Tow bars and insurance companies

[Insight G40]

Having just fitted s tow bar, a post on a camping group I'm a member of has raised a point that I've never given any consideration.

Does a tow bar need to be declared to your insurance company?

There seems to be two schools of thought on the web, some say yes it must be declared, however some consider it to be part of a car, particularly if fitted from new.

There also seem to be a suggestion that some insurance companies see OEM optional extras as 'modifications', if not part of standard spec, which I found rather disconcerting.

Interested to see what the general consensus on here is, do I need to declare it, have you declared yours?

Makes me wonder if I need to declare my winter wheels, even though BMW OEM supplied for which I would have an ABE (Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis) authorisation to fit to a specific car required by the TÜV in Germany as originally fitted to the car.

[Richard137]

I told my insurance company about the towbar and they didn't care.
I also asked them about fitting winter wheels from Sept-Feb for Safety reasons and they had no problem after they looked it up.

[jaynana]

I always declare that I have a tow bar fitted.

No change to price usually.

[grumpywurzel]

Unfortunately any change to your car from when it left the production line is a mod in the eyes of the insurance companies, stuff like a non factory fitted tow bar shouldn't come with a charge, but if u do have to make a claim they will use every loop hole to get out of paying out. Best to disclose everything, no matter how daft,so u aren't left out of pocket tbh.

[jonsteele]

What he said, insurance is about taking your money and then finding a reason not to pay out in the event of a claim.

I can't see an approved tow bar making any difference. My insurers weren't bothered I was using winter wheels/tyres as long as they were the same size as the originals.


Sent from the dark side by the power of the force!!

[X5Sport]

It's a mod.  As above, must be declared.

[Steamyrotter]

I declare mine, no extra charges and am therefore covered for towing.

One thing to think of, and dont know if it is the same now, you will have to check the fine print..

If you have an accident and hence a claim when towing, ie reversed into someone with it, then are you insured?
It used to be if the trailer was connected to the car then the car insurance would protect, mainly in a 3rd party provision.
However if it detached then it hit someone you were not covered........

Ok a small trailer may not do much damage, but a twin axle caravan, or a large plant trailer is a different matter..
Yes they should have break away cables rigged to the brakes, but if it swung into oncoming traffic whilst stopping......  you get the picture!

Imagine then that your insurance company had no record of a towbar fitted and you can see exactly what hassles you are going to have, unless you have a very sympathetic insurance company....


So it is probably a lot simpler, and a lot less hassle to say, oh by the way I have a towbar fitted, during the renewal process, and in the (unlikely) event of an extra premium then up to you to assess the risk...



Personnally I am sticking with declaring it..
Oh and the caravan has its own insurance so is covered if it (hopefully will never) becomed detached from the car.

[Insight G40]

Cheers guys, call to insurers it is then.