Factory fitted option - declare for ins renewal?
Discussion
Hello,
My car has two option packs fitted to it direct from the factory. When the insurer asks are there any mods to the car, do i declare these like i did last year? They are different colour wheels and a small boot spoiler. As it came from the factory like this, is it classed as standard?
Thanks
My car has two option packs fitted to it direct from the factory. When the insurer asks are there any mods to the car, do i declare these like i did last year? They are different colour wheels and a small boot spoiler. As it came from the factory like this, is it classed as standard?
Thanks
Just remember - when it comes to insurance if there are two possible answers to a question and one of them means they can charge you more money, then that is the correct answer 
When we had a BMW Mini we had to pay extra on the options even though they were factory fitted because they were not 'standard'. They must base their quotes on the bog basic no frills or options model.
When we had a BMW Mini we had to pay extra on the options even though they were factory fitted because they were not 'standard'. They must base their quotes on the bog basic no frills or options model.
I always read "modifications" to mean changes AFTER the car has been built. My current car has factory fitted options but I consider it "standard". Of course it was insured for the full invoice price when new and the invoice detailed the options that were bought.
A quick look through definitions on the net bought up this: "All changes to a vehicle are considered to be modifications. This includes things like replacement alloy wheels, bucket seats and steering wheels as well as the more obvious changes such as engine performance."
A quick look through definitions on the net bought up this: "All changes to a vehicle are considered to be modifications. This includes things like replacement alloy wheels, bucket seats and steering wheels as well as the more obvious changes such as engine performance."
Modifications are alterations done to the car after the new car sale regardless of whether it is you or a previous owner that has undertaken the alterations. An option is of course something taken when the new car was ordered and was put into/onto the car on the production line.
Interestingly, some insurers have now started to ask whether the car has any optional extras as well as modifications. I wonder why?
If the question is "Has the car been modified in any way?" The obvious answer is no. If the question is "Has the car any options fitted?" the answer is "yes" and possibly a premium uplift.
Having options on the car is unlikely to affect it's market value as options are worthless or worth less on the second hand market. Speccing options is a great way to throw your money away.
>> Edited by anniesdad on Wednesday 14th September 13:32
Interestingly, some insurers have now started to ask whether the car has any optional extras as well as modifications. I wonder why?
If the question is "Has the car been modified in any way?" The obvious answer is no. If the question is "Has the car any options fitted?" the answer is "yes" and possibly a premium uplift.
Having options on the car is unlikely to affect it's market value as options are worthless or worth less on the second hand market. Speccing options is a great way to throw your money away.
>> Edited by anniesdad on Wednesday 14th September 13:32
The type approval for the vehicle will include any or all options. These are homologated by the manufacturer, so they are not modifications.
The question on the insurance form used to be 'has the vehicle been modified from standard to increase its performance?' That may have changed, but listed options for that exact model, factory fitted, can never be described as modifications as they are part of the standard configuration as manufactured for that exact model. Even if you buy them yourself later from a dealer, so long as they were the exact same type of parts as you could have specified factory fitted from new, then the car is still standard.
This came from my insurabce broker.
The question on the insurance form used to be 'has the vehicle been modified from standard to increase its performance?' That may have changed, but listed options for that exact model, factory fitted, can never be described as modifications as they are part of the standard configuration as manufactured for that exact model. Even if you buy them yourself later from a dealer, so long as they were the exact same type of parts as you could have specified factory fitted from new, then the car is still standard.
This came from my insurabce broker.
Cooperman said:
This came from my insurabce broker.
And relates to his policies. As someone above says it depends on the questions asked. I think it was Tesco that refused to pay for someones options. They lost a car with leather and nice stereo option and got the money for a base spec car because the options were not declaired....
What happens to the poor sod who buys a second hand car that had lots of options on it? If the previous owner doesn't specifically list the options, how could one possibly declare them?
For example, my A4 has part leather seats. As far as I know (based on the dealer telling me) those seats were part of the standard kit on that car. How could I ever prove it either way in the case of a claim??
For example, my A4 has part leather seats. As far as I know (based on the dealer telling me) those seats were part of the standard kit on that car. How could I ever prove it either way in the case of a claim??
Munter said:
This came from my insurabce broker.
And relates to his policies. As someone above says it depends on the questions asked. I think it was Tesco that refused to pay for someones options. They lost a car with leather and nice stereo option and got the money for a base spec car because the options were not declaired....
AFAIK you don't have to volunteer any information that is not specificaly requested, i.e. if they ask "has the car been modified" they cannot later wriggle out of a claim due to manufacturers options.
miniman said:
What happens to the poor sod who buys a second hand car that had lots of options on it? If the previous owner doesn't specifically list the options, how could one possibly declare them?
For example, my A4 has part leather seats. As far as I know (based on the dealer telling me) those seats were part of the standard kit on that car. How could I ever prove it either way in the case of a claim??
What they'll say is if there are any material facts you feel you should disclose.....blah blah blah.
