Hi , can anyone please tell me whether or not you have to declare non standard factory fitted options on your car insurance in the 'does your car have any modifications' section ? Things that spring to mind are privacy glass , comfort pack , interior light pack , etc , etc , etc . Or does the modification section refer to any add on mods after the car is built , many thanks .
MODIFICATIONS SECTION ON INSURANCE .
- Thread starter shilts
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Spin140
Registered User
This section applies to aftermarket modifications as it's easy for insurance companies to check the spec of your car in the event of a claim from its chasis number just as a dealer does when trading in etc. If there is a section that asks you to list factory options then I would always list these as Insurance companies do love to wriggle out of any expenditure.
PH1L
Gievf Buckets
im a bit iffy on things this way i mean if you buy the car and it has audi wheels on it how could you know they were std i mean theres that many variables, but lowering exhaust etc i claim
Thanks guy's , i was a little unsure as to whether or not this was referring to factory options . As you say spin140 insurance companys do love to wriggle out of these things . Cheers .
Certainly Admiral, Elephant, direct line all class any option the car has that takes it away from the base spec for that model(the model being the version i.e sport, S-line, S3 etc) as a modification. When I bought the BMW I phoned loads of companies up to clarify this and when changing car on my existing Admiral policy the leather became interior modifications, the sat nav was entertainment upgrades, xenon lights became rally spot lights, can't remember the rest but it all cost more. Then to top it off they stated although the are now declared they wont cover the options in case of a claim and only covered the car as the base spec(not sure how this works in reality as they aren't going to fit one halogen light if the car was in a accident and only one broke xenon unit).
The only insurance company I managed to find that didnt car about factory fitted options was www.LV.com they stated to me on the phone as long as the car rolled off the production line with those items fitted they werent classed as modifications.
The only insurance company I managed to find that didnt car about factory fitted options was www.LV.com they stated to me on the phone as long as the car rolled off the production line with those items fitted they werent classed as modifications.
PH1L
Gievf Buckets
you have to be joking no insurance company would be stupid enough to put up a fight saying factory fitted options were modifications, it would never stand in court the definition of the word modification just throws the whole case
The insurance companies I tried normal had something worded similar to this "A modification is any change to the car away from the manufacturer's standard specification including optional extras, such as alloy wheels, body styling kits and exhaust/carburettor upgrades". Thats why I started phoning around to confirm what needed declaring and found that everything did. How well they would stand up in court is anyones guess because you sign up to their terms and conditions so I reckon they would probably win.
The other thing that isnt clear is where do you stand if you bought the car second hand. As you didnt spec the car you wont know whats an extra or whats not necessarily.
The other thing that isnt clear is where do you stand if you bought the car second hand. As you didnt spec the car you wont know whats an extra or whats not necessarily.
tku
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Nope, any factory options do not have to be declared as modifications. And I'm pretty sure you would be able to wiggle yourself out of that one! If it was the case of every option having to be declared as a modification, I doubt they would even insure me!
You actually phoned your insurance company and asked. Because I phoned around for my renewal(about 6 different major insurers) and as i said above only www.LV.com didnt care about factory fitted mods. Alot of the other big companies do specify they should be declared.
Just got this of direct lines T&Cs as a quick example
"Modifications are any changes to your cars standard
specification, including optional extras. These include, but are not
restricted to, changes to the appearance and/or the performance of
your car (including wheels, suspension, bodywork and engine) and
include changes made to your car by the previous owner(s)."
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gavsteryoung
Registered User
my standard specification included SatNav, Tinted windows, hill hold, light pack etc.... I specified this when I bought it! It is covered by the standard insurance.... you MOST certainly dont need to tell them about kit that is in the Audi options list!
They are only interested in performance mods, exhausts, body kits, changes to brakes and aftermarket wheels and audio.... anything that might make it a) faster b) more attractive to pikeys (desirable) c) or potentially more unsafe (giant rear wing blocking rear view)
When my car got stolen, it was never an issue for Elephant... they never asked me or checked the car was a base spec audi with no options..... I think they could tell from the photos the car was standard.....
