Released on: March 27, 2008, 5:50 am

Press Release Author: Confused.com

Industry: Internet & Online

Press Release Summary: Car modifications can increase insurance premiums by a
whopping 139% - or £545 - finds Confused.com, the UK's leading car insurance
comparison service.

Press Release Body: Research from Confused.com found that quotes for cars with and
without modifications could differ by up to £1026.42 - or 182% - based on a 20 year
old male driving a VW Golf 1.5l, with no claims or convictions.[1] Typical
modifications include spoilers, alloy wheels, tinted windows, lower suspension and
strip under-lighting.



Will Thomas, head of car insurance at
Confused.com, said:

"As car modifications become more popular with young drivers, it is important that
they are made aware of the ensuing cost of car insurance. Adding spoilers and tinted
windows, for example, can not only dramatically increase car insurance premiums, but
they can render car insurance void in some
instances, especially when the driver fails to inform the insurer of any changes.



"It also needs to be considered that adding modifications to your vehicle can
greatly depreciate its value when selling it on. If drivers must modify their cars,
we urge our customers to shop around before committing to one insurer."



-ENDS-



Visit www.confused.com for the chance to win £1 million tax free




Notes to editors

Statistics table

INSURER PRICE WITH MODS £ DIFFERENCE PERCENTAGE

Elephant £1244.75 £1463.15 £218.40 118%

Admiral £1281.50 £1506.20 £224.70 118%

Endsleigh £1397.82 £1629.36 £231.54 117%

Quinn £1612.34 £1692.95 £80.61 104%

Yes £1349.43 £2106.31 £756.88 156%

Auto Trader £1380.92 £2137.80 £756.88 156%

Budget £1380.92 £2137.80 £756.88 156%

Ibuyeco £1313.17 £2139.94 £826.77 163%

Dial Direct £1422.34 £2201.94 £779.60 155%

Post Office £1449.37 £2271.17 £821.80 157%

AVERAGE £1,383.25 £1,928.66 £545.40 139%



About Confused.com:

Confused.com is one of the UK's biggest and most popular price comparison services.
Launched in 2002, it dominates the car insurance aggregator market and generates
around one million quotes per month. It has expanded its range of comparison
products over the last couple of years to include home insurance, travel insurance,
pet insurance, van insurance, motorbike insurance, breakdown cover and energy, as
well as financial services products including credit cards, loans, mortgages and
life insurance.



Confused.com is not a supplier, insurance company or broker. It provides its
customers with a free, wholly objective comparison service to help with their
decision making. Using cutting-edge technology, Confused.com has developed a series
of intelligent web-based solutions that evaluate a number of risk factors to help
customers search, buy and apply for whichever product or policy best matches their
individual needs. Prices quoted on Confused.com are the same, or cheaper, than going
to the insurer direct. Confused.com's service is based on the most up to date
information provided by UK suppliers and industry regulators.



Confused.com is regulated by the FSA.



Web Site: http://www.confused.com

Contact Details:
For further information please contact:

Jennifer Rose / Caroline Spindlove Confused.com
02920 434398 / 02920 434393

Gug Kyriacou/ Joanna Harte/ Liz Leach Polhill Communications 020 7655
0550