Newbie with Insurance Probs...

[Jayg0]

Help!!

I've been hankering after an Elise for a good few years now and finally took the plunge, after owning (In the last couple of years):

VW Lupo GTI
Honda CTR
Mini Cooper S
Clio 172 Cup

of which both the CTR and Cup were modified, causing no insurance probs.

I'm supposed to be collecting my Elise on Saturday (22nd) but my insurance company has cancelled my policy as of then as they won't cover an S1 Elise with the 135 engine upgrade!

This is despite the fact that my Cup has been chipped and has a CAI fitted!

Has anyone else had probs insuring modded cars?

Quotes have been around £600 until I mention the mod. and then they seem to be about a grand more expensive!!

The worst thing is that the car can't be taxed until I get a covernote, so it may mean an even longer wait grr...

Sorry about the essay but it;s all been a bit stressful really!

[DanH]

Search this forum for insurance. Its all here better than I can remember

[paulwakinshaw]

Help is at hand!

As for insurance companies the best tend to be the following:

Elephant, Tesco & Footman James (Lotus Owners Club approved Insurer)

As for the 135 Kit, is this an after market addition?

If it is what does it consist of (fancy air filter, exhaust etc...)

What I am getting at here is if you open the engine cover is it obvious that there are additional parts installed?

If you do make and insurance claim, the insurance company will send out an assessor to price up the damage. If he sees some obvious add-on's the claim & policy will be made void and your up the creek.

But if on the other hand the engine bay looks standard there sould be no problem. you can extract up to approx 160bhp without any noticble mods, things such as cams, head ported, manfold (not really that obvious) and if well hidden a different ECU.

Hope this helps.

[marcfair]

try adrian flux

[Quixotic]

Try Liverpool Victoria Frizzell. Can't remember the number but it's on the net.

I had the same problem, modded car -> astronomical insurance.

The lady I spoke to at Frizzell said they didn't care what mods had been made to the car...

[S Works]

marcfair said:

try adrian flux

Yep, I'm thru them and have been for years with modded mini's. Usually pretty competitive and are reasonable about exhausts, airboxes etc.

[mister kevlar]

hey my advice would be footman james through club lotus...i told them about various mods on my car and it never affected my insurance premium a penny

[Jayg0]

Thanks for all the advice. Have covered the car with elephant for the purposes of getting it taxed etc. but will try the others to see if they're more competitive (and less twitchy about mods). After all what else os a 'cooling off' period for?

Thanks again - a very happy new owner of an elise!

[pley]

paulwakinshaw said:

What I am getting at here is if you open the engine cover is it obvious that there are additional parts installed? If you do make and insurance claim, the insurance company will send out an assessor to price up the damage. If he sees some obvious add-on's the claim & policy will be made void and your up the creek. But if on the other hand the engine bay looks standard there sould be no problem. you can extract up to approx 160bhp without any noticble mods, things such as cams, head ported, manfold (not really that obvious) and if well hidden a different ECU. Hope this helps.

Err, no. Do not do this! *Some* insurance assessors may overlook/not see the modifications. Some wont. Just isnt worth the risk for your £10-20k toy to become £50 scrap.

Spend the extra cash on proper car insurance...should the need arise of course.