Admiral insurance - declaring options confusion
Discussion
I've recently insured my new-to-me car with Admiral; original quote was via Confused. When getting quotes, Confused says:
"What are modifications? Modifications are non-standard changes made to the car after manufacture, including things like new spoilers or alloy wheels. For the insurance to be valid you must include all modifications."
The car has no after-market mods so I'd ticked 'no'. However reading a few sites recently I found repeated references to Admiral specifically requesting that all options fitted to the car at point of manufacture are also declared and their policy document seems to support this:
"Modifications: Any changes to your vehicle’s standard specification, including accessories and additional parts, optional extras and aftermarket alterations, trade related changes and parts."
I've never known any other insurer ask about options fitted at manufacture and for many people buying used it could be nigh-on impossible to know what would've been standard fitment or optional at the time - even throughout a car's production cycle some items that were optional become standard for example. Logically I can understand why they might want to know; for example my car has Matrix LED headlights as part of the 'Light & Vision Pack' which could make a repair more expensive than an equivalent car without them.
I've been able to work out what options my car has and rang Admiral this morning to seek clarification. However I was told on the call that they don't need to know a full break down of options at point of manufacture. I've made a note of the date and time I called as clearly I don't have this in writing however they do say all calls are recorded and I've clearly stated that my car does have options fitted at manufacture. There is nothing aftermarket or that wasn't on the car when it would've been first delivered to the dealer when new. That said, the value of the car I've given to Admiral reflects a higher spec than the same car would be without the various options for example.
Anyone else encountered this with Admiral or any other insurers? I think I've done all I can to ensure I've done what I should and given the right info - I know insurers can be a pain to deal with and will try to find any reason to wriggle out of a claim.
"What are modifications? Modifications are non-standard changes made to the car after manufacture, including things like new spoilers or alloy wheels. For the insurance to be valid you must include all modifications."
The car has no after-market mods so I'd ticked 'no'. However reading a few sites recently I found repeated references to Admiral specifically requesting that all options fitted to the car at point of manufacture are also declared and their policy document seems to support this:
"Modifications: Any changes to your vehicle’s standard specification, including accessories and additional parts, optional extras and aftermarket alterations, trade related changes and parts."
I've never known any other insurer ask about options fitted at manufacture and for many people buying used it could be nigh-on impossible to know what would've been standard fitment or optional at the time - even throughout a car's production cycle some items that were optional become standard for example. Logically I can understand why they might want to know; for example my car has Matrix LED headlights as part of the 'Light & Vision Pack' which could make a repair more expensive than an equivalent car without them.
I've been able to work out what options my car has and rang Admiral this morning to seek clarification. However I was told on the call that they don't need to know a full break down of options at point of manufacture. I've made a note of the date and time I called as clearly I don't have this in writing however they do say all calls are recorded and I've clearly stated that my car does have options fitted at manufacture. There is nothing aftermarket or that wasn't on the car when it would've been first delivered to the dealer when new. That said, the value of the car I've given to Admiral reflects a higher spec than the same car would be without the various options for example.
Anyone else encountered this with Admiral or any other insurers? I think I've done all I can to ensure I've done what I should and given the right info - I know insurers can be a pain to deal with and will try to find any reason to wriggle out of a claim.
It is strange because as you say, it can be bloody hard to find exactly what options were added when new, especially on an older car. I'm with Hastings and they state this:
Hastings said:
Has it been modified at all?
Modifications are things that have changed a car's standard manufacturer's specification.
Tinted windows, alloy wheels or spoilers are all examples of modifications to the car's body. But you can also enhance a car's performance with changes to the brakes, exhaust or engine.
These are the things we need to know about.
Any extras added when the car was manufactured don't count as modifications.
Modifications are things that have changed a car's standard manufacturer's specification.
Tinted windows, alloy wheels or spoilers are all examples of modifications to the car's body. But you can also enhance a car's performance with changes to the brakes, exhaust or engine.
These are the things we need to know about.
