Insurance declaration

[D1bram]

Anybody else tried explaining the purpose and function of a limited slip diff to someone in a call centre on the other side of the world?

No? This is a new experience to me too!

Just changed the wifes car, and being a mini the majority of it's spec is factory optional extras.

Phoned Elephant Thursday, girl in the UK says no problem, anything factory fitted does not need to be declared. Later that evening when doing the deal I ring again, calls now diverted to a foreign call cente and I'm told oh no, everything has to be declared. So off I go with the list, problem number one, she doesn't understand a leather interior....

So anyway, I just list everything and pay, noting that I will ring back later to clarify everything.

Fast forward to today, and I have just had a chat with a foreign gentleman who after a lengthy conversation is now going to refer to underwriting department.

[davepoth]

The underwriting department should be UK based, they'll understand what's going on.

TBH the indian call centres are fine for most easy calls, which is why they use them for it. But for the complicated stuff it really needs someone a bit specialist.

[jagracer]

Since when would you declare what running train you have on your car if it came out of the factory like it? The policy is written to take that all into account.

[D1bram]

jagracer said:

Since when would you declare what running train you have on your car if it came out of the factory like it? The policy is written to take that all into account.

The thing is though, LSD is an option on this car and is listed in the build notes as such.

I'm hoping to speak to someone UK based and get some clarity on Tuesday.

While the indian call centres can be fine, they can be absolutely terrible too... my mother was recently told by a representative Talk Talk she didn't understand something and when would her husband be home to explain to him!

[wackojacko]

Anything that is from the factory or is an orignally spec'd extra that's on the build sheet shouldn't need to be delcared as that will come up under your car on their database to start with.

[va1o]

wackojacko said:

Anything that is from the factory or is an orignally spec'd extra that's on the build sheet shouldn't need to be delcared as that will come up under your car on their database to start with.

I was under that impression too.

The grey area is people retrofitting factory options to their car. If you purchase it second hand, how would you know whether the upgraded oem alloys where fitted at the factory or by the owner?

[D1bram]

This sounds logical to me, and would be consistant with the first phone call.

Good thing is I have a list of everything fitted at the factory to prove it was not retro-fit.

[wackojacko]

va1o said:

wackojacko said:

Anything that is from the factory or is an orignally spec'd extra that's on the build sheet shouldn't need to be delcared as that will come up under your car on their database to start with.

I was under that impression too.

The grey area is people retrofitting factory options to their car. If you purchase it second hand, how would you know whether the upgraded oem alloys where fitted at the factory or by the owner?

If it's sec'd at the dealer and then fitted at the factory to conform with the ordered spec it should be on the build sheet and on the manufacturers database (which usually is linked to the insurance / police database)

[jagracer]

D1bram said:

The thing is though, LSD is an option on this car and is listed in the build notes as such.

I'm hoping to speak to someone UK based and get some clarity on Tuesday.

While the indian call centres can be fine, they can be absolutely terrible too... my mother was recently told by a representative Talk Talk she didn't understand something and when would her husband be home to explain to him!

Have you tried an online quote as it has a list of all the mods they want you to declare.

[D1bram]

Thanks, that's a good suggestion, but unfortunately Elephant don't allow you to enter optional extras or modifications on line.

On thing has occured to me however; when I initially called to get an idea of cost to change insurance over to a clubman cooper s I was quoted £8.

When I called and gave details of this car that price jumped to £57. The girl on the phone couldn't explain why and suggested it was because this car is a 2007 and I was originally quoted for a 2008. Anyway, in the end they agreed they would do it for the admin fee of £17.50 (not sure where that original £8 came from then?).

In hindisght, this additional premium may relate to the substantial options list on this vehicle?

Guess I'll find out Tuesday! In the meantime, they have confirmed we are 100% covered and that they will stick by their price (all calls recorded).

The car meanwhile is superb and the wife is over the moon with it.

[grand cherokee]

i have had this problem with insuring my RR

the insurance company say that you must declare anything that is an 'extra' - which they define as something you pay for above the base price

and yes, even a smokers pack should be declared if it costs extra!

now, its ok with the RR as you can use 'microcat' to get original build spec for your car

but how many owners of secondhand cars have any idea as to what extra's are fitted to their car - hardly any?

and when it comes to remapping/chips you rely on the info provided by the previous owner

Edited by grand cherokee on Sunday 24th April 11:34

[D1bram]

grand cherokee said:

i have had this problem with insuring my RR
but how many owners of secondhand cars have any idea as to what extra's are fitted to their car - hardly any?

Edited by grand cherokee on Sunday 24th April 11:34

Fortunately Mini can provide this info too, but yes, the majority of cars you wouldn't know. Our previous X-Type appeared factory standard, but when we were selling I noticed some very subbtle differences with some other cars for sale.

And our previous Stilo... Fiat changed the 'standard' specs from week to week! Probably depends which vino was being served with lunch!