What do insurers count as a modification

[tkeenan]

I was wondering if someone would be able to clarify what insurers actually count as a modification to a vehicle. For example if I was to put a set of OE 107's on my car instead of my current alloys does this count? What if they are non OE? Likewise would the same count for a steering wheel change or retrim?

Thanks!

[Adamski]

I think we clarified recently that any change to the car which alters it's state from how it rolled out of the factory is a modification.

I've told my insurance company about changes in wheel colour, fitting OEM cruise control etc etc - not an issue.

[Half Colin]

Each insurer tends to be different so the only sure way it to give yours a call.

[ChrisKnottIns]

Yes, what Half Colin said. Tell your insurer and they'll decide whether to make a charge or not.

[Atom1]

Anything from a bumper sticker to an engine remap !! lol

I know its silly but I would always check just to be safe.

[pvr]

Varies by insurance company and by the person you speak to Call 5 times to the same company, get 5 different answers.

My policy on my new X5 was hilarious in the end - the modification list was just stated as "various internal modifications", whatever that means. Oh - I did not modify the X5 either just listed all the options I had checked on the order list.

[tkeenan]

Thanks for the replies guy's

[VvrooomM]

What don't they consider would be a safer question!!

[PlumbNB1]

From experience declare any mods
1) if stolen, insurers could claim non standard 'flashy' wheels (for example) made the car more attractive to thieves
2) if involved in an accident mods such as lowered suspension, re-mapped engine etc meant the vehicle wasn't performing as manufacturer intended (even if the performance was improved)
3) If any third party was seriously injured then claims could run into tens of thousands of pounds, not a situation you want to find your insurance has been revoked due to an undeclared modification (bit like not closing your windows as required on your house contents policy and getting burgled)
I wasn't charged any extra for my mods so would recommend advising them just for peace of mind!

[Peter P]

Some good advice on here.

Given I work in the insurance industry (not cars before anyone asks! Lol), I would point out one other important issue.

By declaring all of your mods to the insurer, they should be able to increase the value of your car to compensate for the mods. So if you have £2K worth of alloys on your Zed (BBS etc), then some of that value can be incorporated into the overall value (will depend on the company, but factor maybe 50% of the value for most things).

Yes you will end up paying a higher premium, but at least you won't lose out completely if the worst should happen, and some tea leaf pinches your pride and joy

The number of people who have spent more on mods than the car itself, who then have it stolen and get nothing back (apart from the value of the stock car) is suprisingly high.

Minor mods like stickers etc shouldn't increase your premiums, but by declaring them to the insurer, you are in a far better position should something happen.

Post codes and whether you have off-road parking/garage, CAT 1 alarm and immobiliser all play a part in what you will be quoted.

Final word is be clear and totally upfront with the insurer/broker. Last thing you want is to be told your not covered due to non-disclosure of a material fact, when you're already hurting from losing or having your pride and joy in a prang.

Final, final thing: Always read through your certificate and make sure everything is as you described. The certificate itself isn't normally more than a couple of pages, but it's time well spent.

Hope this helps.

[ChrisKnottIns]

Final word is be clear and totally upfront with the insurer/broker. Last thing you want is to be told your not covered due to non-disclosure of a material fact, when you're already hurting from losing or having your pride and joy in a prang.

New rules mean that it is down to the insurer/broker to ask the right questions and record the answers properly. The Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 came into force a month or so ago.

Under the Act it is still the duty of consumers to take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation to the insurer but there will no longer be a need for consumers to volunteer information that an insurer might regard as material. This increases the onus on providers to ask the right questions (and properly record the answers).

The result is that claims can no longer be thrown out just because the consumer didn't disclose a certain detail. The test is whether the omission was ‘deliberate or reckless’ or merely ‘careless’.

The insurer will be able to refuse a claim where a consumer deliberately or recklessly makes a misrepresentation. But the remedies for the less serious, 'careless', misrepresentation are based on what the insurer would have done if the consumer had complied with the duty to take reasonable care.

This helps consumers and should reduce the incidence of claims disputes. Good news for the motorist.