They are only interested in performance mods, exhausts, body kits, changes to brakes and aftermarket wheels and audio.... anything that might make it a) faster b) more attractive to pikeys (desirable) c) or potentially more unsafe (giant rear wing blocking rear view)
When my car got stolen, it was never an issue for Elephant... they never asked me or checked the car was a base spec audi with no options..... I think they could tell from the photos the car was standard.....
Thats totally wrong. Elephant is the partner comapny of Admiral and they have the same policy. I phoned both up and they both stated any factory fitted options should be listed down as a modifications. Thats the reason I don't insure with that group any more. Your car didnt come with satnav, hill hold etc as standard you added them as factory fitted optional extras. When they quote you for insurance they quote you on the base spec, by having optional extras fitted the car has changed its risk to them in both terms of the value of the vehicle altering and the desireability of the vehicle to theives. Phone them and ask.
If they pay out or not is another thing but that their policy and its all in the T&Cs.
PH1L
Gievf Buckets
that is rediculous ask for the sales peoples managers, i have never once heard of anyone getting denied for factory fitted extras, because in fact the car isnt modified its specced that way modifications are alterations. so in my eyes if it had it before it crossed the assy line then theres no requirement. hell they'd be asking on the phone what extras (not modifications) your car has. just get it in writing
Thats great if it was them signing to your terms and conditions but its not its you signing to theirs.
Heres Admiral, Elephant and Privileges take on it
"The Motor Policy does not cover any non standard parts (Modifications). Manufacturers optional extras are only covered if they have been declared and we have agreed to cover them. See also Extra Conditions (endorsement 11). We can offer a Modifications Cover product subject to certain underwriting criteria."
All the factory fitted options from std had to be declared. I am not saying the insurance company would make too much fuss if they weren't but with things like this its always better to err on the side of caution. Esure were the cheapest for me and when I called them they noted all the options I had, but with no increase in premium
I am with Direct Line and have been for many years. I have 4 policys with them and Dandle is correct. However, although they require a comprehensive list of modifications (asDandle states anything the stnd car does not have) they have not charged me extra for them, just that they require a list to cover them.
PH1L
Gievf Buckets
gavsteryoung
Registered User
Sounds crazy to me!
Good job my loss adjuster was happy to pay out 27k.... he even had the orginal order sheet which listed the extras.....
It sounds like a mine field they cannot police/inforce to be honest.... various kit went standard on the S3 with the LED lights... and my previous S4 was second hand to me.... (I knew the extras) but Joe public probably would not.....
When you talk to them on the phone, they arnt that clear either, they just say.... any modifications....
Oh well, your probably right, nothing would suprise me more in this country!
Good job my loss adjuster was happy to pay out 27k.... he even had the orginal order sheet which listed the extras.....
It sounds like a mine field they cannot police/inforce to be honest.... various kit went standard on the S3 with the LED lights... and my previous S4 was second hand to me.... (I knew the extras) but Joe public probably would not.....
When you talk to them on the phone, they arnt that clear either, they just say.... any modifications....
Oh well, your probably right, nothing would suprise me more in this country!
Hi , thanks for all the feed back . It seems like it is a bit of a grey area . Gavsteryoung , you have a point when you say that Joe public wouldn't know . How many 'Joe publics ' would know if there recently purchased second hand car had any optional extras fitted ? Also how would you come off with Audi for instance when they do a deal and are offering free spec upgrades ? Specs are changing all the while . You could buy two cars new the same day , one old spec , one new - how on earth could insurance companys keep on top of all this ? I suppose it's best just to tell them and if they try to screw you go to someone who who won't . I'd be interested to hear what companys you guy's have found that charge and don't charge for 'optional extras' . Cheers .
