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Small Modifications Like Football Stickers Could Affect Your Car's Insurance

Small Modifications Like Football Stickers Could Affect Your Car's Insurance

According to AutoExpress, if you’re in doubt, the best thing to do is tell your insurer

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

You'd probably assume something as unobtrusive as a football sticker on your car's rear window would never cause an issue with your insurance - it's hardly like they obscure your vision or anything, right?

But you might be surprised to learn that such seemingly small modifications could actually affect your car's insurance premium, according to new research.

Weekly motoring magazine AutoExpress teamed up with the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) and Ageas insurance for an interesting investigation into car modification, and its effects on your insurance premium.

AutoExpress warned that even an 'innocuous' addition like a football sticker could pose an issue, as its connotations could make you more of a target than you realise.

The investigation found even car stickers could make your car more of a target.
PA

The car news title said: "Putting a football club sticker on your rear window seems like an innocuous addition (unless you're a fan of a rival club), but advertising club allegiances or adding stickers that make political statements could make your car a target for vandals who don't share your tastes.

"Keep your opinions to yourself, or be prepared to share them with your insurer first."

Hugo Griffiths, AutoExpress Consumer Editor, added: "While some additions to your car are obvious candidates for telling your insurer about, many motorists will be surprised by the strict definition of modification, and how even a sticker in the back window could void your policy."

So we know that something as seemingly inoffensive as a football sticker could affect insurance, but how do we find out if that applies to your vehicle and policy?

According to AutoExpress, if you're in doubt, the best thing to do is tell your insurer.

These might be better off on the fridge.
PA

All firms are different, and unhelpfully many have varying definitions of what 'modifications' are.

Some consider the car modified if it 'has been changed in any way since it was first supplied by the vehicle manufacturer'.

Others, meanwhile, deem even factory-fitted options to be medications, including optional extras that don't come with a car's standard specification, or anything that improves its value, performance, appearance or attractiveness - all of which might make it more of a target to thieves.

BIBA said: "Some treat locking wheel nuts or a roof rack as a modification that must be referred, others don't.

"If in doubt, always err on the side of caution and tell your insurer."

The other option, of course, is to avoid such grey areas altogether and to pop that football sticker on your fridge, instead.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, News, Cars