Insurance Mods statement

[Jagogen]

What sort of MODS are you required to declare to an insurer by law?
In my opinion, upgrading the exhaust and upgrading an internal light do not have the same impact. Any one has any experience with this?

 

[AMGeed]

I would declare everything not fitted as standard from the factory. Insurance companies love to weasel their way out of paying a claim so I wouldn't give them any ammunition by not declaring any mod.
I had my exhaust worked on (secondary cats and resonator removed and x-pipe fitted) and my insurance company were not interested in raising the premium. But I covered myself by informing them.

 

[daveenty]

^^ What he said.^^

I have them on speed dial nowadays, though as the next mod is just another exhaust one they'll be scratching their heads when I tell them about it, as it's already down as being modified, but tell them I will.

It may confuse them as they may not be able to charge me an admin fee for telling them, though I bet they'll try.

In the event of an accident, and if they send an engineer to check it, you're just giving them a get out clause to stop them paying out if you don't declare mods. Not sure about the interior light, though if it's bright and affects vision, you may have an issue there as well...

 

[markjay]

Always declare.

I declared my COMAND retrofit to Aviva, who said there was no need to declare it and that it is automatically covered anyway, which was good to hear.

Let the insurer tell you that it does not need to be declared, no matter how silly you think it is... and make a note of the date, time, and name of the person you spoke to.

 

[IanA2]

What sort of MODS are you required to declare to an insurer by law?
In my opinion, upgrading the exhaust and upgrading an internal light do not have the same impact. Any one has any experience with this?

Sorry to be a pedant, but I don't think it's "by law", it's a commercial contract. By law you must have RTA third party cover, that's the legal bit. The details are contractual.

As ever, could be wrong.

 

[Giantvanman]

What sort of MODS are you required to declare to an insurer by law?
In my opinion, upgrading the exhaust and upgrading an internal light do not have the same impact. Any one has any experience with this?

As others have said, tell them about every (completed or proposed) modification (or change from standard) and let them decide on the relevance because it varies from company to company.
Why run even the slightest risk of having your insurance withdrawn post collision because of an undeclared modification that they deemed important but you didn't?

 

[paul_c]

As others have said, tell them about every (completed or proposed) modification (or change from standard) and let them decide on the relevance because it varies from company to company.
Why run even the slightest risk of having your insurance withdrawn post collision because of an undeclared modification that they deemed important but you didn't?

As above, really. Things which I'd not call "mods" are limited to stickers on the windows, different brand (but same style/size etc) of tyres, stereo upgrade within the insurance company's covered limit, and that's about it. I always declare my car "modified" in that it has a towbar, some of the online forms have a tick box for this mod, others don't, and I've never had to pay more.

 

[Jagogen]

Sorry to be a pedant, but I don't think it's "by law", it's a commercial contract. By law you must have RTA third party cover, that's the legal bit. The details are contractual.

As ever, could be wrong.

It was just a term which I thought would be understandable by most for the situation. I was not expecting a specific answer for the term. Thank you anyway

 

[IanA2]

It was just a term which I thought would be understandable by most for the situation. I was not expecting a specific answer for the term. Thank you anyway

I did apologise in advance...

 

[SpoonJar]

Does that mean that if the tyres from the factory were Dunlop and you fitted Goodyear, is that a modification as they're not on the standard car when it left the factory?.

 

[Giantvanman]

Does that mean that if the tyres from the factory were Dunlop and you fitted Goodyear, is that a modification as they're not on the standard car when it left the factory?.

No. The car maker recommends a make and specifies a fitment but they are not MB (or whatever) tyres. To be completely silly about it, the same with, for example, replacement bulbs.

 

[daveenty]

Does that mean that if the tyres from the factory were Dunlop and you fitted Goodyear, is that a modification as they're not on the standard car when it left the factory?.

Maker doesn't matter. Size, load and speed ratings must be the same though or yes, it could be classed as a mod...

 

[SpoonJar]

We were talking about at work the other day. Because insurance company's class a modification as something non standard to the car when it left the factory we got onto the subject of wheels and tyres.
Insurance company could say that the tyres you've fitted have better grip causing you to drive faster, take corners faster, etc , so you're now a higher risk.
I know it's cobblers but that's insurers. Years ago I got a quote for an Evo 6 and after adding a tracker the quote went up nearly £200 as it's classed as a mod.

 

[markjay]

I would say that any part fitted to the car must have the same industry specifications as the one it replaces, or else it is considered a modification.

Therefore the brand of the tyres, bulbs, spark plugs, discs & pads, exhaust etc etc, does not have to be the same as the one that came with the car, but the part has to be to the same spec.

This does not stop part manufacturers from claiming that their product provides better performance than their competitors', but as long as the parts are made to the same spec then this is not a modification.