Insurance cancelled due to painted wheels !
Discussion
A work colleague many years ago had a Capri - he fitted side repeaters to the front wings (as per the model a year younger) to make his intention of movement more visible to other road users and thus improve safety............ He had a bit of a fight with the insurance company (who wanted to charge more) and they eventually saw sense.
irc said:
I did a search for insurance decisions on the Financial Ombudsman site using the terms "modifications" , "insurance", and "voided." Some interesting reading.
http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/
Like the guy who was in a crash. He disputed the insurance company's offer arguing his car was worth more because it had alloy wheels and a body kit fitted. Result - the company said these were undeclared mods and voided the policy. Decision upheld by the ombudsman.
http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/viewPDF.aspx...
Or if you fit upgraded headlight bulbs requiring a change to the wiring - insurance voided.
http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/viewPDF.aspx...
Interesting reading as you say. Unlike the OPs example though every point raised concerns the physical addition of a non-standard part - bodykits, alloys, hid's, window tints etc. - all the usual stuff that if not declared could go against you in the event of a claim. http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/
Like the guy who was in a crash. He disputed the insurance company's offer arguing his car was worth more because it had alloy wheels and a body kit fitted. Result - the company said these were undeclared mods and voided the policy. Decision upheld by the ombudsman.
http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/viewPDF.aspx...
Or if you fit upgraded headlight bulbs requiring a change to the wiring - insurance voided.
http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/viewPDF.aspx...
MuscleSaloon said:
irc said:
I did a search for insurance decisions on the Financial Ombudsman site using the terms "modifications" , "insurance", and "voided." Some interesting reading.
http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/
Like the guy who was in a crash. He disputed the insurance company's offer arguing his car was worth more because it had alloy wheels and a body kit fitted. Result - the company said these were undeclared mods and voided the policy. Decision upheld by the ombudsman.
http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/viewPDF.aspx...
Or if you fit upgraded headlight bulbs requiring a change to the wiring - insurance voided.
http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/viewPDF.aspx...
Interesting reading as you say. Unlike the OPs example though every point raised concerns the physical addition of a non-standard part - bodykits, alloys, hid's, window tints etc. - all the usual stuff that if not declared could go against you in the event of a claim. http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/
Like the guy who was in a crash. He disputed the insurance company's offer arguing his car was worth more because it had alloy wheels and a body kit fitted. Result - the company said these were undeclared mods and voided the policy. Decision upheld by the ombudsman.
http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/viewPDF.aspx...
Or if you fit upgraded headlight bulbs requiring a change to the wiring - insurance voided.
http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/viewPDF.aspx...
ks. Worth an ombudsman claim for the OP to claim the cost of buying standard wheels. Free to try. Nothing to lose. How are insurers so confident of knowing the exact spec of a vehicle anyway?
I can remember fitting "special edition" equipment at the dealers which were alloys and a sticker kit.
I was once told I could not insure a Honda Civic Coupe due to the fact it had (optional) alloy wheels on it. It truly is a bloody joke.
Ive had a traders policy for 10 years, all they ask is "is it modified" to which you answer "yes". I know I'll only get trade values for the car but it does show another side of the system.
If insurers simply said " Non original parts are not covered under the policy and will not be claimed for in the event of theft etc" then whay would it matter?
The only exclusions would be for performance improvements that increase from stock figures.
I can remember fitting "special edition" equipment at the dealers which were alloys and a sticker kit.
I was once told I could not insure a Honda Civic Coupe due to the fact it had (optional) alloy wheels on it. It truly is a bloody joke.
Ive had a traders policy for 10 years, all they ask is "is it modified" to which you answer "yes". I know I'll only get trade values for the car but it does show another side of the system.
If insurers simply said " Non original parts are not covered under the policy and will not be claimed for in the event of theft etc" then whay would it matter?
The only exclusions would be for performance improvements that increase from stock figures.
ExVantagemech.. said:
How are insurers so confident of knowing the exact spec of a vehicle anyway?
I can remember fitting "special edition" equipment at the dealers which were alloys and a sticker kit.
I was once told I could not insure a Honda Civic Coupe due to the fact it had (optional) alloy wheels on it. It truly is a bloody joke.
Ive had a traders policy for 10 years, all they ask is "is it modified" to which you answer "yes". I know I'll only get trade values for the car but it does show another side of the system.
If insurers simply said " Non original parts are not covered under the policy and will not be claimed for in the event of theft etc" then whay would it matter?
The only exclusions would be for performance improvements that increase from stock figures.
Even that becomes Grey. If you buy a Halfords air filter is that a performance enhancement over buying it from the dealer.I can remember fitting "special edition" equipment at the dealers which were alloys and a sticker kit.
I was once told I could not insure a Honda Civic Coupe due to the fact it had (optional) alloy wheels on it. It truly is a bloody joke.
Ive had a traders policy for 10 years, all they ask is "is it modified" to which you answer "yes". I know I'll only get trade values for the car but it does show another side of the system.
If insurers simply said " Non original parts are not covered under the policy and will not be claimed for in the event of theft etc" then whay would it matter?
The only exclusions would be for performance improvements that increase from stock figures.
The ombudsman took an insurer to task when they tried to claim a roof rack was a modification, so it's not all one way
As someone else said the OP needs to cancel the policy before the insurer does otherwise every year you'll have to answer yes to have you ever had insurance cancelled
I recently told the insurance I had put a JVC stereo in her Micra. I had to repeat myself when she asked the value... $5 (about 3 quid) from Cash Converters. Haggled down from $9 too. The wife pretended not to know me when I was haggling but too me... Back of the net!
Back on topic, I didn't want the risk of being denied a claim if I hadn't told them.
Going to Vietnam, later in the year. Now there is a country that respects the haggle!
Back on topic, I didn't want the risk of being denied a claim if I hadn't told them.
Going to Vietnam, later in the year. Now there is a country that respects the haggle!
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
Yep - you need to be really careful what you do and do not tell your insurers. People always say 'best tell your insurance co' if you have a scrape or small knock in the car park as an example...but this will have to be declared for the next 5 years in the 'claims' section if you do!
Technically it needs to be disclosed even if you don't.Edited by Dr Doofenshmirtz on Tuesday 6th March 21:02
Based on this situation, there must be thousands of motorists 'uninsured' due to these apparent modifications!! Winter tyres, after market air filter, grey alloys instead of silver? Criminals the lot of them.
What an utter joke!! By contrast when I've insured a car I own that has powder coated black alloys, the insurance told me on the phone that it makes no difference so not to worry.
OP - I hope you're able to get some kind of response from the situation. Hugely unfair that you're quite a bit out of pocket due to this. Oh and the chap fitting the black box sounds like an utter ****!
What an utter joke!! By contrast when I've insured a car I own that has powder coated black alloys, the insurance told me on the phone that it makes no difference so not to worry.
OP - I hope you're able to get some kind of response from the situation. Hugely unfair that you're quite a bit out of pocket due to this. Oh and the chap fitting the black box sounds like an utter ****!
Alex_225 said:
Based on this situation, there must be thousands of motorists 'uninsured' due to these apparent modifications!! Winter tyres, after market air filter, grey alloys instead of silver? Criminals the lot of them.
What an utter joke!! By contrast when I've insured a car I own that has powder coated black alloys, the insurance told me on the phone that it makes no difference so not to worry.
OP - I hope you're able to get some kind of response from the situation. Hugely unfair that you're quite a bit out of pocket due to this. Oh and the chap fitting the black box sounds like an utter ****!
If you mean aftermarket air filter like a K&N etc rather than a pattern part, I'd say it's obvious that would be a modification. To be honest, I would also say that a dramatic wheel colour change is fair game as counting as a mod too. What an utter joke!! By contrast when I've insured a car I own that has powder coated black alloys, the insurance told me on the phone that it makes no difference so not to worry.
OP - I hope you're able to get some kind of response from the situation. Hugely unfair that you're quite a bit out of pocket due to this. Oh and the chap fitting the black box sounds like an utter ****!
