Modifications and insurance

[al & chris]

Looked at lots of info on here re modifications and insurance. What classes as a modification. A removable cupboard that is in van some of the time but put in place of one of rear slide seats? No sink or cooker so van is not a camper. A wind out awning? Tow bar? Bike rack? Roof bars? And then of course tyres 215s all round. It's all a bit confusing to me
Just looked on mot testing site and below is what is tested on tyres and wheels.
tyres and wheels: condition, security, tyre size/type and tread depth. Spare wheels and tyres are not inspected. Note: vehicles first used on or after 1 January 2012 - check of the MIL for Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

[roosmith]

What is classed as a modification will be down to your own insurance company. Someone like Adrian Flux, who specialise in "odd" vehicles, don't bat and eyelid at most things (although you have to list them).

What is tested on the MOT is completely separate and nothing to do with insurance (although of course you will need an MOT for your insurance to be valid!)

[rita]

If in doubt contact your Insurance Company Not the Broker/Agent.

Although modified cars are treated differently by many insurance companies there are still a few generalisations that appear common to all. One of these is the point at which a car is deemed modified. Generally speaking it is when changes have taken place that alter it from its original factory configuration. This does appear to leave little room for doing any modifications at all without it affecting your insurance, and strictly speaking this is very true.

Contact the Insurance Company.....

[winchman]

Having owned so radically modified but road legal off road vehicles in the past, I always read a list of any mods that it didn't leave the factory with and post a hard copy.
I have never had any issues.
Current Bongo has Larger wheels and tyres, full length roof rack and box, kitchen in boot additional engine temp monitoring equipment.
I use Flux and had no issues

[al & chris]

At the moment with lifesure and insurer I notice is Highway motor policies. Is this now the same insurers adrian flux uses. In the past we have been with Zurich amongst others with lifesure

[Simon Jones]

According to my insurers, a modification is any material changes from when it was manufactured & that would even mean that fitting a sticker on the rear window would count as a modification. If you tell them all the non-standard things & then let them decide. In my case, didn't impact the premium at all even though there are £2000+ of extras listed on my policy.

[roosmith]

At the moment with lifesure and insurer I notice is Highway motor policies. Is this now the same insurers adrian flux uses. In the past we have been with Zurich amongst others with lifesure

Highways is part of Liverpool and Victoria, so yes, used by many brokers. I've been with them before through Adrian Flux

[cmm303]

Many Bongos have same size tyres all round and I bet few new owners, me included, realised that was a deviation from manufacturers spec and worthy of notification to insurers. Ouch, I wonder how many insured bongos don't have cover!