Modified Insurance
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Compare Insurance for Modified Cars
What is modified car insurance?
Modified car insurance offers specialist protection for cars that have been customised or modified by their current or previous owners.
Standard car insurance providers might not be willing to take on the extra risk and expense of insuring modified cars. But comparing specialist UK providers who insure modified cars means you get peace of mind and financial support for repairs or replacements in the event of an accident.
Understanding what ‘modified’ means in vehicle insurance is key to staying properly insured. If you don’t declare existing or new modifications to your insurer, you risk invalidating your policy, and ultimately, driving uninsured.
What exactly does modified mean in car insurance?
When talking about car insurance, ‘modifications’ include any change that would differentiate your car from when it first left the manufacturer’s factory, including:
- Performance enhancements like engine swaps, turbochargers, or remapping.
- Aesthetic changes like alloy wheels, body kits, or custom paint jobs.
- Safety upgrades like roll cages, upgraded brakes, or immobilizers.
- Suspension modifications like coilovers, lowering springs, or air ride systems.
- Interior alterations like bucket seats, harnesses, or custom audio systems.
Advice from our experts
“Many motorists are aware of the fact that lowering their car’s suspension, adding a spoiler or enhancing the vehicle’s acceleration could result in higher car insurance premiums, but there are many vehicle modifications that could hike the cost of your insurance even though they may not enhance its performance. Adding a vehicle wrap, for instance, could result in higher insurance quotes, while adding tinted windows to your car can sometimes push the cost of insurance up too.”
Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk
How much is modified car insurance?
The cost of any insurance policy is calculated based on a range of factors specific to you, your car, and your insurance needs. So although modified car insurance costs are typically higher than standard car policies on average, the premium you pay will be based on more than just the car’s modifications. That’s why we suggest comparing personalised quotes. It is a quick and effective way to find out your personal modified insurance costs.
How much more is modified car insurance compared to standard policies?
Our latest data puts the average annual cost of UK car insurance at £770.78. This is based on a random sample of insurance policies, so will likely include some modified and non-standard premiums.
It’s fair to say that insurance for modified cars will typically be more expensive than standard car policies. This is mostly due to the increased value that new custom parts add, and the expense and difficulty in replacing them if needed.
So considering the value and availability of your modifications can give some guidance as to how much more you will pay for insurance.
Factors that influence the cost of insurance for a modified car
The type of modification – For example, modifications that enhance the power of your vehicle will likely make premiums higher. Alternatively, modifications that increase your car’s security could get you cheaper premiums.
Your vehicle’s overall value – If your car is completely written off or stolen, your insurer will likely cover your car up to its market value at the time of the accident. So if you have added expensive parts that drive up the car’s value, insurers have more to pay.
Your driving history – This includes how long you have been driving, if you have any past driving convictions, or if you have previously claimed on a car policy.
How you use the car – Your annual mileage and usage needs are also considered. If you have a low annual mileage you will probably pay less than someone who uses their car for business or racing purposes.
The insurance you choose – Both the coverage on your policy and the insurance provider you choose will impact costs.
For reference, the UK-wide average comprehensive car insurance premium is £579.52 in Q1 2026, down 9% year-on-year (Quotezone Car Insurance Price Index). Modified car insurance typically runs above this average because insurers price in the higher cost of replacement parts and the change in risk profile from performance modifications. The size of the loading varies considerably: aesthetic changes carry a smaller premium impact than mechanical performance modifications. Mainstream insurers often decline modified cars outright, which is why a comparison panel including specialist modified-car underwriters is usually the most cost-effective route to cover.
How to find cheap modified insurance
Choose coverage carefully
Additional coverage usually comes at extra costs, so consider your insurance needs fully before choosing what you want to include on your policy.
Pay your policy annually
Paying annually will usually save you money overall as monthly payments will include added interest.
Increase your excess
Choosing a higher voluntary excess is often rewarded by insurers with lower premiums. Just be sure you are comfortable paying the excess amount in the case of needing to claim.
Compare modified insurance quotes online
Online platforms like ours offer a fast and easy way to compare insurance quotes across multiple providers at once. We match your needs to policies that you can compare side by side.
How modifications affect your car insurance costs
Most performance-enhancing and aesthetic car modifications can indeed bump up the price of your insurance. More power means more speed, and in turn, increases the likelihood of accidents, as well as the severity of accidents when they do happen. Some vehicle modifications could even void your insurance in the UK. However, not all modifications will increase your insurance costs. Upgrading your car’s security systems could even reduce the cost of your premium in some cases. Adding advanced alarms, engine immobiliser or tracking could lower the risk of theft and make your car safer to insure.
