Declaring alloy wheels to insurance
Discussion
Evening all.
Basically, I've been looking at buying a Passat TDi estate soon. I'd like to fit some nicer, larger Audi wheels to it. As these are from the VAG family parts bin, do they still have to be declared as an aftermarket modification? Or can you get away with saying they are a VAG original parts replacement for damaged original wheels?
Smithy
Basically, I've been looking at buying a Passat TDi estate soon. I'd like to fit some nicer, larger Audi wheels to it. As these are from the VAG family parts bin, do they still have to be declared as an aftermarket modification? Or can you get away with saying they are a VAG original parts replacement for damaged original wheels?
Smithy
Mark is right. Happened to my neighbour. Someone threw acid ( yeah, what lovely country we live in ) all over his Mini Clubman...respray quoted at 2,000 pounds...they came down, noticed he had alloys but had not told them, pulled cover.
Even cancelled his policy to boot.
Not all companies are this petty - the alloys did not in any way, shape or form contribute to the accident or claim - but it is a get-out-of-jail card and they will use it without any doubt if the claim is costly.
Even cancelled his policy to boot.
Not all companies are this petty - the alloys did not in any way, shape or form contribute to the accident or claim - but it is a get-out-of-jail card and they will use it without any doubt if the claim is costly.
Thanks for the info guys. Was intrigued as to whether non-standard alloys from the same manufacture counted as an aftermarket addition. Well, I'll ask the insurers when it comes to the time. Out of interest, how does the same situation work if bought with the car from the dealership? Is this registerd on the vehicle documents to show it was originally supplied equipment?
Smithy
Smithy
splitter / judas said:
If the parts are not factory fitted then they are counted as added extras and will need to be disclosed to the insurance company.
some insurance companies eg elephant, do not even cover optional factory fit wheels even if you declare them. they will increase premium to reflect increased risk, but only payout for std spec.SMB said:
splitter / judas said:
If the parts are not factory fitted then they are counted as added extras and will need to be disclosed to the insurance company.
some insurance companies eg elephant, do not even cover optional factory fit wheels even if you declare them. they will increase premium to reflect increased risk, but only payout for std spec.
kers 
splitter / judas said:
SMB said:
splitter / judas said:
If the parts are not factory fitted then they are counted as added extras and will need to be disclosed to the insurance company.
some insurance companies eg elephant, do not even cover optional factory fit wheels even if you declare them. they will increase premium to reflect increased risk, but only payout for std spec.kers 
Just had an interesting conversation with elephant myself.
Had rear parking sensors fitted to my Jeep Cherokee so thought I should tell the insurer.
Elephant said - 'We do not payout for non-factory modifications'
I said - 'So the premium remains the same then'
Elephant said - 'It will increase by £xx'
I said - 'Why? surely the addition makes it less likely for accidental damage when reversing'
Elephant said - 'It is a modification'
I said - 'But one to reduce the likelihood of an accident whilst parking'
Elephant said - 'Statistics show people with rear parking sensors are more likely to hit soemthing when reversing because they believe the sensors'
At that point I gave up and challenged the amount of the increase (nearly 12% annually), elephant admitted 2/3rds of amount was administration fee and agreed to withdraw the fee part of the extra charge bringing it down to £6.99 from about £20.
Had rear parking sensors fitted to my Jeep Cherokee so thought I should tell the insurer.
Elephant said - 'We do not payout for non-factory modifications'
I said - 'So the premium remains the same then'
Elephant said - 'It will increase by £xx'
I said - 'Why? surely the addition makes it less likely for accidental damage when reversing'
Elephant said - 'It is a modification'
I said - 'But one to reduce the likelihood of an accident whilst parking'
Elephant said - 'Statistics show people with rear parking sensors are more likely to hit soemthing when reversing because they believe the sensors'
At that point I gave up and challenged the amount of the increase (nearly 12% annually), elephant admitted 2/3rds of amount was administration fee and agreed to withdraw the fee part of the extra charge bringing it down to £6.99 from about £20.
I have a similar question. I bought a car second hand from a friend who bought it from a VW main dealer. The car came with VW alloys on it, and a large number of the cars of the same spec have the same alloys on it, some don't.
How do I know if they are factory fitted, and not fitted at the dealer when new, or since?
When insuring it, and they ask if any modifications have been made, I answer "Not to my knowledge" considering as a member of the general public, I am not expected to know the in depth production spec of every vehicle I buy, would they have to honour any cover if it later transpires that the wheels were fitted at the dealer?
How do I know if they are factory fitted, and not fitted at the dealer when new, or since?
When insuring it, and they ask if any modifications have been made, I answer "Not to my knowledge" considering as a member of the general public, I am not expected to know the in depth production spec of every vehicle I buy, would they have to honour any cover if it later transpires that the wheels were fitted at the dealer?
Kevin 996C4 said:
Just had an interesting conversation with elephant myself.
Had rear parking sensors fitted to my Jeep Cherokee so thought I should tell the insurer.
Elephant said - 'We do not payout for non-factory modifications'
I said - 'So the premium remains the same then'
Elephant said - 'It will increase by £xx'
I said - 'Why? surely the addition makes it less likely for accidental damage when reversing'
Elephant said - 'It is a modification'
I said - 'But one to reduce the likelihood of an accident whilst parking'
Elephant said - 'Statistics show people with rear parking sensors are more likely to hit soemthing when reversing because they believe the sensors'
At that point I gave up and challenged the amount of the increase (nearly 12% annually), elephant admitted 2/3rds of amount was administration fee and agreed to withdraw the fee part of the extra charge bringing it down to £6.99 from about £20.
That is truly astonishing. A big boo hiss to Elephant.Had rear parking sensors fitted to my Jeep Cherokee so thought I should tell the insurer.
Elephant said - 'We do not payout for non-factory modifications'
I said - 'So the premium remains the same then'
Elephant said - 'It will increase by £xx'
I said - 'Why? surely the addition makes it less likely for accidental damage when reversing'
Elephant said - 'It is a modification'
I said - 'But one to reduce the likelihood of an accident whilst parking'
Elephant said - 'Statistics show people with rear parking sensors are more likely to hit soemthing when reversing because they believe the sensors'
At that point I gave up and challenged the amount of the increase (nearly 12% annually), elephant admitted 2/3rds of amount was administration fee and agreed to withdraw the fee part of the extra charge bringing it down to £6.99 from about £20.
Smithy
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