What is classed as a modification insurance wise?

interstellaflyer

I want to upgrade the information screen on my car to the one that gives fuel comsumption etc, I know it is a fairly simple job on my car, just a different screen, a few bits and a hook up to Vauxcom to program it, the job can be done for about £100, however, I'm a little worried how the insurance company will re-act to me having this upgrade done. Is doing a minor upgrade like I've mentioned or replacing the car radio with a different one classed as a mod?

mildred1978

interstellaflyer wrote: »

I want to upgrade the information screen on my car to the one that gives fuel comsumption etc, I know it is a fairly simple job on my car, just a different screen, a few bits and a hook up to Vauxcom to program it, the job can be done for about £100, however, I'm a little worried how the insurance company will re-act to me having this upgrade done. Is doing a minor upgrade like I've mentioned or replacing the car radio with a different one classed as a mod?

Yes, both mods (and many mainstream insurers will not cover the mod itself).

Strider590

Sometimes it's sufficient to claim that certain mods "must have been done before I bought it".

I mean seriously, an insurer can't punish an innocent vehicle owner for a "mod" they didn't know anything about. Most cars 5+ years old will have been modified in some way/shape/form..... Be it better tyres, a larger battery, manufacturer branded alloy wheels or 1000 other things you could change without looking like a boyracer.....

dacouch

Ask your Insurer as they all have different views on modifications

thegirlintheattic

If it isn't standard on your car from the factory it is a mod. Most insurers ask you to declare everything including optional extras so yes this would be a mod.

If in a accident an insurer could refuse to pay out if there are undeclared mods. You can always argue that you brought a used car and didn't know if was a mod but I'm sure the insurers would argue that you would have researched the cars and should notice if there was something non-standard especially in terms of the info/entertainment systems. I think most would excuse alloys, batteries and the like.

It's always safer to declare - depending on the mod it may not affect your premium although a lot of companies don't cover mods unless it's an optional extra.

Weird_Nev

Decelare them at renewal time to avoid an admin fee.

Certainly anything that alters power or performance, or appearance is a modification. Interior stuff? Not so much. Head unit and things really don't make much odds, but declare them if yhou wish. Many insurers actually have a small component of cover for audio gear so if you declare it and it gets niceked, they'll pay out.

Sgt_Pepper_2

thegirlintheattic wrote: »

If it isn't standard on your car from the factory it is a mod. Most insurers ask you to declare everything including optional extras so yes this would be a mod.

If in a accident an insurer could refuse to pay out if there are undeclared mods. You can always argue that you brought a used car and didn't know if was a mod but I'm sure the insurers would argue that you would have researched the cars and should notice if there was something non-standard especially in terms of the info/entertainment systems. I think most would excuse alloys, batteries and the like.

It's always safer to declare - depending on the mod it may not affect your premium although a lot of companies don't cover mods unless it's an optional extra.

So you think they'd excuse alloys but refuse to say out cause you've changed the radio?

Which part can effect the way a car handels ?

Wheels would make it more desirable to steal so you may find it would only be the theft aspect that the insurance company are interested in.

Strider590

thegirlintheattic wrote: »

If it isn't standard on your car from the factory it is a mod. Most insurers ask you to declare everything including optional extras so yes this would be a mod.

If in a accident an insurer could refuse to pay out if there are undeclared mods. You can always argue that you brought a used car and didn't know if was a mod but I'm sure the insurers would argue that you would have researched the cars and should notice if there was something non-standard especially in terms of the info/entertainment systems.

But OP seems to be changing to the system used in the higher spec cars of that model (AND quite possibly available from the manufacturer as an optional upgrade when the car was originally sold) not changing to something that would be blindingly obvious as a "modification".

thegirlintheattic

As I said it is easier to argue that you didn't realise the alloys were not standard if they were badged.

Strider - many insurance companies would still class it as a mod. Even if it is available as an optional extra and even if it doesn't affect performance. I used to have to declare internal chrome and body coded bumpers. My insurer for example specifically states modifications OR optional extras. Hence on my current car I declared optional extras even though it didn't affect my premium and the optional extras actually mean I'm less likely to claim.

My take is it is best to be safe than sorry. Insurers will try anything to get out of paying out in a claim - best to declare all then they have no wriggle room. An acquaintance of mine didn't declare an after-market stereo and changing the cover material of the A, B, C pillars. Had a crash in which the car was written off and the insurer initially refused to pay out (said they wouldn't have offered cover if the mods had been declared), after several months of complaints they argued to pay out a significantly reduced pay out. Wasn't really worth it for £300 odd of mods.

Paradigm

A few years ago my son heavily modded a VW polo.

Bodykit, suspension, alloys...you name it. I convinced him to contact his insurers & inform them about what he'd done, which he did, eventually!

Because he hadn't made any changes to the engine performance they weren't particularly interested saying that as long as the vehicle was roadworthy, they would cover any claim in the event of an accident but would only pay out for standard parts.... all the add ons wouldn't be covered. No change in his premium.

This was confirmed in a letter some days later.

dacouch

thegirlintheattic wrote: »

As I said it is easier to argue that you didn't realise the alloys were not standard if they were badged.

Strider - many insurance companies would still class it as a mod. Even if it is available as an optional extra and even if it doesn't affect performance. I used to have to declare internal chrome and body coded bumpers. My insurer for example specifically states modifications OR optional extras. Hence on my current car I declared optional extras even though it didn't affect my premium and the optional extras actually mean I'm less likely to claim.

My take is it is best to be safe than sorry. Insurers will try anything to get out of paying out in a claim - best to declare all then they have no wriggle room. An acquaintance of mine didn't declare an after-market stereo and changing the cover material of the A, B, C pillars. Had a crash in which the car was written off and the insurer initially refused to pay out (said they wouldn't have offered cover if the mods had been declared), after several months of complaints they argued to pay out a significantly reduced pay out. Wasn't really worth it for £300 odd of mods.

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/90/90-vehicle-related-complaints.htm