Genuinely lost for words................

kiter

kiter

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I've still not quite got my head around this...…… got my Audi UTR (dash cam) fitted today, very neat and looks good, seems to work really well so far. Decided I would call my insurance company to let them know this had been done, hoping it might favourably reflect in my current premium. How wrong was I...….. chap told me that my current insurer would no longer be able to provide cover due to this 'modification' somewhat bemused I stressed that this was a genuine audi part, designed for the vehicle and had been fitted by audi themselves - made no difference. He then went on to say I would have to take out a new policy, still struggling to comprehend the logic in their thinking I said ok what is the new quote. Comes back and it has increased by just over £1k on what I'm paying at present, I currently pay £224. He then also informed me that I would be liable for a £50 admin/cancellation fee. I was genuinely lost for words - in the end I lost the rag and got put through to a supervisor. She has agreed the cancellation fee will be waived but I need to sort out new insurance by tomorrow.

Guess what I'll be doing this evening...………….
 
Ripping out the UTR?

Can’t quite believe that but a useful heads up for anyone considering a dash cam.

Anyone else come across this issue?


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Surely by this logic changing car stereo or the scent of your magic tree would constitute a modification..? I would have thought a modification would have to affect the performance/handling of the car?
Which company was it? Recommended giving them a wide berth if this is their policy
 
Name and shame the company, we don't want any other folks getting stung like this.
 
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I flatulated in my car today, is this now a modification I need to inform the insurance against?
Name and shame so we can avoid...
 
I was with Budget Insurance (says it all really) with the insurance being provided by Highway.

You wont believe that I have just re arranged the insurance with another broker for £12 less a year and guess who the insurance is provided by, yep Highway. I made sure the agent was fully aware of the dash cam being fitted and his response was not a problem I have noted it on your records and it is not an issue. I'm still a bit gobsmacked by the whole thing.

On another upside just realised my dealer undercharged me for the fitting, I'd paid £150 in cash and she only took £50 off my card instead of £149. I'm guessing they will come after me for it...……..
 
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cuke2u said:
I flatulated in my car today, is this now a modification I need to inform the insurance against?
Name and shame so we can avoid...
Click to expand...

Only if it is a permanent modification in which case you may wish to change your underwear and re-upholster your seat
 
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That is just f'ing mental. LV asked me if I had one as they would look favourably towards this.
 
Any excuse to get extra money out of your pocket. Daylight robbery.
 
Insurance companies should favour dashcams as it must remove a lot of the grey area of a claim for them and thus reduce admin costs if footage of the accident involved is available.
 
Exactly, in fact instead of penalising owners for having them fitted they should offer discounts...
 
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And insurance companies wonder why people don’t inform them of modifications.

Anything for more money out of you
 
Most of the experiences I've had with dashcams is from their owners pointing angrily at them after I've brought their lack of driving skills and etiquette to their attention.... There's a phrase they're known as I think ;-)
 
It should never have been flagged as a modification. You’ve been at the mercy of the opinion of one call centre minion pressing buttons on a computer and then their supervisor agreeing with what the computer says.

This is the biggest problem with insurance companies. Call Centre people not being trained to a high enough standard to question what the screen tells them.
 
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Highway is one of the underwriters which specialise in modified cars, and yes they are owned by LV.

I don't disagree with any of the comments, however adding a dashcam IS a modification, and failure to declare a modification risks invalidating insurance. I hate dealing with insurance companies as much as anyone, however we seem to live in a country where fraud is rife and so they are just being cautious. I am horrified to think how many diesel cars there are about with dpf removed which are not only illegal and polluting, but being potentially driven without insurance. Maybe because I have had plenty of experience of dealing with insurers and brokers about mods, when I read this post I was not surprised. I think @kiter was unlucky, because most insurers don't react quite as badly. But when it comes to modifying a car we have to be careful, and choose the right insurer.
 
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OP, please, please, please - do the following : put in a formal complaint (at any time before or after you have swapped policies). They have tried to punish you for wanting to reduce their indemnity costs!!! Absurd.

And then if you're not happy with the outcome (you won't be) - put in a complain with the FOS (Financial Ombudsman).

This will cost the insurance company £550 irrespective of the outcome - it will cost you nothing and will be very quick.

And than have the satisfaction to have played them at their own game. If we ALL do every time, they'll eventually get the message.
 
Dippy said:
Highway is one of the underwriters which specialise in modified cars, and yes they are owned by LV.

I don't disagree with any of the comments, however adding a dashcam IS a modification, and failure to declare a modification risks invalidating insurance. I hate dealing with insurance companies as much as anyone, however we seem to live in a country where fraud is rife and so they are just being cautious. I am horrified to think how many diesel cars there are about with dpf removed which are not only illegal and polluting, but being potentially driven without insurance. Maybe because I have had plenty of experience of dealing with insurers and brokers about mods, when I read this post I was not surprised. I think @kiter was unlucky, because most insurers don't react quite as badly. But when it comes to modifying a car we have to be careful, and choose the right insurer.
Click to expand...
What if i add a phone holder to my car, is that a modificaton? I don't agree that adding a dashcam is but insurance is a crazy thing so wouldn't surprise me.
 
Nickfrog said:
OP, please, please, please - do the following : put in a formal complaint (at any time before or after you have swapped policies). They have tried to punish you for wanting to reduce their indemnity costs!!! Absurd.

And then if you're not happy with the outcome (you won't be) - put in a complain with the FOS (Financial Ombudsman).

This will cost the insurance company £550 irrespective of the outcome - it will cost you nothing and will be very quick.

And than have the satisfaction to have played them at their own game. If we ALL do every time, they'll eventually get the message.
Click to expand...

This is a good plan, but misses the most important point, also missed by almost everyone else. Highway may be part of LV, but Highway don’t sell direct, only through brokers. In the first case, the broker has either messed things up (I very much doubt it was referred to Highway’s underwriters) or it is the broker who is deliberately trying to rip you off. Don’t blame LV or Highway, they are one of the best insurers out there, with a really good claims payment record - which is ultimately what really matters. For balance, Hiscox are equally good with claims. I have no connection with either insurer, but I’ve worked in insurance compliance and some insurers, particularly the really cheap call centre types, simply have to refuse more claims, as their business model depends on it. Or they go bust.

Remember, you get what you pay for and there are lots of brokers out there still trying to make a living when the internet made their business model redundant years ago.
 
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Flowrider99 said:
What if i add a phone holder to my car, is that a modificaton?
Click to expand...
Yes. The point is that it is for the insurer to decide if a change to the vehicle impacts the premium, not the insured.
 
Surely if the phone holder is not permanently attached then that is not a modification...
 
The question is, do you trust your insurer enough to be reasonable about it when there is a big claim outstanding, or do you think they will seize the opportunity to avoid paying out?
 
I have had mudflaps fitted to my car since I purchased it. For the life of me I cannot see how this would affect my insurance but now I am worried it might..
 
I put an air freshener in my car, how is this any less of a modification than a dash cam?
 
If it's mounted on the dash and blocks your view of the road it is a MOT failure, thus un-roadworthy ;-)
 
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