Car Insurance Claim Declined “without prejudice” ???

Keith

aj3001 wrote:

Spoiler does increase performance, it improves handling

On most cars that is so untrue!

scheming_gypsy

This is one that gets me when i do my insurance renewals. I've got a '96 Golf VR6 Highline which i bought in September '04 and it came with VW alloys on it. The Highline was / is the top spec VR6 and had modifications as standard but no idea if the alloys are part of that modification.
I don't fancy declaring them and paying for them if i don't have to.

aj3001

Ok, even if the spoiler doesn't improve performance, it improves desireabillty and makes more people want to steal it thus higher insurance.

This is one that gets me when i do my insurance renewals. I've got a '96 Golf VR6 Highline which i bought in September '04 and it came with VW alloys on it. The Highline was / is the top spec VR6 and had modifications as standard but no idea if the alloys are part of that modification.
I don't fancy declaring them and paying for them if i don't have to.

If you have an accident just tell them they have always been there and you assumed they were there as standard on that model, if they are VW alloys they should be ok

K9cuddles

Modifications is such a grey area with insurance!!

I used to be with Liverpool Victoria, there old policy was we will replace like for like and you didn't have to declare any exterior mods.. well being in modding motors then I had alot of friends got with them and made sure the call was recored and they listed all the mods just to cover themselves!!!

I was with Endsleigh and had a bump they replace all the mods, but I knew the repairing people! I can't remember if they were declared or not.

I would say if they are manufactures mods then I wouldn't myself personally declare them ie. I had a 1.1 with hubcap and put on 17's but they were still Peugeot stuff and how did I know they weren't standard for the model??!!

If it's engine mods, or other non standard parts then you need to find a suitble insurance company or pay the higher premiums! I'm with a broker called Brentacre they insure a lot of VAG performance cars, I've declare my window tints (at no extra cost! but I've herd all sorts of storys with cops about front window tints.. but that's an other story) and to have my car engine remapped would put the premium price up £150. If you are gonig to mod you really should declare it, most online quote even ask you now days!! Witha tick box list of what you got, some companies let you have upto 4 mods with no premium change.. so there really is no excuse of being unware these days!

But as mention, really need to know if it was fancy stuff, and I assume you bough the car 2nd hand, did they not mention the lowering??

V1NNY

Thank you to everyone who has shared their views/experience on this matter, much appreciated.

Here goes in regards to answering any questions bought up & the latest developments.

My car was delivered back to me on Friday, however I have as of yet not had a phone call or letter from my insurance company (since their brief call on Wednesday last week saying that someone will be in touch with more details).

My car was purchased (2nd hand) with these ‘modifications’. I’ve just found out that the alloy wheels & spoiler are NOT original equipment but were added to the car (prior to me purchasing the car).

The car definitely has NOT been lowered, as I have had this verified many times by garages etc over the years & also the fact that I know someone who owns the same car as me (their car has been lowered) & when parked next to it my car sits nearly an inch higher.

So here’s my dilemma, over the weekend I’ve found out that I can get my car repaired (minor damage to my bumper) for exactly the same amount as the excess on my policy. So rather then me try & fight my insurance company into repairing my car, would I not be better of just getting it repaired privately??? (as it’s going to cost me exactly the same as putting it through insurance – that’s assuming my insurance company approve my claim).

And if I had it repaired privately, that would mean that I have not made a claim on my insurance (even though the third party has in regards to this incident) so would that mean that insurance companies would look on this favourably as opposed to someone who had made a claim??? (I currently have 8 years No claims Bonus, which is protected).

My insurance with my current insurance company is due to expire in less than 2 weeks time & I will definitely be moving to another insurer. Online I’ve found that Admiral & Endsleigh insure cars that have been modified. Are there any other insurers that insure modified cars without charging sky-high premiums?

K9cuddles

I highly recommend Brentacre : Tel: 01792 650933

owey

If it was your fault, you will still have to pay the excess even if you pay for your own to be fixed. You say you have no claims protection on your policy, so I would get the two cars fixed, as insurance companies will just say " a claim is a claim" it doesn't matter how much it costs to them. If you do go to another company, even though you have "no claims protection" you will still have to tell them about your crash, which will effect there quote as you weren't with them when you had the crash. You might be stuck with the company you are with now?.

uberzoldat

I am currently insured with Tesco and my car is modified. The premium was not too bad, most of it was because it is lowered. I paid about £40 overall, and that is with spoiler and custom front and rear lights included on the policy which, incidentally, is due for renewal soon.

I was going to change insurer and not mention the modifications but am not sure now, after reading your problem.

Personally, if the excess is the same amount, I would have it done privately, I would find it less hassle that way.

scheming_gypsy

do you need to declare non-standard lights?

K9cuddles

scheming_gypsy wrote:

do you need to declare non-standard lights?

Yes... some aren't to EU standards!!! It don't have reflectors built in etc that could easy cause an accident!!