Undeclared modifications
Discussion
Hi all
I have read horror stories about undeclared mods, and insurers voiding insurance if even the slightest of modifications aren't declared.
My car has 2 modifications - a catback fitted and tinted windows.
Has anyone ever had an experience where they were caught out with undeclared mods?
I have read horror stories about undeclared mods, and insurers voiding insurance if even the slightest of modifications aren't declared.
My car has 2 modifications - a catback fitted and tinted windows.
Has anyone ever had an experience where they were caught out with undeclared mods?
Silly to have undeclared mods.
If you were discovered with undeclared mods and your insurance company cancelled your policy, you need to declare the cancelled policy for life and it will push up quotes similar to a drink driving conviction for life.
Hardly worth it.....
There was a story i reada few years ago. Vauxhall Vectra owner. Lots of mods, undeclared.
Had a crash with another vehicle.
When his insurance company discovered the undeclared mods, they paid out to the third party then chased the Vectra owner for all the money (£25,000ish IIRC)
If you were discovered with undeclared mods and your insurance company cancelled your policy, you need to declare the cancelled policy for life and it will push up quotes similar to a drink driving conviction for life.
Hardly worth it.....
There was a story i reada few years ago. Vauxhall Vectra owner. Lots of mods, undeclared.
Had a crash with another vehicle.
When his insurance company discovered the undeclared mods, they paid out to the third party then chased the Vectra owner for all the money (£25,000ish IIRC)
Wait 'till you hear this!
This week I changed from an e39 diesel to one with a V8 in it.
I 'phoned the insurance co to let them know that I had changed, and expected a slight increase in premium due to the larger engine. Knowing how pernickety some insurers can be, I declared that the exhaust tip had been changed for aesthetic reasons, and stressed that their was no change to performance.
They wouldn't entertain that at all. I mean, not for any premium. And this was solely due to the exhaust tip.
She 'phoned me back 20 mins later to say that she could do it with another company, but the cost would be double the current amount. WTF!
This week I changed from an e39 diesel to one with a V8 in it.
I 'phoned the insurance co to let them know that I had changed, and expected a slight increase in premium due to the larger engine. Knowing how pernickety some insurers can be, I declared that the exhaust tip had been changed for aesthetic reasons, and stressed that their was no change to performance.
They wouldn't entertain that at all. I mean, not for any premium. And this was solely due to the exhaust tip.
She 'phoned me back 20 mins later to say that she could do it with another company, but the cost would be double the current amount. WTF!
Higgs boson said:
Wait 'till you hear this!
This week I changed from an e39 diesel to one with a V8 in it.
I 'phoned the insurance co to let them know that I had changed, and expected a slight increase in premium due to the larger engine. Knowing how pernickety some insurers can be, I declared that the exhaust tip had been changed for aesthetic reasons, and stressed that their was no change to performance.
They wouldn't entertain that at all. I mean, not for any premium. And this was solely due to the exhaust tip.
She 'phoned me back 20 mins later to say that she could do it with another company, but the cost would be double the current amount. WTF!
I had a similar response Insuring an Audi S3 with a remap, tried to switch cars with my existing insurers and they just didn't want to insure the car at all and I had to go elsewhere. This week I changed from an e39 diesel to one with a V8 in it.
I 'phoned the insurance co to let them know that I had changed, and expected a slight increase in premium due to the larger engine. Knowing how pernickety some insurers can be, I declared that the exhaust tip had been changed for aesthetic reasons, and stressed that their was no change to performance.
They wouldn't entertain that at all. I mean, not for any premium. And this was solely due to the exhaust tip.
She 'phoned me back 20 mins later to say that she could do it with another company, but the cost would be double the current amount. WTF!
Best to goto a specialist modified insurer, only problem is that there are not many of them about, so you don't have many options if they decide to hike up your premium on renewal.
pheasant said:
How would you always know if your had mods ?? a few year old vehicle with alloys perhaps where so many options as new ?
Completely agree with this. I have always bought used, and often 'performance' oriented cars. I have asked when buying if there are any mods, but seller could say no (as I've never been keen on them), or, of the car has more than one previous owner, simply not known. I've had cars where I've suspected there have been engine mods, but simply not known. In the not so old pre net days I used to just say not to my (genuine) knowledge, now it's all online I just tick 'no'. Is an option a mod? Probably - for example flash oem alloys make a car more vulnerable to theft than the standard smaller alloys. Are better brake pads a mod? Well they certainly are compared to standard, and in insurance world, someone fitting those is more likely to drive 'in a spirited manner' and possibly more likely to crash. But if it wasn't you that fitted them, you couldn't possibly know unless the person who did so told you.
It's all a bit debatable... One exception - I bought one car new, and added some options. In insurance world, this would make the car more desirable to thieves, and the nature of those options would suggest I like driving quickly. No need to declare. However, if I added the same/similar (one was an exhaust tip, for my sins, see above) aftermarket, then that's a modification. I'm sure with a good lawyer you could get through the worst case scenario, but it all seems a bit daft.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Maybe it's not about the modification itself, but the type of person who would fit them.
Painting flames down the side of your car isn't going to make it go any faster, but I wouldn't want to cover the person who would do that to their car, or anyone who would subsequently buy it.
I'm sure there was a guy who had his insurance cancelled for putting "Jesus Loves You" or similar stickers on the side of his car.Painting flames down the side of your car isn't going to make it go any faster, but I wouldn't want to cover the person who would do that to their car, or anyone who would subsequently buy it.
I'm wondering, if he calls to declare, will the insurance company ask if the tints and exhaust are legal because I'm suspecting they're not. I can just see the conversation, "Please will you just add my unsafe tints and inconsiderate exhaust to my policy?" "Er, no"
Edited by herewego on Sunday 9th April 08:30
herewego said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Maybe it's not about the modification itself, but the type of person who would fit them.
Painting flames down the side of your car isn't going to make it go any faster, but I wouldn't want to cover the person who would do that to their car, or anyone who would subsequently buy it.
I'm sure there was a guy who had his insurance cancelled for putting "Jesus Loves You" or similar stickers on the side of his car.Painting flames down the side of your car isn't going to make it go any faster, but I wouldn't want to cover the person who would do that to their car, or anyone who would subsequently buy it.
I'd say that if you modify your car from standard, or have modifications on you car that you're aware of, and don't bother to declare them in order to keep your premiums down, should you end up in an accident and your insurance company refuse to pay out for damage to your car due to undeclared mods: Tough s
t! - don't bother coming back on here crying about it!
The car I now own has a front strut brace that was fitted by the previous owner, which I openly declared when I applied to insure it. The Lady who was dealing with Me said straight away that she didn't know what a front strut brace was (fair enough - she might not be into cars and not everyone knows what they are), so I explained what it was, only to be told that she still didn't know what it was. I suggested she Google "front strut brace", only to be told that they weren't allowed to use Google or any other search engine at work.
After finally convincing her that a front strut brace was actually a suspension modification and not a braking mod, she then told Me that strut braces did not appear on their list of suspension modifications, or anywhere else on the system, including chassis mods, which, considering how fairly common front strut braces are, surprised Me.
She asked her supervisor, who basically told her to treat the car as standard, but to make a separate note stating that the front suspension had been modified with a strut brace, to make sure that there was no possibility of a claim being rejected due to an undeclared modification.
I asked how much extra I would have to pay due to the strut brace, and was told that as it was being treated as a standard car, there would be no extra charge!:
t! - don't bother coming back on here crying about it!The car I now own has a front strut brace that was fitted by the previous owner, which I openly declared when I applied to insure it. The Lady who was dealing with Me said straight away that she didn't know what a front strut brace was (fair enough - she might not be into cars and not everyone knows what they are), so I explained what it was, only to be told that she still didn't know what it was. I suggested she Google "front strut brace", only to be told that they weren't allowed to use Google or any other search engine at work.
After finally convincing her that a front strut brace was actually a suspension modification and not a braking mod, she then told Me that strut braces did not appear on their list of suspension modifications, or anywhere else on the system, including chassis mods, which, considering how fairly common front strut braces are, surprised Me.
She asked her supervisor, who basically told her to treat the car as standard, but to make a separate note stating that the front suspension had been modified with a strut brace, to make sure that there was no possibility of a claim being rejected due to an undeclared modification.
I asked how much extra I would have to pay due to the strut brace, and was told that as it was being treated as a standard car, there would be no extra charge!:
herewego said:
I'm sure there was a guy who had his insurance cancelled for putting "Jesus Loves You" or similar stickers on the side of his car.
Bit more than that...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wale...
Stickers on every side... but, and I suspect just as importantly, she's a priest and her church email address was also on it. At that point, it becomes a signwritten business vehicle.
Also, it came to light when she made a claim because the car was vandalised. Were the stickers the reason?
The best is when I go for different quotes for insurance for the kitcar,
"Are there any modifications?"
"The whole car is a modification love, it's a kitcar, built for parts of other cars"
Some of the operators have NO IDEA what-so-ever what a kticar is, they these brokers advertise insurance for kitcars and specials...................
"Are there any modifications?"
"The whole car is a modification love, it's a kitcar, built for parts of other cars"
Some of the operators have NO IDEA what-so-ever what a kticar is, they these brokers advertise insurance for kitcars and specials...................
Gafferjim said:
The best is when I go for different quotes for insurance for the kitcar,
"Are there any modifications?"
"The whole car is a modification love, it's a kitcar, built for parts of other cars"
Some of the operators have NO IDEA what-so-ever what a kticar is, they these brokers advertise insurance for kitcars and specials...................
"No mods. It's exactly as I built it...""Are there any modifications?"
"The whole car is a modification love, it's a kitcar, built for parts of other cars"
Some of the operators have NO IDEA what-so-ever what a kticar is, they these brokers advertise insurance for kitcars and specials...................
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Maybe it's not about the modification itself, but the type of person who would fit them.
Painting flames down the side of your car isn't going to make it go any faster, but I wouldn't want to cover the person who would do that to their car, or anyone who would subsequently buy it.
Maybe you're right. I had roller barrel throttles put on my Caterham. Informed insurer but no change to policy terms, despite increase in power.Painting flames down the side of your car isn't going to make it go any faster, but I wouldn't want to cover the person who would do that to their car, or anyone who would subsequently buy it.
oceanview said:
I had a vehicle that was a total loss.
It had a remap, decat pipe, egr blank, wider tyres than standard and I got a full pay out, no questions asked. I don't think they're that bothered unless its something mad/obvious.
If the underwriters / insurance company knew about the mods (they usually depend on 3rd parties to go out and do the vehicle inspections and reports) they definitely would have bothered as legally they'd be in a good position to get a lot more money out of you, and as a business they won't pass that up.It had a remap, decat pipe, egr blank, wider tyres than standard and I got a full pay out, no questions asked. I don't think they're that bothered unless its something mad/obvious.
Edited by oceanview on Sunday 9th April 16:44
Lots of people run around with undeclared mods with no problems
Some people even get into crashes with undeclared mods and no problems.
However, lots of people do get caught with undeclared mods and if you're unlucky enough to have your insurance policy cancelled because of it, then you'll have serious problems getting reasonable insurance quotes for a very long time.
I don't care if people run around with undeclared mods personally, because it doesn't affect me enough to care, but the risk is too high for me and the premium is actually really good with them all declared anyway. It's similar price for me to Insure a Fabia vRS TDi with engine / suspension / brake mods if i go with a specialist broker than it is for a bog standard 58bhp Peugeot 106 1.5 diesel and no mods with a generic insurer.