Any extras added when the car was manufactured don't count as modifications.
Funk said:
I've recently insured my new-to-me car with Admiral; original quote was via Confused. When getting quotes, Confused says:
"What are modifications? Modifications are non-standard changes made to the car after manufacture, including things like new spoilers or alloy wheels. For the insurance to be valid you must include all modifications."
The car has no after-market mods so I'd ticked 'no'. However reading a few sites recently I found repeated references to Admiral specifically requesting that all options fitted to the car at point of manufacture are also declared and their policy document seems to support this:
"Modifications: Any changes to your vehicle’s standard specification, including accessories and additional parts, optional extras and aftermarket alterations, trade related changes and parts."
I've never known any other insurer ask about options fitted at manufacture and for many people buying used it could be nigh-on impossible to know what would've been standard fitment or optional at the time - even throughout a car's production cycle some items that were optional become standard for example. Logically I can understand why they might want to know; for example my car has Matrix LED headlights as part of the 'Light & Vision Pack' which could make a repair more expensive than an equivalent car without them.
I've been able to work out what options my car has and rang Admiral this morning to seek clarification. However I was told on the call that they don't need to know a full break down of options at point of manufacture. I've made a note of the date and time I called as clearly I don't have this in writing however they do say all calls are recorded and I've clearly stated that my car does have options fitted at manufacture. There is nothing aftermarket or that wasn't on the car when it would've been first delivered to the dealer when new. That said, the value of the car I've given to Admiral reflects a higher spec than the same car would be without the various options for example.
Anyone else encountered this with Admiral or any other insurers? I think I've done all I can to ensure I've done what I should and given the right info - I know insurers can be a pain to deal with and will try to find any reason to wriggle out of a claim.
It's not an agreed value policy I assume, in which case, the value of the car as stated on the policy won't mean much if it comes to a total-loss situation. You would just get into a tug-of-war with them over the replacement value using information from the state of the used car market at the time of the claim. At that point you can try to use the options the car has to increase the payout, and they might come up a bit, but they won't use it at as means of avoiding the claim."What are modifications? Modifications are non-standard changes made to the car after manufacture, including things like new spoilers or alloy wheels. For the insurance to be valid you must include all modifications."
The car has no after-market mods so I'd ticked 'no'. However reading a few sites recently I found repeated references to Admiral specifically requesting that all options fitted to the car at point of manufacture are also declared and their policy document seems to support this:
"Modifications: Any changes to your vehicle’s standard specification, including accessories and additional parts, optional extras and aftermarket alterations, trade related changes and parts."
I've never known any other insurer ask about options fitted at manufacture and for many people buying used it could be nigh-on impossible to know what would've been standard fitment or optional at the time - even throughout a car's production cycle some items that were optional become standard for example. Logically I can understand why they might want to know; for example my car has Matrix LED headlights as part of the 'Light & Vision Pack' which could make a repair more expensive than an equivalent car without them.
I've been able to work out what options my car has and rang Admiral this morning to seek clarification. However I was told on the call that they don't need to know a full break down of options at point of manufacture. I've made a note of the date and time I called as clearly I don't have this in writing however they do say all calls are recorded and I've clearly stated that my car does have options fitted at manufacture. There is nothing aftermarket or that wasn't on the car when it would've been first delivered to the dealer when new. That said, the value of the car I've given to Admiral reflects a higher spec than the same car would be without the various options for example.
Anyone else encountered this with Admiral or any other insurers? I think I've done all I can to ensure I've done what I should and given the right info - I know insurers can be a pain to deal with and will try to find any reason to wriggle out of a claim.
If you are concerned about a low payout that leaves you in the lurch, that's what gap insurance is for.
ks shocksmithyithy said:
It is strange because as you say, it can be bloody hard to find exactly what options were added when new, especially on an older car. I'm with Hastings and they state this:
See, that's nice and transparent.Hastings said:
Has it been modified at all?
Modifications are things that have changed a car's standard manufacturer's specification.
