Do you tell your insurance company of mods?

[SavMan]

Is a PP AMG standard or modified?

 

[developer]

Is a PP AMG standard or modified?

I would think if it was fitted as part of the original handover/PDI spec it would be standard.
All my gear is listed on the datacard.

The simplest/safest thing (because different insurers may operate in different ways) would be to call the chosen insurer.

 

[scottydee]

I've heard of the boys in blue stopping people with obvious mods, asking the driver if they declared it the the insurance. The police have then checked with the insurance company to see if the mods are declared, and because they haven't, the policy is void, and they are then done for having no insurance. (Actually saw it happen too on one of those police, camera, action-type programs)

 

[davethemus]

In my younger days I never declared any mods, I only had insurance so the police wouldn't bother me, however now i would declare any mods as I have more to lose.

 

[davidjpowell]

I've heard of the boys in blue stopping people with obvious mods, asking the driver if they declared it the the insurance. The police have then checked with the insurance company to see if the mods are declared, and because they haven't, the policy is void, and they are then done for having no insurance. (Actually saw it happen too on one of those police, camera, action-type programs)

I reckon they are wrong though. I believe that if an insurer would have insured the alteration then they cannot refuse to payout, but deduct the premium they would have charged...

If they would not have insured the alteration then clearly the problem still exists...

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I don't tell them of any mods.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

In the past I declared a front bumper (C43) they didnt care, I then a few months later fitted the rear one, my insurance was then cancelled no ifs, no buts.

Then I reinsured with another company who didnt care about them apart from charging me another £40 on top and would only replace them with standard ones should I crash.

Unless its non-OEM and obvious I wouldnt bother.

 

[markjay]

I reckon they are wrong though. I believe that if an insurer would have insured the alteration then they cannot refuse to payout, but deduct the premium they would have charged...

If they would not have insured the alteration then clearly the problem still exists...

Insurance is about calculation of premium based on risk assessment.

The position is that if you did not inform your insurer of material facts at the time of applying for insurance, then the insurers were unable to correctly assess the risk when calculating your premium, and your insurance is therefore void as you have not paid the correct premium that is applicable to your insurance, given that a higher premium would have been payable had you disclosed all the relevant facts.

Once your insurance is declared void, there will be no payout. The insurer might, however, refund the premiums you have paid them so far (less admin fee) as you were not actually insured by them throughout the period.

In addition you could be prosecuted by the police for driving without insurance. Disclosure of material facts is a condition of the policy - as you would have been aware at the time of renewal that you did not meet this condition, you would be deemed as being aware that your insurance is void.

The exception is if you did not know about a modification - e.g. if you bought the car modified and the previous owner did not tell you about these modifications.

Of course, many people don't declare modifications and don't actually get caught... so it's your choice whether you declare modifications or not. But if you don't, you are knowingly driving without valid insurance. No ifs and but about it.

 

[Moonie]

I rolled a Sapphire Cosworth when I was 24 (2001), previous owner had fitted adjustable Konis stainless decat and Stage 1 conversion. I paid £7k for it and six weeks later they paid out £8500 + refunded the remainder of my policy.

I smashed up a 6 month old GSXR-600 12 month after that, it had a undeclared race can, tail tidy and iridium screen - again they paid out no hassle.

I wouldn't dream of not declaring anything these days!

 

[markjay]

I rolled a Sapphire Cosworth when I was 24 (2001), previous owner had fitted adjustable Konis stainless decat and Stage 1 conversion. I paid £7k for it and six weeks later they paid out £8500 + refunded the remainder of my policy.

I smashed up a 6 month old GSXR-600 12 month after that, it had a undeclared race can, tail tidy and iridium screen - again they paid out no hassle.

I wouldn't dream of not declaring anything these days!

Of course, many people don't declare modifications and don't actually get caught... so it's your choice whether you declare modifications or not. But if you don't , you are knowingly driving without valid insurance. No ifs and but about it.

Indeed.

 

[John]

I never used to when I was a yoof. Had a car once with chip, Piper Tornado 3" exhaust, K&N air filter which I fitted and didn't declare any of it. Was never an issue when it came to claiming.

However, now I always declare mods that I am aware of. For example, mine has K&N air filters but I had no idea until it was serviced and I had to notify the insurance company accordingly.

There's no way I'm giving them an excuse not to pay out.

When I last insured with Admiral, they asked if there were any options fitted to the car.

I asked if they meant modifications since factory or whether they meant options added at the time of first order and completed in the factory.

They clarified that they meant the former.

 

[davidjpowell]

Insurance is about calculation of premium based on risk assessment.

The position is that if you did not inform your insurer of material facts at the time of applying for insurance, then the insurers were unable to correctly assess the risk when calculating your premium, and your insurance is therefore void as you have not paid the correct premium that is applicable to your insurance, given that a higher premium would have been payable had you disclosed all the relevant facts.

Once your insurance is declared void, there will be no payout. The insurer might, however, refund the premiums you have paid them so far (less admin fee) as you were not actually insured by them throughout the period.

In addition you could be prosecuted by the police for driving without insurance. Disclosure of material facts is a condition of the policy - as you would have been aware at the time of renewal that you did not meet this condition, you would be deemed as being aware that your insurance is void.

The exception is if you did not know about a modification - e.g. if you bought the car modified and the previous owner did not tell you about these modifications.

Of course, many people don't declare modifications and don't actually get caught... so it's your choice whether you declare modifications or not. But if you don't, you are knowingly driving without valid insurance. No ifs and but about it.

Fair enough. I'm not into mods in any case!

 

[SavMan]

Best part about modifying is when you go past "mildly modified" it costs me more than my annual fuel bill even at an average 16 mpg!

 

[John]

That's one of the reasons why I can't face modifying a car (as well as the cost of the mods).

Declaring all those mods and hearing a virtual cash register in the background clocking up.

That and I'd probably end up dead.

 

[SavMan]

I could have sworn I heard glasses clinking and the whoosh of a cork last time I called them!

 

[BTB 500]

I reckon they are wrong though. I believe that if an insurer would have insured the alteration then they cannot refuse to payout, but deduct the premium they would have charged...

It doesn't work like that. Read the Ts & Cs you agree to when you take out a policy - undisclosed 'material facts' will simply void it if found out.

 

[Starky]

Wow seems like I stered up a bit of a hornets nest. It seems as though there is a differance of opinion as you get older which is interesting. As some of you know I'm considering some mods I'm just a bit worried what the insurer will have to say....

 

[Dieselman]

It doesn't work like that. Read the Ts & Cs you agree to when you take out a policy - undisclosed 'material facts' will simply void it if found out.

Nothing will void the ability of a 3rd party to make a claim.

 

[Starky]

I could have sworn I heard glasses clinking and the whoosh of a cork last time I called them!

I hate to think what the nissan would have cost to insure!

 

[whitenemesis]

From Direct Line's Policy document.. (my underlining)

"8. Modifications to your car
You must tell us what modifications you intend to make and obtain
our agreement prior to making them. Modifications are changes
to your car’s standard specification, including optional extras.
These include, but are not restricted to, changes to the appearance
and/or the performance of your car (including wheels, suspension,
bodywork and engine).
If you do not tell us about any relevant modifications, we may:
• reject or reduce your claim;
• treat the policy as void (i.e. as though it has never existed)."