insurance for aftermarket supercharged mercs

[John Peerce]

Can anyone here advise on and name insurance companies can agree to insure merc cars that have been supercharged, for example with the addition of Spirit Supercharger Kompressor ? I think my current insurer wouldn't come near a supercharged (modified) car with a barge pole .. the first question they ask when asked to quote a premium is "has the car been modified since its left the factory" etc.

The supercharging i am looking at would boost the bhp of my car from 310 to about 425, and the installation would be done by professional, established tuners.

Also how much would the insurance premium of a supercharged car be above the standard insurance premium for a the same car, all other things being equal ?

Many thanks in advance for your replies..

 

[heckflosse]

You could try Wilsons Insurance on 01332 572580 // 01332 343478. I had an old modified HSR 2300 Chevette when I was younger and they were the only ones who would touch it.

 

[scotth_uk]

Unfortunately you are going to be politely told to do rude things to yourself when contacting the mainstream insurers.

They don't want the hassle of modified cars. Too many variables that they don't want to understand.

The data they use in the first instance for calculations is based on standard car repairs costs, etc. As soon as something non standard is introduced, they have to make assumptions / calculations and it increases their exposure to risk.

Blame the 17-24 year old escort/fiesta brigade.

Also how much would the insurance premium of a supercharged car be above the standard insurance premium for a the same car, all other things being equal ?

The figure doesn't exist. Each case will be assessed individually.

 

[John Peerce]

Thanks for the replies so far. They confirm my impression that it is difficult/expensive to insure modified cars.

I still wonder, however, with various cars that you hear which have been supercharged how the owners have managed to insure them.. my guess is that many owners don't admit to their insurers that their cars have been modified, on the assumption that if they ever need to make an insurance claim later it will probably be for a cosmetic thing like a dented bonnet or wing, and the insurer will not find out !

mind you, even If I manage to insure the supercharged car myself, I will probably struggle to sell the car in the future as most would be buyers would be put off by the insurance cost themselves..

I haven’t tried wilson insurance yet, but i am braced for a shock...any other suggestions/names of suitable insurers ?

 

[GrahamC230K]

I don't think insuring a modified car is tricky - as long as you go to a compnay that is used to it or specialises in it.

Koolvin on this forum has turbo'd his C180 with other extensive interior and exterior mods. All are declared on an agreed value policy for a very reasonable cost.

 

[Guy]

I was down at Bird's about 3 weeks ago, and spoke to Kevin Bird about precisely this issue.

Personally, I think it is for the company doing the modification to represent you with your Insurer before you have any work done. That way, you have a quote before committing yourself to something so major.

He agreed that a phone call from a customer with one of the large insurers may well result in an immediate No, and agreed there was a potential problem.

However, he has various contacts, and I suggest you speak to him about whatever you may have in mind, he's very helpful and really enjoys talking cars!

Good luck

 

[mayoga]

Frizells (Liverpool & Victoria) do not charge for any engine modifications, not even if it's a supercharger. How do I know you may say? I insure my Lotus with them which as been heavily modified and no charge was appicable

Gav.

BTW. They even give free track day cover :bannana: :bannana:

BTW2. You have to be over 30.

 

[John Peerce]

Thanks for the further replies.

Mayoga, it sounds like you have a very sweet deal with this insurance company. I would appreciate it if you can post their website address or phone number/contact.

 

[Big Ed]

John,

good luck with you insurance quest - slightly OT, but I've got to ask why you're feeling the need to chuck another 120 odd bhp onto your non-too-slow C43????

All credit to you for doing it, I just wondered if someone in a C32 had been winding you up or something??

Anyway, surely the insurance costs will pale into insignificance compared to your tyre bills!!!!

 

[Shude]

Originally posted by mayoga
Frizells (Liverpool & Victoria) do not charge for any engine modifications, not even if it's a supercharger. How do I know you may say? I insure my Lotus with them which as been heavily modified and no charge was appicable

Gav.

BTW. They even give free track day cover :bannana: :bannana:

BTW2. You have to be over 30.

The trouble is, the Spirit supercharger we're talking about costs about £15k, are Frizells going to consider that value if the car is stolen etc? I think not!

