Fitting a tow-bar invalidates insurance

[Ian Key]

An article in Auto Express says that if you don't tell your insurance company that you have a tow-bar fitted to your car they may cancel your insurance as it's classified as a modification.

Warning: your towbar could invalidate your car insurance | Auto Express

Drivers could be in hot water if they don’t declare if a towbar is fitted when buying car insurance

www.autoexpress.co.uk

 

[siteguru]

Seems eminently sensible? Unless the car came fitted as standard with a tow bar then it is a modification, so must be declared if the T&Cs state this.

 

[T1 Terry]

This sounds more like the insurance industry looking for any escape clause they can find to not pay out on a claim. Do the little plastic vents fitted each side to the front scope also have to be declared, that is a modification, as are floor mats, a dash mat, door sill scuff plates ..... the list goes on ..... modification usually refer to performance of handling modifications, like wider wheels, lowered ride height ......
There was a load of nonsense about bullbars on the front of cars at one stage here in Australia, they claim it was anything from a pedestrian hazard, like being thrown up in the air and into the windscreen was going to be safer than bouncing off the bullbar, neither were going to end in a good outcome, to changing the frontal crumple zone and making the vehicle less safe for the occupants, like having a 'roo come through the windscreen was safer .....

T1 Terry

 

[5teep]

Insurance companies have always been clear about modifications invalidating policies but check when buying. If your car is rated for towing and has places to fit a tow bar the insurance might be fine with it.

 

[siteguru]

Exactly - but they'll almost certainly want informing.

 

[Ian Key]

I think the main point was that when you click on the "more information" icon on the insurance for what qualifies as a modification tow-bars aren't listed but are classified as a modification..

 

[tsedge]

An article in Auto Express says that if you don't tell your insurance company that you have a tow-bar fitted to your car they may cancel your insurance as it's classified as a modification.

Warning: your towbar could invalidate your car insurance | Auto Express

Drivers could be in hot water if they don’t declare if a towbar is fitted when buying car insurance

www.autoexpress.co.uk

Anything undisclosed can potentially invalidate insurance. This has included in the past adding stickers to the back of your car - yes, really, some insurers class this as a "modification".

 

[David38]

When I was a caravaner I always told them but always they did not seem interested.
Be on the safe side and declare it.

 

[Stagger70]

An article in Auto Express says that if you don't tell your insurance company that you have a tow-bar fitted to your car they may cancel your insurance as it's classified as a modification.

Warning: your towbar could invalidate your car insurance | Auto Express

Drivers could be in hot water if they don’t declare if a towbar is fitted when buying car insurance

www.autoexpress.co.uk

I rang Admiral to let them know and they added it into my details, but did not charge any more.

 

[Alansurfer]

You should notify your insurance company of any changes even if they seem small- my insurance covers towing and any damage caused in a collision (most fully comp dose) but still best to check if additional towbar needs to be added to the policy.

 

[Alansurfer]

….as a side note: on custom builds I’ve done where I’ve fabricated a tow hitch to the chassis it’s never been a problem for insurance (or cost any extra).

 

[David38]

How did you get round the testing and approval that the DVLA require?

 

[Alansurfer]

How did you get round the testing and approval that the DVLA require?

It applies to selling a product, the product would need to be type approved for retail in order to be fitted to the intended vehicle. You can tow with any vehicle within the legal licensing weight limits - if not type approved by the manufacturer for towing then warranty issues could arise. You can pull a broken down car to safety for instance using the tow hooks or I can tow a trailer with my motorcycle (if I was crazy ). I fitted a towbar to my Nissan Leaf with an approved towbar for a Nissan Pulsar (it’s the same chassis)- no MOT issues as they don’t check other than if it’s secured properly and doesn’t obscure the number plate.
There are some issues when fabricating regarding chassis mods but these don’t normally effect things if it’s a bolt on or modified for safety reasons.
…again though notify your insurance provider to be sure as they can be fickle gits

 

[iamtonypink]

An article in Auto Express says that if you don't tell your insurance company that you have a tow-bar fitted to your car they may cancel your insurance as it's classified as a modification.

Warning: your towbar could invalidate your car insurance | Auto Express

Drivers could be in hot water if they don’t declare if a towbar is fitted when buying car insurance

www.autoexpress.co.uk

Hi all. I've just bought an MG5, 23 plate with 5300 on the clock for £17500!! On the back of this I've insured it of course. I'm with Allianz and they just ask for mods not including; disability aids, roof bars or towbars. I can't believe it cost me £918 to insure, and they were the cheapest...

 

[cjmillsnun]

An article in Auto Express says that if you don't tell your insurance company that you have a tow-bar fitted to your car they may cancel your insurance as it's classified as a modification.

Warning: your towbar could invalidate your car insurance | Auto Express

Drivers could be in hot water if they don’t declare if a towbar is fitted when buying car insurance

www.autoexpress.co.uk

It depends on the insurance company, but think about it this way. You're fixing something to the chassis that if hit in an accident will transmit forces in a different way to not having it fitted. It is going to take the brunt of the load. I had a Saab 9-5 written off because the chassis was twisted very slightly by it being hit on the towbar. It looked like minor damage initially but the body shop noticed the twist. I always tell the insurance if I have a towbar fitted. If they tell me not to worry about it, great but It's there on the call recording should it become an issue in the future.

 

[llangatwgnedd]

I had a bump with my MG3 Nav last year and made a claim with the insurance company LV.
They never asked me about my towbar.

These days towbars are not fitted to chassis, the metal bumper is removed and the towbar is fitted in this place.