Will changing from standard "yellow" bults to white bulbs increase my premiums>

londonTiger

I'm with Admiral, really want to get white lights fitted on my car. Anyone know if insurance companies charge more for this? I'm worried mind will class this as a "mod".

dacouch

Give them a call and ask, I suspect they will regard it as a modification

londonTiger

cant call them til monday, was hoping someone here would know

TrickyWicky

Halogen lights ARE a modification. Anything that is not the original manufacturers spec is a modification.

If you replace a light with a normal light that matches the original then it is not a modification - you're using the same part the manufacturer intended for use. Using a different light that is different to the one the manufacturer designed and fitted IS a modification.

If its any help, a mate of mine used to advise me on all this - a qualified motor insurance underwriter with letters after his name to prove it (member of the Chartered Institude of Insurers too).

mcjordi

if its not fitted from the factory then they will be classed as a mod but how many people actually declare new bulbs?

dacouch

The only people who will know will be Admiral, people on MSE can only give you an opinion.

My opinion would be they will regard it as a modification due to the way Insurers regard people who change the light clusters or body styling. In addition Admiral subcontract out their cover for modifications which gives them more of a chance of declining claims.

If this is the only modification Admiral may not load your premium / apply terms only they can tell you this

This is the question they ask when you obtain a quotation.

"Modifications
Please enter if your car is modified.

A modification is any change to the car away from the manufacturer's standard specification including optional extras, such as alloy wheels, body styling kits and exhaust/carburettor upgrades.

If you are uncertain whether your car is modified or not, please check with your local garage."

vax2002

The replacement bulbs are just normal bulbs with coloured glass, which by the laws of physics let less light out.
The wattage of bulbs is controlled by legislation.

The white lights you see on newer cars are a completely different system than tungsten with high voltage system.
So the after market bulbs are a bit of a con.

George_Michael

vax2002 wrote: »

The replacement bulbs are just normal bulbs with coloured glass, which by the laws of physics let less light out.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:


You can buy replacement bulbs which are still 55w (the standard on most cars) and which give a far whiter light than halogen lamps.
They work by using different gas (usually all xenon but sometimes a mixture of xenon and halogen).
The different gas enables a different colour of light to be produced, and even though these bulbs are sometimes tinted blue, the light produced is still far whiter than standard halogen bulbs.

kingstreet

The OP is talking about indicator bulbs by the sound of it. I would guess at removal of "fried egg" effect.

I think an insurer would struggle to justify claiming a £2 21w bulb increased the the value or attractiveness to thieves compared to a £1 21w bulb.

Still, it is insurance companies we're talking about...

This issue is pretty topical at the moment as MOT testers are currently having a field day with the faded orange paint on standard bulbs - according to my MOT tester.

gkerr4

no - i think he means the upgrade bulbs available - phillips, ring and others make them.

I replaced the bulbs on my last car - an e46 325i coupe whos headlights were like two candles. I replaced them for some ring models which were rated the same wattage but claimed 80% extra light. They did improve the lights, certainly did. I didn't even consider thinking about calling the insurance.

I wouldn't carry out a diy HID "upgrade" - this is a clear change from manufacturers spec - but changing H7 bulbs for H7 bulbs - surely this isn't a modification? - i mean, where does this end - using a touch-up paint might constitute a modification cos its a different type of paint?

gilbert_and_sullivan

Not enough information in the Op to make a judgement.

Hopefully not considering fitting illegal and dodgy hid kits from hellbay.