Denied insurance as a new driver due to spoiler?!

InsideInsurance

Direct Line and Churchill only ask for post manufacture modifications and so if this was an optional extra fitted in the factory when you ordered it then it doesnt need to be declared.

The majority of insurers dont ask about optional extras. Admiral Group are a notable exception that ask for all changes including optional extras.

Crazycatlady15

I have to say this is all very confusing.... We went through the fact that it was fitted in the factory as part of an add on and he was adamant It was a decline.

[Deleted User]

Crazycatlady15 wrote: »

I have to say this is all very confusing.... We went through the fact that it was fitted in the factory as part of an add on and he was adamant It was a decline.

Did you put you're quote through gocompare.com and the other comparison sites?

lee111s

Speak to someone like sky insurance, greenlight insurance or Adrian Flux.

Ignore the "bit" insurance companies. They're useless, robbing gets.

InsideInsurance

Ok, maybe my information is out of date. A quick chat with the Direct Line Live Chat people and they say they now want optional extras to be declared too (since April 2014)

They join the minority that require it

CKhalvashi

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Direct Line and Churchill only ask for post manufacture modifications and so if this was an optional extra fitted in the factory when you ordered it then it doesnt need to be declared.

The majority of insurers dont ask about optional extras. Admiral Group are a notable exception that ask for all changes including optional extras.

My second S-Max was insured with Direct Line.

It was in 'Titanium X Sport' specification, and it wasn't a problem. This is with bodykit/big alloys etc, but all factory fitted.

InsideInsurance

CKhalvashi wrote: »

My second S-Max was insured with Direct Line.

It was in 'Titanium X Sport' specification, and it wasn't a problem. This is with bodykit/big alloys etc, but all factory fitted.

But a S-Max Titanium X Sport is a model (or mark). The bodykit may not be standard for a S-Max but it is standard for a Titanium X Sport

The issues come when you buy the S-Max SE but pay extra for the Sport Kit to be added when you order it from the factory

Most insurers wouldnt be bothered as this is an optional extra and they are only bothered by post manufacture modifications. There is a small number, that now includes DL, that want to know of all optional extras.

I had a "discussion" with Admiral 2 years ago because my car had the "AMG kit" added as an optional extra and so in theory had to be declared. The cars made from the following month included the AMG Kit as standard and so didnt have to be declared. As the kit includes the suspension being lowered it caused a small price increase but select the 1 month older car that included the kit as standard and the price was identical to mine prior to declaring the lowering.

Unfortunately this is increasingly one area that is getting more clouded and you need to be careful not to be caught out.

CKhalvashi

Ah, I didn't realise this.

The only optional extras fitted to the car was a GPS system and auto gearbox, if I remember correctly.

Gearbox is not an issue, as that's got to be declared, but would the GPS be in this situation?

InsideInsurance

CKhalvashi wrote: »

Ah, I didn't realise this.

The only optional extras fitted to the car was a GPS system and auto gearbox, if I remember correctly.

Gearbox is not an issue, as that's got to be declared, but would the GPS be in this situation?

It depends on the insurer.

Most wouldnt want it declared if it was a factor fit optional extra.

DLG and Admiral would want it declared even if its a factor fit.

Life is relatively straight forward if you buy a car brand new because your invoice will tell you what you added. Where things are much more complex is when you buy a secondhand car and basically you are required to know (a) are the alloys standard or not and (b) if not standard were they a factory fit or post manufacture

CKhalvashi

InsideInsurance wrote: »

It depends on the insurer.

Most wouldnt want it declared if it was a factor fit optional extra.

DLG and Admiral would want it declared even if its a factor fit.

Seems completely pointless IMO. Surely an integrated system would be less attractive for someone to try to steal than a Garmin left on the dashboard (which in effect is the same thing)

Life is relatively straight forward if you buy a car brand new because your invoice will tell you what you added. Where things are much more complex is when you buy a secondhand car and basically you are required to know (a) are the alloys standard or not and (b) if not standard were they a factory fit or post manufacture

When I disposed of the car, the original sales documents were given to the buyer. I do appreciate that these could be lost by the buyer, hence not be available when the car comes for resale, but I am generally organised.

Thanks for letting me know that, as it's interesting to see different insurers takes on it.