That’s the message from Swinton Insurance, who say that in the event of a claim not informing your insurer about some modifications could invalidate your motorcycle insurance policy.

So the message is tell your insurer about modifications and don’t risk invalidating your policy.

Contrary to what you might think, not all modifications will result in increased premiums.

Here are some modifications that are likely to increase your motorcycle insurance premiums:

• Exhausts, if they are performance enhancing
• Modifications to suspension and wheels
• Increasing engine capacity by more than 5%
• Nitrous oxide injection

Modifications that may have little or no impact on your motorcycle insurance premiums:

• Non-performance enhancing end-cans
• Crash bars
• Huggers
• Crash mushrooms
• Up-rated braking systems
• A five percent increase in engine capacity

Anthony Aronin, Head of Swinton Bikes, said: “Bikers planning on modifying their motorbikes should always notify their insurer prior to the modification so they know exactly how much it will impact on their bike insurance premium.”

Motorbikin comment:

Whilst I dislike dealing with insurance companies in the main as they tend to be more slippery, than a slippery thing, you never know when you might have to make a claim, so do yourself a favour and make sure you have told them everything and you’ll get paid out without a problem.

Do you always tell your insurance company about modifications to your motorcycle?  Let me know below: