Insurance policies come with terms and conditions that both the insurer and the client have to abide by.
A breach of the conditions or terms signed by both parties could see the cancellation of an insurance policy by the insurer on the grounds of breach of contract.
Vehicle modifications are among the common reasons why insurers cancel insurance policies covering cars.
Much as you are the owner of a car, insurers do not allow unauthorized out-of-the-factory modifications as they are deemed to lower safety precaution standards and hence increase exposure to liability.
Listed below are some of the instances where a policy could be cancelled due to modifications to the car’s engine or exterior features.
Engine Tuning
Engine tuning is one of the popular after-market car modifications in the automotive industry.
It refers to a modification of a car’s engine with the intent of enhancing the engine’s power, acceleration and fuel efficiency.
Other motives for engine tuning include a desire to increase the horsepower of an engine and the speed of the vehicle.
Insurance firms have in the past decried that tuning complicates the process of determining the risk profile of a vehicle and subsequently affects the process of picking the right premiums.
The debate on whether engine tuning reduces the lifespan of a car has also been rife with some insurance hellbent on prohibiting clients from modifying their engines.
Fitting alloy Wheels
The automobile industry has evolved over time. Automakers have shifted from just focusing on the mobility of clients to innovating ways of enhancing the aesthetics of cars.
The use of alloy wheels in place of steel rims has been widespread as one of the ways to add aesthetic value to cars.
Alloy wheels are, however, weaker compared to steel rims which most manufacturers use in their assembly. Even worse, insurers are usually wary of alloy rims fitted in the aftermarket owing to the dangers posed by sub-standard alloys in the market and exposure to accidents.
Some insurance firms are keen to ensure that their clients use rims specified or fitted at the manufacturing point.
Height spacers
Height spacers refer to extensions used to increase the height of a vehicle.
They are mostly applied in areas known to have tough terrain, especially to vehicles with low ground clearance.
However, the idea of erecting height spacers is at times a turn-off to insurers. One of the disadvantages that have been advanced in the use of spacers is that they expose the car to a greater risk of accidents.
In addition, some insurers argue that tampering with the original height of a car tampers with the designed centre of gravity hence compromising the safety of a vehicle.
Donut wheels
Though the use of donut wheels is usually the last resort, insurers warn against their use, especially at top speeds.
Insurers also warn that driving for long distances using the spare wheels risks damaging other parts of a vehicle hence a major turn-off for any insurance company.
Spoilers
Spoilers refer to a device attached to a car to reduce air drag over the vehicle to reduce the effect of air pressure travelling over the vehicle’s body.
Whilst the functionality of the oilers is not in doubt, their safety is in question, especially those that are fitted in the aftermarket.
Thus, insurance companies steer clear of such vehicles at all costs.
