Denied insurance as a new driver due to spoiler?!

sheramber

Crazycatlady15 wrote: »

Well of course im going to look at more than 2 insurers, if you read the thread you will see it was only upon ringing them that the discovery was made with 2 insurers that they wouldn't cover me. I have looked into dozens of insurers, used comparison sites, added drivers etc. It was only when coming to buy it yesterday and checking detail there was a problem, so now I have to go back and research all again with phoning them, as I have previously mentioned DR didn't have this information readily available online. It was only when I called them.
It's stressful being told a company won't insure you 2 days before you are due to pick up a car. How many companies am I going to have to call up and explain and see what their take is on it...

Is it a modification they need to know about or not?
It's something over and above the standard spec, yes.
It's fitted in the factory by the manufacturer, yes.

Your insurance company need to know about all modifications.

We have to notify them we have a towbar but none of the companies we have used has charged extra for it.

dearlouise

It's not a modification if the car is arriving to you from the factory with it.

A modification is something additional that the manufacturer can't apply to the car.

If it's an option on purchase, that's the standard car. That's like saying opting for air conditioning or a 'pearl' coat of paint is a mod. It's not!

It sounds like the insurer has got a bee in their bonnet for you mentioning spoiler...

SeduLOUs

dearlouise wrote: »

It's not a modification if the car is arriving to you from the factory with it.

A modification is something additional that the manufacturer can't apply to the car.

If it's an option on purchase, that's the standard car. That's like saying opting for air conditioning or a 'pearl' coat of paint is a mod. It's not!

It sounds like the insurer has got a bee in their bonnet for you mentioning spoiler...

Exactly this. If optional extras are 'modifications' then hardly anybody would be able to get insurance online as they'd have to phone up to declare their leather seats and in-car sat navs.

Crazycatlady15

Well... That's what directline and churchills take was on the matter!

SeduLOUs

Crazycatlady15 wrote: »

Well... That's what directline and churchills take was on the matter!

I suspect the problem was nothing to do with the spoiler but has arisen because you declared that there was a modification on the original form, and then stated it was factory fitted when on the phone.

The combination of being a new driver and giving contradictory information on your application may just have been enough for them to decide you weren't worth the risk.

Aretnap

dearlouise wrote: »

It's not a modification if the car is arriving to you from the factory with it.

A modification is something additional that the manufacturer can't apply to the car.

If it's an option on purchase, that's the standard car. That's like saying opting for air conditioning or a 'pearl' coat of paint is a mod. It's not!

That depends on the question the insurer asks. If they simply ask about "modifications" then I suspect most people would interpret the phrase the way you do, so I'd agree that would be all you'd have to tell them about. However, if they ask about "any change from the car's standard specification (including optional extras)" as Admiral do for one, then you also have to tell them about optional extras. If you don't like the idea of telling the insurer about optional extras you need to use an insurer that doesn't ask about them.

SeduLOUs wrote: »

If optional extras are 'modifications' then hardly anybody would be able to get insurance online as they'd have to phone up to declare their leather seats and in-car sat navs.

Why would they have to phone up? My car has alloy wheels (factory fitted extra) and a towbar (aftermarket modification). Every year when when I get quotes online I say yes it's modified, then when the pop-up menu of common modifications appears I tick the boxes that say "alloy wheels" and "towbar". Job done, never had to pick up the phone.

I suppose I would have to phone if I had something obscure that didn't appear on the normal list of modifications, but that's not a problem for the vast majority of drivers.

pvt

Crazycatlady15 wrote: »

Well... That's what directline and churchills take was on the matter!

If you clearly told them it was a standard factory fitted pack, then try formally complaining to them. Perhaps also ask them if the spoiler is removed does that then count as a modification that has to be declared?

The other tack you can take is to approach Toyota and seek their view on insurers refusing the risk because they're mounting a piece of vanity plastic to the boot lid with a couple of self tappers and a bit of double sided sticky tape. In the case of a Yaris, a manifestly pointless piece of plastic I might suggest.

Alter_ego

Crazycatlady15 wrote: »

The spoiler has been fitted by the manufacturer before I get the car and is part of an appearance pack. It's a Toyota Yaris with an appearance pack.

Don't tell them it's a spoiler, say it's an appearance pack!

Rodders53

Sometimes this is down to the agent you talk to online, as well...

When we changed our car recently I was quoted one price for the vehicle with all its' factory-fitted options (towbar, powerfold door mirrors, touchscreen sat nav, auto box, etc.,.) plus a modification (disabled scooter hoist) and when I went to swap over insurance (once we had a date for collection) the next agent said oh those factory-fit bits aren't 'modifications' the price is lower... (only very slightly though )

As it is a Ford vehicle their ETIS system allows you to see and print out all the options as per it was built, so provides all future owners with that information too.

InsideInsurance

dearlouise wrote: »

It's not a modification if the car is arriving to you from the factory with it.

A modification is something additional that the manufacturer can't apply to the car.

If it's an option on purchase, that's the standard car. That's like saying opting for air conditioning or a 'pearl' coat of paint is a mod. It's not!

It sounds like the insurer has got a bee in their bonnet for you mentioning spoiler...

For 90% of insurers you are correct. Admiral Group, and now Direct Line Group, are exceptions to this. Admiral's Q&B states:

A modification is any change to the car away from the manufacturer's standard specification (including optional extra's), such as changes to the bodywork, such as spoilers or body kits, changes to suspension or brakes, cosmetic changes such as alloy wheels, changes affecting performance such as changes to the engine management system or exhaust system

Please be aware that this is not a full list of all possible changes. All changes made from the manufacturer's standard specification must be disclosed.

So yes, your pearl coat and AC must be declared to them if they were not standard for your chosen trim level