modifications..
Discussion
hello, im a new driver and i have a few modifications on my car, bucket seats, coilovers, air filter and i was wondering if i need to declare all mods or is it just performance enhancing mods? if i need to declare them all does anyone have any good insurance companies that don't rip you off?
ryanlally said:
hello, im a new driver and i have a few modifications on my car, bucket seats, coilovers, air filter and i was wondering if i need to declare all mods or is it just performance enhancing mods? if i need to declare them all does anyone have any good insurance companies that don't rip you off?
Presumably you already have insurance all be it potentially void as you haven't declared the modifications. Your first port of call should be your existing insurer.Based on their reaction you will then know if you need to find an insurer more sympathetic toward modified cars.
As with what others have said - run it by your insurer as an immediate action.
My understanding, with a lot more modifications
, is that any deviation from the standard spec on the car 'should' be declared. Loon is probably the bloke to give a definitive answer, though.
ETA - As to who to go to - I used Adrian Flux, whose quote was about the same price as my previous insurer with no modifications declared - althoguh that was with an owner's club forum discount too.
My understanding, with a lot more modifications
, is that any deviation from the standard spec on the car 'should' be declared. Loon is probably the bloke to give a definitive answer, though.ETA - As to who to go to - I used Adrian Flux, whose quote was about the same price as my previous insurer with no modifications declared - althoguh that was with an owner's club forum discount too.
ryanlally said:
so could the police stop you in the street if you dont declare them? could you get into trouble that way?
Unlikely that would happen but if you were stopped for some other reason I could imagine them posing the question if the mods are obvious and they're feeling like digging - pretty sure I've seen that happen on Traffic Cops or some similar type of show.Bottom line is the stuff you've mentioned is stuff you should be running past them - I once queried if it would make any difference if I had my (factory) wheels refurbished in black rather than silver - sixty quid more please
Winky151 said:
Its your risk if you don't declare everything but there have been cases reported on PH of insurance companies not paying out due to de-badging or additional stickers.
Along with many many reports of speeding tickets for less than the ACPO prosecution guidelines, which no one is ever able to substantiate. Modifications like this are an absolute definite to declare. Google Anne Bissmire and her story of woe after failing to declare the modifications, along with some fronting.
The police could quite easily stop you if they feel they have reason to and have the information to check whether mods have been declared if they want to. If they've not then a quick call to your insurer to confirm and they'll take your car at the roadside.
The police could quite easily stop you if they feel they have reason to and have the information to check whether mods have been declared if they want to. If they've not then a quick call to your insurer to confirm and they'll take your car at the roadside.
All and every modification should be declared OP. It's better paying £XXX more a year for insurance than having your insurance declined in the unfortunate event of an issue.
Also, it'll make you feel happy (sounds weird but true) knowing that your car is properly insured.
One thing to bear in mind... A lot of companies will insure your car with modifications however will not cover the value of the modifications in the event of damage and/or complete loss e.g. if you write your £10,000 car off, the insurance won't pay for the £2,000 worth of modifications you have fitted. This is the case with my insurance and I believe many others.
Also, it'll make you feel happy (sounds weird but true) knowing that your car is properly insured.
One thing to bear in mind... A lot of companies will insure your car with modifications however will not cover the value of the modifications in the event of damage and/or complete loss e.g. if you write your £10,000 car off, the insurance won't pay for the £2,000 worth of modifications you have fitted. This is the case with my insurance and I believe many others.
MrBarry123 said:
All and every modification should be declared OP. It's better paying £XXX more a year for insurance than having your insurance declined in the unfortunate event of an issue.
Also, it'll make you feel happy (sounds weird but true) knowing that your car is properly insured.
One thing to bear in mind... A lot of companies will insure your car with modifications however will not cover the value of the modifications in the event of damage and/or complete loss e.g. if you write your £10,000 car off, the insurance won't pay for the £2,000 worth of modifications you have fitted. This is the case with my insurance and I believe many others.
You believe wrong. Also, it'll make you feel happy (sounds weird but true) knowing that your car is properly insured.
