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Has anyone considered that by fitting a tow frame connection to the front of the car, it alters the effective crumple zone built into the vehicle. This could affect the vehicle occupants regarding injury compensation. The question asked on insurance applications, as to whether the vehicle has been modified or altered other than the manufactures specification could render you with no cover in the case of an accident? Anyone got any thoughts, it may be worth checking with your insurance company. 

Rgd's Graham.

A good point well made Graham....I am looking into it cheers!

Just phoned my insurance C.I.S.

They said that there was no extra charge, but if I had failed to inform them, then yes there may have been a problem.

As long as you tell them of any mods as they are made, they seem to be fine.

But Graham is quite right, if you are getting one fitted...tell the insurance!!

Well spotted Graham. We should all notify our insurers of any modifications done to a vehicle as pointed out they may cause you problems if you don't and the worst happens. You should also always inform them that you will be using the vehicle to tow and have fitted a towbar and electrics. I have heard of a chap who had his claim refused after an accident because he had not kept them up to date with the modifications to the vehicle.
Other things that should always be notified and changed on the V5 are changes to the engine and gearbox. Been a few of those who didn't been caught out as well.

Graham, such an intelligent sounding name too! Cheers Papa Pip aka Graham! (-;

I will stop bothering the insurance company when they stop making me sign disclaimers about modifications....without clarifying what modifications matter....and which do not!

Quote: Originally posted by vwalan on 31/5/2009

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dont forget roofracks, go faster stripes spotlights ,wind deflectors etc get real stop bothering the insurance companies ,no wonder they say no.or charge more if you ask the answer is 20pound. do they really care i dont think so .even changing your tyres could be a modification if the tread patern is different.

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Having fallen foul of insurers in the past and their Ah but that is not the spec of the vehicle clause, I will continue to contact them when 'structural' changes take place on any vehicle I own. 95% of the time they just make a note of it on your policy file and do not charge extra, having read through my insurance contract a towbar either on the front chassis or rear chassis is considered a structural change, as are engines, gearboxes and wheel sizes (not tyres unless on bigger or smaller rims). A roof rack is deemed to be a removable item and as such is not a structural change, however if you intend to fit a rack and have a permanent box, IE Wheelchair roofbox with motor drive, then that is notifiable as it is an alteration that comes under construction and use.

In the words of Leisurepower I too, "Will stop bothering the insurance company when they stop making me sign disclaimers about modifications....without clarifying what modifications matter....and which do not!"
They can AND will make use any excuse not to pay out if you have structurally modified your car or as I heard recently if you do not display legal number plates.

After all said and done they charge us enough for our premiums and it is our right to know exactly what they will cover and what they won't.

The main reason for insurance costs rising is due to the number of un-insured people driving around the country, with or without licences and MOT's. Something that I strongly advocate reporting to the Police on all occasions.

Lol Leisurepower, as you probably gathered I got stung a few times and it was not a nice feeling! Either mentally or financially! Once for amendments to the vehicle, added a towball on the front of a Landrover without permission! And twice I was hit by uninsured drivers. A very costly business! grr!

BTW saw a few Motorhomes towing cars at the weekend, couple on the A-frame type that originally started this thread and two on car trailers, the two on the trailers where vintage classics forom around the 30/40's Looked great! Sorry too late to take pictures, must set up the camera on the dashboard in future, (for the passenger to use of course!)

Feel free to e-mail me (see sig) and I will be happy to add information on the Car-a-tow to the details on my website re towing with a motorhome.
one thing I did hear from a towing motorhome owner was that some sites have the cheek to charge him for the car as an additional extra, whilst I could see the annoyance of this it also made me smile, after all if the car towed in the motorhome would that count as a caravan!  

Thanks again Papa Pip....E-mail is on its way to you...just having a nosy round your homepage.