Modifying and tinkering with your car can affect your insurance in South Africa
Celebrity UK chef Jamie Oliver recently showed off his ‘new kitchen’ – a mobile space created from a converted bespoke 4×4 Land Rover Discovery.
The “meals on wheels deluxe edition” includes butter churners on the wheels, a slow-cook dish warmed by the engine and a pull-out worktop as well as a toaster in the centre console, braai with an engine-powered rotisserie in the car grille and pasta maker, gas hob, herb garden, sink, fridge and transmission-controlled salt and pepper mill.
Oliver and Jaguar Land Rover created ‘the ultimate kitchen on four wheels’ to highlight the versatility of the recently launched Land Rover Discovery.
However, fans looking to emulate Oliver, or motor enthusiasts seeking modifications to their sound systems or engines for their vehicles, will need to consider the insurance implications.
This is according to AutoTrader CEO, George Mienie, who said that modifications to a car must be specified in the car insurance policy to be covered.
“That includes the factory-fitted extras added at the sale stage like mag wheels, a sunroof and electric windows if those features are not standard,” said Minnie.
While a full kitchen inside a car is strange, it is not unheard of for South Africans to have a safe installed into a vehicle.
This is according to Linda Mchardy, insurance broker at LA Metcalf and Associates, who said that it is possible to insure such unusual modifications – provided that they are detailed properly.
“All modification and accessories must be detailed on your policy, and one must make sure that the company that attends to the modifications/extras is approved,” she said.
Speaking to Arrive Alive, insurance company MiWay detailed how and why South African insurers consider both internal and external vehicle modifications.
“Modifications may impact the overall value of a vehicle, as well as the risk associated with the vehicle,” said MiWay.
“This is why we require such changes to be declared so that it can be taken into account and to calculate the correct premium.”
MiWay also indicated that certain modifications (such as chips used to enhance the speed of the vehicle) as well as undisclosed modifications, could lead to a claim failing entirely.
“If we would not have accepted the risk on the cover because of the modifications, then we will not pay the claim,” it said.
“The policy will be declared void and premium received would be refunded. If we were informed of the modifications and accepted the risk, then the claim will not be declined on the basis of the modifications.
“We specifically do not want to cover where enhancements were made to increase acceleration/speed.”
Read: South Africa’s best cars in 2017 – ranked by affordability
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