What does modified car insurance cover?
Comprehensive modified car insurance
Comprehensive insurance provides a wide range of protection as standard. It will cover accidents affecting third parties and their property, as well as protection for your own car in an accident.
Third party only car insurance
Third party policies will only protect others and their vehicles or property. It will not help with the cost of replacing your car if it is lost in an accident or theft.
Third party theft and fire insurance
Third party theft and fire policies provide the same coverage as third party insurance. However, it also adds cover for your vehicle in the event of theft or fire.
Temporary modified insurance options
Temporary insurance for modified cars may be offered by some insurers. This could be a good option if you only drive the car a few days or months out of the year.
Popular policy add-ons for modified cars
You can increase the coverage on these policy options with add-ons. Popular options for modified car drivers include breakdown cover, legal expense cover, personal accident cover, or no bonus claims protection. Some insurers might also offer cover for track days.
How can I find the best modified insurance policy?
If you’re searching for the best insurance for a modified car, you’ll want to see as many personalised policies as possible. At Quotezone, we match you with insurance policies that meet the needs of you and your car.
Each insurer will set premiums slightly different, so you’ll be able to see which one can offer you a good deal for the coverage you need. Comparing what is included and excluded on the policy before you buy also helps you make informed choices when insuring your modified car.
At Quotezone, we work with over 130 trusted UK car insurers. With just a few minutes we give you a list of policies, starting with your cheapest option first so you don’t waste any time.
More modified car insurance questions answered
Will alloy wheels affect my car insurance?
Yes, alloy wheels almost always count as a modification that insurers want declared. The premium impact depends on whether the wheels are larger than standard (which affects handling and tyre wear) and whether they’re aftermarket high-performance brands. Standard-size aftermarket alloys typically add a modest amount to the premium with most insurers. Oversized rims (more than one inch larger than the original wheel diameter) can push premiums up further or limit which insurers will quote. Declare the wheels at quote stage, even if you bought the car already fitted with them.
Do remaps or ECU tunes affect car insurance?
Yes. ECU remaps and tunes are one of the modifications insurers treat most cautiously because they directly increase engine power and torque, which materially changes the risk profile. Many mainstream insurers will refuse to quote a remapped car at all, leaving specialist modified-car underwriters as the main option. Stage 1 tunes (typically a modest BHP gain) are easier to insure than stage 2 or stage 3 builds. Always declare any remap, including reversible flash tunes, because failure to disclose can invalidate the policy.
What is the difference between performance and aesthetic modifications for insurance?
Aesthetic modifications change how the car looks without changing how it drives (body kits, paintwork, decals, badge swaps, interior trim). Performance modifications change the car’s mechanical behaviour (engine remaps, exhaust, suspension, brakes, intake). Insurers usually price performance modifications more heavily because they affect the probability of an accident or a serious claim. Aesthetic modifications mainly affect the cost of repair or replacement parts in a claim, so the premium impact is smaller. Both types must be declared regardless of perceived impact.
Are body kits considered a modification by insurers?
Yes. Any change to the car’s external panels (front splitters, side skirts, rear diffusers, full body kits, wide-arch conversions) counts as a modification that insurers expect you to declare. Body kits affect the cost of repair after an accident because the replacement panels are typically custom or aftermarket rather than off-the-shelf parts. The premium increase is usually moderate compared with performance modifications, but failure to declare a body kit can invalidate the policy and result in a reduced or refused claim payout.
Does a tracker discount apply to modified cars?
Yes, in most cases. A Thatcham TQA-certified tracker (categories 5 or 6) is one of the most effective ways to bring a modified car insurance premium down. Tracker discounts typically run between 5% and 15% with mainstream insurers, and some specialist modified-car insurers require a tracker as a condition of cover on higher-value or performance-modified cars. Trackers also support vehicle recovery if a theft occurs, which is the underwriter’s main concern on modified cars where parts are attractive to organised vehicle crime.
Modified car insurance FAQs
How can I find the cheapest modified car insurance in the UK?
Do all insurers cover modified cars?
What is the best modified car insurance in the UK?
Can I insure my car after making modifications?
What happens if I don’t declare modifications to my insurer?
How can I accurately value my modified car?
Is modified car insurance more expensive for young drivers?
Declaring changes correctly is essential with a modified car. Our guide to how modifications affect car insurance covers what to tell your insurer, while whether colour and styling change the price and why premiums vary so much add useful context.
Reviewed by: Greg Wilson
Founder & Insurance Expert
Written by: Katie Gawley
Insurance Content Writer
Fact-checked by: Quotezone Editorial Team
This content follows our Editorial Guidelines
Last Updated: 9 March 2026
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