Insurance- no option for modification?

dannyrst

kpizzle17 wrote: »

What would happen if I damaged the bumper and the sensors and wanted to claim on my insurance though? I don't know much about insurance.....

Then you make a claim and get the work done to fix, replace like for like.

If they do question it, you say it came like that and they, at worst, replace for a bumper without the sensors. Honestly, insurance companies will not care for such a small thing. It would cost them more to fire up an investigation than to just replace the bumper.

InsideInsurance

dannyrst wrote: »

How many of those retro fitted manufacturer supplied reversing sensors? I fear you are comparing heavily, performance modified cars with third party equipment to this case.

I fully acknowledge the chances are low but technically the consequences are no difference what the parts are or what they do - just the chances of being caught are lower.

That said did have a case where someone had a beat up old car but when the engineer went out to look at it there were 4 brand new shiny alloys on it. The customer had declared to us they'd owned the car 5 years and clearly the wheels were much newer, they'd only be insured by us for a few weeks before the claim.

During cognitive questioning the person admitted they'd fitted the alloys themselves a couple of months ago, they did some quotes and decided it was cheaper not to declare them.

Quentin

ChumLee wrote: »

It's a three year old car, maybe the previous keeper fitted them or they were on from new. When does an optional extra become a modification?

An optional extra is a modification!


A modification is usually defined as any alteration to your vehicle from the manufacturer's standard specification.

dannyrst

InsideInsurance wrote: »

I fully acknowledge the chances are low but technically the consequences are no difference what the parts are or what they do - just the chances of being caught are lower.

That said did have a case where someone had a beat up old car but when the engineer went out to look at it there were 4 brand new shiny alloys on it. The customer had declared to us they'd owned the car 5 years and clearly the wheels were much newer, they'd only be insured by us for a few weeks before the claim.

During cognitive questioning the person admitted they'd fitted the alloys themselves a couple of months ago, they did some quotes and decided it was cheaper not to declare them.

Yeah, in that situation it is quite obvious that they are a modification. I think in this case though, it wouldn't be possible to draw that conclusion.

dannyrst

Quentin wrote: »

An optional extra is a modification!


A modification is any alteration to your vehicle from the manufacturer's standard specification.

Not saying that you're wrong, but if that is the case, I'd say the majority of road users are driving with void insurance.

InsideInsurance

dannyrst wrote: »

Yeah, in that situation it is quite obvious that they are a modification. I think in this case though, it wouldn't be possible to draw that conclusion.

As already acknowledged, several times, the chances are low, but depending on the state of the vehicle, quality of the fit etc there are chances it will be spotted.

InsideInsurance

dannyrst wrote: »

Not saying that you're wrong

I am though.

It varies by insurer, Aviva for example states:

A modification is an alteration to the specification of the vehicle which was not included when the vehicle was first registered. Modifications include features to improve performance, appearance, comfort or safety. They do not include minor additions like mud flaps, floor mats, seat covers etc.

So optional extras included prior to first registration is not a modification but under Admiral's definition below they are:

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

kpizzle17

InsideInsurance wrote: »

I am though.

It varies by insurer, Aviva for example states:


So optional extras included prior to first registration is not a modification but under Admiral's definition below they are:

It's Admiral I'm looking at going with!

InsideInsurance

kpizzle17 wrote: »

It's Admiral I'm looking at going with!

Then they count absolutely everything as a mod so you've fitted it after market or "it was there when I got it" its still a mod to them. On the plus side when I declared the 40 or so mods to them over the phone the only things that they loaded premiums for was the lowered suspension and engine rechip. The metallic paint, glass roof, different/larger alloys, different steering wheel etc they werent bothered about

kpizzle17

Do you know if Directline are any better for this stuff? Or as an insurer in general?

Many thanks to all for the advice