Declarable Modifiation or not ?

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82069802#Comment_82069802

My claims days were all dealing with the third party… you had to go through first party training but I skipped then dealing with policyholders. I started dealing with fault claims and then moved onto disputed liability and low value bodily injury so did some recovery work but not so much and so the first party team wouldnt ask us as many questions as the recovery team got over what could be paid out. Dont recall any claims where it was an issue.

I did once have a claim off my Admiral policy and even though they excluded optional extras inc factory fit I had declared metallic paint and they did paint it with metallic paint when returning it. My guess is that in most cases they are turning a blind eye to minor things (assuming they have been declared) or just replacing with standard like your stereo example, but having the term means they can choose to apply it if its going to material shift the cost of the claim.

I dont know about seam welding, did have a day trip to one of the ARCs we actually owned after I'd left claims and it was fairly amazing what the panel beaters could achieve… heavily crumpled side, couple of tack welds, a strategic couple of tugs and the panel looked better than its mirror panel that hadnt been damaged in the accident.

forgotmyname

I had a quote from an insurer that asked me if a 5 year old 2nd hand car had any factory fitted options. I just
thought you are the type of company that will never pay out. I did mention several items and asked them if
that was standard or a factory fitted option or extra and they could not answer.

I asked them if they didn't know how was the average car buyer supposed to know? I got bored of winding
them up at that point and went elsewhere.