Do you declare your car mods to your insurer?
Discussion
I know this is a contentious issue with many but after having a day of so called car enthusiasts telling me i'm "mad" and "an idiot" for declaring a stainless steel exhaust (without silencer but with a cut out in the bumper) and a remap to my insurers i just have to ask: Do you lot declare your mods or have you tried to keep some quiet?
I figured declaring them is best as my car is a Diesel Mondeo so I figured most insurance assessors will have come across them and spot any mods from a mile off.
As it happens, my modified policy worked out cheaper than a standard policy so happy days.
I figured declaring them is best as my car is a Diesel Mondeo so I figured most insurance assessors will have come across them and spot any mods from a mile off.
As it happens, my modified policy worked out cheaper than a standard policy so happy days.
I figure you could get away with minor things like a re-map or a "performance" air filter but anything cosmetic or visible would have to be claimed because it would be obvious upon inspection. I don't think insurers go around dumping ECU memory to see if maps have been applied but I stand to be corrected!
In times past I asked my insurance company if I should notify them about a new car stereo but they weren't bothered, despite having a category for one. I guess because it was on a Peugeot 206 it was not a big deal to them.
In times past I asked my insurance company if I should notify them about a new car stereo but they weren't bothered, despite having a category for one. I guess because it was on a Peugeot 206 it was not a big deal to them.
A while back I had a modified car Audi A3 1.8t with about 300bhp. Bigger turbo, intercooler, TIP, bigger brakes, bigger wheels, thicker ARBs, different springs and shocks etc and it was all declared.
Made zeie difference to my premium at the time, I wouldn't have wanted to find out how accomodating they would have been if I'd have had a bump and not told them.
I am in the beyond reproach 100% declare everything camp. I've seen cars seized for undeclared mods.
Made zeie difference to my premium at the time, I wouldn't have wanted to find out how accomodating they would have been if I'd have had a bump and not told them.
I am in the beyond reproach 100% declare everything camp. I've seen cars seized for undeclared mods.
Geffg said:
What about factory fitted options? Usually asks if car is standard etc. Should very extra it had fitted from new be declared in which case I imagine most cars would have to declare something.
Nope there’s no such thing as a standard spec because manufacturers tweak things within a model year. For example a 65 reg Focus Zetec may or may not have dual zone climate control as standard depending on when it rolled off the line. A modification is something done after the vehicle was purchased from new.Geffg said:
What about factory fitted options? Usually asks if car is standard etc. Should very extra it had fitted from new be declared in which case I imagine most cars would have to declare something.
There is no need to declare factory fitted options, provided they form part of the standard options list. The term “standard” in this context means that the car remains as supplied by the dealer. (New cars). Any modification you carry out after taking delivery or buying an already after market modified used car requires declaration. This would include minor mods such as decals/stripes (but not a sticker in the window or on the bumper) to major mods like wheels, suspension etc.
Obviously if you buy a used car that has a remap which you are not aware of and was not declared to you, you can fall back on the “to the best of my knowledge” part of the proposal form. Clearly you cannot do that if the Yaris you have just bought is sitting on air suspension and 22” chrome rims.
It is truly in your best interests to be totally upfront with your insurer.
I declare mods at a high level on body kit, exhaust, induction, remap, suspension, brakes and wheels. And admiral insure me fine on the basis they won’t pay for my ‘improvements’ but would pay out as if the car were standard. Which is fine by me, because I didn’t pay for any of them.
ETA by high level I mean, for example, the box for exhaust mods was ticked; they don’t care it’s a milltek.
ETA by high level I mean, for example, the box for exhaust mods was ticked; they don’t care it’s a milltek.
Sheepshanks said:
otolith said:
Admiral once asked me about options and charged me for air conditioning. Which irritated me.
...and if the car was new, and then written off in the first year, they'd have replaced it with one without air conditioning.Sheepshanks said:
otolith said:
Admiral once asked me about options and charged me for air conditioning. Which irritated me.
...and if the car was new, and then written off in the first year, they'd have replaced it with one without air conditioning.bad company said:
Sheepshanks said:
otolith said:
Admiral once asked me about options and charged me for air conditioning. Which irritated me.
...and if the car was new, and then written off in the first year, they'd have replaced it with one without air conditioning.Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff