Admiral want proof that car is standard
Discussion
This thread has me wondering.... if I buy a used car which unbeknownst to me had a remap and I declared it as standard then what would happen in the event this was discovered during a claim? How could 99.9% of the public be expected to be able to check what map the car is running and whether it is a standard OEM map? Even though I have the equipment and capability to check maps on many marques of car and ECU, I don't think I have ever checked any used car I've bought.
I also wonder whether insurers share any data on modifications declared on previous policies. That might allow them an easy way to see if a car has had previous mods.
I also wonder whether insurers share any data on modifications declared on previous policies. That might allow them an easy way to see if a car has had previous mods.
spookly said:
This thread has me wondering.... if I buy a used car which unbeknownst to me had a remap and I declared it as standard then what would happen in the event this was discovered during a claim? How could 99.9% of the public be expected to be able to check what map the car is running and whether it is a standard OEM map? Even though I have the equipment and capability to check maps on many marques of car and ECU, I don't think I have ever checked any used car I've bought.
I also wonder whether insurers share any data on modifications declared on previous policies. That might allow them an easy way to see if a car has had previous mods.
Is the million dollar question. I would imagine a decent insurer would accept it (especially if the power had no bearing on the claim). How would the Ryanair of the Insurance world handle it? It would probably be made up on the spot by the claims handler.I also wonder whether insurers share any data on modifications declared on previous policies. That might allow them an easy way to see if a car has had previous mods.
I had an Admiral policy when my 840ci sport was written off. Went through hell trying to get a payout which took 6 months due to undeclared modifications which I was not aware about. In the end they said the modifications would have added 25% to my policy and therefore they were going to take 25% off the already low valuation of my car. Had to accept the offer to put an end to the whole sorry affair. Lesson learned and now insure all my cars through Hiscox Private Clients.
One of those companies I was forced to use when I was younger because they offered good premiums for higher risk drivers, but I wouldn't touch now I have a reasonable choice. I know far too many people who've been on the receiving end of sharp practice by them.
OP, I'd tell them to shove it if you can get cover elsewhere for similar money.
OP, I'd tell them to shove it if you can get cover elsewhere for similar money.
vikingaero said:
Is the million dollar question. I would imagine a decent insurer would accept it (especially if the power had no bearing on the claim). How would the Ryanair of the Insurance world handle it? It would probably be made up on the spot by the claims handler.
More dodgy guesswork. 
The issue would be referred by any file handler to the underwriters as an indemnity query.
The underwriters would then either make a decision or more usually write to the policyholder requesting an explanation.
Some mods would mean the policyholder would be unrisked, any claim would be halted and any costs (such as re-assembling a partially stripped vehicle at a garage) would have to be met by the policyholder.
Other undeclared mods might require a mid term adjustment or additional premium would be added, and finally (as is surprisingly often the case) if the policyholder's explanation seems reasonable and the mod acceptable, then no adjustment would be made. Any claim would continue as usual.
Mr E said:
I knew roughly what options the merc had (the bloody obvious ones like a roof I can see through). I didn’t know that the steering wheel was a ~£300 option for example, and it’s only because I’m interested in the car that I found out.
What I would hope would happen, from any reasonable insurer, is to take the attitude that anything noteworthy enough to affect the value of the car would have been mentioned by the seller in their advert at the time the current owner bought the car, so therefore that advert should be sufficient declaration of any optional extras.I think the biggest thing, though, is that the nautical themed insurer will bump up the premium for optional extras but not cover them (as previously mentioned).
That's not insurance-bashing; this is making people aware of things they may not have been aware of. Likewise the Speed Awareness Course thing.
Even by the low standards of the motor insurance industry, Admiral are awful. 
Their premiums are ridiculous,. They seem to have almost no trust in their customers. They make you jump through endless hoops, and their customer service makes Vodafone seem like a model of competence and professionalism by comparison.
Absolute w
kers
Their premiums are ridiculous,. They seem to have almost no trust in their customers. They make you jump through endless hoops, and their customer service makes Vodafone seem like a model of competence and professionalism by comparison.
