How many people don't tell insurance about tuning boxes?

[Corbula]

I was looking at getting a DTUK box which I've been looking at for a while. Spoke to them, asked them a few questions, only thing that was left was to speak to my insurance.

Called them (Aviva) and after being on hold for a while with them speaking to the underwriters. £119 additional for the remainder of the policy (until the start of April). Which is roughly 30-35% increase for the privilege.

Cant go anywhere else really as the cheapest I've found without the box is nearly £100 more than it is at the moment without some of the additional things. With the box it's closer to £200 more.

So it's either not telling them or going without. I think I already know what the answer is going to be

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[A4A4]

Tell them for sure!. Not worth the risk on an expensive car??

 

[Corbula]

Tell them for sure!. Not worth the risk on an expensive car??

Yea I know, but a 35% increase

It's an a4 by the way.

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[cuke2u]

Sounds very high, the last one I had, also a DTUK, on my A3 was an extra £25. It is absurd they want that amount as a tuning box will not make the car more accident prone or necessarily driven faster therefore the risk doesn't change. Typical insurance rip off...

 

[Jsmills]

I’d say the type of person wanting a chip is more likely to drive fast and therefore be more of a risk, that’s why it gets more expensive with bigger engines. For £100 it’s not even worth not doing

 

[Corbula]

Is there any other insurance company I could try that I might have missed. The other prices I've had have come from the comparison sites.

Does anyone know the cost of cancelling insurance half way through with Aviva?

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[cuke2u]

I’d say the type of person wanting a chip is more likely to drive fast and therefore be more of a risk, that’s why it gets more expensive with bigger engines. For £100 it’s not even worth not doing

Doesn't explain the difference in £25 to £119 though. I've even known insurance companies not to charge any extra...

 

[cuke2u]

Is there any other insurance company I could try that I might have missed. The other prices I've had have come from the comparison sites.

Does anyone know the cost of cancelling insurance half way through with Aviva?

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You could try asking DTUK as they have recommended insurance companies..
https://www.diesel-performance.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/

 

[cptjay]

Doesn't explain the difference in £25 to £119 though. I've even known insurance companies not to charge any extra...

Each insurance underwriter will use variations in statistics to develop their own data.

This is then fed into models of risk they wish to expose the business to.

Every insurance company will price risk differently (according to the statistics they have and the business risk they wish to take), and hence you go to a insurer (for any quote on any prospective policy), and the price will be different.

 

[cptjay]

Sounds very high, the last one I had, also a DTUK, on my A3 was an extra £25. It is absurd they want that amount as a tuning box will not make the car more accident prone or necessarily driven faster therefore the risk doesn't change. Typical insurance rip off...

Car insurance is a typically low margin business.

What you might view as a "rip off", the insurance company may view as a high risk, or unacceptable risk profile for the business they wish to underwrite. You are of course free to take your business elsewhere!

 

[cptjay]

Is there any other insurance company I could try that I might have missed. The other prices I've had have come from the comparison sites.

Does anyone know the cost of cancelling insurance half way through with Aviva?

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You could try some of the specialist insurers that are more friendly to modifications - plenty advertise in the back of car magazines.

I recall using Adrian Flux (broker), a few years back for this sort of thing, they were very good.

 

[cptjay]

Tell them for sure!. Not worth the risk on an expensive car??

I guess it depends what you think the risk is.

Assuming the vehicle is written off - the insurer would appoint someone to inspect it to confirm a total loss, for example.

Would they look that closely when the car is a crumpled mess? Would they pick apart the engine bay to look for a tuning box that they've no idea is there? Would you have an opportunity to remove personal effects from the vehicle before your insurance claim (and also remove the box?)

I think the overall risk that you suffer a total loss requiring a claim, and that they find the box they don't know exists, is very low.

Any other insurance claim (minor knock etc), and you'd be able to remove the box before the claim.

I have heard that insurers don't go looking for modifications... but if on inspection, the car has massive alloys, an add on spoiler, fat exhaust, and none of it is declared.. then this might raise a further inspection. I think you could get away with just running a discreet tuning box - but just my opinion!

 

[cuke2u]

You could try some of the specialist insurers that are more friendly to modifications - plenty advertise in the back of car magazines.

I recall using Adrian Flux (broker), a few years back for this sort of thing, they were very good.

They still sponsor audi-sport I believe....

 

[Nickfrog]

I guess it depends what you think the risk is.

Assuming the vehicle is written off - the insurer would appoint someone to inspect it to confirm a total loss, for example.

