Lowering Suspension Affecting Insurance?

[triumphboy]

Hi all
Has anyone lowered their suspension mid policy? Just wondered what sort of reaction you got from your insurer? Just a 'thanks for notifying us', or a hike in premium? Just trying to gage what to expect and what is reasonable before approaching my insurer. Thanks

 

[Rich764089]

Hi all
Has anyone lowered their suspension mid policy? Just wondered what sort of reaction you got from your insurer? Just a 'thanks for notifying us', or a hike in premium? Just trying to gage what to expect and what is reasonable before approaching my insurer. Thanks

I have on previous cars. Very difficult question to answer as it's so dependent on your insurer, the policy, your car and you!
I'd say it almost definitely will affect your premium, but the concern I'd have is that many insurers simply won't touch modified cars, so your current provider may just say no! Worth calling before you do mods to know where you stand.

 

[whitenemesis]

My insurer, Direct Line increased premiums by 30% when I fitted coil overs and lowered ride height on my S203 They said it made me a sporty driver!

 

[Steve84N]

As per above, could be anything from nothing to a lot. Any reasonable insurer it should be under £50 but it depends how they modelled you at the start of your policy. Direct Line hate mods but other major providers like Admiral and Aviva it's more acceptable.

Just call them and do it before you do anything to the car or buy parts. If you can select lowered suspension online in your account then do that as it often saves/reduces the admin cost.

 

[nickjonesn4]

Admiral have been great with my car over the years. Much cheaper than the specialist companies also and were great when my Golf got stolen and written off

 

[Steve84N]

I've gone back and forth between Admiral and Aviva for as long as I can remember. Found it easier to add (relatively mainstream) modifications and the specialist insurers also seem to suck on basic price.

 

[Merc55k]

Admiral have been great with my car over the years. Much cheaper than the specialist companies also and were great when my Golf got stolen and written off

I’ve been with admiral for years, always had very good experience up until today.… I declared all my mods three years ago when I had them all done. I just looked at my docs online today and realised they had only added the modified exhaust on to the policy, they hadn’t added the remap, the pulleys, the LSD, etc etc which I ran them through on the call at the time and now they have told me today after I called up to rectify the specs, that they won’t insure the car!!! WTF

 

[NJSS]

they have told me today after I called up to rectify the specs, that they won’t insure the car!!! WTF

Sorry to hear that Merc55k.
I make a point of ensuring that any communication with insurers is in writing, or confirmed in writing, as I had a similar problem many years ago.
Good luck.
NJSS

 

[Markw70]

I’ve been with admiral for years, always had very good experience up until today.… I declared all my mods three years ago when I had them all done. I just looked at my docs online today and realised they had only added the modified exhaust on to the policy, they hadn’t added the remap, the pulleys, the LSD, etc etc which I ran them through on the call at the time and now they have told me today after I called up to rectify the specs, that they won’t insure the car!!! WTF

Not good, but at least you found out you’re not covered by querying it and not at the point you needed to make a claim on your policy and they refuse to payout.

 

[John]

I’ve been with admiral for years, always had very good experience up until today.… I declared all my mods three years ago when I had them all done. I just looked at my docs online today and realised they had only added the modified exhaust on to the policy, they hadn’t added the remap, the pulleys, the LSD, etc etc which I ran them through on the call at the time and now they have told me today after I called up to rectify the specs, that they won’t insure the car!!! WTF

That's odd. Admiral covered my E55K after exhaust / remap / pulley and power "up to 25% increase" a few years back.

Whereas Direct Line previously, who I've seen examples of modded cars they cover, e.g. post #3, told me they don't cover modded cars at all.

They make this shit up as they go along it seems.

 

[Fastcar155]

Hi , it's all down to the underwriters

 

[markjay]

Hi , it's all down to the underwriters

Agreed. And it varies from one to another.

None if the mods I have declared to Aviva incurred a premium increase, they only seemed to care about mods that increased engine power (mine didn't). But I didn't lower the car so didn't ask this particular question.

 

[Merc55k]

That's odd. Admiral covered my E55K after exhaust / remap / pulley and power "up to 25% increase" a few years back.

Whereas Direct Line previously, who I've seen examples of modded cars they cover, e.g. post #3, told me they don't cover modded cars at all.

They make this shit up as they go along it seems.

They didn’t even know what a pulley was / what it did / what tick box to classify it under