Insurance - proof my vehicle isn’t modified!

[D1bram]

Just changed cars, gone from a focus ST-3 to a van, well a van which is classed as a car but is definitely a van.

It is a 6 seat Renault master, on log book as a MPV.

Anyway, going from 250bhp to 100bhp I thought about a remap. Checked insurance implications before I bought it and decided more hassle than it’s worth.

Thought no more until I got an email today asking for photos of the vehicle and stating they might need to amend or cancel my policy… I called up and they explained they had become aware that I had requested for a quote with the vehicle remapped and that I needed to send proof it isn’t modified.

Anyway, photos duly sent, though I’m not sure how a photo proves it isn’t mapped!

In 27 years of driving cars, vans and bikes, standard and modified (always declared!) I’ve never had anything like this.

[Super Sonic]

Can you write, on a piece of paper
"(Vehicle details) is not modified", sign it, and send a photo of that?

[D1bram]

Oh I was assured these photos will satisfy them. I just found it weird, I suspected a scam which is why I called them.

[Heathwood]

What exactly did you send photos of? What do they think a remap looks like?

[Zetec-S]

Heathwood said:

What exactly did you send photos of? What do they think a remap looks like?

Photo of the satnav?

[valiant]

Just send a photo of the engine with 'unmapped' written on a sheet of A4 placed on top.

[Ari]

Strong shades of people sending photos of a sad face and an empty plate when asked for photographic proof that their Uber Eats failed to arrive!

[foggy]

Had the same from Admiral a good few years ago when I enquired at renewal time about additional premium for modified suspension and changing seats. Never did go through with the mods in the end, but received a grumpy message a few months later demanding additional premium for mods or threats of cancellation etc. Quick call soon nipped it in the bud, but the bloody cheek of the tone of the message…

[Olivera]

Only real solution is to send the ECU fuelling and ignition tables to the insurer, so they can compare against OEM.

[thejaywills]

The insurance game in the UK is fast becoming a joke. You can't prove a negative, especially one as undetectable as a remap..

[Alex Z]

thejaywills said:

The insurance game in the UK is fast becoming a joke. You can't prove a negative, especially one as undetectable as a remap..

While that’s true, you can catch people out who’ve also fitted new wheels, lowered suspension, stickered up bodywork and so on.

[ecsrobin]

I’m sure what you’ve done is something many people do, I know I have previously asked and then said not worth the increase and thought nothing of it.

[J4CKO]

I would contact them and say that it was an enquiry and I did not proceed, as a remap is software which is unreadable it is not possible to provide, without extensive technical kit and knowhow a photograph to evidence a remap not being present.

Insurance is based on "Uberrima fides", or utmost good faith so you will have to take my word that the van has not been remapped.

Requesting a photo for something that is not a physical alteration seems rather pointless and doesnt fill me with confidence of your technical competencies, may as well send a picture of my dog, he is definitely chipped though.

They may just void your insurance though, so just send them a photo, maybe pose on the bonnet in a David Brent pose ?

[AlexGSi2000]

Interesting MrBond....

Only time I have come across this is specialist insurance for fixed value.

Think a mate of mine had his Evo with mods declared, which bumped up the value of the car a fair bit.
Think the insurance just wanted clarification if the parts were actually fitted to the car!

[Arrivalist]

Email them asking for proof that it is.

[Baldchap]

I'd send a photo of me driving it with a sad frown on my face.

[Krikkit]

All they're really doing is getting some content from you in response to "tell us if it's modified" - if they later find out it is they can refuse your claim. It doesn't matter that the content they have doesn't explicitly show what they're asking about, they're just wanting something from you to squirrel away.

[STe_rsv4]

Only way to prove this is Gopro on the steering wheel and multiple 0-60 launches along the local dual carriageway.
Send the video to the insurers and ask them to verify times agianst manufacturers specifications

[Dingu]

thejaywills said:

The insurance game in the UK is fast becoming a joke. You can't prove a negative, especially one as undetectable as a remap..

You must be doing well to want to pay more to cover liars.

[BrettMRC]

STe_rsv4 said:

Only way to prove this is Gopro on the steering wheel and multiple 0-60 launches along the local dual carriageway.
Send the video to the insurers and ask them to verify times agianst manufacturers specifications

GoPro on the steering wheel? Undeclared modification sir...