Cerbera insurance; modifications?

[Cerb999]

Hi, almost cerbera newbie here, with a dull, practical insurance question.
I'm trying to sort out insurance for my (nearly!) 4.5 cerbera. I've done my research and got qoutes from Mannings, Hagerty and Competition Car Insurance, amongst others. However, only one of these asked me about modifications to the car. When I reeled off "suspension, exhaust & induction" I could hear the sharp intake of breath down the phone...: When they checked this with the underwriters their quote came back significantly higher than the others (double the cheapest quote.)

The others didn't ask me so I didn't mention the mods. One of them didn't even care if it was a 4.5 or 4.2 when I offered this info! Given that a large proportion of 4.5s advertised have had these sort of modifications, do you think I need to offer this info to any potential insurer? The one company that did ask suggested that I should, but I don't want to risk unnecessarily inflating my premium if there's no need.

One company asked for the bhp, which I estimated at 390; but I don't know if they're working from the often quoted 420 bhp of the "standard" 4.5, even when few, if any actually produce this! Maybe I should just offer the estimated bhp rather than details of upgrades. They might offer me a discount!

Right, I promise my next thread will be full of newbie excitement, once I've sorted out the practicalities!

[JensenA]

Always best to be honest with Insurers. Anything that you omit to tell them, could be used by them as a 'get out clause', in the event of you making a claim.
Most of the specialist insurers wont hike the premium because of the 'upgrades'.

Edited by JensenA on Tuesday 13th May 01:34

[neilus]

You must declare all modifications, otherwise it could be classed as fraudulantly obtaining insurance and the insurance could refuse to pay out if the worse happened.

I went through A-plan who placed the business with Groupama, and the re-map just went down as 'miscellaneous engine modifications' as far as I am aware it made no difference to the premium.

Neil.

[Mr Freefall]

neilus said:

You must declare all modifications, otherwise it could be classed as fraudulantly obtaining insurance and the insurance could refuse to pay out if the worse happened.

I went through A-plan who placed the business with Groupama, and the re-map just went down as 'miscellaneous engine modifications' as far as I am aware it made no difference to the premium.

Neil.

I totally agree. A-plan were the best for me, with all the mods to my car, the only raised the premium 10%...

Good luck with your new toy, injoy in the summer

Mr F

[Cerb999]

Thanks for all the replies. My gut feeling was to tell the insurer all details but I was just surprised that these modifications made such a difference to one of the specialist insurers' quotes. I'll try A-plan too.
Looks like I'll be collecting her towards the end of the week so I'll be back soon. Can't wait!!