Manufacturer Optional Extras & Insurance

tafer2uk

What are the rules on insurance companies and optional extras fitted to a car? Are they up to individual companies or are there industry standards/guidelines?

I ask because my wife has just called up to change insurance details as she has bought a new car. However the current underwriters won't insure it because it has privacy glass and is metallic black?

Another company will underwrite the car so not a massive issue. It just had me thinking as the reverse camera, mirror pack and upgraded alloys were not classed as optional extras (even though they were extras just like the glass and paint) but the other two were.

Lastly out of curiosity, how would you ever know if say you bought the car years later which things came as standard and which were optional extras?

jobdone1

Idiots probably think she is going to race it because it has blacked out windows. Clearly not the case with a brand new car that is a big chunk of money. .

Mobeer

tafer2uk wrote: »

Lastly out of curiosity, how would you ever know if say you bought the car years later which things came as standard and which were optional extras?

I went in a dealership and asked; got a full list of all options fitted as a printout.

Retrogamer

You can use Parkers website for a lot of cars to see what the base spec is and what optional extras were available.

Privacy glass / window tints are really bad with some insurance companies. Usually it stems from a higher % of claims come from cars with that kind of modification / accessory.

It works with insurance groups as well. Some cars in lower groups have higher premiums because although it's a lower group from when it was released, during it's lifetime as a model there might be a lot of claims against them.

tafer2uk

Thanks for the replies. My current insurer LV who I have just asked for a quote didn't care about any optional extras and that was before I told them what they were?

tafer2uk

Mobeer wrote: »

I went in a dealership and asked; got a full list of all options fitted as a printout.

Didn't think of that. Interesting, did you go in with the vin number or something?

tafer2uk

Retrogamer wrote: »

You can use Parkers website for a lot of cars to see what the base spec is and what optional extras were available.

Privacy glass / window tints are really bad with some insurance companies. Usually it stems from a higher % of claims come from cars with that kind of modification / accessory.

It works with insurance groups as well. Some cars in lower groups have higher premiums because although it's a lower group from when it was released, during it's lifetime as a model there might be a lot of claims against them.

Cheers, tints aren't for everyone. Was truly shocked with the paint though. After all, the only solid options were white and red. We didn't go for anything extravagant.

OddballJamie

Did the insurance actually ask about the paint finish?
I've never been asked that before when getting a quote.

tafer2uk

OddballJamie wrote: »

Did the insurance actually ask about the paint finish?
I've never been asked that before when getting a quote.

Yes, they asked us to list all optional extras and the two they picked up on were privacy glass and paint finish.

Anyway glad they did, wifes current insurer (M&S) quoted £560 equivalent for year and with multi car discount from LV £320.

I think I was partly surprised that current underwriters AGEAS refused to insure full stop.

forgotmyname

I had one quote ask me if the car had any factory fitted options. OK if it was new and i ordered the extra's but on a car thats almost 5 years old??

I played them for a bit, Mentioning certain features asking if they were standard or not. They didnt know so i asked if you dont know how should i?

No answer, My thoughts were they would never pay out for any claim, Bound to be something they find not standard. Bird poo on the roof you didnt declare that..

Mobeer

tafer2uk wrote: »

Didn't think of that. Interesting, did you go in with the vin number or something?

It was read off the key (BMW) but the VIN would probably have worked.