What constitutes a modification?

Quentin

mikey72 wrote: »

.....The heated screen was sold by the manufacturer
it's certainly an original manufacturer specification for that car

so a resounding no.....

It seems the windscreen is a factory fitted "extra", then it's a mod (as far as Admiral define them):

parts which differ from the original manufacturer’s specification

mikey72

That depends on how you define "specification"

In the good old days, you had a Ford Escort, they were all the same, then "optional extras" where fitted at the end of the line to customers requirements.
No one then knew had gone on where when it went out of the door.

Now, you order the car you want, as you want it, the car is made to order, to the "specification" loaded onto the production line by the manufacturer.
Anytime you need any spare parts, you go to the dealer, he types in the reg, and he'll tell you what windscreen is fitted. And it'll be the heated one. Same with the alloys nowadays.
Each car has an individual manufacturing specification.

adamc260

mikey72 wrote: »

That depends on how you define "specification"

In the good old days, you had a Ford Escort, they were all the same, then "optional extras" where fitted at the end of the line to customers requirements.
No one then knew had gone on where when it went out of the door.

Now, you order the car you want, as you want it, the car is made to order, to the "specification" loaded onto the production line by the manufacturer.
Anytime you need any spare parts, you go to the dealer, he types in the reg, and he'll tell you what windscreen is fitted. And it'll be the heated one. Same with the alloys nowadays.
Each car has an individual manufacturing specification.

I worked for them for two years and during that time had a Ford Fiesta Zetec Climate with Tech/Sport Pack. The car was made like that and was a limited run... but I still had to declare what was featured within the packs which included Parking Sensors, Rear tinted glass even though the car rolled off the production line like that it was still classed as an 'Optional Extra' and admiral wouldn't pay out on it unless notified (Spent a while chatting to Underwriting about it).

Look below and that is taken from their own policy booklet.

3 What is not covered
We will not pay:
any modifications unless they form part of the manufacturers standard specification or are optional extras that we have agreed to cover. See also Extra Conditions (endorsement 11)

11 Standard parts replacement
Manufacturers optional extras are only covered if they have been declared and we have agreed to arrange cover for them.

Parking_Trouble

mikey72 wrote: »

"Non Standard Parts/Modifications Fitted parts or alterations which:

Affect the insured vehicles’ cosmetic appearance and/or performance and/or mechanical make up

Are not made or sold by the vehicle manufacturer, or parts which differ from the original manufacturer’s specification"

The heated screen was sold by the manufacturer
it's certainly an original manufacturer specification for that car

so a resounding no.

It certainly is an alteration which alters the mechanical make up

so a resounding yes.

If anyone can ever define this, I'd love to see it.

I disagree. There is nothing mechanical about a heated windscreen.

or parts which differ from the original manufacturer’s specification

Specification for a particular model, or specification of the original order as it rolls off the production line?

Very woolly clause by Admiral IMO. Not sure how the consumer is supposed to know and I would have no faith in a call centre bod adding much clarity.

adamc260

Parking_Trouble wrote: »

I disagree. There is nothing mechanical about a heated windscreen.



Specification for a particular model, or specification of the original order as it rolls off the production line?

Very woolly clause by Admiral IMO. Not sure how the consumer is supposed to know and I would have no faith in a call centre bod adding much clarity.

Please see my above post it clarifies it much more

mikey72

Parking_Trouble wrote: »

I disagree. There is nothing mechanical about a heated windscreen.


Specification for a particular model, or specification of the original order as it rolls off the production line?

Very woolly clause by Admiral IMO. Not sure how the consumer is supposed to know and I would have no faith in a call centre bod adding much clarity.

BMW for example.

They don't have a standard specification. You design your car online, they make it. Every one is unique nowadays, but still to the factory spec.

And just as bad with a second hand car.
Who knows what was fitted as standard, and what was added on the production line, and what was bought off ebay 5 years later.

mikey72

adamc260 wrote: »

Please see my above post it clarifies it much more

But ten years and 6 owners later, how do you know what optional extras came in the packs, and which came with the car?

Parking_Trouble

Pearl or metallic paint finish?

Typically costs more. Does that have to be declared?

Parking_Trouble

mikey72 wrote: »

But ten years and 6 owners later, how do you know what optional extras came in the packs, and which came with the car?

Agree it is a total minefield for the consumer. As usual the insurer will use it to reduce the amount they need to pay out.

If you build a Mini you start with a base model and typically change paint, wheels, interior, "packs" and "optional extras". Presumably you have to tell them about every item that increases the price.

mikey72

Parking_Trouble wrote: »

Agree it is a total minefield for the consumer. As usual the insurer will use it to reduce the amount they need to pay out.

Either the insurers will have to be able to access manufacturers build records, much as a main dealer can, and give unique pricing, or use an average price and accept some they'll win on, some they'll lose on.