Direct line has replied to this as follows: “Direct Line does not refuse car insurance solely on age or car modifications. A range of factors affect the amount you pay for your car insurance policy including; age, type of vehicle, mileage, type of use, modifications to the vehicle, gender, occupation, postcode, claims history and any driving convictions or penalty points. It is a combination of these factors that determines the insurance premium or whether or not we will underwrite the business. Generally, any modifications to a car that increase the performance, value or its desirability to a thief will attract increased premiums as they may raise the risk, value or likelihood of a claim. Insurers will not generally penalise a customer for modifications that make a car safer or lower the risk of damage or theft. Direct Line customers are asked to disclose all alterations to their car's standard specification, including optional extras. Whether or not these were undertaken by the manufacturer, it is essential we are made aware of any modifications as it enables us to provide a fair and true quote. Non-disclosure of this information may have an impact on any future claim. Young drivers are the most likely group to make a claim on their insurance. Research amongst Direct Line's three million customers has shown young males have the highest claim rate amongst all ages and sexes during the first three years of driving, jumping from just over a one in five claim rate as a provisional driver, to two in five in the first full year. Young females start from a lower position of just under one in five, increasing to just less than one in three in the first year, before dropping steadily for the next three years.”