Dealer fit upgrade = modified?
Discussion
Hey all, I've recently picked up a new to me car, which is a Cupra Formentor with the ABT pack. If you don't know, this was a Cupra supplied/Manufacturer backed pack which was added by dealers in the UK.
Essentially the pack includes;
An ECU piggy back box (up to 370ps)
Different wheels
Lowered suspension
Different exhaust
Different seats
Before collection I obviously insured the car, via the online comparisons, paid and that was that.
This is a TLDR of what happened next
I noticed the wording (or lack thereof re the kit)
I contacted the insurer before driving/collecting the car. (both live chat and phone call!)
I explained exactly what it was.
I offered the dealer's written confirmation/details of the kit
They told me that no separate declaration was required, "they get it all from the DVLA!"
My policy was then issued showing "Modifications: None.
This is a relatively rare kit, I think less than 200 of them came to our shores. I don't expect the first line folks to be privy to all vehicles but am I right to be a bit concerned. Since these dealer kits won't always show up on the DVLA. Should I ask them to confirm from their underwriting teams that this kit has been noted and added to my policy?
I don't want to be caught short (if the worst happens!)
I'm hoping this can all be cleared up quickly, I've given them full disclosure, but its my first 'modded' car so I don't know what I don't know. However, if they say they can't insure it anymore, do they cancel immediately and I get screwed with that flag or do they give me an opportunity to cancel myself and I find insurance via a specialist broker asap
Am I panicking over nothing?
Please Help
Essentially the pack includes;
An ECU piggy back box (up to 370ps)
Different wheels
Lowered suspension
Different exhaust
Different seats
Before collection I obviously insured the car, via the online comparisons, paid and that was that.
This is a TLDR of what happened next
I noticed the wording (or lack thereof re the kit)
I contacted the insurer before driving/collecting the car. (both live chat and phone call!)
I explained exactly what it was.
I offered the dealer's written confirmation/details of the kit
They told me that no separate declaration was required, "they get it all from the DVLA!"
My policy was then issued showing "Modifications: None.
This is a relatively rare kit, I think less than 200 of them came to our shores. I don't expect the first line folks to be privy to all vehicles but am I right to be a bit concerned. Since these dealer kits won't always show up on the DVLA. Should I ask them to confirm from their underwriting teams that this kit has been noted and added to my policy?
I don't want to be caught short (if the worst happens!)
I'm hoping this can all be cleared up quickly, I've given them full disclosure, but its my first 'modded' car so I don't know what I don't know. However, if they say they can't insure it anymore, do they cancel immediately and I get screwed with that flag or do they give me an opportunity to cancel myself and I find insurance via a specialist broker asap
Am I panicking over nothing?
Please Help
LeoSayer said:
What does your insurer's T&C say about what they class as a modification?
It essentially says that "Anything that changes the makers standard spec, or alters its performance, including cosmetic changes or no standard parts"Which is why I called them to confirm, I just don't want to take the 'It'll be fine" over the phone message from them.
Ed Boon II said:
I d want to see that mod declared and in black and white, don t forget that guy on here who had a tow bar fitted and didn t declare it.
Agreed.I'll call them tomorrow and try to somehow get through to underwriting to get a clear answer and in black and white. Thanks, Chaps
I was in a similar position when I had rear sensors fitted to my Focus. It was a Ford kit and actually an option on higher spec Foci (? ).
I declared it to the insurers and they weren’t concerned as it was a Ford option.
On the other hand I had an Alpine 5 disc CD player fitted to a previous Focus and only remembered it a week after renewal. Broker reported that he had to move the cover to another company as the one I was with would not accept anything other than factory spec (think I was well rid of them, sounds like an outfit which doesn’t pay claims until sued).
I declared it to the insurers and they weren’t concerned as it was a Ford option.
On the other hand I had an Alpine 5 disc CD player fitted to a previous Focus and only remembered it a week after renewal. Broker reported that he had to move the cover to another company as the one I was with would not accept anything other than factory spec (think I was well rid of them, sounds like an outfit which doesn’t pay claims until sued).
