Insuring a lowered car?
Author
Discussion

tallerthanthou

Original Poster:

2 posts

196 months

Thursday 24th June 2010
quotequote all
So I'm new to posting on the site, always spending valuable time reading it all though.

Quick one for you. I'm swapping cars over at the moment (currently driving an old supra, taking it off the road for a paint job) and my insurers say they won't insure the vag I'm looking at if it's lowered by more than 50mm.

If, for example, it's lowered by 60mm, which the seller says it might be (but he has to check his receipts!!) if he can't get hold of the receipts and I went ahead and told the insurers I think it's 50mm, how would they ever know if it wasn't? I can't imagine they would ever know any different either way.
What do you chaps think?

ZOLLAR

19,920 posts

203 months

Thursday 24th June 2010
quotequote all
Well im pretty sure they'll know if you have an accident wink

Honestly mate your better off finding an insurer that will cover you and enjoy the car worry free biggrin

oh and welcome by the way! wavey

tallerthanthou

Original Poster:

2 posts

196 months

Thursday 24th June 2010
quotequote all
I was expecting an answer like that!
Thankyou for the reply though!

Do you really think'd they'd notice 10mm? Surely the only way they'd know is finding out what the factory springs are. And would they be able to source that info on a 21 year old car (sorry missed that bit out)

Surely if the new springs quoted a 50mm drop and the original springs had sagged (which they would if the were old) then it'd overall be a 60mm drop anyway..?

dan19evans

4,954 posts

197 months

Thursday 24th June 2010
quotequote all
just dont crash wink

DanGPR

991 posts

201 months

Thursday 24th June 2010
quotequote all
If the new springs were quoted as 50mm, and the old ones had sagged 10mm, then you get a 40mm drop, no?

ZOLLAR

19,920 posts

203 months

Thursday 24th June 2010
quotequote all
tallerthanthou said:
I was expecting an answer like that!
Thankyou for the reply though!

Do you really think'd they'd notice 10mm? Surely the only way they'd know is finding out what the factory springs are. And would they be able to source that info on a 21 year old car (sorry missed that bit out)

Surely if the new springs quoted a 50mm drop and the original springs had sagged (which they would if the were old) then it'd overall be a 60mm drop anyway..?
I suppose you could risk and get away plenty people do close friend did it (bodywork nothing engine wise) insurer made him pay the difference had he declared them in the 1st place rather than try and dismiss the claim but you never know how an insurer will react.

I believe they would notice the difference in the springs after all its not some insurance worker in a suit and tie that looks the car over it will be mechanics etc as with every thing it comes down to risk you could do it and get away or get caught personally i wouldnt risk it and find someone who would cover it, after all if its your pride and joy is that not the least you could do as a petrolhead? biggrin

CanadianScot

1,916 posts

196 months

Thursday 24th June 2010
quotequote all
Put some adjustable coilovers on it. Or swap for some 50mm springs.

OnTheOverrun

3,965 posts

207 months

Thursday 24th June 2010
quotequote all
tallerthanthou said:
Do you really think'd they'd notice 10mm?
They won't notice it, they'll measure it. They employ professionals to find any possible reason not to pay out. Incorrectly disclosed performance mods are a favourite.

dbdb

5,227 posts

203 months

Thursday 24th June 2010
quotequote all
tallerthanthou said:
I was expecting an answer like that!
Thankyou for the reply though!

Do you really think'd they'd notice 10mm? Surely the only way they'd know is finding out what the factory springs are. And would they be able to source that info on a 21 year old car (sorry missed that bit out)

Surely if the new springs quoted a 50mm drop and the original springs had sagged (which they would if the were old) then it'd overall be a 60mm drop anyway..?
I think you'd be better finding an insurer which will cover you on the lowered car, and be candid about the extent of the lowering.

I think your insurer would be unlikley to notice if you had a minor bump, but if you are unlucky enough to suffer a major accident which involves serious injury and a potentially huge payout, the insurer will instruct an engineer to examine the car. He will spot the extra lowering; indeed it will probably be one of the first things he checks. Insurance contracts are in "utmost good faith", and they will waste no time in invalidating your insurance. This would be disasterous.