If I add a wheelchair hoist onto my boot, do I need to tell my insurer?

I am thinking about having a small light weight wheelchair hoist fitted in the boot of my car. Do I inform my insurance company? I'm led to believe that the insurance company will view this as an adaption to the vehicle and will increase my insurance premium. I see this as a disability aid rather than adaption, it is not a permanent fixture and it is bolted to the base and side of the boot and can easily be removed if no longer required. There is no way it will affect the performance of the vehicle and I do not see any safety issues with such. What do you think?

Asked on 6 December 2017 by Geoff Simpson

Answered by Honest John

If you reversed into something and damaged the hoist in your boot, would you expect your insurer to cover it? That is your answer, if you adapt your vehicle in any way then you need to notify your insurer. Always advise them, inform them that it may well be breaching the Disability Discrimination Act for them to load a premium on, as it is a "necessary" adaptation. You may not be successful, but worth a try.

Tags: insurance modifications wheelchairs increased premium

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