Declarable Modifiation or not ?

finbaar

If the car was stolen then the OP would be able to say to the insurance company "look what these vandals have done to my car! It hideous now".

Seriously though, yes this modification is declarable.

Mildly_Miffed

Questions of taste aside…

There have also been well-publicised previous cases:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-31064998

Then there's "paint protection film" (a completely transparent wrap):
https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-4395592.pdf (the insurer had to pay, but only because there was a credible suggestion the car owner didn't actually know the film was on the car)

eschaton

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066521#Comment_82066521

It sounds like you know what you’re talking about. You sound experienced in such things.

Mildly_Miffed

'course, if there IS a "commercial reason", then that counts as business signwriting so would definitely need to be declared on the OP's business insurance.

But, given the GenAI daubings provided as an example, if it WAS a "commercial reason", then I'd presume that Ford's motorsport division would be insuring their car themselves, and probably not still using an 11yo Mondeo.

If the OP does go for that particular style, and it's purely personal, they may find that the owners of the registered trademarks being used without permission would quite like a word.

forgotmyname

Are you using one of thr Ford insurance schemes? You mad find it's actually cheaper with the mods unless you
have upped the power as well.

From the chats I had with their forum member they said that people that spend a lot of money on their car
sometimes drive safer although they would not give me more information that that on how they decide on
who is likely to be safer or drive like they stole it.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6675881/declarable-modifiation-or-not

Ultimately you need to read your policy and check with the insurer to be sure. There are variances between insurers on exactly what they count… Admiral used to be an outlier in that it wanted factory fitted optional extras to be declared whereas most insurers only ask for post manufacture changes.

Almost universally insurers want to know about wraps, sign writing and decals and I would expect an additional premium to apply plus potentially a mid term adjustment admin charge.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82066190#Comment_82066190

Not all insurers cover modifications, not to pick on Admiral but they would charge you a premium for modifications but wouldnt actually cover them.

Absolutely right that insurers ultimately price mass market consumer on statistical analysis rather than theorising if things will change the claims patterns. You can try and put a reason to the pattern if you want but generally not too much time is dedicated to that.

Grey_Critic

Back in the 1980s The son of a friend had a Ford Fiesta 950 pop. He bought and fitted a full body kit turning the vehicle into an XR2 lookalike. He used to park it on his parents driveway. Of course it got stolen - and recovered - no self respecting thief drove a 950pop.

His father rang me and asked me to sort out the recovery which I did. He also told me that his son HAD also insured it a a Lookalike.

The insurance agent said they would not be paying for repairs as it was not covered. He was most upset when told it was actually insured correctly and they were liable.

forgotmyname

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82067845#Comment_82067845

Maybe they did not listen or read what was covered, I have had policies where they accepted the modifications but would only replace
with original factory spec items. So spend money on aftermarket wheels or body panels they will only replace with standard ones and
will not replace items to match so have a claim for one wheel you get one standard original wheel.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82068235#Comment_82068235

Admiral until relatively recently would do this too… in principle it should make the modifications cheaper to insure because it will only change the risk of a claim but not the first party damage value. That said, not sure how enforced the term was, if one body panel is replaced with the standard fit rather than the XRI it won't align with the undamaged XRI ones so did they actually do that?

forgotmyname

Only guessing but I imaging an owner would agree to taking a part payment which the insurer would spend on a stock panel and get the
modified panel repaired or replaced. I can see what you mean though maybe they fitted a bumper and wing that was slightly wider than
the original. Replacing a wing with a stock one would mean there would be a gap between it and the bumper.

Never been in that situation but I know it's been the wording on some policies I have had. I presume they think it will be more like
an aftermarket stereo being stolen and they replace with a stock one or where body panels are a straight swap.

I would be interesting to know if a car was seam welded how would they get around to changing panels?