insurance modifications?? HELP

[R1gtr]

With the black box you may have a problem as if the wheels and tyres are larger than standard it alters the gearing and speed of the vehicle, they will not be happy, explain on the phone and see what they say, your best bet is to say you have been offered alloys for peanuts and want to put them on.

[xRIEx]

24lemons said:

Where would Mr Bloggs stand if he had to claim for his car that he'd insured to the best of his knowledge as standard, but which was later found to have been modified?

The declaration on a statement of fact/proposal form usually (certainly used to) says "to the best of my knowledge and belief" which will cover someone who knows nothing about cars, or for a mod that they didn't check for and the seller didn't let them know about.

[wiliferus]

I suspect there is a part of them that associates aftermarket alloys with being a Barry wheel-spinning round McDs car park.... I know it's a stereotype, and the OP is trying to be honest, but early in your driving career insurance companies have pretty much got you over a barrel.

Also consider... If your car, when factory standard had steel wheels and hub caps, even sourcing a set of standard alloys could be seen as a modification in the event of a claim if they can trace the original spec... Which I suspect wouldn't be that hard!

Personally, I'd keep the car a boggo standard as possible for the first two years to keep insurance costs down, you'll reap the rewards eventually!

[The Moose]

Assuming the wheels and tyres are safe and of a good standard (I.E. an optional extra from a manufacturer), would it make much difference to the insurance companies? Ok - they won't take them into account with regards to a claim being made, but other than that, would they not pay out at all? I also can't see that they'd legally get away with persuing you for the third party element in the event of a claim as surely the wheels wouldn't have had an impact in the cause of the accident?

[xRIEx]

The Moose said:

would it make much difference to the insurance companies? Ok - they won't take them into account with regards to a claim being made, but other than that, would they not pay out at all?

Yes, if it is a material fact (a fact which would affect the premium or their decision to accept the risk).

The fact the wheels are different is not really the issue, no one is suggesting that aftermarket wheels are dangerous; all they care about is the statistics. If accident statistics indicate that cars with aftermarket wheels result in annual claims of £100,000,000 instead of £70,000,000, the insurers will load their premiums to take the extra risk into account.

This still (in itself) doesn't say why aftermarket wheels result in higher claims costs; I could speculate but I couldn't guarantee any of it (more statistical information would be needed). It is purely about the numbers and risks that insurers use to create their rating criteria.

[24lemons]

xRIEx said:

24lemons said:

Where would Mr Bloggs stand if he had to claim for his car that he'd insured to the best of his knowledge as standard, but which was later found to have been modified?

The declaration on a statement of fact/proposal form usually (certainly used to) says "to the best of my knowledge and belief" which will cover someone who knows nothing about cars, or for a mod that they didn't check for and the seller didn't let them know about.

Ok so what would happen if some scretty chav tries to argue that the car was "like that when I bought it" and pleaded complete ignorance to the modifications?

[Benbay001]

The Admiral group has been very kind to me. (almost 21y/o)

[aw51 121565]

xasman said:

Thanks for your help guys, iv been on every comparison site and put a quote with modified alloys and its just ridiculous price's coming up like £5000 but with standard alloys Its £1900! Not sure why insurance goes up that high for some alloys! But I'm just going to sell off my set and buy some of the standard alloys. Could anyone recommend sites or for some or is ebay or gumtree my best place to look?
Thanks again for your help

They don't want to insure you, it's called something like a "Go Away!" quote . One reason they will give (if they're feeling expansive) is that the 'nice' alloys make the car more attractive to thieves so it's more likely to go AWOL - or it might just be that the wheels themselves are more likely to go AWOL than standard wheels. Regardless, they don't want the risk and are politely telling you that .

As a poster just upthread from this post suggested, try Admiral - they seem to be giving good quotes for insurance for young drivers at the moment by a few accounts .

[xRIEx]

24lemons said:

xRIEx said:

24lemons said:

Where would Mr Bloggs stand if he had to claim for his car that he'd insured to the best of his knowledge as standard, but which was later found to have been modified?

The declaration on a statement of fact/proposal form usually (certainly used to) says "to the best of my knowledge and belief" which will cover someone who knows nothing about cars, or for a mod that they didn't check for and the seller didn't let them know about.

Ok so what would happen if some scretty chav tries to argue that the car was "like that when I bought it" and pleaded complete ignorance to the modifications?

I suppose it would have to proven beyond reasonable doubt that a reasonable person could not mistake the modified car for a standard car.

[LeeThr]

98elise said:

mclwanB said:

Try a quote from Adrian Flux- they often do not knab you too hard for mods

Not my experience. AF wanted to known the qualification of the person who fitted my exhaust! They were also 50% more expensive than The high street. There are a few other reasons I wouldn't use them, but name and shame rules mean I can't

Might be different now though.

I found them brilliant for my renewal this year. 206 GTi, 20 year old male 3 years NCB, everywhere I was looking standard car I was looking at between £900-£1100, phoned up Adrian flux 4000 miles extra a year and every last modification declared even down to silly little things and they quoted me £700 there & then. Guess who got my business.

[Nigel Worc's]

I hope this helps, it is what I was told by RSA. (this came about for me as BMWs have so many different wheel options).

IF it is speccable from new, it is standard.

So from that I'd assume if you could spec a brand new Clio, from the dealer, with type 182 wheels, or whatever they are, I'm not a Renault buff, then it is standard.

My 5 series had something like 42 different wheel options !

It is of course always best to ask your particular insurer.