Car Modifications and Insurnace

The_Bjorn_Identity

Do factory fitted optional extras on a car have to be declared as "modifications" for car insurance purposes? I had a recent quote almost doubled recently because I declared that the car had leather interior, bigger wheels and parking sensors as optional extras from the standard model. These are not "after-market" modifications and as far as I'm aware it is how the car left the factory. Surely the parking sensors would make me less likely to bump into something!
What would happen if I told them it had no modifications?

lisyloo

What would happen if I told them it had no modifications?

Potentially they could turn down a claim as the risk was not represented to them.

It's not just about the modification itself, it often says something about the driver.
e.g. a chav "boy racer" car might say something about the way the person drives.
I'm not saying this applies to you of course.

Shimrod

This was the response I got from esure when I asked this question:
"Dear Sir
Thank you for your recent enquiry regarding your vehicles "modifications".

As these changes were part of the vehicle at purchase and added by the manufacturer, they are not classified as modifications for insurance purposes."


Bear in mind this was 2003 and the policy may well have changed since then! Ask the insurer and get the answer in writing.

adamc260

Each insurer is different with its rules.

The insurer I work for, the rule is... if it was added at point of sale/manafacture then it doesnt need to be declared. If it was added after this time it does

With parking sensors btw, it also means your more likely to listen out for that instead of using just your own judgement, so swings and roundabouts etc

The_Bjorn_Identity

The Co-operative insurance, Car Insurance Assumptions section states: "The vehicle has not been modified from the manufacturer's normal specifications"

The_Bjorn_Identity

Just taken out cover with The co-op insurance. I listed all the extras from the standard model and was told if they were fitted to the car from new and by the manufacturer, then they would be covered and replaced for like if repaired. They added that they were only concerned about after-market performance enhancing modifications that may affect risk (turbos, air filters, engine chips, body kits, spoilers etc). I was told that any repair would only be done by their approved companies (in the case of my car it would go to a Ford garage only) and the repairer would make an assessment on whether something was added by the manufacturer as part of the original car; or if it were an after-market modification. The extras would only matter in how much they added to the overall cost of repair, if damaged, as a percentage of the car's value. I assume this would be the same for all cars, that if the repair costs were more than a certain percentage of the car's value they would write off the car? I'm just happy that I can get the car insured with everything above board and without the scandalous premiums some companies quoted simply because I like a leather seat and have parking sensors (for my wife's use obviously).