With TechArt it is about the engineering: engine power, suspension, brakes and aerodynamics, and those modifications affect the type approval and with it the rating group your car falls into.
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A premium indication, not personal advice. Prefer to talk it through? Call 072 - 509 24 56.
In brief
Where a cosmetic conversion mainly affects the repair costs, a technical conversion changes the risk class of the vehicle itself. An increase in engine power, a modified suspension or a different braking system means different performance from that on which the rating group of the base model is based. Insurers calculate with power and weight; if the car differs from that without it having been declared, the premium rests on incorrect information.
There is a formal track alongside it. Changes to power, suspension or exhaust can affect the approval of the vehicle. As long as the change has not been inspected and entered in the registration, the actual car differs from the registration document. When there is a claim that is the first thing an expert comes across, and it goes directly to the duty of disclosure in Article 7:928 of the Dutch Civil Code.
The third point is the line between damage and a defect. If a tuned engine or a modified transmission seizes, the question is whether that was a sudden event or an inherent defect; the latter is not insured. See also the car insurance and the explanation of comprehensive cover.
The structure of the cover in three parts, with an overview per situation below.
Compulsory
Third-party liability
Damage you cause to others.
Required by law
As long as the registration is in your name
Suspend the registration when not in use
Third-party liability plus
Third-party, fire and theft
Causes beyond your control.
Fire and storm
Theft
Windscreen damage
Comprehensive cover
Comprehensive
Including damage you cause yourself.
Own fault
Vandalism
Replacement-as-new period
What is covered
Situation
Third-party liability
Third-party, fire and theft
Comprehensive
Damage to the other party
Yes
Yes
Yes
Theft
No
Yes
Yes
Fire and storm
No
Yes
Yes
Damage you cause yourself
No
No
Yes
Wear and mechanical defects
No
No
No
Driving without a valid licence
No
No
No
This overview is general in nature and is not personal advice. What is actually covered, including exclusions, limits and the excess, is set out in the policy conditions and the insurance card (verzekeringskaart) of the insurer; you receive both before you take out cover. Taking out cover without advice? Then read what execution only means for you.
Where things go wrong in practice
Four points that make the difference between a policy that pays out and one that does not.
More power means a different rating group
The rating of a car follows from its power, weight and value. If the power is increased, the car belongs in a different group from the base model. If you do not declare that, the premium has been calculated on information that is wrong and the insurer can reduce or refuse payment on a claim under Article 7:930 of the Dutch Civil Code. Declare the modification on the application and, for a later conversion, immediately afterwards.
Inspection and registration come before the cover
Modifications to the drivetrain, suspension or exhaust may require inspection. As long as the change has not been assessed and processed, the vehicle differs from what is registered. An expert who comes across an uninspected engine modification after a claim reports that in the report. Keep the inspection certificate, the order form for the conversion and the specification of the parts fitted with your policy file, not in the car itself.
Damage or an inherent defect: where the argument arises
Own-damage cover pays for damage from a sudden event coming from outside. If a tuned engine fails, a modified suspension breaks or a clutch gives way, the insurer will first investigate whether there is an inherent defect or overloading. Those causes are not covered. In addition, the factory warranty on the modified components usually lapses. Ask what warranty the converter itself gives and record that agreement in writing.
What falls outside the cover
Circuit runs, training days and speed tests are excluded, even where it is a touring lap on a circuit. Wear to brakes, tyres and clutch is not damage but use. Changes that have not been declared or inspected are not insured. Loss of value after a repair is rarely paid, and intent or conscious recklessness falls away under Article 7:952 of the Dutch Civil Code.
What does your premium depend on?
The actual engine power after conversion — Determines the rating group; the power of the base model is no longer the yardstick.
Nature of the technical modifications — Suspension, brakes, transmission and exhaust each weigh differently in the assessment.
Inspection and registration — A change that has been inspected and processed is acceptable; one that has not often is not.
Valuation figure of the car with the package — The valuation records what has been fitted and at what value.
Circle of drivers and driving experience — Where power has been increased sharply, insurers set requirements as to age and experience.
Annual mileage, storage and excess — Limited use and a locked garage bring the rate down; the excess fine-tunes it.
Insurers weigh these details differently. That is why comparing pays off.
How we arrange it
You request a quoteWe take stock of your situation, your risk and your wishes.
We compareseveral insurers, on premium as well as conditions.
You receive a proposalWith an explanation of the differences and the exclusions.
We arrange the switchIncluding cancellation, so there is no gap in cover.
Customers rate our service on four aspects: personal service, service delivery, availability and the outcome. The reviews are collected and published by NH1816 and come from customers who have actually taken out a policy with Finass Advies B.V. or reported a claim.
Yes, always. The rating group of your car is derived from power and weight; if the power changes, the rating no longer fits. An undeclared change goes to the duty of disclosure in Article 7:928 of the Dutch Civil Code and can lead to a reduction or a refusal on a claim. Declare the modification with the converter's specification and, where applicable, the inspection certificate.
Is engine damage after tuning covered?
Usually not. Own-damage cover applies to damage from a sudden event coming from outside, not to an inherent defect, overloading or mechanical failure. If a tuned engine seizes, the expert first investigates the cause. If that points to the modification itself, a refusal follows. So look at the warranty the converter gives, because in this scenario that is your real route of recovery.
May I do a track day with this car?
You may drive, but you are not insured for it. Virtually all policies exclude taking part in training, speed runs and use on a circuit, including touring laps on a publicly accessible circuit. Damage to your own car and to third parties on the site falls outside it. If you do want to drive, separate temporary cover is needed; arrange that in advance and not on the day itself.
What if the modification has not yet been inspected?
Your car then differs from what is registered. On a claim the expert establishes that and the insurer can rely on the changed risk not having been declared. So have modifications requiring inspection assessed and processed before you go on the road, and send the evidence to your insurer so that it is recorded with the policy.
Finass Verzekert is a trading name of Finass Advies B.V. We advise on and arrange non-life insurance on the basis of an objective analysis of several insurers, and receive commission for this from the insurer, which is included in the premium. You pay no separate advice fee. Before you take out cover, we establish your wishes and needs.
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