Personally I would act dumb (not actually hard in my case) and cross this bridge when I come to it. I would think that it would be extremely harsh (and suspect the financial ombudsman would also) if the insurers refused indemnity because of some part leather seats on a 10-15 year old car.
I mean for God's sake, what about the poor layman who knows absolutely jack all about cars and more specifically car specifications. Are they going to penalise him the same?
When I renewed my Insurance I neglected to let them know about the Privacy Tints that were added and were declared on a previous insurance with a different company. About a week later I got a letter stating that I had not declared them and they were raising my premium by £47 to include them.
anniesdad said:
I mean for God's sake, what about the poor layman who knows absolutely jack all about cars and more specifically car specifications. Are they going to penalise him the same?
My point entirely. Whilst many of us on here know exactly what options are on a 320dES vs a 320dSE, the vast majority of drivers just own "a car".
I was asked to list the options on my VX in addition to the mods, this made him run out of room on the little box he was filling up. Radio, mats, footrest etc... 
The P1 was more of a challenge as it's options were highly unlikely: Uprated gas-discharge driving lamps, uprated brakes, Prodrive backbox - all options on the P1 yet you try convincing an insurer of that....
Ben
>> Edited by Ratspants on Wednesday 14th September 16:29
The P1 was more of a challenge as it's options were highly unlikely: Uprated gas-discharge driving lamps, uprated brakes, Prodrive backbox - all options on the P1 yet you try convincing an insurer of that....
Ben
>> Edited by Ratspants on Wednesday 14th September 16:29
MR2Mike said:
AFAIK you don't have to volunteer any information that is not specificaly requested, i.e. if they ask "has the car been modified" they cannot later wriggle out of a claim due to manufacturers options.
I really wouldn't bet on it. The obligation is on you declare anything which might be relevant, which obviously gives the scumbag insurers a whole load of room to wriggle out of paying up. The basic rule is if you're not sure then declare it, unless you enjoy spending years and £££ in legal fees fighting your corner.
Declare it ALL - bore them to bloody tears if you have to. Do NOT give them any room for wriggling later (they will). Don't worry if they are manf. factory options - they rarely change the price of cover. Due to a very special deal from Vauxhall (new car 1/3rd of (of not off!!) the list price), we had ALL the options possible bar the sunroof. That added £4K to the list price but nothing at all to the premium (I had a quote without and when I then went ahead with cover and listed everything, the price stayed the same). They don't need to justify a reason for needing the info if a condition is that you declare all options.
Direct line won't accept letters (all by phone) and their info page on what they sent does not have space for all of our options, so I sent a letter anyway - recorded delivery. If they don't have a means to store letters that is their problem as far as I am concerned; I have done my bit both verbally and in writing. No, I don't trust them!
Direct line won't accept letters (all by phone) and their info page on what they sent does not have space for all of our options, so I sent a letter anyway - recorded delivery. If they don't have a means to store letters that is their problem as far as I am concerned; I have done my bit both verbally and in writing. No, I don't trust them!
miniman said:
I mean for God's sake, what about the poor layman who knows absolutely jack all about cars and more specifically car specifications. Are they going to penalise him the same?
My point entirely. Whilst many of us on here know exactly what options are on a 320dES vs a 320dSE, the vast majority of drivers just own "a car".
I agree here - if you did not order it new you won't know, but try your best and make it clear that to the best of your knowledge the remainder of the equipment was standard. If you state things as possible options that were actually standard, it should not make a difference - as previous post, factory options often don't anyway.
I phoned Bell yesterday as they junkmailed me; I thought I'd get a quote to compare.
After giving them my registration and personal details, then came the inevitable:-
- It's a Caterham Seven
- And are there any modifications?
- What do you mean by modifications?
- Alloy wheels, Metallic paint, anything you paid extra for.
- Yes, there are:-
- Assembly
- Paint
- Engine
- Wheels
- Gearbox
- ...
We decided that they wouldn't be able to offer me a quote in the end...
After giving them my registration and personal details, then came the inevitable:-
- It's a Caterham Seven
- And are there any modifications?
- What do you mean by modifications?
- Alloy wheels, Metallic paint, anything you paid extra for.
- Yes, there are:-
- Assembly
- Paint
- Engine
- Wheels
- Gearbox
- ...
We decided that they wouldn't be able to offer me a quote in the end...
nismo200sx said:
When I renewed my Insurance I neglected to let them know about the Privacy Tints that were added and were declared on a previous insurance with a different company. About a week later I got a letter stating that I had not declared them and they were raising my premium by £47 to include them.
Lol, £47 for tinted windows.
Where do they get these numbers from?
Fair enough if you claim if one is smashed, it'll cost them more to replace, but who would claim for a smashed window anyway?
Also, how do you know if second hand what the FULL options list was, or even what mods it's had, say inside the engine etc?
Strip the car and refer to blueprints for the engine spec?
Hmmm
Dave
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