One thing to bear in mind... A lot of companies will insure your car with modifications however will not cover the value of the modifications in the event of damage and/or complete loss e.g. if you write your £10,000 car off, the insurance won't pay for the £2,000 worth of modifications you have fitted. This is the case with my insurance and I believe many others.
Many may choose not to offer cover. Many will offer cover.
Many will cover the cost of replacement in the event of an accident / total loss, a few won't.
LoonR1 said:
MrBarry123 said:
All and every modification should be declared OP. It's better paying £XXX more a year for insurance than having your insurance declined in the unfortunate event of an issue.
Also, it'll make you feel happy (sounds weird but true) knowing that your car is properly insured.
One thing to bear in mind... A lot of companies will insure your car with modifications however will not cover the value of the modifications in the event of damage and/or complete loss e.g. if you write your £10,000 car off, the insurance won't pay for the £2,000 worth of modifications you have fitted. This is the case with my insurance and I believe many others.
You believe wrong. Also, it'll make you feel happy (sounds weird but true) knowing that your car is properly insured.
One thing to bear in mind... A lot of companies will insure your car with modifications however will not cover the value of the modifications in the event of damage and/or complete loss e.g. if you write your £10,000 car off, the insurance won't pay for the £2,000 worth of modifications you have fitted. This is the case with my insurance and I believe many others.
Many may choose not to offer cover. Many will offer cover.
Many will cover the cost of replacement in the event of an accident / total loss, a few won't.
Given the OP is 17, my situation is probably far more applicable, and likely what he'll come across, than the "many" you mention.
I accept that people over the age of 25 may have more luck.
MrBarry123 said:
My insurer and 7 other main-stream providers wouldn't cover the replacement of modifications in my scenario, however would insure my car with the modifications declared. I am under the age of 25 however so perhaps that makes a difference.
Given the OP is 17, my situation is probably far more applicable, and likely what he'll come across, than the "many" you mention.
I accept that people over the age of 25 may have more luck.
Mainstream products are designed for mainstream unmodified cars. Niche insurance (of which there is a lot) is for modified cars. Given the OP is 17, my situation is probably far more applicable, and likely what he'll come across, than the "many" you mention.
I accept that people over the age of 25 may have more luck.
Yes, niche insurance can be interesting. In the opinion of the broker I was using when I started, the rather drastic modifications I did to a Morgan 4/4 probably lowered the risk as I was likely to do less, not more miles in a year. Cost me no extra anyway, and it would have been quicker to declare what was untouched as the sheet of modifications declared was a very full page of A4.
I do though think the fact I was 30 at the time the car was modified must have helped. Had the car for over 28 years, never made a claim and the only accident I was involved in was settled outwith insurance (guilty party paid me). Yes my insurer was told, and no, they didn't increase the premium.
I do though think the fact I was 30 at the time the car was modified must have helped. Had the car for over 28 years, never made a claim and the only accident I was involved in was settled outwith insurance (guilty party paid me). Yes my insurer was told, and no, they didn't increase the premium.
As above , full disclosure of all mode is vital if you don't want a claim refused .
I'm just about to make my first foray into this , having just changed the engine on my 190E for a larger one ( the CHG was leaking due to corrosion in the head and it was just as easy/cost effective to swap the engine , going from the 1.8L to the 2.3L version of the same engine for a modest power increase ) . In my case anyone looking at the car wouldn't know the difference as the two engines look exactly the same ; the only other thing I'm changing just now are the front brakes , to the correct spec for the larger engine .
Before embarking on this I obtained a quote from Adrian Flux which was surprisingly reasonable at around £380 with no NCD to apply to the car : I had to go down this route as the car was previously on a classic policy , and the classic insurers I tried don't cover modified cars , besides it will be handy to have business use on this car alongside my main one ( which I'm using my NCD on ) .
