Not declaring modifications to insurance companies
Discussion
It entirely depends on the insurer and how they 'risky' they want their book of business to be. Providers will either (in order to risk):
a) Not cover any mods at all
b) Cover them at an extorionate price (so pricing you out the market)
c) Cover them based on a % or xBHP increase overstandard
Most mainstream insureres are quite risk averse and specialist brokers like Flux, HIC etc will fall into category c.
If you're in any doubt whatsoever, call your insurer and ask. Things like ECU remaps are obviously much harder to trace and easier to 'reverse' in the event of a crash. However, minor shunts might not even necessitate a visit from an assessor but bear in mind if your car looks like it drove through the local Ripspeed counter backwards assessors will break out their fine tooth comb!
a) Not cover any mods at all
b) Cover them at an extorionate price (so pricing you out the market)
c) Cover them based on a % or xBHP increase overstandard
Most mainstream insureres are quite risk averse and specialist brokers like Flux, HIC etc will fall into category c.
If you're in any doubt whatsoever, call your insurer and ask. Things like ECU remaps are obviously much harder to trace and easier to 'reverse' in the event of a crash. However, minor shunts might not even necessitate a visit from an assessor but bear in mind if your car looks like it drove through the local Ripspeed counter backwards assessors will break out their fine tooth comb!
Defcon5 said:
EK993 said:
You have to declare any modifications to the vehicle that have taken place after it leaves the factory.
Tyres?Advice to OP:
It's just not worth driving round with a ? over if your policy will pay out, or if they will void it. Find a mod friendly insurer, declare all mods, get them noted in the schedule of insurance so there can be absolutely no questions if you are involved in an incident.
If you can't afford the premium with the mods declared, don't buy the car.
Neil G60 said:
It entirely depends on the insurer and how they 'risky' they want their book of business to be. Providers will either (in order to risk):
a) Not cover any mods at all
b) Cover them at an extorionate price (so pricing you out the market)
c) Cover them based on a % or xBHP increase overstandard
Most mainstream insureres are quite risk averse and specialist brokers like Flux, HIC etc will fall into category c.
If you're in any doubt whatsoever, call your insurer and ask. Things like ECU remaps are obviously much harder to trace and easier to 'reverse' in the event of a crash. However, minor shunts might not even necessitate a visit from an assessor but bear in mind if your car looks like it drove through the local Ripspeed counter backwards assessors will break out their fine tooth comb!
^best answer. Ring greenlight, they'll sort you out.a) Not cover any mods at all
b) Cover them at an extorionate price (so pricing you out the market)
c) Cover them based on a % or xBHP increase overstandard
Most mainstream insureres are quite risk averse and specialist brokers like Flux, HIC etc will fall into category c.
If you're in any doubt whatsoever, call your insurer and ask. Things like ECU remaps are obviously much harder to trace and easier to 'reverse' in the event of a crash. However, minor shunts might not even necessitate a visit from an assessor but bear in mind if your car looks like it drove through the local Ripspeed counter backwards assessors will break out their fine tooth comb!
Thanks for your input guys (and girls)
I think i'll just get the standard car. I was torn between a modified focus rs or a standard. The modified was well looked after and a grand cheaper than the standard (the standard has not been looked after as well) but i think it best just to spend that bit more and not worry about the insurance side.
Im limited on the insurance front as im 24 and only had my license about 10 months so i pay high insurance anyway, the mods just increase the premium even more!
I think i'll just get the standard car. I was torn between a modified focus rs or a standard. The modified was well looked after and a grand cheaper than the standard (the standard has not been looked after as well) but i think it best just to spend that bit more and not worry about the insurance side.
Im limited on the insurance front as im 24 and only had my license about 10 months so i pay high insurance anyway, the mods just increase the premium even more!
ian_touring said:
Shirly the cheapest tyres of no name/no grip would be the greatest risk versus high grip top end compound?
Otherway around shirly With thin skimpy tyres you soon get used to the limits of the car are not too surprised by a patch of diesel or slippery leaves
With the expensive stick to anything type tyres, you can drive like a maniac until you discover ...
BoRED S2upid said:
jbi said:
out of curiosity what cosmetic changes need to be declared to insurance?
