HGV drivers and haulage managers may choose to make certain modifications to their vehicles. You should tell your insurer about any modifications you make, as they may affect your commercial vehicle insurance. And in some cases, it may be best to get a dedicated custom truck insurance policy.
In this post we’ll explain what counts as a “custom truck”, before exploring the sort of modifications that may affect your insurance.
For more information on how we can help you and your fleet, get in touch with us on 020 8290 9099 or email us at commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
What is a Custom Truck?
A custom truck is any vehicle that’s been modified beyond the manufacturer’s original specifications.
This may include:
- Cosmetic modifications, including painted chassis, livery designs, alloy wheels, and chrome horns.
- Security and driver monitoring systems, including forward and rear facing camera systems, immobiliser upgrades, and security cages.
- Performance modifiers, including changes to the engine, tyres, or fuel tank.
- Power take-off modifications, to convert the truck to suit a specific purpose (such as construction).
Why Can Truck Modifications Affect Insurance?
Some truck modifications can:
- Affect the way a truck handles or performs.
- Affect the driver’s visibility which may make accidents more likely.
- Cosmetic modifications may make it more likely that thieves will target your truck.
- Many modifications would be costly or difficult to repair following an incident.
Modifications like those above could lead to higher insurance premiums, to cover this increased risk of accidents, increased cost and complexity of repairs.
What Modifications Would You Need to Declare to Your Insurance Company?
You should notify your insurer of any modifications you make to your vehicles. Not all of them will affect your insurance, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Your insurer may void your policy if they find you failed to declare a modification, and any claims you make may be rejected.
But in any case, these are the modifications that you will certainly need to declare:
- Performance modifications – Including any changes to the engine, brakes, fuel tank, suspension, or exhaust, along with the installation of turbo, supercharger, or PTO systems.
- Cosmetic modifications – Including changes to the lighting, window tinting, alloy wheels, and custom paint jobs or wraps.
- Safety and security modifications – Including upgrades to the immobiliser, locks, and alarm systems, along with the installation of security cages, tracking devices, front and rear facing cameras, and more.
- Operational modifications – You must also declare any commercial-specific modifications, including changes to the vehicle’s signage and branding, the installation of cranes or lifting equipment, and the installation of specialist storage systems including refrigeration units.
When Do You Need Custom Truck Insurance?
If you’ve made significant modifications to a vehicle, then you might consider getting a dedicated custom truck insurance policy.
With a custom truck policy, your insurer will take into account the possible increased risk of theft or an accident, and the potentially higher costs of repairs. They will then give you the cover you need at the best possible price, which may prove more cost-effective overall.
Our commercial vehicle specialists can advise you on whether you’d be best getting a standard commercial insurance policy, or a dedicated custom truck insurance policy. For more information, call us on 020 8290 9099 or email us at commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
Don’t Compromise Your Commercial Vehicle Insurance
As we mentioned above, if you fail to declare truck modifications you risk voiding your insurance policy. And there are severe penalties for anyone who drives without valid insurance.
Steve Blackmore, Director at Anthony Jones says:
“The bad news is that many modifications will raise the price of your commercial vehicle cover. On the other hand, some modifications may serve to lower the cost of your commercial insurance.
“Security enhancements could help deter thieves, while driver monitoring or safety systems could contribute to your wider risk assessment strategy. If you can evidence your risk management process to your insurers, it may lead to lower premiums.”
At Anthony Jones, our commercial vehicle experts can advise you on how any planned or existing modifications may affect your cover. We can also show you how to evidence certain modifications in order to make savings on your insurance.
For more information on how we can help you and your fleet, get in touch with us on 020 8290 9099 or email us at commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