 

[Guy]

Originally posted by mayoga
Frizells (Liverpool & Victoria) do not charge for any engine modifications, not even if it's a supercharger. How do I know you may say? I insure my Lotus with them which as been heavily modified and no charge was appicable

Gav.

BTW. They even give free track day cover :bannana: :bannana:

BTW2. You have to be over 30.

mayoga,

I checked out their website, 'cos my son is trying to find a company to insure a 22 yo on something better than a 1.4 Golf, and their terms for new online business include the following on the front page -

We cannot insure:

Cars which have performance enhancing modifications.

It looks as if you must have been a good customer for a long time!

PS to ED - How's the M3? Did you see Billy's post? He got rear-ended and his was written off...take you're enjoying better fortune?!

 

[John Peerce]

Guy, well spotted , i also found this "exclusion" of modified cars on Frizzells website and was about to post this info here but you beat me to it

Shude, i would have Tracker fitted if had the supercharger installed.... as i agree with you that the terms of the insurance maynot cover the full cost of supercharger...

Big ED, i think the C43 is underpowered for what it is .. The V8 4.3 engine, and the uprated transmission which I understand to be the same as the SL, should be able to handle the extra torque. I think the C43 can be pushed much further than the standard specs without causing too much strain on the car..

 

[Big Ed]

PS to ED - How's the M3? Did you see Billy's post? He got rear-ended and his was written off...take you're enjoying better fortune?! [/B]

Hi Guy - read about Billy's bad luck - glad he was ok (proves that these German motors can be worthwhile....). Getting dodgy out there with the general standard of driving these days - when braking hard due to traffic I often end up having to modulate how hard I brake to stop the idiot behind hitting me (wouldn't have helped Billy much by the sound of it - you just can't compensate for some people's stupidity!

Thankfully my fortune (admittedly a bit dented after buying the M3!!) is a bit better than Billy's. Going to have a make an automotive change in the next few months since I'm doing a lot more miles than I had anticipated, and to be honest doing the motorway grind in a M3 takes the shine off it a bit! Trying to decide at the moment whether to buy a nice but reasonably priced car for miles (e.g. older C or E class) and keep the M3 for fun, or to spend a bit more on my main car and chop the M3 in and get an older TVR or similar for weekends......knowing my luck will probably end up spending the money on a new house and have to knock around in an old Fiat!!

How's life in the AMG camp?? Still enjoying the C32? You've had it a while now, any changes on the horizon.............

 

[mayoga]

Hi

Don't bother with their website just call 0800 581 817 and speak to an operator.

As you need to inform insurance companies about mods etc, I called them and told them about my upgrades and they told me "no additional preimum for upgrades but thank you for calling us"

Just call them!

Gav.

 

[mayoga]

Just taken from my Lotus forum:

Are Frizzell's insurance people...
...on drugs ?

They have just quoted me 1132ukp fully comp, protected no claims, didn't care about mods, security, where it was kept, my ban last year for speeding ( sp30 ) or the two right-offs in oct99 and oct00.

What are they like paying out ? Just a bit concerned cos of the 6ks worth of mods done to it.

Cheers,

Dan.



Told you :bannana: :bannana: :bannana:

 

[mw_C32]

Going to have a make an automotive change in the next few months since I'm doing a lot more miles than I had anticipated, and to be honest doing the motorway grind in a M3 takes the shine off it a bit! Trying to decide at the moment whether to buy a nice but reasonably priced car for miles (e.g. older C or E class) and keep the M3 for fun, or to spend a bit more on my main car and chop the M3 in and get an older TVR or similar for weekends......knowing my luck will probably end up spending the money on a new house and have to knock around in an old Fiat!!

Ed
Sell your house and live in this I Like AMG
....go on.... you know you want it

 

[Big Ed]

Mark - Nice one! Looks a bit more luxurious than my house though!! I was about to run it past the wife when I realised that all 20 will have been sold by now - might have to come downmarket a bit and only get a SL55

John - I guess it would have to have been the transmission from a decent SL to cope with the sort of power you are talking about - not even the old SL600 or SL60 ran that kind of numbers....

Would be really interested to hear of your experiences if you go ahead with it - sounds like a serious piece of kit!!



:bannana: :bannana:

 

[GrahamC230K]

Well, it's all tried and tested anyway - Birds have done a Supercharged C43 before - not sure if it is still one of the demo cars.