Would they look that closely when the car is a crumpled mess? Would they pick apart the engine bay to look for a tuning box that they've no idea is there? Would you have an opportunity to remove personal effects from the vehicle before your insurance claim (and also remove the box?)

I think the overall risk that you suffer a total loss requiring a claim, and that they find the box they don't know exists, is very low.

Any other insurance claim (minor knock etc), and you'd be able to remove the box before the claim.

I have heard that insurers don't go looking for modifications... but if on inspection, the car has massive alloys, an add on spoiler, fat exhaust, and none of it is declared.. then this might raise a further inspection. I think you could get away with just running a discreet tuning box - but just my opinion!

I suppose it's a risk / reward view except that this has little to do with the value of the asset which is insignificant compared to the potential third party costs, injuries etc etc. They probably won't find the box but your liability is not just the car, it's mainly third party. Worth losing your house (if you have one) ? For me an emphatic no but others might see it differently.

 

[Dippy]

As a "veteran" of needing insurance for modified cars I would thoroughly recommend using a specialist broker.

Regarding risk, I'd agree that it is fair to consider a modified car a higher risk. The joke then comes when we shop around as their risk calculations go out the window as they "barter" against each other for your business.

Whilst the chances of an insurer actively investigating an undeclared mod are indeed probably low, the biggest risk is where the police investigate, especially if there is a death and/or life-changing injuries. Those guys really know their business and if they are given the green light to put effort into investigating they will really investigate. And then its not just the criminal charges you have to worry about, its the risk of very high 3rd party damages. Its easy to suggest that its not worth risking non-declaration of mods for a £20K, £30K, £40K etc car, but much easier to suggest that its not worth it for a £200K, £300K, £400K etc 3rd party damages claim. (I just realised that @Nickfrog has stated the same thing in fewer words, but I think the message is important enough to be repeated).

 

[Corbula]

As a "veteran" of needing insurance for modified cars I would thoroughly recommend using a specialist broker.

Regarding risk, I'd agree that it is fair to consider a modified car a higher risk. The joke then comes when we shop around as their risk calculations go out the window as they "barter" against each other for your business.

Whilst the chances of an insurer actively investigating an undeclared mod are indeed probably low, the biggest risk is where the police investigate, especially if there is a death and/or life-changing injuries. Those guys really know their business and if they are given the green light to put effort into investigating they will really investigate. And then its not just the criminal charges you have to worry about, its the risk of very high 3rd party damages. Its easy to suggest that its not worth risking non-declaration of mods for a £20K, £30K, £40K etc car, but much easier to suggest that its not worth it for a £200K, £300K, £400K etc 3rd party damages claim. (I just realised that @Nickfrog has stated the same thing in fewer words, but I think the message is important enough to be repeated).

Hi Dippy, you and Nickfrog make sense.

With regards to you being a veteran of insurance for modified cars.

Who have you used in the past?

Have they been competitive with main stream insurers for non modified cars?

Have you had any issues with accidents or making a claim with specialist brokers? As I've read that when it comes to this they aren't very good at all.

Thanks.

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[WesT-gefül]

They will always hit you hard mid year insurance. Don’t risk not telling them. Will be cheaper on a new insurance.

 

[WesT-gefül]

Is there any other insurance company I could try that I might have missed. The other prices I've had have come from the comparison sites.

Does anyone know the cost of cancelling insurance half way through with Aviva?

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Try http://www.chrisknott.co.uk/car_insurance.html they do loads of forum/owner clubs. I have had good prices here.

 

[cuke2u]

Corbula, it might be better to ask here of the owners who actually have them and how much they paid and there are at least two if the you search. I have already stated how much mine was and that one insurance company wasn't bothered by a remap in the slightest.
You may wish to try owner experiences of other make/model, not just Audi...

 

[Ben Harper]

LV added £30 to the policy for me - 41 yo, project manager, 3 points.

Just need the box now!

 

[Corbula]

LV added £30 to the policy for me - 41 yo, project manager, 3 points.

Just need the box now!

LV want £660 for me with a tuning box, £558 without. My insurance at the moment is £378 with Aviva.

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[-Ju-]

LV are great for me compared to any other insurance company. I do pay a fairly high premium having a relatively high risk postcode but they do look at mods with a sympathetic view and it is generally around the £30 each mark.
They even knocked £160 off for having the autonomous braking

 

[cuke2u]

LV want £660 for me with a tuning box, £558 without. My insurance at the moment is £378 with Aviva.

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I just got quote from them without the box and it was the same premium as my current insurance company, £235.95.

