Accident insurance on hold

[Spenna36]

Need some advice...
I had an accident in the snow.i started to pull out of a side street in sloppy conditions.my was struggling to turn right because of the snowy/icy conditions I braked to try and correct the turn and apply a higher gear.when I was doing the turn I saw a taxi skidding towards me.bang!!! He was driving way to fast.i have a witness that saw everything and they say he was driving way to fast in the weather conditions.anyway.my insurance company have put my claim on hold while they investigate my modifications.i am sure I told them about them.1 was tinted windows which the insurance company said they know about that.ok.the other is a stainless steal exhaust which they said they havnt got that on file.i thought I had told them about it.its not a performance exhaust.it was purely brought as the old exhaust was crumbling away.and garage sed I would be better to get a s/s exhaust for prolonged life with a lifetime warranty and only £50 more expensive than the standard exhaust.i honestly thought I had told the insurance company about it.im 40 and I'm not a boyracer.im waiting for my insurance to contact me to tell me there outcome.any advice would be appreciated.

[Spenna36]

Thank you. I don't really know much about cars.the exhaust that was on it before had 2 exit pipes 1 at each side at the rear.not sure what you call that.but I had it replaced with the same 2 exit pipes so was like for like.apart from it being s/s.i have a feeling they are going to void my insurance though.what are my options if they do.

[Spenna36]

TooMany2cvs said:

Stainless instead of mild isn't a mod. Not if it's a standard-spec exhaust, material excluded.

When you say "tinted windows", do you mean the front door windows are tinted, past legal?

He might have been coming too quick - but you pulled out in front of him.

Tinted windows is just the rear and rear doors.there ok about those though

[Spenna36]

Front windows are not tinted only rear windows.they are only being funny about the exhaust

[Spenna36]

Taxi is holding my responsible

[Spenna36]

Tankrizzo said:

Is the exhaust a direct pattern replacement for your old one?

I think it's pretty much the same.it was a bit louder though

[Spenna36]

Cold said:

"I saw that he was going too fast so decided to pull out anyway."


*which in no way sounds like a line from an adult film.

Not the case.he was a good distance up the road.however my car struggled to turn due to icy weather.he had along distance to see me there.but because he was going so fast he just skidded straight into me.

[Spenna36]

Nope.he was a good distance up the road he should have seen me struggling and should have slowed down in good time

[Spenna36]

Anyway who's to fault isn't really my issue.i can take the blame.thats fine.its wether the insurance company void my claim because of the exhaust is what I'm worried about.

[Spenna36]

Yeh I take the blame.just phoned the people who replaced my exhaust.they said it was a straight swap.only difference is the exhaust was made with stainless steal.so have the insurance company got the right to call it a modification ? And void my insurance ?

[Spenna36]

Simple as that ?

[Spenna36]

The noise was a bit louder than the original but only slightly.that mean they can void it ? But how do they know that it was louder or not than the original ?

[Spenna36]

Gavia said:

It is if you’re telling us the full story. If the exhaust is a straight swap and a simple pattern aftermarket exhaust then it’s fine. If it’s a noisy, chavvy thing then it's a modification and you’ll have to deal with the fall out.

Dude who fitted it said no performance gain a little noisier than original but nothing other than that

[Spenna36]

anniesdad said:

So it's stainless steel, it's a bit more expensive than the standard part, it's a little noisier and the insurers may have an issue with it. I'm starting to think that it isn't just a pattern part replacement and it is infact an aftermarket sports exhaust.

Dare we ask what sort of car it is?

It's a vectra 2.0 turbo sri.i took my car to a garage because exhaust was rattling.they put it on ramp and called me over.the dude poked the back box with a spanner and it crumbled.the whole thing was about to drop off.he asked if I plan on keeping the car for along time.i said yeh.he said for an extra £50-100 you could get a stainless steal exhaust with a life time warranty.he then told me to ask John Ashley exhaust in Walsall they did it for at £100 more expensive than the basic one.i did it purely for long life.i planned on keeping the car as it was my pride an joy

[Spenna36]

If they void my insurance.what happens then ? Do I have to pay the other cars damages.can I get done for driving without insurance etc etc.i have no idea what will happen

[Spenna36]

Gavia said:

Which neatly avoids the key question

Is it a pattern part I.e. identical to the standard exhaust or is it a blingy chavvy one?

Edited by Gavia on Wednesday 21st March 15:50

Chavvy ? Not that I think.damn I'm 40 yrs old an not a boyracer so no not chavvy.

[Spenna36]

It's noisy.but the one they took off was noisy

[Spenna36]

Yes I believe so.im not ducking the question I just don't understand totally what you mean.i took it to get it replaced they did it I payed.was simple as that

[Spenna36]

Hungrymc said:

It’s funny to think about all of the discussion about if the exhaust is performance enhancing. It’s extremely unlikely to offer any more bhp.... If only it were that easy.

The trouble is there seems to be some insurance companies who take a very odd view of what is a mod and what is a repair. Is the pipe work the same diameter? Follow the original routing? Does it have the same number of CATs & silencers? If so i’d argue very hard that it’s simply a repair.

From what I’ve seen on other threads, it’s unlikely that they void your claim anyway? They may want to adjust your premium or increase the excess? It’s possibly a bigger risk that they cancel your insurance after the claim for an undeclared mod (which if the exhaust is the same fundamental design I’d argue was ridiculous).

Diameter im not sure.i didn't ask for anything other than can you put me a new exhaust on as mines crumbling and I want the stainless steal exhaust so it lasts longer with the warranty.thats all that was said.he did the job and that was it.until now the exhaust has never been mentioned

[Spenna36]

I did honestly think I told them about the exhaust when I renewed at the same time I told them about the tinted windows.they say that the window tints is on file but not the exhaust.so i think they are looking to cancel my insurance for not declaring an exhaust modification.this is why I'm trying to find out if this is deemed as a mod or not.or what I can do if an when they cancel my insurance.will I get done for driving without insurance.who will pay for the taxis damage etc etc