When is an Option, a Modification?

[Zed Ed]

So car insurance buffs, how do insurance companies treat modifications, as opposed to fitted options.

For example, should I disclose to the insurer if I spec privacy glass off the options list from the manufacturer or a different set of alloy wheels? What about mudflaps?

Clearly, if I bought these 'after-market' then I tend to think I should disclose them as modifications?

[nobodyknows]

when I re-insured my 911 last week I was asked if it had any modifications OR options fitted

[Colin 1985]

I have only ever been asked if a car has been modified, and the online sites don't ask about optional extras. However my father, when getting a quote from 'more th<n' was told than in the event of an accident any optional extras (xenon lights, upgraded stereo etc.) would only be replaced with bog standard items.

So it just comes down to the particular insurer but I wouldn't volunteer any options specked unless specifically asked - considering that when buying a second hand car most people wouldn't have a clue what the full list of options was. Modifications you have made that cause the car to be different from when it was originally delivered should be declared though as this is what they are asking you.

[Utterpiffle]

I know nothing about other marques, but for Mercs, there is an on-line VIN decoder that will give you a list of all options originally ordered with your car. I think it goes back to the eighties.

[lost in espace]

Do you think the insurance company want to make sure that they pay out for the correct market value for the car with the options specified, or just load the premium?

[SystemParanoia]

they just want to load the premium.

almost everything you tell them costs you more money, so fk em. tell em only what they want to hear and not a single word more