hawk20
MB Enthusiast
No, of course not if they were factory fitted. That is the normal insurance company test. But if you fit different wheels, headlights, remapping etc etc you must tell them or your insurance will be null and void.
Do you tell your insurance company of mods?
hawk20
MB Enthusiast
If the policy is declared null and void due to undisclosed mods, the owner and not the insurance company will be liable for any and all claims.
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This is an interesting point. In principle the legal position is as Dieselman said, however at the same time I am also aware of cases where the insurer did pay 3rd party while still declaring the insurance void (and one occasion even getting the driver charged for driving without insurance at the same time).
I wonder if the insurers compensate themselves in such cases through the industry's fund for uninsured road accidents claims?
hotrodder
Active Member
^^ Insurers are bound by the Road Traffic Act to pay out for 3rd party damages (section 151 and/or 152 IIRC). They can't void that part of a policy after the fact. If you 'lied' when you took out out the policy then they would of course be free to come after you through the courts to recover what they could. A couple of years ago there was a case where Diamond insurance (successfully it appears) voided which meant that the MIB would pay out and then (presumably?) try and recover what they could from the fraudsters... BBC News - 'Suped-up' car in fatal Essex crash not insured On the other hand if you 'forgot' to tell them about, say, your posh wheels (not recommended) it could be as simple as 'you didn't pay to insure those wheels so we're not replacing/refurbing them for you'. Other scenarios include you being refused insurance and/or plod wanting a word both of which'll make things more expensive/harder in the future. All depends on the circumstances
I wonder how things play out if an (undisclosed) heavily modified car is nicked and the thief takes out a bus stop full of people...
With regards to factory spec... If you tick all the optional extra boxes when buying a car it costs more. If it's (say) a total loss and it was insured as standard what happens if they pay out for out for the 'basic' spec of that model/trim level? If you complain that yours had PPP packs/posher leather etc won't they turn round and say something along the lines of you told us it was a standard XXX model, if you wanted the extras insured you should have told us it had them? They have no way of knowing the exact spec from the reg plate, the value you insure it for could be a clue but then value is only 'concrete' if you agree it in advance which is typically at least as involved as sorting insurance for a heavily modded car. That's a genuine question as i've heard tales of some insurers counting optional extras as 'modifications from standard' but i don't do new or expensive cars so it's never come up for me- not much point asking about leather etc on a 20 year old car as while it may be desirable overall condition is what effects the value and physically finding a replacement is harder than finding the money to buy it.
I wonder how things play out if an (undisclosed) heavily modified car is nicked and the thief takes out a bus stop full of people...
With regards to factory spec... If you tick all the optional extra boxes when buying a car it costs more. If it's (say) a total loss and it was insured as standard what happens if they pay out for out for the 'basic' spec of that model/trim level? If you complain that yours had PPP packs/posher leather etc won't they turn round and say something along the lines of you told us it was a standard XXX model, if you wanted the extras insured you should have told us it had them? They have no way of knowing the exact spec from the reg plate, the value you insure it for could be a clue but then value is only 'concrete' if you agree it in advance which is typically at least as involved as sorting insurance for a heavily modded car. That's a genuine question as i've heard tales of some insurers counting optional extras as 'modifications from standard' but i don't do new or expensive cars so it's never come up for me- not much point asking about leather etc on a 20 year old car as while it may be desirable overall condition is what effects the value and physically finding a replacement is harder than finding the money to buy it.
Borys
MB Enthusiast
Modifications to body work,wheels yes declare as they are obvoius but performance like ecu's,chips,pulleys ble ble how insurer will check for those?Take engine apart and cars electrics?
It is hard to be an angel even if you want to.My car was to be tuned by known tuning company (only one in UK with parts which are on my car) called them up they have no record of anything (paper work is missing), what should I declare?I bought the car like that
It is hard to be an angel even if you want to.My car was to be tuned by known tuning company (only one in UK with parts which are on my car) called them up they have no record of anything (paper work is missing), what should I declare?I bought the car like that
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It's my understanding (though I can't recall exactly where from) that loss adjusters are able to plug their own box if tricks in to check for ECU mods etc.
Urban myth - maybe...........but, as Clint would say.......
you've got to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?
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One of the first things they do nowadays.. Plug diagnostics and query the ECUs. (OK, depending on the severity of the claim)
The obvious question is why would one NOT inform the insurer about ANY changes? Because one believes it will increase the premium or one would be refused cover! So one is consciously defrauding the insurer? Ignorance is never a defence in law.
The obvious question is why would one NOT inform the insurer about ANY changes? Because one believes it will increase the premium or one would be refused cover! So one is consciously defrauding the insurer? Ignorance is never a defence in law.
As above if an insurance company goes to the trouble of sending out an engineer to examine your car they WILL go over it with a fine toothcomb (my ex father-in-law was the chief motor engineer for one of the UK's biggest insurers).
It won't take a genius from the insurance company to work out your Jag S Type R is uninsured due to known & undeclared modifications made by Arden the tuners. Especially since you have posted pictures of it on the internet which clearly shows its registration number - N3 SPT
reality is this:
1. you can advance all sorts of arguments, reasons and explanations why your mods need not have been declared;
2. however, if you are claiming or if a third party is claiming against you, mods not being declared gives the insurance company an opportunity to reject your claim .. an opportunity which will be taken up if at all possible
3. you are then left with having to fight the insurance company .. you need to spend huge amounts of time and money to do this. Meanwhile, your bills are stacking up, and are your stress levels.
4. if the insurance company does not budge, you go to the insurance ombudsman or to Court, both of which takes a lot of time and effort.
5. yet months later, nothing is resolved.
6. and may never get resolved in your favour.
7. meanwhile, your car is rotting away, unrepaired, you have no transport and lots of stress
Is it worth the risk of all that aggravation to save a few pounds?
Fundamentally, insurance is a risk allocation game. If you don't tell the truth, it's not unreasonable for the insurance company to say no cover. Not declaring mods is, in effect, cheating.
1. you can advance all sorts of arguments, reasons and explanations why your mods need not have been declared;
2. however, if you are claiming or if a third party is claiming against you, mods not being declared gives the insurance company an opportunity to reject your claim .. an opportunity which will be taken up if at all possible
3. you are then left with having to fight the insurance company .. you need to spend huge amounts of time and money to do this. Meanwhile, your bills are stacking up, and are your stress levels.
4. if the insurance company does not budge, you go to the insurance ombudsman or to Court, both of which takes a lot of time and effort.
5. yet months later, nothing is resolved.
6. and may never get resolved in your favour.
7. meanwhile, your car is rotting away, unrepaired, you have no transport and lots of stress
Is it worth the risk of all that aggravation to save a few pounds?
Fundamentally, insurance is a risk allocation game. If you don't tell the truth, it's not unreasonable for the insurance company to say no cover. Not declaring mods is, in effect, cheating.
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I don't tell my insurance company. Can anyone guess why?
Borys
MB Enthusiast
It won't take a genius from the insurance company to work out your Jag S Type R is uninsured due to known & undeclared modifications made by Arden the tuners. Especially since you have posted pictures of it on the internet which clearly shows its registration number - N3 SPT
Plates are of the car now
So what shall I declare genius?
You have edited your posts but I haven't edited mine - genius
Declare or not, up to you.. many people run with undeclared mods year after year so they must perceive the risk as minimal.
Borys
MB Enthusiast
Solution is simple drive carefully using brain,stop rushing whenever you go,keep to speed limits,drive with imagination.
Two days ago my dog got run over by by the book perfect driver-want to kill him now *******.Didn't even stop needed to run after him.20mph limit imagin kigs around.
Mods not important-who drives the car lol
Two days ago my dog got run over by by the book perfect driver-want to kill him now *******.Didn't even stop needed to run after him.20mph limit imagin kigs around.
Mods not important-who drives the car lol
cause youve got a traders policy?
Spinal
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Here's one...
What about tyres? I know people declare alloys, new brake disks, etc... but what about tyres? There was a (heated) debate on some insurance companies raising premiums to people fitting winter tyres... which would suggest you need to tell your insurance company each time you change your tyres...
M.
What about tyres? I know people declare alloys, new brake disks, etc... but what about tyres? There was a (heated) debate on some insurance companies raising premiums to people fitting winter tyres... which would suggest you need to tell your insurance company each time you change your tyres...
M.
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I don't know the situation with tyres but I would hope a sensible approach is taken whereby, as long as the tyre is the correct size for the wheels on the car and it meets relevant laws (i.e. is not sub-standard), it would not affect one's insurance?
They certainly never ask me about tyres when insuring...
Mine was running on crap budgets when I bought it and now runs on MPS3s - which provide an improvement in grip the size of the universe.
Why would you have to declare if you had Paul Weller as a passenger?
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