Vehicle Modifications

vinylmusic

fivetide wrote: »

This is why Volvos have had headlights you can't turn off for years. They managed to do it with out making it as though you have foglights on or foolishly bright LEDs once everyone started to copy Audi.

I really can't see a headlight bulb at a tenner needing to replaced that often. I think I've only swapped a couple in near 20 years of motoring and I do 20,000 miles plus a year.

Even so, DRL's use much less power easing strain on battery and alternator. If you were struggling to get the most out of an old battery DRL's instead of headlights can't be a bad thing.

My original post about insurance seems to have deviated to DRL's vs headlamps and snow tyres

Gloomendoom

fivetide wrote: »

This is why Volvos have had headlights you can't turn off for years. They managed to do it with out making it as though you have foglights on or foolishly bright LEDs once everyone started to copy Audi.

I really can't see a headlight bulb at a tenner needing to replaced that often. I think I've only swapped a couple in near 20 years of motoring and I do 20,000 miles plus a year.

LED lamps use less power than conventional dipped headlamps. Less power used equals lower fuel consumption and lower emissions.

That's what most customers, or at least their governments, want these days.

vinylmusic

Gloomendoom wrote: »

LED lamps use less power than conventional dipped headlamps. Less power used equals lower fuel consumption and lower emissions.

That's what most customers, or at least their governments, want these days.

That pretty well sums up my point and attitude towards DRL's

As for my original question I found out my answer by going into my policy online and adding the 3 modifications and a few other details about my employment and the quote has remained the same. not a penny more or a penny less and its £100 less than I paid last year
I guess I've finally found a good insurer where the price is right for me:T

Ultrasonic

vinylmusic wrote: »

Even so, DRL's use much less power easing strain on battery and alternator. If you were struggling to get the most out of an old battery DRL's instead of headlights can't be a bad thing.

If a battery is struggling to run headlights you need a new battery not DRLs.

On the fuel economy front I'm betting the break even mileage for the cost of fitting DRLs is rather large, but I'd be interested in data that proves me wrong if anyone has it.

Prothet_of_Doom

artbaron wrote: »

It's impossible to say without asking, there is no logic applied as far as mods go. With my car the premium for £3.5K of engine mods, increasing peak power by over 30bhp - £0. Refurbing corroded wheels using almost exactly the same colour - £39.38.

Although if you're asking if your premium will decrease the answer is more clear. It's no.

Erm, one is a modification and the other is preventative maintenance NOT a modification. The fact that you are rubbish at paint selection is not a mod, unless they are gold instead of silver.

Any minor mods like that are ways for any insurance company to attempt to get out of paying a claim. I declared some scabby alloys on a mk3 cavalier which I got second hand, for £15 (yes indeed, and all legal and NOT stolen), and they wanted £100 extra, until I refused, and they said, well, well'll cover the rest of the car, but if it gets stolen we'll only pay a valuation based on steel wheels. Okay.

I have heard of insurance companies refuse to pay up on the theft of MX5's that had the optional dealer supplied hard top, because it might be the reason it was targetted for theft. (They are worth from £250 to £500 on ebay)

Prothet_of_Doom

Strider590 wrote: »

Tell them about everything you do to your car, it's really not worth the hassle if they turn around and cancel your insurance after an accident.

Most recent for me was a twin air horn, it shouldn't make any difference but I told them anyway just to be safe.

Someone I know 'lost' a nice classic to a fire due to an airhorn, I suspect his wiring was as good as his welding (He uses alot of filler too).

fivetide

Ultrasonic wrote: »

If a battery is struggling to run headlights you need a new battery not DRLs.

On the fuel economy front I'm betting the break even mileage for the cost of fitting DRLs is rather large, but I'd be interested in data that proves me wrong if anyone has it.

spot on.

If you can't power your headlights then you have bigger issues.

I would also suggest the fuel saved by the difference in DRLs v headlights would be less than most of the population going on a diet and losing a few pounds and/or simply clearing all the extra rubbish out of your boot.

Gloomendoom

Ultrasonic wrote: »

If a battery is struggling to run headlights you need a new battery not DRLs.

A higher output alternator would be a more sustainable solution.

On the fuel economy front I'm betting the break even mileage for the cost of fitting DRLs is rather large, but I'd be interested in data that proves me wrong if anyone has it.

Retro fitting DRLs on an individual basis is unlikely to be cost effective as far as fuel consumption is concerned. However, as the EU now requires all new cars to have DRLs, using LEDs rather than dipped incandescent bulb headlamps is likely to result in a measurable reduction in overall vehicle emissions.

skivenov

vinylmusic wrote: »

Even so, DRL's use much less power easing strain on battery and alternator. If you were struggling to get the most out of an old battery DRL's instead of headlights can't be a bad thing.

My original post about insurance seems to have deviated to DRL's vs headlamps and snow tyres

Errrr, no.

A pair of dipped beams, plus side lights, tail lights and number plate lights = 100W

Divide by 12Volts = about 8.5Amps

The smallest alternators you normally see are 55Amps, so if your headlights are draining your battery, you need to sort your car out before you start adding fairy lights.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Surely a towbar is an addition, not a modification.

A modification is where you modify or alter something, ie a different radio, alloy wheels, etc, etc.

A towbar is an addition, ie it is added to the car. Nothing is modified. Daylight running lights, if they are stuck on, are also an addition, not a modification, as are go-faster stripes. Changing headlights are a modification.

So unless your insurance stipulates you have to notify modifications AND additions, you do not need to notify your insurance company.