Insurance voided due to car having PPF! HELP PLEASE!

[MrBnz]

Hi All !

I would really appreciate some help and any advice on the matter below please.

I was insured by AXA car insurance and they voided my insurance policy due to the car having a modification which I didn't disclose to them. The car has PPF (Paint Protection Film) on it which was on the car 2 years prior to me purchasing the car. To my understanding a modification is something that changes the aesthetic looks or even the performance of the car and this does neither as it's simply there to protect the car from stone chips and scratches. Hence when insuring my car, I wasn't aware that this had to be disclosed, so the non disclosure was non- intentional.

They voided the insurance providing me with only 24 hours notice despite me trying to appeal the decision on the basis that it does not modify the look of the car or change the paint work in any way, rather it's there to protect the car and speaking to a few other insurance they said they wouldn't classify it as a modification.

My issue is the harshness of the term "voidance" which is now black listing me which means when I'm trying to get insurance with other insurance providers I'm getting quotes in the region of £10,000.00!! This is going to be the case for the foreseeable future.

Can anyone help on this matter or shed some light onto it as I'm currently without a car and have no way of getting around apart from Uber which can become very costly (especially as I have 2 young kids who need dropping and picking up from two different schools).

Thank you in advance

[MrBnz]

langtounlad said:

half term?

Half term is next week for us, little one in nursery so he still goes in both me and mrs work

[MrBnz]

Terminator X said:

Send a letter to their complaints dept. If that goes nowhere send a letter of complaint to the ombudsman.

TX.

Ive started the complaint procedure with the company it can take up to 8 weeks, and then another 8 weeks with the ombudsman to resolve the issue. In the meantime I'm still stranded with out a car.

[MrBnz]

bad company said:

This. Otherwise I’m not believing this one.

Your policy will be declared void



Following the claim which you recently reported to AXA Insurance information has come to light in relation to your policy details. Unfortunately you failed to declare a vehicle wrap when you purchased your insurance policy in 03/10/2022. Had this information been declared to us when you completed your quote, we would not have offered you an insurance policy. The invoice is dated before the start of the policy and states the wrap as part of the modifications.



Please accept this correspondence as our notice of intended voidance. Your policy will be declared void 09/02/2023. If you have been issued with a courtesy car arranged by AXA this will need to be returned to the supplier by this date as you will no longer be covered. You will be entitled to a refund of the full premium. Any return in premium will be refunded back to your original payment method within 7 days of your voidance being processed.



As AXA will be treating this policy as though no cover was in place from the outset, our claims team will be unable to assist you in paying the claim which relates to the incident you reported to them on 20/12/2022 or any other pending claims. For more information on how your policy voidance will affect the status of your claim, please contact your claims handler.



To keep premiums low we participate in a number of industry initiatives to prevent and detect fraud. To help prevent crime we may at any time share information with other insurers and fraud prevention agencies.



We will inform the Motor Insurance Database that your policy is no longer in force. Your car must have continuous insurance or be declared off road to avoid a fine or prosecution and it is your responsibility to ensure cover is arranged elsewhere.



In accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1988, if your policy is declared void you must immediately return or destroy all copies of the Certificate of Insurance relating to your policy (whether held in paper, electronic, digital or any other format).

[MrBnz]

wyson said:

alscar said:

Meant to add that I agree with Davek in that technically this is a modification but cancelling your policy seems very drastic ( it could have have been easily sorted with them I would suggest ) so will await further clarification from OP.

I’m guessing it went in for a claim and they are trying to weazel out of paying up on a technicality. Otherwise how else would they find out about the wrap? Doesn’t sound like the OP called them to declare it, otherwise would just have been told the policy isn’t valid and would be charged an admin fee for cancellation, rather than get a marker against his name.

Edited by wyson on Thursday 16th February 12:05

I had a bit of bump before Christmas (3rd party has accepted full liability as i was actually stationary at the time of the incident.) i sent of pictures to the repairers and they send the quotation to my insurance company, they then asked what they thing is pealing off and i told them its PPF and that what has triggered all this off, the 3rd party is as fault and AXA told me once they voided my insurance i can go directly to 3rd party to get my car repaired also stating that the 3rd party will cover the cost of the PPF as they have to put the car back as it was when the incident occurred)

[MrBnz]

davek_964 said:

The OP doesn't seem to be saying this dispute was due to a claim.

How did the insurers find out that you had undeclared PPF in order to void your insurance?

Ive posted what had happen slighly later on in the post i had a bump before Christmas and 3rd part accepted liability i sent pictures off to repairers who send quotation to my insurance company, they asked about the item which was peeling off and i explained to them it was PPF and that is what triggered this.

[MrBnz]

davek_964 said:

So as somebody said, they think 'wrap.'

I am curious about the 'invoice' dated before the policy start, and the 'other modifications.'

Does the car have other mods that you did declare, and provide invoices for?

Edited by davek_964 on Thursday 16th February 12:32

No other modification i went back to the dealers who got me an invoice for when the PPF was applied to the car to show the insurance company i purchased the car with the PPF on and its not something that was done while i owned the car.

[MrBnz]

Red9zero said:

That says wrap. How much of the car has ppf ?

I was only aware of the FULL car having PPF when the involve was provided as i originally thought it was the front only.

They calcifying it as a wrap of the car as that the only category they can put it under?

[MrBnz]

Terminator X said:

davek_964 said:

Lee540 said:

davek_964 said:

PPF costs money.

If your car was in an accident, then the insurer would need to get the repair carried out and pay for new PPF to restore your car to its pre-accident condition. Which means, additional repair cost to them.

Hence, the modification that you think is irrelevant makes a material difference to them should you need to claim.

Do I have to declare ceramic coating on my paint?

Up to you. I was simply pointing out why the insurer might feel it was something that should be declared

Also the OP didn't add the PPF. Do we need an independent inspection on all 2nd hand cars to look for mods.

TX.

In my current case only the PPF needs replacing and a small chip on the bottom lip of the car, in fact its saved them for having to respray 4 panels surely this is a much cheaper alternative the PPF done its job and protected the paint work from getting damaged. PPF replacement cost less than £1,000.00 (ive had a quote) respraying 4 panels in Magno Black pain would be a heck alot more?

[MrBnz]

LF5335 said:

PPF is not a wrap as has been said. Either you’re not giving us the real info, or the insurance co is misinterpreting it. Is it a clear film, or does it change the colour of the car, or add decal type badges?

Can we have a photo of the letter with private details hidden rather than a written out post.

seems bizarre to me. I thought the reason not to pay out had to be related to the reason for the claim.

I’m a cynic but my money is on half term japes here.

They sent me the voidance via email what more do you want me to put in? i can screenshot my the email not sure if that will make a difference?

I have tried my best to explain to them its not a wrap and its fallen on dead ears! I have taken it further and waiting for the complaint team to get back to me.

[MrBnz]

mmm-five said:

My insurer at the time (Bell) just told me they'd repair the accident damage but that I'd have to sort the PPF out myself (or claim it back from the 3rd party responsible) as I hadn't declared it.

I didn't notice a specific PPF entry on their declaration form where I'd entered all the other mods, so hadn't declared it.

They didn't mention the undeclared wider rear tyres, or non-R90 pads

Ive tried multiple insurance companies and no one had PPF or anything of the like to declare as a modification even AXA them self's don't have a option to put PPF as a modification

[MrBnz]

I have nothing to hide in this matter, i had a bump sent pictures off and got pulled on the fact its got PPF, its being voided as its a "wrap" ive tried arguing this case and as it stands they have voided the insurance.

Ive spoken to two other insurance companies who both advised me that if was to get insured with them i wouldn't have to declare it as a modification as its there to protect the paint work and it doesn't change the appearance of the car.