I'm talking things like... seat covers, steering wheel covers, cd player, painting the interior etc etc etc
Most are only bothered about performance enhancing mods IMO. I'm talking things like... seat covers, steering wheel covers, cd player, painting the interior etc etc etc
However, if you fit 5k wheels to your fiesta this makes the car 100 time more likely to be stolen so is a major factor in the insurance premium, even though nothing changes the performance.
Basic rule of thumb, Declare EVERYTHING and you may be pleasantly surprised, if the premium changes to something you can't live with then look for a specialist company.
ian_touring said:
jbi said:
Defcon5 said:
Tyres?
Thats a good point... tyres are one of the biggest performance effecting changes you can make..(snip) Shirly the cheapest tyres of no name/no grip would be the greatest risk versus high grip top end compound?
Diablos-666 said:
Thanks for your input guys (and girls)
I think i'll just get the standard car. I was torn between a modified focus rs or a standard. The modified was well looked after and a grand cheaper than the standard (the standard has not been looked after as well) but i think it best just to spend that bit more and not worry about the insurance side.
Im limited on the insurance front as im 24 and only had my license about 10 months so i pay high insurance anyway, the mods just increase the premium even more!
If the insurance cost is only 500 difference and the car is a grand cheaper and in better knick why not just buy it? it will be two years before the extra insurance has matched what you would have paid for the modded car. And to be honest 24-26 can make a big difference in insurance terms and you might have found by then that the gap has decreased.I think i'll just get the standard car. I was torn between a modified focus rs or a standard. The modified was well looked after and a grand cheaper than the standard (the standard has not been looked after as well) but i think it best just to spend that bit more and not worry about the insurance side.
Im limited on the insurance front as im 24 and only had my license about 10 months so i pay high insurance anyway, the mods just increase the premium even more!
Chapppers said:
Herman Toothrot said:
Chapppers said:
I Predict: Don't do it, be gone with you satan! You're the reason ALL BAD THINGS HAPPEN
However, i'd like to know what really happens from someone who's actually experienced it.
Have you tried Greenlight though? They're usually quite good on modifications.
I read a thread once by a person with a modifed but un-declared car who wrote it off. Story basically went along the lines of "the car had un-declared modifications, they would have made £XXX difference to your premium with this in mind we will pay out £XXXX for the car minus £XXX that you should have paid us in the first place". That was that. There wasn't a 3rd party involved though.However, i'd like to know what really happens from someone who's actually experienced it.
Have you tried Greenlight though? They're usually quite good on modifications.
How far do you go with mod declaration?
The insurance companies state anything not as per manufacturers spec.
That could include, batteries, filters, tyres, brake fluid, screen wash, spark plugs, plug leads, stereo, light bulbs, floor mats, wheels, exhaust, clutch components, etc.
I don't declare service items or high wear items like tyres or different brand of something like a clutch but maybe I should be?
The insurance companies state anything not as per manufacturers spec.
That could include, batteries, filters, tyres, brake fluid, screen wash, spark plugs, plug leads, stereo, light bulbs, floor mats, wheels, exhaust, clutch components, etc.
I don't declare service items or high wear items like tyres or different brand of something like a clutch but maybe I should be?
KaraK said:
Chapppers said:
Herman Toothrot said:
Chapppers said:
I Predict: Don't do it, be gone with you satan! You're the reason ALL BAD THINGS HAPPEN
However, i'd like to know what really happens from someone who's actually experienced it.
Have you tried Greenlight though? They're usually quite good on modifications.
I read a thread once by a person with a modifed but un-declared car who wrote it off. Story basically went along the lines of "the car had un-declared modifications, they would have made £XXX difference to your premium with this in mind we will pay out £XXXX for the car minus £XXX that you should have paid us in the first place". That was that. There wasn't a 3rd party involved though.However, i'd like to know what really happens from someone who's actually experienced it.
Have you tried Greenlight though? They're usually quite good on modifications.
kambites said:
If you had a crash, they would pay out third party but not fully comp. They would then sue you for the cost of the third party payout.
You would also be guilty of driving without insurance.
I agree with you first sentence, but are you sure about "driving without insurance?" given that the insurer is legally prevented from refusing to pay out to thrid parties if a certificate has been issued.You would also be guilty of driving without insurance.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 14th January 13:08
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