 

[-Ju-]

I just got quote from them without the box and it was the same premium as my current insurance company, £235.95.

If I got that quote, I'd be doing cartwheels down the road lol

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[Corbula]

If I got that quote, I'd be doing cartwheels down the road lol

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Yea me too ️

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[A4A4]

Everybody quotes are irrelevant, you all know it's all dependant the individual on age/claims/no claims/postcode/points etc.etc..

I will chuck mine in which was an extra £4o but not relevant to the OP.

Best to tell them you got a box on, if your are to make a write off claim and it's your fault, you telling me the insurance company is not going to check the whole car?

Any excuse for them not to pay out/?/

Not worth the risk IMO. Chance you can lose you car££/house£££/ 3rd party claim ££££.

I just see risk of £££££ signs.

 

[Zippytoo]

Totally agree with the sentiment above. Risk = likelihood x impact. The chances of being 'found out' are low, admittedly, even very low. But the potential impact is enormous. In the worst case, £100k's as outlined above. Plus on top of that most insurance companies wouldn't touch you with a barge pole ever again - and if they did I could only speculate what the premium would be.

For leasers (and those that don't own the car outright - PCP etc.) even buying / proper disclosure of a tuning box should be thought through: you also have to consider the owner's contractual expectation that you will insure the car comprehensively and correctly and any reasonable request to ask for proof of this. Again, the likelihood of them asking for such proof and from that there being a disclosure is quite remote. But it is possible. If the engine goes pop, invalidating the warranty, they might ask which might reveal the 'enhancement' and you're talking lots of ££'s again.

 

[jdp1962]

As others have already said, the potential risk of loss and adverse consequences are way too high to contemplate non-disclosure. But we do have an insurers section of the forum; why not try one of them? Click here.

 

[NevMan]

Doesn't explain the difference in £25 to £119 though. I've even known insurance companies not to charge any extra...

agree. I had a stage1 bluefin on last A6, and was charged something like £35 extra. Ironically when I then called to change insurance to new Q5, got a £30 refund! Despite the car being worth more.

I would DEFINITELY shop around, but does depend what your cancellation will be. A lot charge around the £30-£50 to cancel.

 

[jdp1962]

agree. I had a stage1 bluefin on last A6, and was charged something like £35 extra. Ironically when I then called to change insurance to new Q5, got a £30 refund! Despite the car being worth more.

I would DEFINITELY shop around, but does depend what your cancellation will be. A lot charge around the £30-£50 to cancel.

Or just wait until renewal and a different provider of cover before fitting the tuning box.

 

[Dippy]

Hi Dippy, you and Nickfrog make sense.

With regards to you being a veteran of insurance for modified cars.

Who have you used in the past?

Have they been competitive with main stream insurers for non modified cars?

Have you had any issues with accidents or making a claim with specialist brokers? As I've read that when it comes to this they aren't very good at all.

Thanks.

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It appears that insurers are more "open" to tuning boxes than remaps and the premium surcharges are less. Nevertheless I agree with @A4A4 in that you never know when there might be a risk that applies to you and not others and it will cause problems. Recently A-Plan and Chris Knott got me the best quotes. However others are becoming competitive. I went through Sky this time but also Adrian Flux were nearly competitive. In the past Noel Dazely have been active in brokering quotes for modded cars but seem less interested these days. You need to be aware that some won't deal with higher value cars and some have limits on what mods they will cover. Tuning boxes seem to be in the 10-20% gain range so that's generally acceptable.

LV own Highway insurance who have underwitten my plans on many occasions, although I went through brokers. However I may have gone through LV in the past, I can't remember.

"Have they been competitive with main stream insurers for non modified cars?" In my experience no (I insured my stock S5 through a specialist so that I would not have problems when I came to mod, and had to pay for the privilege).

"Have you had any issues with accidents or making a claim with specialist brokers? As I've read that when it comes to this they aren't very good at all." Some are good, others bad. I wouldn't make any generalisation about correlation of service with specialisation.

 

[tickedon]

Try http://www.chrisknott.co.uk/car_insurance.html they do loads of forum/owner clubs. I have had good prices here.

Would also recommend them. Drove a modified Volvo S60 until I got my A4 last year. Great prices and reasonable service. Think my engine upgrade added £40pa.

When I first went with CK, they halved the cheapest insurance quote I’d received, despite being a super young 23 year old in a big car which screamed “high risk”. The beauty of a broker is they can speak to the underwriting team and negotiate, whereas your LV, Aviva’s etc of the world go by whatever appears on screen.