Aftermarket stereo and insurance

SnakeFighter

Hi everyone

I've had a search of the forums and can't find much recent relevant discussion or advice on this...

I have fitted an aftermarket head unit (a touchscreen Pioneer with Android Auto) to my 2012 Mondeo, and I'm trying to figure out the insurance implications. Looking on the comparison sites and a couple of insurers, I can't see any category that quite fits, which was a surprise. There's one for "Car Phone", and a bunch of other stuff, but no stereo!

So, I'm not sure what I'm mean to do. Do I even need to declare it as a modification? Is it in some sub-menu somewhere that I haven't found? Or perhaps I'm just meant to ring round all the insurance brokers like we did in the olden days?!

Any tips gratefully received.

KR

Charlie

Ditzy_Mitzy

I'm surprised that the comparison sites don't allow you to declare an aftermarket radio unit, given that it's about the most popular car modification of all time!  All I'd do, just to be on the safe side, is use the website to find a policy you like the look of and then ring the insurer and declare the radio prior to taking the policy out.  They'll tell you there and then whether it makes any difference.  I suspect it might not.  That said, I can't imagine most of the retrofitted CD player units of 20 years ago were declared.  

T.T.D

Read your policy document, most insurers automatically cover aftermarket stereo as the industry recognises that people will change out for ones that are more modern. 

My policy states:

We Cover your vehicle’s audio, visual or electronic equipment, as long as it is permanently fitted to your vehicle. Equipment fitted by the manufacturer is covered in full. Aftermarket equipment is covered up to £1,250 or the market value of your vehicle, whichever is lower.

Download your insurer cover manual and read through it. 

born_again

Given the cost of factory fitted units now. A after market one is often far cheaper.

Still it will be one mod that will di out given all the big new screens we are seeing in new cars.

SnakeFighter

Thanks for the input, everyone.

Just reading the clause you mention in your policy, @T.T.D , certainly reads like it's accepted that aftermarket kit is insured, but isn't explicit on whether it affects the wider policy, if that makes sense? A little bit grey.

@Ditzy_Mitzy and see what happens.

Thanks again.

Charlie

iainscomputer

Both my cars have an aftermarket Double Din Alpine navigation unit fitted, I generally insure them with Aviva & LV. Both these companies state that any aftermarket stereo doesn’t need to be declared. This is one of the reasons I’m insured with them, but I know Admiral want to know about options fitted to the car during manufacture.

SnakeFighter

Thanks, @iainscomputer . I'll check them out.

T.T.D

SnakeFighter said:

Thanks for the input, everyone.

Just reading the clause you mention in your policy, @T.T.D , certainly reads like it's accepted that aftermarket kit is insured, but isn't explicit on whether it affects the wider policy, if that makes sense? A little bit grey.

@Ditzy_Mitzy and see what happens.

Thanks again.

Charlie

So what does your policy handbook state? 

If your policy has stereo cover with it it will direct you to the relevant clause in your policy handbook.

who is your insurer?

T.T.D

iainscomputer said:

Both my cars have an aftermarket Double Din Alpine navigation unit fitted, I generally insure them with Aviva & LV. Both these companies state that any aftermarket stereo doesn’t need to be declared. This is one of the reasons I’m insured with them, but I know Admiral want to know about options fitted to the car during manufacture.

All insurers want to know about Factory options, considering that there so many configurations a modern a vehicle has these days, but once it goes into the second hand market, it’s impossible to tell unless the build sheet has been provided or passed down through word of mouth to the previous owners and the latter being dubious information and unreliable to depend upon, therefore this question mostly related to new purchased vehicles. 

SnakeFighter

T.T.D said:

So what does your policy handbook state? 

If your policy has stereo cover with it it will direct you to the relevant clause in your policy handbook.

who is your insurer?

Here's some pertinent quotes from my current policy (with Autonet):

*Vehicle changed in any way from the manufacturer's standard specification? This would include changes to the bodywork (such as spoilers or body kits), changes to suspension or brakes, cosmetic changes (such as alloy wheels or paint), changes affecting performance (such as changes to the engine management system or exhaust system) and/or changes to the audio/entertainment system. Note this is not a full list of possible changes - all changes made from the manufacturer's standard specification must be disclosed. **I.e. not manufactured for the UK market (Grey import)

As an aside, this is also listed as covered:

Loss of or damage to your cars stereo and sat nav equipment permanently fitted in your car.

So it very much looks like at least some insurers would want to know this.

T.T.D

So your insurers are saying:

If you make changes to manufactures specifications including its radio or entertainment system this must be declared as a modification.

Your policy based on the above handbook guidance is setting you up so that cover is for a stereo and sat nav that you have declared or that is OEM.

So yes you must declare your aftermarket stereo or sat nav as a modification.