PPF on the car have you declared it with insurance? INSURANCE VOIDED

[ToeKnee]

So adding badges may need to be declared, but what about removing badges? Or covering the chrome trim to make it black etc, should all that be declared too?

 

[Slartibartfast]

Do that . Then come back and let us know how that worked out for you.

(see my post #67):
I've just spoken to my insurer (First Central) who kept me on hold for about 10 minutes to check the "small print". I was then informed that providing the film does not change the colour of the car then it would not be classed as a "modification" and is therefore allowed under my standard policy.

 

[markjay]

So adding badges may need to be declared, but what about removing badges? Or covering the chrome trim to make it black etc, should all that be declared too?

Different insurers have different rules.

Personally, I have always declared any changes, as minor as they may be - these included retrofitting of kerb lights and the electric button to release the boot lock from the driver's seat. The person on the other line was unsurprisingly baffled. None of the 'mods' I've done over the years had any effect on the premium, including changing the grille, retrofitting COMAND and reverse camera, etc. But every single minor change was declared. Had I made any changes to the badges (I didn't), I would have declared it as well.

 

[Petrol Pete]

My curiosity got the better of me so I just E-mailed my Broker telling him I planned to PPF (clear film) just the bumper wings and bonnet. Here was his reaction 5 minutes ago.

I think this thread might have opened up a massive can of worms for many members on here.

 

[Benz17]

On PH some members were sceptical of OP story, eventually all came round.

 

[Petrol Pete]

(see my post #67):
I've just spoken to my insurer (First Central) who kept me on hold for about 10 minutes to check the "small print". I was then informed that providing the film does not change the colour of the car then it would not be classed as a "modification" and is therefore allowed under my standard policy.

Get that in writing.

 

[Petrol Pete]

So adding badges may need to be declared, but what about removing badges? Or covering the chrome trim to make it black etc, should all that be declared too?

Based on this thread ? Yes , but it seems the only way to find out is to declare absolutely everything we change on our cars .

 

[ToeKnee]

Different insurers have different rules.

Personally, I have always declared any changes, as minor as they may be - these included retrofitting of kerb lights and the electric button to release the boot lock from the driver's seat. The person on the other line was unsurprisingly baffled. None of the 'mods' I've done over the years had any effect on the premium, including changing the grille, retrofitting COMAND and reverse camera, etc. But every single minor change was declared. Had I made any changes to the badges (I didn't), I would have declared it as well.

I'm the same ref informing insurer of all mods and I think it was you who put me onto LV as being sympathetic to modifications.

 

[Bortig]

‘Auto Express was also recently contacted by a reader who informed us the paint protection film applied to his cars was deemed to be a modification, and his insurer refused to renew his policy.’

Car modification: impact on insurance cover revealed | Auto Express

Exclusive investigation into car modification reveals that even innocuous upgrades can affect your insurance premium

www.autoexpress.co.uk

Interesting read, stickers as a modification who'd have known

 

[Petrol Pete]

Further to my post #84

My broker just got back in touch . Adding clear PPF to the front of my ancient C55 will add more than 100% to the cost of my insurance and up the excess by almost 25% .

You have been warned.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Made a quick phone call out of interest....My insurers are only interested in certain things.....they were not interested in my, already declared, twin exhaust conversion (using parts from the model in the range that has twin pipes) and surprisingly they were not interested in my Eibach springs either as they only have a slight drop....But they are a company that many modified car owners use which might affect things. Even tuning only attracts a small premium if the power increase is below 10%....and then goes up in 10 % increments......much easier than having to tell them exactly what you have done to the engine. They also say that any optional extras that the car could have come from the factory with like the command or reversing camera mentioned above, won't affect premium any companies won't know what the factory spec was anyway. However PPF attracts quite a premium. I asked why and not only do they have to remove it and get a specialist to replace it but often (according to them) removing the PPF sometimes causes further damage to otherwise sound paint especially if it's been on there a while. Also another issue is that the new PPF does not match the old due to variation in surface shine or even slight yellowing over time....so they have to do the whole car....with further risk of paint damage. So the extra premium is based on past experiences. I'm 56 with 36 years NCD which may affect things too....so of course YMMV.

 

[Petrol Pete]

I think we are at a point where we all now realise the PPF is a double edged sword.

 

[markjay]

Further to my post #84

My broker just got back in touch . Adding clear PPF to the front of my ancient C55 will add more than 100% to the cost of my insurance and up the excess by almost 25% .