Anyway , I had a long and pleasant chat with the insurance agent over the phone , explaining what I was doing to the car and why , that at a later stage I would be looking to source a taller diff out of a 190E 2.6 to reduce revs for more relaxed cruising and better fuel economy ( the 1.8 was lower geared but the 2.3 should cope with the 2.6 gearing ; the diff out of the W124 donor car won't fit ) and that I might also replace the cloth interior with a leather one if I find one . I also just bought a towbar , which I hadn't discussed , but I'll mention it when taking out the policy .
I was given a price for the immediate mods , and told the other planned ones won't be a problem ( just to let them know when I do it ) . I now have the engine in and running nicely , the brakes will get done at the end of this month when funds allow ( new discs/pads/shoes/callipers/hoses/pipes all round ) then it will be insured before taking for the MOT .
Never having modified cars ( beyond fitting audio systems , which were always disclosed ) I have found the whole process quite painless , and less costly than I'd imagined , although in my case I've just changed a car from one standard model to another that was available from the factory , so nothing drastic .
I'm just about to make my first foray into this , having just changed the engine on my 190E for a larger one ( the CHG was leaking due to corrosion in the head and it was just as easy/cost effective to swap the engine , going from the 1.8L to the 2.3L version of the same engine for a modest power increase ) . In my case anyone looking at the car wouldn't know the difference as the two engines look exactly the same ; the only other thing I'm changing just now are the front brakes , to the correct spec for the larger engine .
Before embarking on this I obtained a quote from Adrian Flux which was surprisingly reasonable at around £380 with no NCD to apply to the car : I had to go down this route as the car was previously on a classic policy , and the classic insurers I tried don't cover modified cars , besides it will be handy to have business use on this car alongside my main one ( which I'm using my NCD on ) .
Anyway , I had a long and pleasant chat with the insurance agent over the phone , explaining what I was doing to the car and why , that at a later stage I would be looking to source a taller diff out of a 190E 2.6 to reduce revs for more relaxed cruising and better fuel economy ( the 1.8 was lower geared but the 2.3 should cope with the 2.6 gearing ; the diff out of the W124 donor car won't fit ) and that I might also replace the cloth interior with a leather one if I find one . I also just bought a towbar , which I hadn't discussed , but I'll mention it when taking out the policy .
I was given a price for the immediate mods , and told the other planned ones won't be a problem ( just to let them know when I do it ) . I now have the engine in and running nicely , the brakes will get done at the end of this month when funds allow ( new discs/pads/shoes/callipers/hoses/pipes all round ) then it will be insured before taking for the MOT .
Never having modified cars ( beyond fitting audio systems , which were always disclosed ) I have found the whole process quite painless , and less costly than I'd imagined , although in my case I've just changed a car from one standard model to another that was available from the factory , so nothing drastic .
DECLARE THEM!
I've seized countless vehicles that have not declared mods. We simply ring MIB and ask if any modifications have been declared, if the insurance company says no and they are not willing to cover them, vehicle gets taken and the driver reported for no insurance (6 points + £300).
Imagine then the price of your next quote with an IN10 on the DL record and modifications. It's just not worth it.
I've seized countless vehicles that have not declared mods. We simply ring MIB and ask if any modifications have been declared, if the insurance company says no and they are not willing to cover them, vehicle gets taken and the driver reported for no insurance (6 points + £300).
Imagine then the price of your next quote with an IN10 on the DL record and modifications. It's just not worth it.
I've always had a 'Declare everything' policy. Sometimes it will effect the policy sometimes it won't.
My current car (Jap Import Impreza) was bought with uprated fuel pump and injectors, custom exhaust, remap, etc. All were declared and if you find the right insurer they will cover all the Mods as well, for a price.
At the end of the day i need my car for work, so having taken off me because i haven't declared an exhaust to the insurer just isn't worth it!
My current car (Jap Import Impreza) was bought with uprated fuel pump and injectors, custom exhaust, remap, etc. All were declared and if you find the right insurer they will cover all the Mods as well, for a price.
At the end of the day i need my car for work, so having taken off me because i haven't declared an exhaust to the insurer just isn't worth it!
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