The car is all standard factory specification, down to the last nut and bolt! ive not made any changes and don't plan too!

Im not even that bothered if they don't fix the car its very minor the only reason i went through insurance is 3rd party wanted to go through insurance. the fact that they are "black listing" me makes it very difficult to get insured on this car so id have to sell my car and even on a normal car my insurance is over 2K

[MrBnz]

otolith said:

PPF is not a wrap. I'd push back hard on that.

ive tried however the underwriters are not budging on this decision

[MrBnz]

BobToc said:

File a complaint with the Ombudsman and tell AXA you're doing it.

just got a reply back from AXA over the phone they going to send out an email to confirm that they will not convers it and its a "wrap" and its something thing they don't insure at all. I will then create a case with the Ombudsman

[MrBnz]

said:

THERE IS NO WRAP!! it is PPF !

[MrBnz]

mmm-five said:

The insurer/underwriter are probably just using the term 'wrap' to mean any non-permanent vinyl covering.

You can't really argue that it's not just a transparent non-permanent vinyl covering!

Wonder whether they'd class a sprayed on plastic coating as the same?

However, I do think it's a bit harsh. BTW, is this 'voidance' completely 'undone' the policy so that you don't have to declare it under the 'ever had insurance cancelled or voided', or is more of a "an errors been made...please take your business elsewhere"?

That is what I'm thinking they said I'm not insured from day 1 and are refunding the money so technically ive never had insurance with them in the 1st place so its not being a void as they haven't taken any money from me? they saying they cant insure me ?

[MrBnz]

Caddyshack said:

I have read through all of the thread.

Can the OP confirm if the car has changed colour with this all over PPF? i.e. has it actually had a full wrap change of colour and the OP is just calling that PPF?



Were there other modifications?

Sorry if missed

No clear PPF the colour of the car has not changed and there is no other modification on my car at all!

[MrBnz]

Rufus Stone said:

mmm-five said:

But if they specifically say "no modifications" would you expect them to list every little item they consider as a 'modification'...down to alloy valve caps or magic tree air fresheners?

If I'm not sure, I call up and ask. If that response is not clear enough or the agreement is too 'casual', then I will ask for it in writing (as I did when I put slightly wider tyres on the rear when the OE size was out of stock for months).

They do list several specifics though, so why not the wrap?

Based on what they have published they apparently could indeed void your insurance due to an air freshener.

if you do an online quote and go under any of there modifications "WRAP" or "PPF" is not on there so how would you declare it? you cant!

[MrBnz]

GiantCardboardPlato said:

Is a change in tyre pressures from what your car was supplied with a modification?
Is a change in the octane of the petrol in the tank a modification?
Is a change in the weight of engine oil a modification?
Is a change in brake pads away from OEM a modification? (Brake discs? Same part/spec, different manufacturer?)
Is a change in the radio default presets a modification?

Or maybe relevantly…

- is putting something in the boot, that wasn’t there when the car left the factory, a modification?

No?

So why is sticking something (that doesn’t change e performance or function) to the outside of the car one?

FINALLY SOMEONE THAT UNDERSTANDS WHERE IM COMING FROM!!!!!!!!!

[MrBnz]

Bennet said:

Pretty sure these are one and the same thing.

Ive just spoken to direct line and explained the situation to them they said to me the follow.

The insurance was cancelled based on the Acceptance criteria rather than Fraud or miss leading them and that's down to their underwriters so on their policy she said i do not need to declare ive had insurance cancelled!

I told her my car has PPF and she said yes is comes up as manufacture optional extra Paint Protection, i then mentioned how it was classified as a wrap from AXA and she clearly stated has it changed colour? i said not she said what's the purpose of the film so i said to protect paint work, she then said then its goes under paint protection not WRAP!

she ran a quote for me still was much more than expected but better thank the 10K