You have been warned.

"For example, those 80’s ‘go faster’ stripes were associated with drivers who’d take more risks on the road. So that meant there was potentially a higher chance of a claim – and would result in higher premium."

From:

Have you modified your car? When and why you HAVE to tell your insurer

Failing to do so could cost you quite a bit - or even void your policy

www.mirror.co.uk

I think that PPF goes beyond the actual additional cost of repair (and if this was the case, then the insurer could have simply excluded it from the cover once declared).

 

[st13phil]

As an aside, my motorcycle insurance company insisted that an S5 tracker was fitted to my K1600GT as a condition of cover. When it came to the bit about the value of the bike I was asked about the value of accessories, so I said “£x including the value of the Tracker”. “Oh, the cost of the Tracker isn't covered as it's not an accessory”, came the reply

 

[Doodle]

Insurance companies do like to have their cake and eat it!

 

[DGAMG63S]

Made a quick phone call out of interest....My insurers are only interested in certain things.....they were not interested in my, already declared, twin exhaust conversion (using parts from the model in the range that has twin pipes) and surprisingly they were not interested in my Eibach springs either as they only have a slight drop....But they are a company that many modified car owners use which might affect things. Even tuning only attracts a small premium if the power increase is below 10%....and then goes up in 10 % increments......much easier than having to tell them exactly what you have done to the engine. They also say that any optional extras that the car could have come from the factory with like the command or reversing camera mentioned above, won't affect premium any companies won't know what the factory spec was anyway. However PPF attracts quite a premium. I asked why and not only do they have to remove it and get a specialist to replace it but often (according to them) removing the PPF sometimes causes further damage to otherwise sound paint especially if it's been on there a while. Also another issue is that the new PPF does not match the old due to variation in surface shine or even slight yellowing over time....so they have to do the whole car....with further risk of paint damage. So the extra premium is based on past experiences. I'm 56 with 36 years NCD which may affect things too....so of course YMMV.

As I posted previously, following the OP's first comments, I called my company about PPF (already fitted but undeclared only because I'd never thought about it) and they said the cover would be void. There's an additional point that I thought may help people. I decided to go through a broker who has a specialist arm dealing with high performance cars, classics and the like and who I'd used some years ago on a Ferrari. Nothing online, just good old-fashioned human contact and a healthy dose of common sense from them and the underwriters. The sustained effort on the phone resulted in a reduced premium over my current deal, an identical level of cover (which is pretty broad) and PPF accepted (in writing) as a known modification. I don't know if it can be done in every case, but that's how I got round it; it's maybe finding the right guys. Must say though, driving a car that was potentailly uninsured certainly motivates!

 

[Doodle]

In most of the situations I've encountered a broker will invariably get on the phone to the underwriter and ask human to human, whereas the big faceless companies simply go "Computer says no"?

 

[leef44]

Further to my post #84

My broker just got back in touch . Adding clear PPF to the front of my ancient C55 will add more than 100% to the cost of my insurance and up the excess by almost 25% .

You have been warned.

Well, I have in the past contemplated having stone chip protection on the front and this sends a big red flag now.

I would have thought this meant someone was more caring of their vehicle but I guess insurance statistics prove otherwise.

 

[leef44]

Hi All

Thank you for the messages

The final verdic is they are classifying it as a "wrap" and that it changes the specifications of the car

I rang directl line insurance and also Churchill car insurance who both said it's not classified as a modification rather a protection of the paint.

The insurance is "void" however its on the basis of fraud which also means I don't have to disclose it on some insurances for example Direcline there where not bothered that it was voided as I hadn't committed fraud

I will definitely be taking this to the ombudsman as its left me with a hefty bill going forward and potentially for a very very long time

Have you tried ManningUK? I used them before when I had a TVR when back in the day, for an insurance company, it was considered a violent dangerous vehicle which could spontaneously combust at any second.

ManningUK grabbed a whole load of business from TVR owners by treating it like a normal vehicle. They deal with common sense. But it was a long time ago so I don't know if they still have this philosophy now.

 

[oldguy57]

Suggesting that PPF in effect doubles the risk so doubling the premium strikes me as nonsense. Surely a more sensible approach would be for Insurers in the event of a damage claim to exclude the cost of it's removal and replacement, if they are that concerned about the cost. I suspect in most cases owners who have PPF fitted are far more careful with their cars so the premium should be reduced.