Absolute w
kers
lbc said:
GTI16V said:
Even by the low standards of the motor insurance industry, Admiral are awful.
I have been with Admiral for years and never had a problem with their customer service, and their prices have always been the lowest for multi-car policy. They've been utterly s
te in my experience.I think the comparisons to Ryanair are well made.
If you go in with your eyes open, knowing exactly what you are getting for your money, and more importantly what you are not, and you don't mind them loading things that other insurers don't even consider (like previous quotations, and the aforementioned SAC), and you make an informed decision based on this, and you treat making a claim for a total loss in much the same way as you would treat selling a car to "webuyanycar dot com", and you don't mind every single little adjustment having a surcharge attached to it, then there is nothing inherently wrong with the insurance company whose name is in the thread title.
In short, if you are prepared to play by their rules, jump through their hoops, and the sums add up for you, then go for it.
I guess it all comes down to whether you want insurance because you have to have insurance, or you want to actually indemnify yourself against loss.
If you go in with your eyes open, knowing exactly what you are getting for your money, and more importantly what you are not, and you don't mind them loading things that other insurers don't even consider (like previous quotations, and the aforementioned SAC), and you make an informed decision based on this, and you treat making a claim for a total loss in much the same way as you would treat selling a car to "webuyanycar dot com", and you don't mind every single little adjustment having a surcharge attached to it, then there is nothing inherently wrong with the insurance company whose name is in the thread title.
In short, if you are prepared to play by their rules, jump through their hoops, and the sums add up for you, then go for it.
I guess it all comes down to whether you want insurance because you have to have insurance, or you want to actually indemnify yourself against loss.
I'd like to see more openness in insurance. How about a simple system that says I am male, in age band B, location band D, driving a group 20 car. with add ons (say 5%) for an SP30 and one previous claim. Based on that information, I should be able to work out an average cost of moving house/ changing car/ modifications etc and everyone knows what is going on, instead I have to play this merry dance every year where they pick a random number out of the sky, add 20% as you're a previous customer and if you don't bother, the fine is less than the cost!
Maybe so. I used them for years on nice cars. Luckily never claimed and generally found customer services ok if uk based. Premium for me was essentially tax as I’d avoid claiming at all costs. Cheapest by some margin, till last year when my policy increased by 30%.
The option thing though is a farce as I mentioned above. I had bought a near decade old car at the end of model run. I knew the car had options - or where they just run out model options? As a PH I knew but to the average punter? My car has a grey dash panel and a different steering wheel. I can’t imagine Admiral has had an actuary assessment of that. Or whether having a black roof is more of a risk than dark green. Hence i’m now with an insurer that doesn’t ask stupid questions that most wouldn’t have answer to.
The option thing though is a farce as I mentioned above. I had bought a near decade old car at the end of model run. I knew the car had options - or where they just run out model options? As a PH I knew but to the average punter? My car has a grey dash panel and a different steering wheel. I can’t imagine Admiral has had an actuary assessment of that. Or whether having a black roof is more of a risk than dark green. Hence i’m now with an insurer that doesn’t ask stupid questions that most wouldn’t have answer to.
98elise said:
Typical insurance bashing thread...
Self-righteous indignation of people wanting to mod cars but not wanting the insurance company to ask any questions.
What are you talking about? The insurance company has no proof that the car is even modified.Self-righteous indignation of people wanting to mod cars but not wanting the insurance company to ask any questions.
Get your head out of your ass mate.
98elise said:
Typical insurance bashing thread...
Self-righteous indignation of people wanting to mod cars but not wanting the insurance company to ask any questions.
That's not very true at all is it.Self-righteous indignation of people wanting to mod cars but not wanting the insurance company to ask any questions.
As a modified car owner I use Adrian Flux and they are great in terms of covering everything.
If I had a standard car such as the OP or the chap a page or so ago with the Cayman and Polo , and got messed around , then I would be very angry.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff