Cosmetic only mods. Declare them or not? Insurance £600 more

[MrBeEmW]

Hi, I have done some cosmetic mods. The usual diffuser, splitter, side skirts.

Would you / Have you declared all mods to your insurance company or don’t bother with it?

They’re quoting me £600 more with the mods.

All advice and experiences appreciated. Thanks in advance all

[sortedcossie]

Ours are both standard, if I had modded then yeah I'd declare.

I can't be bothered with the risk of someone else causing damage then someone eagle eyed spotting it resulting in cancelled insurance which is hard to shake off afterwards.

I have had modded cars, always declared - I don't recall it making any difference with things like air filters or exhausts (I fitted a cup splitter to a Clio 172 and declaring that made no odds).

[geeks]

MrBeEmW said:

Hi, I have done some cosmetic mods. The usual diffuser, splitter, side skirts.

Would you / Have you declared all mods to your insurance company or don t bother with it?

They re quoting me £600 more with the mods.

All advice and experiences appreciated. Thanks in advance all

Declare them, internet is full of tales of woe where people haven't!

[Jazoli]

Of course you have to tell them, they'll likely deny any claim you may make if they find out the car has been modified, the proposal normally asks if the car has been modified in any way, which it now has.

[RSTurboPaul]

How would one know what was standard and what wasn't, if one was buying secondhand and wasn't a total model nerd?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

RSTurboPaul said:

How would one know what was standard and what wasn't, if one was buying secondhand and wasn't a total model nerd?

The insurance company would in the event of a big claim.

[worsy]

Yes absolutely.

Many years ago I was refused a pay out because my shed of a mini had white minilite wheels.

[ConnectionError]

RSTurboPaul said:

How would one know what was standard and what wasn't, if one was buying secondhand and wasn't a total model nerd?

The OP knows it is modified, he has done the modifications himself.


I would declare, they now have a note on your file with the enquiry. If something happened and you needed to claim you may find the policy is declared void

[otolith]

Decide whether the mods are worth the insurance hike before you do them. If you aren't willing to pay, leave it standard.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

otolith said:

Decide whether the mods are worth the insurance hike before you do them. If you aren't willing to pay, leave it standard.

He's saying he's done them (not that they can't be undone I s'pose)

[Super Sonic]

RSTurboPaul said:

How would one know what was standard and what wasn't, if one was buying secondhand and wasn't a total model nerd?

You could ask the person you bought it from.
I believe there is a clause about 'honestly held belief' where you could tell your insurer that you did not know the car was modified, but they will do their damnedest to show that you should have, and would have if you had done your due diligence.

[RSTurboPaul]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

RSTurboPaul said:

How would one know what was standard and what wasn't, if one was buying secondhand and wasn't a total model nerd?

The insurance company would in the event of a big claim.

Okay - but how would the buyer know?

And how could they reasonably be held responsible for 'failure to declare' if it would take PH levels of nerding to source the specific vehicle's build sheets, original sales brochures with standard trim level options detailed, options lists with diagrams and pictures...

'It's black and has silver wheels, Mr Meerkat, is that what you mean?'

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

RSTurboPaul said:

Okay - but how would the buyer know?

And how could they reasonably be held responsible for 'failure to declare' if it would take PH levels of nerding to source the specific vehicle's build sheets, original sales brochures with standard trim level options detailed, options lists with diagrams and pictures...

'It's black and has silver wheels, Mr Meerkat, is that what you mean?'

A buyer probably wouldn't. The bloke that's made them (the OP) would.

Mind, mods aren't always bad news. I fitted decals & amber beacons to my Ranger & the insurance went down

[otolith]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

otolith said:

Decide whether the mods are worth the insurance hike before you do them. If you aren't willing to pay, leave it standard.

He's saying he's done them (not that they can't be undone I s'pose)

Indeed. So he should declare and pay up. If he wasn't willing to do that, he shouldn't have modified the car.

[danb79]

A mod is a mod - whether it’s a splitter, spoiler, up-rated discs and pads, braided lines, upgraded exhaust, turbo etc…

Either declare it / them or don’t fit them

[Mr Tidy]

danb79 said:

A mod is a mod - whether it s a splitter, spoiler, up-rated discs and pads, braided lines, upgraded exhaust, turbo etc

Either declare it / them or don t fit them

That's the only way to go.

[SlimJim16v]

Those aren't cosmetic mods, they're body mods.

[Panamax]

geeks said:

Declare them, internet is full of tales of woe where people haven't!

^^ This.

[John D.]

SlimJim16v said:

Those aren't cosmetic mods, they're body mods.

Cosmetic = what you can see.

Let's not pretend they do anything for performance!

[davidexige]

SlimJim16v said:

Those aren't cosmetic mods, they're body mods.

I have all those mods on one of my cars plus more and my insurance company classes them as exterior decorative changes and for the OP I’ve declared all my mods on my cars, fortunately there’s never been any increase in premium.

Edited by davidexige on Friday 9th January 21:22