Roz600 said:
Hi all
I have read horror stories about undeclared mods, and insurers voiding insurance if even the slightest of modifications aren't declared.
My car has 2 modifications - a catback fitted and tinted windows.
Has anyone ever had an experience where they were caught out with undeclared mods?
Declare it and next time go with a specialist insurance if you want to add mods, I have a cat-back declared and it cost nothing. I tried quotes on search sites and they all go up about £200 for adding a cat back on.I have read horror stories about undeclared mods, and insurers voiding insurance if even the slightest of modifications aren't declared.
My car has 2 modifications - a catback fitted and tinted windows.
Has anyone ever had an experience where they were caught out with undeclared mods?
Retroman said:
oceanview said:
I had a vehicle that was a total loss.
It had a remap, decat pipe, egr blank, wider tyres than standard and I got a full pay out, no questions asked. I don't think they're that bothered unless its something mad/obvious.
If the underwriters / insurance company knew about the mods (they usually depend on 3rd parties to go out and do the vehicle inspections and reports) they definitely would have bothered as legally they'd be in a good position to get a lot more money out of you, and as a business they won't pass that up.It had a remap, decat pipe, egr blank, wider tyres than standard and I got a full pay out, no questions asked. I don't think they're that bothered unless its something mad/obvious.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 9th April 16:44
Lots of people run around with undeclared mods with no problems
Some people even get into crashes with undeclared mods and no problems.
However, lots of people do get caught with undeclared mods and if you're unlucky enough to have your insurance policy cancelled because of it, then you'll have serious problems getting reasonable insurance quotes for a very long time.
I don't care if people run around with undeclared mods personally, because it doesn't affect me enough to care, but the risk is too high for me and the premium is actually really good with them all declared anyway. It's similar price for me to Insure a Fabia vRS TDi with engine / suspension / brake mods if i go with a specialist broker than it is for a bog standard 58bhp Peugeot 106 1.5 diesel and no mods with a generic insurer.
What is the consensus on this?
I bought a used Nissan 350z which I happily drove for around 12 months, purchased for a private garage.
When the car was in for a service at a specialised Nissan garage, I was told that it had Janspeed Sports Cat fitted.
I was genuinely unaware of this modification. I purchased the car from a garage, and the sport cat was not advertised on the cars information at the dealer.
If I had crashed (before the service which identified the modification) and my insurance was rejected due to an undeclared modification, would I be liable as the vehicles owner?
I bought a used Nissan 350z which I happily drove for around 12 months, purchased for a private garage.
When the car was in for a service at a specialised Nissan garage, I was told that it had Janspeed Sports Cat fitted.
I was genuinely unaware of this modification. I purchased the car from a garage, and the sport cat was not advertised on the cars information at the dealer.
If I had crashed (before the service which identified the modification) and my insurance was rejected due to an undeclared modification, would I be liable as the vehicles owner?
georgefreeman918 said:
What is the consensus on this?
I bought a used Nissan 350z which I happily drove for around 12 months, purchased for a private garage.
When the car was in for a service at a specialised Nissan garage, I was told that it had Janspeed Sports Cat fitted.
I was genuinely unaware of this modification. I purchased the car from a garage, and the sport cat was not advertised on the cars information at the dealer.
If I had crashed (before the service which identified the modification) and my insurance was rejected due to an undeclared modification, would I be liable as the vehicles owner?
Yes.I bought a used Nissan 350z which I happily drove for around 12 months, purchased for a private garage.
When the car was in for a service at a specialised Nissan garage, I was told that it had Janspeed Sports Cat fitted.
I was genuinely unaware of this modification. I purchased the car from a garage, and the sport cat was not advertised on the cars information at the dealer.
If I had crashed (before the service which identified the modification) and my insurance was rejected due to an undeclared modification, would I be liable as the vehicles owner?
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