Insurance woes

[Will]

I hate to say it, but didn't you fit the AMG rear bumper ages ago?

Why not declare it for all of those months, then decide to ring them up about it 8 weeks before the policy ended?

I do feel sorry for you as it's an unfortunate situation to lose nearly a year's NCD, but can't quite understand the way in which you went about things.

Will

 

[Will]

Sorry to sound like I'm going off on one, but just looked at your Gallery thread and saw this:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=495592&postcount=11

That's back in February, 6 months ago!

Hate to say it, but you're lucky in a way that nothing has happened in this time. The mods were declared to all and sundry on a public forum, you were effectively uninsured or at the very least, in breach of your policy terms and conditions.

Insurance is a strict legal matter and I guess we can all learn from this. If you are planning to modify your vehicle, or if your circustances are to change, you should contact the insurers first.

Will

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Thats why I went ahead and declared it, as I suddenly remembered that I hadnt already.

Insurance is a strict legal matter and I guess we can all learn from this. If you are planning to modify your vehicle, or if your circustances are to change, you should contact the insurers first.

While I do agree with you, im sure there are maybe 100's of members on here that have some 'Mods' however small that have not declared every single one? - Chrome centre caps?

I was in no major hurry with the rear TBH, for the front I reported it asap and they didnt really sound that intrested (from my impression on the phone) and I assumed the rear would be the same!

I havent been trying to avoid letting them know, otherwise I wouldnt have called them up, but I wish I hadnt bothered now!

Good idea Shude, will give them a bell

 

[Leemc2008]

My car came from Mercedes brand new with the AMG styling pack fitted.. when they say to me, any modifications I'm going to say no.. the car came like that.. what will happen in the event of a claim?

 

[KillerHERTZ]

My car came from Mercedes brand new with the AMG styling pack fitted.. when they say to me, any modifications I'm going to say no.. the car came like that.. what will happen in the event of a claim?

Any decent garage/repair shop will check the VIN number and the correct bumpers will come up for your car. (in theory!)

 

[Shude]

My car came from Mercedes brand new with the AMG styling pack fitted.. when they say to me, any modifications I'm going to say no.. the car came like that.. what will happen in the event of a claim?

I hope you've declared the non-factory fitted front bumper to them!

 

[Leemc2008]

Sweet.. I have no excess on my policy and protected NCB.. off out a minute to crash into something.. get my AMG bumper back! haha...

 

[Will]

Thats why I went ahead and declared it, as I suddenly remembered that I hadnt already.



While I do agree with you, im sure there are maybe 100's of members on here that have some 'Mods' however small that have not declared every single one? - Chrome centre caps?

I was in no major hurry with the rear TBH, for the front I reported it asap and they didnt really sound that intrested (from my impression on the phone) and I assumed the rear would be the same!

I havent been trying to avoid letting them know, otherwise I wouldnt have called them up, but I wish I hadnt bothered now!

Good idea Shude, will give them a bell

The correct procedure is to declare all modifications, however small. I don't have chrome centre caps yet (phew!), but I would certainly consider the insurance implications of fitting different bodystyling.

I'm not 'having a go', just suggesting that everyone can learn from this.

The very fact that your company refused to cover you with the modification and you had insurance cancelelled demonstrate that they do take this sort of stuff seriously IMHO.

Will

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Ask them for confirmation of the number of years and MONTHS of no-claims you have with them, some insurance companies will accept part years and then you'll be losing nothing (maybe a month).

Spoke to my brokers & they said that some companies will do this, but those companies will have a NCB system that is only effective when you remain with them, eg change over and its back to Square one.

Oh well, lession learnt!

 

[Alps]

thats not right, my mrs had a bonus system from admiral (10mnths for a years NCB) and when she left they provided a letter confirming this. Ive also had a letter from a broker in the past confirming NCB which was accepted by the new insurance company... id keep trying with the broker!

 

[Leemc2008]

Sweet.. I have no excess on my policy and protected NCB.. off out a minute to crash into something.. get my AMG bumper back! haha...

Relised that this is a bad idea.. car only insured for £1000.. a new AMG + Paint + Labour will write-off my car! haha..

 

[Sprintmick]

My car came from Mercedes brand new with the AMG styling pack fitted.. when they say to me, any modifications I'm going to say no.. the car came like that.. what will happen in the event of a claim?

