YOUR insurance premiums could rocket if you opt for aftermarket car mods, it’s claimed.
Researchers looked at how 10 common modifications would affect the insurance costs of the UK’s 10 best-selling cars. And the Rivervale Leasing investigation found the alterations increased the average policy by a huge 81 per cent, while some voided insurance altogether.
Mods to the bodywork, engine and wheels were likely to bump up insurance costs by 153 per cent, while interior changes led to a 96 per cent hike and paintwork tweaks such as decals resulted in an 89 per cent jump.
Out of the UK’s 10 most popular cars, the Volkswagen Polo, was the most expensive to insure after modifications, with the average policy price jumping by 134 per cent.
That was closely followed by the Kia Sportage at 115 per cent and then the MINI on 110 per cent. But alterations to a Ford Kuga or Vauxhall Corsa would only put premiums up by 36 and 37 per cent respectively.
Rivervale Leasing warned that undeclared mods could void your insurance, while some are simply illegal, such as dark tinted windows, blue lights, oversized spoilers, noisy performance exhausts and hard-to-read number plates.