Tinted windows, alloy wheels or spoilers are all examples of modifications to the car's body. But you can also enhance a car's performance with changes to the brakes, exhaust or engine.
These are the things we need to know about.
Any extras added when the car was manufactured don't count as modifications.
Modifications are things that have changed a car's standard manufacturer's specification.
Tinted windows, alloy wheels or spoilers are all examples of modifications to the car's body. But you can also enhance a car's performance with changes to the brakes, exhaust or engine.
These are the things we need to know about.
Any extras added when the car was manufactured don't count as modifications.
GT9 said:
It's not an agreed value policy I assume, in which case, the value of the car as stated on the policy won't mean much if it comes to a total-loss situation. You would just get into a tug-of-war with them over the replacement value using information from the state of the used car market at the time of the claim. At that point you can try to use the options the car has to increase the payout, and they might come up a bit, but they won't use it at as means of avoiding the claim.
If you are concerned about a low payout that leaves you in the lurch, that's what gap insurance is for.
Not agreed value, no. I do have GAP insurance via ALA so I should be covered for any shortfall in that case.If you are concerned about a low payout that leaves you in the lurch, that's what gap insurance is for.
swisstoni said:
pocketspring said:
A car from new has a specific make of tyre assigned to it as part of the spec of the car. So if you buy another make of tyre, is that classed as a modification?
Tyre make us not the same as tyre spec.QuartzDad said:
I emailed Admiral a compete VIN breakdown of all the non-standard options on my car to cover myself, did need an element of bearding that not everyone has.
Did it make any difference to the premium out of interest?I can see why it might start to matter more; for example on Harry's Garage he'll often give the price of a car and then go on to mention that the one he has on test has £15k's worth of options on it. Even BMW have a £25k 'Ultimate Pack' of options for some vehicles so it could make a significant difference to a repair or loss payout.
Edited by Funk on Tuesday 15th August 11:29
QuartzDad said:
I emailed Admiral a compete VIN breakdown of all the non-standard options on my car to cover myself, did need an element of bearding that not everyone has.
When previously insured by this company, I asked and was specifically told that I must declare all factory options. When I asked (as a second hand purchase) how I would know, they suggested I contact the manufacturer. I pointed out that I had no relationship with the manufacturer and they didn’t have an answer. I offered them the VIN such that they knew exactly the risk they were insuring, they declined.
Some bearding later, found a vin decoder. Got the full list of options. Rang them back and asked where I could email the details and was told that was not possible, I would have to read them out.
It was a high spec car.
By page 2 of 8 character codes they asked me to stop
By page 3 they begged me to stop.
There were 6 pages.
I read every single one. Including the codes to supply English user manuals.
They didn’t charge me any more.
The confirmed they didn’t need the information at a renewal phase.
budgie smuggler said:
Mr E said:
By page 2 of 8 character codes they asked me to stop
By page 3 they begged me to stop.
There were 6 pages.
I read every single one. Including the codes to supply English user manuals.
By page 3 they begged me to stop.
There were 6 pages.
I read every single one. Including the codes to supply English user manuals.
Interestingly I was able to get a full list of options once I'd been able to get the Audi app set up and myself as the Key User (that was a faff - BMW's process was a piece of piss in comparison). It's around £2,200-worth looking at the original Audi brochure but per the call with Admiral they don't seem to want or need it so I guess I've done all I can to cover myself.
My policy schedule with Admiral states I must declare "Anything which changes the maker’s standard specification or alters its performance, including cosmetic changes such as alloy wheels, body kits, or any nonstandard parts". Fortunately there are only three, perhaps the only WLTP bonus 
I've no idea how much the options added to the premium, if anything, but adding on a resonator delete and remap creating a 25% power increase worked out at something like 20 quid for the year, so I can't see factory options adding a great deal.
I've no idea how much the options added to the premium, if anything, but adding on a resonator delete and remap creating a 25% power increase worked out at something like 20 quid for the year, so I can't see factory options adding a great deal.
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