TELL THEM !!, because someone backed out into my wifes slk and admitted liability. They wrote saying they may not pay because we ommited to tell them of the modifications. Claim went through and this morning we get a letter saying that my wifes insurance is being cancelled next week because we didnt declare the modifications. It has full factory fitted amg styling pack. So what to do now i'm not sure as we have to get some more insurance etc. Nightmare,


Mick

 

[lynall]

Well if its factory fit surely its not classed as a modification especially as the 2nd/3rd or 4th owner you are not to know.

My wifes w203 c320 has 17amg alloys and i have seen loads for sale and around with the same wheels, so i assumed factory fit also on the spec sheet says sport chassis which i guessed at meaning lower ride height and the larger wheels.

My car also lists sports chassis with light 5 hole alloys and wide tyres its got amg monoblocks fitted with rolled archs to accomadate them so i also guessed as factory fit.

Put your vin number into the russian vin decoder and see what comes up.


Lynall

 

[Sprintmick]

Even factory fit parts are mods apparently so the insurance co have told her. I have the spec sheet on the way now from the stealership so i will be sending them a copy when it arrives.


Mick

 

[crockers]

One further point I forgot to mention was that my policy has a protected NCB. I can make an unlimited claim once every two years and retain full NCB.

Dave

That doesn't mean you wont get a loading if you make an "at fault" claim - all it means is you will keep your discount..

So if for example - base price is £1000 and you have 60% NCD you pay £400

Have an at fault/ not able to get money paid claim and you get loaded - lets say 50%

Next year base price is £1500 and you get 60% NCD you pay £600...


This is a very important fact that many don't understand and think that protected NCD means they wont get loaded....


Also it is a No Claims Discount -- many call it a Bonus but it isn't .....

"Pedantic - moi?"

 

[Fady]

Even factory fit parts are mods apparently so the insurance co have told her. I have the spec sheet on the way now from the stealership so i will be sending them a copy when it arrives.


Mick

Depending on the given insurance company the mods might have a bearing on the initial premium and the loading.

No help to you, but having bought a modded car (bumpers, wheels, exhausts etc.) I switched to a company that did not penalise for any cosmetic modifications. You don't even have to list them as they don't care.

 

[Will]

I've never understood the logic of 'factory fitted' modifications being a non-disclosable fact.

Where does it stop? If you order a base spec C-class, and decide to opt for an AMG bodykit, wheels, exhaust, suspension, maybe ££££s of extras as well - doesn't that make it a more valuable asset, and also quite a different vehicle to a basic car with factory wheels and plain bumpers etc?

Surely it's only fair to people with standard cars that they're not paying extra to cover those with extras, and vice-versa.

With due respect and not wishing to upset anyone, I suspect that the majority of people who adopt this stance are really sticking their head in the sand as they know there's a fair chance that they'll be asked to cough up extra, and rightly so.

The standard procedure when dealing with insurance policies is to disclose 'all material facts', and if you're in any doubt at all - ask.

Will

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

When we bought the ML - admittedly it was four years ago - we looked at two - one with and one without an AMG kit.

At that time Directline didn't want any extra for the AMG kit. We actually bought the car without the kit, and when I called to take out the policy they converted the quote as you'd expect. Sure enough it listed the AMG kit on the policy, and I had to later have it removed.

Strangely I had previously enquired about changing an air filter on my Astra, and it was going to cost me £25 extra premium with Directline, so I didn't bother and sold the filter.

I thought it was strange though that it was an extra £25 for a £35 air filter, and nothing for a £X,000s AMG bodykit!!??

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Isnt it reflected in the value of the car? eg you declare the price of the car when new. A fully specced up car is going to be worth a few £1000 more than a standard model.

Although once your not the orignal owner that will not apply.

I've never understood the logic of 'factory fitted' modifications being a non-disclosable fact.

Where does it stop? If you order a base spec C-class, and decide to opt for an AMG bodykit, wheels, exhaust, suspension, maybe ££££s of extras as well - doesn't that make it a more valuable asset, and also quite a different vehicle to a basic car with factory wheels and plain bumpers etc?

Surely it's only fair to people with standard cars that they're not paying extra to cover those with extras, and vice-versa.

With due respect and not wishing to upset anyone, I suspect that the majority of people who adopt this stance are really sticking their head in the sand as they know there's a fair chance that they'll be asked to cough up extra, and rightly so.

The standard procedure when dealing with insurance policies is to disclose 'all material facts', and if you're in any doubt at all - ask.

Will

 

[glojo]

I cannot think of any motor insurance company that states we should admit liability and as far as I am aware they all state just the opposite. We should NOT admit libility and technically it can very easily be argued that we are in breach of contract by ignoring this stipulation!

John