Insurance - What can you get away with?
Discussion
I was just wondering to myself, what modifications can you 'get away with', whilst still being covered by a normal policy?
I'm sure its not strictly legal, but for example, if you dont declare a performance exhaust, is you insurance null and void?
Do insurers ever perform spot checks? what about after a claim?
I'm not thibnking of doing this you understand...just interested!
I'm sure its not strictly legal, but for example, if you dont declare a performance exhaust, is you insurance null and void?
Do insurers ever perform spot checks? what about after a claim?
I'm not thibnking of doing this you understand...just interested!
It was a while ago, but my friend when he was 18 had his Nova stolen from a Multi-storye car park. He had some alloys and a sound system in. He told the insurance company about the theft and they found his car about 70 miles away down in London. When he went to claim, they said his insurance was void because he didnt tell them about the system and alloys. They claimed that these made the car more desirable to steal.
So be a little careful.
So be a little careful.
[pet hate]
insurance companies
[/pet hate]
Basically, insurance companies will do anything at all in order to wriggle out of paying. Therefore, the safest option is to admit to everything and take the hit on premium increases.
To avoid the hikes, the only hope you have is that they don't ever send an inspector/loss adjuster round or recover a stolen vehicle...
insurance companies
[/pet hate]
Basically, insurance companies will do anything at all in order to wriggle out of paying. Therefore, the safest option is to admit to everything and take the hit on premium increases.
To avoid the hikes, the only hope you have is that they don't ever send an inspector/loss adjuster round or recover a stolen vehicle...
A few years ago, my wifes VW Polo barbecued itself whilst sat at a junction.
The insurance company sent an "engineer" to view the car. He literally kicked the tyres as he walked round it and checked the mileage. He then asked to look under the bonnet (where the fire started), and asked why I had taken the carb off. After I pointed out the remnants of molten alloy on the manifold and the choke butterfly hanging in mid air, I suggested that it might have melted in the fire.
This little tale goes to show that these "engineers" can be mechanical numpties. The majority of accident damage is bodywork, so it makes sense to employ specialists in body repairs, who only have a passing knowledge of mechanics.
The insurance company sent an "engineer" to view the car. He literally kicked the tyres as he walked round it and checked the mileage. He then asked to look under the bonnet (where the fire started), and asked why I had taken the carb off. After I pointed out the remnants of molten alloy on the manifold and the choke butterfly hanging in mid air, I suggested that it might have melted in the fire.
This little tale goes to show that these "engineers" can be mechanical numpties. The majority of accident damage is bodywork, so it makes sense to employ specialists in body repairs, who only have a passing knowledge of mechanics.
Most of the idiots you deal with whilst on the phone to these companies declaring your go faster stripes don't know one end of a spanner from another. I swear they make it up as they go along.
I remember back in my misspent yoof I upgraded the brakes on an XR2 and they wanted to charge me more. WTF ? I've only upgraded the brakes, fer chrissakes ! Why ? Because the original ones are rubbish !
I remember back in my misspent yoof I upgraded the brakes on an XR2 and they wanted to charge me more. WTF ? I've only upgraded the brakes, fer chrissakes ! Why ? Because the original ones are rubbish !
They will use any reason they can find, and not tell you until they have to, so you can keep paying them the premium for nothing.
Then with a void policy, you can be done for driving without insurance.
One question, if you gain license points during the policy, do you have to tell the insurance company? I've heard you don't.
Then with a void policy, you can be done for driving without insurance.
One question, if you gain license points during the policy, do you have to tell the insurance company? I've heard you don't.
GregE240 said:I remember back in my misspent yoof I upgraded the brakes on an XR2 and they wanted to charge me more. WTF ? I've only upgraded the brakes, fer chrissakes ! Why ? Because the original ones are rubbish !
I can believe it. A friend of mine had to claim on her insurance after vandals slashed the hood of her MX-5, so she bought a hardtop to prevent it happening again. And guess what? The insurance co demanded a higher premium to cover the hardtop, as it’s a “non-standard accessory”!
The best option is to be truthful cus if you do have an accident, they can check the car and void the insurance if any alien components were on the car at the time of the accident unless you can prove that a) you didnt know they were there, or b) you take em off before teh car is checked over.
So if you dont want to tell the insurance company, internal upgrades are hidden and bolt on induction kits etc can be taken off as long as you keep the originals.
Its best to tell them though - I did an ddue to me having CAT 1 alarm, I even got more money back, £3 in total lol!
So if you dont want to tell the insurance company, internal upgrades are hidden and bolt on induction kits etc can be taken off as long as you keep the originals.
Its best to tell them though - I did an ddue to me having CAT 1 alarm, I even got more money back, £3 in total lol!
Deester said: Hmmmmm, should I invest all my money in a machine that prints money or start an insurance company.
Im greedy so I choose the insurance company.
Good man, im sure Lloyds could do with some more names to soak up the impact of 11/9
>> Edited by cotty on Monday 6th January 13:29
It all comes down to the particular insurance company. I declared a whole load of stuff to them (wheels, brakes, exhaust, suspension, induction, etc) and they said "not a problem - as long as you haven't made any *serious* changes", total increase in premium was £0. A year later I got stung for making a minor tweek (new stereo) to my other car.
The whole thing's unpredictable but I *know* if I hadn't declared the changes and subsequently had an accident I would have been stuffed good and proper.
Just make sure you get it right - I've spent the last 5 years paying through the nose for an insurance cock-up that ended up with my receiving an IN10 on my license...
The whole thing's unpredictable but I *know* if I hadn't declared the changes and subsequently had an accident I would have been stuffed good and proper.
Just make sure you get it right - I've spent the last 5 years paying through the nose for an insurance cock-up that ended up with my receiving an IN10 on my license...
If the modification(s) is/are 'performance enhancing' or will increase attractiveness to thieves then the insurance company will want to know, and may increase the premium/refuse the risk. Bog standard insurers such as Direct Line, Churchill, Norwich Union, AA etc are unlikely to accept a risk including mods themselves, but most of them have 'special risks' units which more often than not are separate specialist companies. N.B. The insurer's definition of 'performance enhancing' may well differ from yours.
An IN10 is the endorsement code for committing an offence under S143(1) Road Traffic Act 1988 which states 'a person must not use a motor vehicle on a road unless there is in force in relation to the use of the vehicle by that person such a policy of insurance or such a security in respect of third party risks as complies with the requirements of this Part of this Act'. 3-8 points and a fine normally...
An IN10 is the endorsement code for committing an offence under S143(1) Road Traffic Act 1988 which states 'a person must not use a motor vehicle on a road unless there is in force in relation to the use of the vehicle by that person such a policy of insurance or such a security in respect of third party risks as complies with the requirements of this Part of this Act'. 3-8 points and a fine normally...
Playing devil's advocate here but it seems as though you all want Insurance Companies to be straight with you and pay out claims immediately etc, whilst you don't want to be straight with them regarding what you are asking them to insure. If you are trying to save money by not telling them about modifications then you can't really blame them for trying to save money by not paying your claim.
All IMH(umble)O
All IMH(umble)O
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