Tow Bar and Insurance

[2cv]

I was surprised to read that having a tow bar fitted can invalidate insurance if it’s not notified. It would be interesting with a motorhome to know what other modifications could do this.

Drivers could be invalidating insurance by having a common car feature

One motorist has been left with a six-figure bill when his insurer refused to pay out on a claim and cancelled his policy because it had not been listed as a 'modification'.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[trevskoda]

Any mod is a escape route for ins co, i ask aib did they want pictures of my build and was told no so hay ho.

 

[mistericeman]

As above you have a duty to disclose material changes to a vehicle to your insurance company ....

Anything none standard from how it wss supplied is a escape route for your insurance company to reduce cover to 3rd party only if they choose to ....meaning you'll have a hell of a battle to recover any of your losses in the event of an accident.
And then a food chance they will come after you to recover the costs paid out to a 3rd party .

 

[Tim120]

Interesting point. I remember being asked "has your vehicle been modified", and thinking the whole thing is a modification, but didn't say that. I did reply that as I purchased used, I do not honestly know, they were happy with that. Later I enquired about a few modifications I was about to make, additional solar, upgraded solar controller and inverter, they were not interested in those.
Tongue in cheek I asked about wide wheels, flared arches etc, ah yes we would be interested, unlikely on a motorhome.
I guess if anyone might be concerned it's only a call, or better still an email for an answer.

 

[nabsim]

When I used to modify cars the insurance always wanted to know about anything you did to them. Loads of things didn't make any difference to the premium so it was safer to tell them everything

 

[RichardHelen262]

Mine came with a towbar already fitted, I had never thought of it as something to declare as a modification,
I am unlikely to use it for its intended purposes, but I have left it on as I see it as extra protection for the flimsy fibreglass rear end.
Guess I had better inform the insurance company

 

[wildebus]

When I had my self-builds I asked the Insurance Brokers (A-Plan generally) if they wanted details - as obviously virtually nothing was "standard" and was a modification.
The response was always to tell them about any vehicle mods that could affect performance but not interested in any camper-related modifications unless I thought they made a difference to the value of the vehicle (as opposed to the safety, which is the only reason an insurance company could legitimately claim insurance was invalidated).
(when I went for a policy with an agreed value, I listed all the 'value' modifications and took photographs but that was purely a requirement for valuations, not safety/performance).
There is not a single campervan or motorhome on the road that is still as it left the factory so if ANY undeclared mods invalidate the insurance, every one will be driving with no insurance.