You'd be mad to mod and not tell your insurer

Adding a new set of alloys to your Audi may seem like a quick and easy way to update your motor, but even small modifications could cause you motor insurance misery.

Tesco Car Insurance is urging drivers to inform their insurers of modifications made to their vehicles, as non-declared alterations could void policies in the event of a claim.

TV programmes such as Tim Westwood's Pimp My Ride UK, and a growing number of specialist car magazines and websites have sparked a passion for car modifications amongst motorists who love to lavish attention on their vehicles.

A recent survey by Tesco Car Insurance reveals that 15 per cent of drivers had modified their cars in some way. Results also showed that Norwich has the highest percentage of modified cars in the country (22 per cent). The result came as no surprise to Westwood who grew up in the region.

"It's easier now for kids to customise their rides, and it's popular up North. Pimp (modification) shops aren't doing so good because kids are self customizing. It's all about DIY - fitting your own sound system, adding more lights, body kits," says Westwood. "Loads more girls are getting involved too, capturing their own flavour, really getting into it. I'm not talking about girl racers, just girls that really love their cars."

Seemingly simple modifications such as kitting your car out with a non-standard in-car entertainment (I.C.E) system can make your motor more desirable to a thief and should be mentioned to your insurer. Protecting your investment by adding an alarm, immobiliser or tracker device can actually cut your car insurance premium. Westwood is as serious about making modifications as he is about securing them, with car security being a top priority in all of his cars. "I've never had anything stolen from a ride-but I'm very careful where I park. I don't randomly leave my car anywhere. I have alarms too, one that alerts me on my mobile if it's been tampered with. I'm not saying it will never happen, but I do a lot to protect my cars."

The Pimp My Ride show host says that out of the five cars he owns, his favourite is a 1966 Chevy Impala. "It is a two door super sport classic with a nine litre engine, fully restored and chromed out. It's the hottest whip in the country - a show stopper. You get noticed, not for a loud sound system but for the roaring engine. It's powerful, man."

Westwood also told Tesco Car Insurance that he's never crashed any of the five cars he owns, but three of his staff have, and he joked, "Yeah, they don't work with me anymore!"

Head of Tesco Car Insurance, Allan Burns comments, "It's great that more and more people are expressing themselves through their vehicles. What we are encouraging people to do is to let their insurance provider know what modifications have been made so that they have the right vehicle cover. What's more, by adequately securing their cars, modification enthusiasts can actually bring down their premiums leaving them with more cash to splash on the latest car styling accessories!"

Tesco Personal Finance always encourages customers to read their policy documents carefully, to fully understand exactly what they are covered for. Watch out for Pimp My Ride's charity show as Westwood and the team convert a police van as part of their campaign against knife crime, airing on MTV in the near future.