Satellite navigation and other extras raise car insurance prices

Car insurance premiums increase when drivers add ‘optional’ extras to their vehicles, research carried out by MoneySupermarket, the price comparison website, have revealed.

Drivers with additions such as satellite navigation, hands-free phone kits, roll bars, and turbochargers will be faced with a higher insurance cost than if they had left their car unmodified.

At the moment, insurance premiums cost £440 on average, but including extras can result in drivers facing a premium four times higher than that, depending on what they add.

For example, if drivers add a turbocharger to their car in order to increase the engine’s power, then their insurance may increase by as much as £409. This price increase of 93 per cent (compared to if you paid the average premium cost) is the highest of all optional extras, with changes to the gear box coming second with a typical increase of £211.

It is very important that all drivers inform their insurer about any extras their cars have, or they may face ‘extremely serious’ consequences, especially if they happen to be involved in an accident.

“If you’re planning to modify your car, ring your insurer before you get the work done, and factor any premium increase into the cost of the work. Don’t wait until your policy comes up for renewal,” said MoneySupermarket’s Kevin Pratt.

The research also found that men are more likely to add turbochargers and other such upgrades to their cars, with women more likely to add safety modifications such as parking sensors. Safety modifications may actually lower car insurance premiums, so it is worth looking into when you get insurance.

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