Some Insurers can be tolerant of a few mods. I'd argue the list quoted about goes way beyond that.
Normally most insurers ask something along the lines of: "Has the vehicle been modified from the manufacturers standard vehicle specification?"
Most are reasonable if you add floor mats, mudflaps etc etc.
Of course some like a Naval Insurer and a 1066 Battle Insurer are less tolerant and charge you an additional premium to cover the parts (so as not to void your insurance), but not actual replace the parts in the event of a loss (Standard Parts Replacement clauses). Oh and I've argue that some underwriters are less tolerant especially if they are based in Gibraltar.
Normally most insurers ask something along the lines of: "Has the vehicle been modified from the manufacturers standard vehicle specification?"
Most are reasonable if you add floor mats, mudflaps etc etc.
Of course some like a Naval Insurer and a 1066 Battle Insurer are less tolerant and charge you an additional premium to cover the parts (so as not to void your insurance), but not actual replace the parts in the event of a loss (Standard Parts Replacement clauses). Oh and I've argue that some underwriters are less tolerant especially if they are based in Gibraltar.
All 5 items would individually tick the modified box albeit as a dealer supplied pack arguably nothing fitted that isn't factory or dealer supplied.
To avoid worrying I would put your point to the Insurer ( not the comparison engine ) in an email and ask for confirmation that all is noted and hence the paperwork is or has been issued correctly as has the premium.
I wouldn't be relying on web chat even if you have saved it.
I'm sure all is ok but you don't want to find out there is an issue after any incident.
To avoid worrying I would put your point to the Insurer ( not the comparison engine ) in an email and ask for confirmation that all is noted and hence the paperwork is or has been issued correctly as has the premium.
I wouldn't be relying on web chat even if you have saved it.
I'm sure all is ok but you don't want to find out there is an issue after any incident.
Edited by alscar on Monday 3rd August 09:32
Thanks all for the input.
Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a way to email directly, the options are live chat or phone call (head of the navy insurance!) Both haven’t been that helpful to me.
I tried this morning again and I think I will need to go in and add these items individually one by one. I’m not sure how tolerant they will be to this
Are there any specialist insurance brokers any of you would recommend. I may try and secure something better before cancelling my current one? By better I mean full disclosure/coverage rather than cheaper.
Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a way to email directly, the options are live chat or phone call (head of the navy insurance!) Both haven’t been that helpful to me.
I tried this morning again and I think I will need to go in and add these items individually one by one. I’m not sure how tolerant they will be to this
Are there any specialist insurance brokers any of you would recommend. I may try and secure something better before cancelling my current one? By better I mean full disclosure/coverage rather than cheaper.
-crookedtail- said:
Thanks all for the input.
Unfortunately there doesn t seem to be a way to email directly, the options are live chat or phone call (head of the navy insurance!) Both haven t been that helpful to me.
I tried this morning again and I think I will need to go in and add these items individually one by one. I m not sure how tolerant they will be to this
Are there any specialist insurance brokers any of you would recommend. I may try and secure something better before cancelling my current one? By better I mean full disclosure/coverage rather than cheaper.
Ad*****have an on line contact page on their website.Unfortunately there doesn t seem to be a way to email directly, the options are live chat or phone call (head of the navy insurance!) Both haven t been that helpful to me.
I tried this morning again and I think I will need to go in and add these items individually one by one. I m not sure how tolerant they will be to this
Are there any specialist insurance brokers any of you would recommend. I may try and secure something better before cancelling my current one? By better I mean full disclosure/coverage rather than cheaper.
I assume you have access to your own portal page they offer ?
You could try the complaints email albeit be polite !
Or contact the CEO and ask him to have someone look into this as you are getting nowhere.
Telling them the mods one by one may not be the best idea now in terms of assuming they have issued the policy correctly based on what you told them originally it may well just cause more confusion ?
Cancelling may also not be the best option now as they will then no doubt take some extra fees from you.
The likes of Greenacres ,the old favourite Adrian Flux seem to get mentions although Keith Michaels may be a better bet in terms of brokers.