The injustice in this case is not allowing the OP to simply refurb the wheels back to silver. Total failure of common sense.
Go on, support black boxes more if you can, it's going so well isn't it.
1. I have not read the entire thread but if you have not done so already then please name and shame the company to help us avoid them or give us a hint as to what their logo looks like.
2. Write a complaint to their complaints/customer service department.
3. Start a case with the financial ombudsman.
Part of my car has been repainted as a repair, so I guess that is a "modification" too. Insurance companies are scummy in my opinion.
1. I have not read the entire thread but if you have not done so already then please name and shame the company to help us avoid them or give us a hint as to what their logo looks like.
2. Write a complaint to their complaints/customer service department.
3. Start a case with the financial ombudsman.
Part of my car has been repainted as a repair, so I guess that is a "modification" too. Insurance companies are scummy in my opinion.
Sk00p said:
Fitting Winter tyres a modification? Wonder how many declare that..
https://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/sitecore/files/documents/publications/public/migrated/motor/abi-guide-to-winter-tyres-the-motor-insurance-commitment.pdfThere's really three aspects to this...
- Is the black box installer doing his job? Yes, they forewarned the policyholder of that.
- Is a wheel colour-change a "mod"? Yes. There's a Great Wall pickup near me that's fully camo-painted. Modified? Of course. So we're only talking about a matter of scale, aren't we?
- Is refusing to accept re-painting reasonable? Of course it bloody isn't.
So, basically, we're all agreed that the ombudsman's guidelines are reasonable, but the insurer are outside them, right?
Monkeylegend said:
Presumably then any non OEM part can be considered as a modification.
Only if they're a departure from OEM spec.Brake rebuild with pattern discs, pads, calipers? Nope.
Grooved and drilled big brake kit? Yep.
Pattern tail lights? Nope.
"Lexus-style" rear light kit? Yep.
Doesn't seem unreasonable, does it?
Well we will most definitely be escalating the complaint today. If nothing else it will cost them money when the ombudsman gets involved and with a bit of luck push for all the admin fees to be refunded too.
I had to be careful yesterday during all the calls and arguments, they made out like they were doing her a favour by allowing her to cancel the policy rather than them cancel it outright for undeclared modifications. I was concerned if I pushed to hard they would have just dug in and cancelled with immediate effect meaning she would have to declare having a policy cancelled !
The car is as it left the factory right down to the crappy standard radio, it is purely the aversion to some peeling black paint on the wheels that all this came about. There are no stickers on the car, I only mentioned that as they told me they would have done the same even for something as small as that.
Im not fussed about the whole black box thing, in fact with both my lads it’s been a good thing. He often tells me he wishes his back box was off now as he would be ‘razzing it’ with all his mates . Having the black box has ensured they at least drive half sensibly. It’s also the only way new drivers can get even remotely comparitive insurance. She has managed to insure a 1.4 Zetec Fiesta on her own policy after passing her test two weeks ago for a mere £1059 full comp. 3-4 years ago that was a minimum of £3500 to insure something like that when our first son drove.
I will update once I start the complaints procedure
I had to be careful yesterday during all the calls and arguments, they made out like they were doing her a favour by allowing her to cancel the policy rather than them cancel it outright for undeclared modifications. I was concerned if I pushed to hard they would have just dug in and cancelled with immediate effect meaning she would have to declare having a policy cancelled !
The car is as it left the factory right down to the crappy standard radio, it is purely the aversion to some peeling black paint on the wheels that all this came about. There are no stickers on the car, I only mentioned that as they told me they would have done the same even for something as small as that.
Im not fussed about the whole black box thing, in fact with both my lads it’s been a good thing. He often tells me he wishes his back box was off now as he would be ‘razzing it’ with all his mates . Having the black box has ensured they at least drive half sensibly. It’s also the only way new drivers can get even remotely comparitive insurance. She has managed to insure a 1.4 Zetec Fiesta on her own policy after passing her test two weeks ago for a mere £1059 full comp. 3-4 years ago that was a minimum of £3500 to insure something like that when our first son drove.
I will update once I start the complaints procedure
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