviewed on 2 Oct 2026 by
Sources and supporting information
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[1]
SuperSaveClub restrictions and T&Cs apply. Click here for details.
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[2]
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
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[3]
Accurate as of 02 October 2026.