Usually any main stream Insurer is never going to be straightforward as dealing via a broker with mods or additional changes -anyone that answers the phones at mainstream is simply going to be a sales agent reading off a script with very little actual Insurance knowledge.
When I ordered a GR86, I opted to have the duckbill/tail (depending on your preference) spoiler supplied and fitted by the dealer I was collecting from. Toyota part, fitted by Toyota workshop.
I was explicitly told that as it was a dealer fit option then it had to be declared as a modification on my insurance.
I was explicitly told that as it was a dealer fit option then it had to be declared as a modification on my insurance.
-crookedtail- said:
Thanks all for the input.
Unfortunately there doesn t seem to be a way to email directly, the options are live chat or phone call (head of the navy insurance!) Both haven t been that helpful to me.
I tried this morning again and I think I will need to go in and add these items individually one by one. I m not sure how tolerant they will be to this
Are there any specialist insurance brokers any of you would recommend. I may try and secure something better before cancelling my current one? By better I mean full disclosure/coverage rather than cheaper.
Highly recommend Brentacre for modified insurance. I was with them for years and they were always well priced and you always speak to a human. Unfortunately there doesn t seem to be a way to email directly, the options are live chat or phone call (head of the navy insurance!) Both haven t been that helpful to me.
I tried this morning again and I think I will need to go in and add these items individually one by one. I m not sure how tolerant they will be to this
Are there any specialist insurance brokers any of you would recommend. I may try and secure something better before cancelling my current one? By better I mean full disclosure/coverage rather than cheaper.
It seems to me that with the ever increasing facility to "specify" what you want in/on a new made car direct from the manufacturer/dealer that there is no "specific" dealer/manufacturer standard issue, as in the old days when a even a heater was an optional extra, or when if a GT for example was ordered, all you got was that specific trim level.
So it maybe it is time for the insurance people to liase more with the manufacturer/dealer to be able to encompass all the variations/customed "specification's that are now available, for the DVLA is only interested in the excise duty they get for the vehicle.
So it maybe it is time for the insurance people to liase more with the manufacturer/dealer to be able to encompass all the variations/customed "specification's that are now available, for the DVLA is only interested in the excise duty they get for the vehicle.
Delahorney said:
When I ordered a GR86, I opted to have the duckbill/tail (depending on your preference) spoiler supplied and fitted by the dealer I was collecting from. Toyota part, fitted by Toyota workshop.
I was explicitly told that as it was a dealer fit option then it had to be declared as a modification on my insurance.
And would any subsequent owners know that it wasn’t a factory option? I was explicitly told that as it was a dealer fit option then it had to be declared as a modification on my insurance.
Dog Star said:
Delahorney said:
When I ordered a GR86, I opted to have the duckbill/tail (depending on your preference) spoiler supplied and fitted by the dealer I was collecting from. Toyota part, fitted by Toyota workshop.
I was explicitly told that as it was a dealer fit option then it had to be declared as a modification on my insurance.
And would any subsequent owners know that it wasn t a factory option? I was explicitly told that as it was a dealer fit option then it had to be declared as a modification on my insurance.
Delahorney said:
When I ordered a GR86, I opted to have the duckbill/tail (depending on your preference) spoiler supplied and fitted by the dealer I was collecting from. Toyota part, fitted by Toyota workshop.
I was explicitly told that as it was a dealer fit option then it had to be declared as a modification on my insurance.
As an ordinary buyer, spending from new, how would the buyer know (or care) where the spoiler was fitted? To most it’s just a manufacturer spec car.I was explicitly told that as it was a dealer fit option then it had to be declared as a modification on my insurance.
Drawweight said:
I wouldn t specify the upgrades individually. That s just looking for your policy to be refused.
I d say the dealer fitted the manufacturer supplied ABT pack and is this insured?
Get this in writing and you should be covered.
ThisI d say the dealer fitted the manufacturer supplied ABT pack and is this insured?
Get this in writing and you should be covered.
Do it through the online chat and download the transcript at least then its in writing unlike a phone call.
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