I was considering buying a "Fully Loaded" car and touched on the issue of insurance http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/spotted-ebay/187220-57-e320cdi-full-amg-bodykit-what.html#post2068670 . The question is much wider than that particular car so probably worth discussing separately.
The question that arose is whether manufacturer fitted options (and in a truly "fully loaded" car there could be well over half a dozen of those) count as modifications and should be declared.
I am fully aware that any scam-bag businesses (of which insurers are probably the worst) love to segregate and divide the customer base as much as possible so that prices could be increased. Also for the vast majority of people using price comparison sites is likely to find by far the cheapest price in shortest amount of time.... not sure that these will work at all if one has about half a dozen or more options to declare....
Having done some research ... some price comparison sites in their explanation state that
"Modifications are non-standard changes made to the car after manufacture, such as new spoilers, alloy wheels, exhaust pipes, changes to the engine capacity etc."
While some insurers like Direct Line:
"Modifications are changes to your car’s standard specification, including optional extras"
So I pretty much doubt that if I get a fully loaded car I will be able to get any valid quotes at all through price comparison sites. Also I am fearing that in the case of fully loaded 8 year old E-Class if insurance premiums are taken into account over the next 8-10 years it might well be cheaper to buy almost brand new Lexus which will have all the extras and more as standard spec.
What is your experience of insuring cars with lots of optional extras? Are you actually sure you are insured? Could, in case of a major accident, insurer take away your home and any other property (they do ask the question whether you are home owner and lower your premium if "yes" for a reason!!!) because you did not mention that your Avantgarde has heated seats which, whilst included on almost all saloons, is an optional extra?
The question that arose is whether manufacturer fitted options (and in a truly "fully loaded" car there could be well over half a dozen of those) count as modifications and should be declared.
I am fully aware that any scam-bag businesses (of which insurers are probably the worst) love to segregate and divide the customer base as much as possible so that prices could be increased. Also for the vast majority of people using price comparison sites is likely to find by far the cheapest price in shortest amount of time.... not sure that these will work at all if one has about half a dozen or more options to declare....
Having done some research ... some price comparison sites in their explanation state that
"Modifications are non-standard changes made to the car after manufacture, such as new spoilers, alloy wheels, exhaust pipes, changes to the engine capacity etc."
While some insurers like Direct Line:
"Modifications are changes to your car’s standard specification, including optional extras"
So I pretty much doubt that if I get a fully loaded car I will be able to get any valid quotes at all through price comparison sites. Also I am fearing that in the case of fully loaded 8 year old E-Class if insurance premiums are taken into account over the next 8-10 years it might well be cheaper to buy almost brand new Lexus which will have all the extras and more as standard spec.
What is your experience of insuring cars with lots of optional extras? Are you actually sure you are insured? Could, in case of a major accident, insurer take away your home and any other property (they do ask the question whether you are home owner and lower your premium if "yes" for a reason!!!) because you did not mention that your Avantgarde has heated seats which, whilst included on almost all saloons, is an optional extra?