Upgrades on a car, but an option at time of buying?
Discussion
Looking at getting an 03 MINI cooper for a bit of fun while still being on a bit of budget, but what has struck me is the sheer range of options on the cars that range from chrome mirrors to cooper s alloys! Basically I can never work out what was on the car when it was new because alot of them seem to have multiple owners.
So would my insurance come into question if when I brought the car it had for example the 17inch cooper s alloys (which are an option when new) but were retro fitted without my knowledge?
Can insurance companies find out exactly what was on the car when it was new?
Thanks
Nixon
So would my insurance come into question if when I brought the car it had for example the 17inch cooper s alloys (which are an option when new) but were retro fitted without my knowledge?
Can insurance companies find out exactly what was on the car when it was new?
Thanks
Nixon
It varies between companies. When my VW passat was written off by someone running a red light who admitted fault etc when my insurance company was giving me a cheque to get me back on the road ASAP I started arguing as to what my passat was worth. It was a 2.8 4motion and spec was really, really good - what was standard fit and what was a paid factory optional extra, no idea at all. Anyway I got sent links to other 4motions that were very basic by the insurance company to back up their valuation. I pointed out mine has alcantara / leather, auto wipers, tow bar, climate control, xenons etc these didn't. I was told all those options should have been declared, if I want a pay out for a car with the same spec I'd have the increase in premium taken from my payout. Ridiculous situation how are you supposed to know base factory spec of a multi owner decade old car with loads of factory variations.
Another car and another company I asked does it make any difference, factory options? I was told no of course not, we are only interested in aftermarket changes.
Another car and another company I asked does it make any difference, factory options? I was told no of course not, we are only interested in aftermarket changes.
Edited by Herman Toothrot on Monday 22 August 14:55
Herman Toothrot said:
Another car and another company I asked does it make any difference, factory options? I was told no of course not, we are only interested in aftermarket changes.
The levels of double standards within insurance never fails to surprise me.. that's an absolute joke! You shouldn't have to declare bloody factory options! Herman Toothrot said:
It varies between companies. When my VW passat was written off by someone running a red light who admitted fault etc when my insurance company was giving me a cheque to get me back on the road ASAP I started arguing as to what my passat was worth. It was a 2.8 4motion and spec was really, really good - what was standard fit and what was a paid factory optional extra, no idea at all. Anyway I got sent links to other 4motions that were very basic by the insurance company to back up their valuation. I pointed out mine has alcantara / leather, auto wipers, tow bar, climate control, xenons etc these didn't. I was told all those options should have been declared, if I want a pay out for a car with the same spec I'd have the increase in premium taken from my payout.
I was in a similar position when my BMW 330i was written off.It had a great spec most of which I discovered after insuring it and declaring only the satnav as an extra. When I found out about all the other extras I should have rang them but I never got round to it. The when I crashed it I got the value of a base spec car with a satnav...
With a Mini you can ring BMW and they can give you a print out of all the options fitted to the car when new.
Chicane-UK said:
You shouldn't have to declare bloody factory options!
While I don't want to give then ideas, it is a bit odd that you could have towards £10K of options on many cars and the insurance premium is the same as for a standard car.What I don't get in the OPs post is what it's got to do with his insurance company - if it was someone else's fault then it's their insurers problem (unless the 3rd party was uninsured).
Deva Link said:
What I don't get in the OPs post is what it's got to do with his insurance company - if it was someone else's fault then it's their insurers problem (unless the 3rd party was uninsured).
Your insurance company pays out then reclaims from the other driver, at least thats what happened to me. I was insured by Elephant, he was insured by Lloyds, he admitted fault straught away - it was still Elephant who were on the phone to me and sent me a cheque then a letter a few months later saying all costs had been recoved and here was an additional cheque for my excess.
Herman Toothrot said:
Your insurance company pays out then reclaims from the other driver, at least thats what happened to me.
Sure - I have claimed like that, although not for a write off. I wouldn't expect my own insurance company to argue with me though. Of course they may say that the 3rd parties company doesn't accept the value of the claim.It's worth noting that a lot of cars will still have their order paperwork/invoices which details all this stuff - and I'd certainly mention anything valuable which could affect a future payout.
If they don't, most dealers can tell you (they obviously need this for parts queries so they can ALL do it) but getting this information varies in difficulty (from a phone call to a written request with proof-of-ownership required).
Insurers can obvious access this too ofc.
I reckon insurers just use this stuff as 'haggle room' - end of the day they're going to lowball you anyway, it's just another excuse for them to try to justify their failure to replace the asset they were supposed to be insuring!!
If they don't, most dealers can tell you (they obviously need this for parts queries so they can ALL do it) but getting this information varies in difficulty (from a phone call to a written request with proof-of-ownership required).
Insurers can obvious access this too ofc.
I reckon insurers just use this stuff as 'haggle room' - end of the day they're going to lowball you anyway, it's just another excuse for them to try to justify their failure to replace the asset they were supposed to be insuring!!
RenesisEvo said:
A moment of spare time revealed that using Audi's car configurator, one can add options to an Audi A8 to the value of £69k. You'd definitely want the insurance company to know about those.
You would really want someone to know you spent 11k on the exclusive leather package? I'd be ashamed of myself.Herman Toothrot said:
I pointed out mine has alcantara / leather, auto wipers, tow bar, climate control, xenons etc these didn't. I was told all those options should have been declared, if I want a pay out for a car with the same spec I'd have the increase in premium taken from my payout.
I can understand declaring extras like upgraded alloys, satnav and leather but climate and auto wipers?! It sounds like an excuse to offer a lower payout.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff