Guys, just want to know to what extent insurance companys need informing of changes?

I.e. Would something as simple as a short shifter need to be declared etc?

What are your thoughts?

Yes because if they can wriggle out at some point you don't want to give them any reason to do so.

Some insurers will be silly others will charge nothing.

You just need to find a good one.

Declare everything and know you are definitely covered. That's my view anyway.

To actually get insurance "voided" is extremely difficult.

There seems to be one of those internet myths that all you need to do is forget to mention the "Sport" sticker you put on your mudflap and the moment you have an accident the insurance company refuse to pay out.

Basically for insurance not to pay out they have to prove they wouldn't have insured you should you have given them all of the information.

So adding a sticker is neither here nor there.

Having something on your car that would have increased the premium by £100 - well they can ask you to pay that before they in turn pay out.

At the end of the day it does just make life a lot easier if they know all of the facts.

If the worst happens you won't want there to be delays - nothing worse than being in an accident and something that should take days suddenly takes weeks while they investigate just how different your car is to what you said it was.

Remember to tell them about your new hanging air freshner!!!

To actually get insurance "voided" is extremely difficult.

There seems to be one of those internet myths that all you need to do is forget to mention the "Sport" sticker you put on your mudflap and the moment you have an accident the insurance company refuse to pay out.

Basically for insurance not to pay out they have to prove they wouldn't have insured you should you have given them all of the information.

So adding a sticker is neither here nor there.

Having something on your car that would have increased the premium by £100 - well they can ask you to pay that before they in turn pay out.

At the end of the day it does just make life a lot easier if they know all of the facts.

If the worst happens you won't want there to be delays - nothing worse than being in an accident and something that should take days suddenly takes weeks while they investigate just how different your car is to what you said it was.

Judging by the original post, the OP was talking about mods that either increase speed/power. Obviously a sticker isn't going to count.

And no, it's not hard to have the insurance voided. If there is a mod done to your car that you haven't declared then your insurance company will almost certainly not pay out. I know of 3 people that this has happened to - one lost a lot of money on his golf mk3 GTI when he wrote it off.

Judging by the original post, the OP was talking about mods that either increase speed/power. Obviously a sticker isn't going to count.

If you fit full rally graphix to your car to some it maybe more desirable to steal

You need to tell them EVERYTHING!

If you fail to tell your insurer, then they will assess the extent of any additional premium and whether or not the non-disclosure materially contributed to any incident (as that is always when they find out).

If the premium load isn't too great and is acceptable to their underwriting criteria then they will usually request payment and continue to indemnify (provide cover).

The lottery part comes from not knowing what is deemed 'acceptable criteria' by the insurer. For example, some would take a very dim view on any performance enhancing modifications whilst others may see it as less of a problem.

Hi

It is advisable to advise your insurers of anything at all that you may look to change from standard. This will then cover you in the event of an accident.

Even for something like adding a Green cotton air filter?

Even for something like adding a Green cotton air filter?

Errr..

ANYTHING at all that you look to change from standard.

Even lurid graphics, or advertisements on your car can affect your insurance.

It's better to be safe than sorry.

Remember to tell them about your new hanging air freshner!!!

Dont laugh...But a freind of the family had a quite large air freshner (think it was big dice) and theygive them a few weeks greif before they paid out as they wanted to clarify if it obstructed the view of the road.

Bloody stupid if you ask me but dont put those fluffy dice hanging from your rear view mirror...(even more so if they are bright pink lol)

An insurance policy is a contract between you and the company.

Because the customer is in a much better position than the company to judge risk in any contract between them, there exists a principle of "utmost good faith".

The customer must deal with the company in utmost good faith. That is, inform the company of anything that would affect their decision to contract with the customer.

Companies make this clear in their terms and conditions.

If they can establish a breach of faith then the contract is void and they can also keep the premium.

A court decides whether a contract is void but insurance companies are in a much more powerful position than the customer when his car is toast and they have the money.

Good advice then, is tell the insurance company everything that THEY might consider relevant - else they will void your insurance when it suits them. In the event of a dispute you would need to take the case to a court. Better to tell them up front and pay any additional premium they require.

The big question is what do they see as relevant? - Best advice is ask them

If they can establish a breach of faith then the contract is void and they can also keep the premium.

Incorrect. The premium will be refunded.

I agree that everything needs declaring - then you know exactly where you stand with your insurance.

Errr..

ANYTHING at all that you look to change from standard.

Even lurid graphics, or advertisements on your car can affect your insurance.

It's better to be safe than sorry.

Just a sidenote from: If you have stickers on your car (not the ones the garages put on abouth them) you will need to declare these as in some instances they can be viewed as advertising and therefore your car will need business cover. I don't know the details as to what is viewed as advertising, but you would need to check with each individual insurance company as they all have different opinions.

I think i read something on this from an insurer themselves stating that if the modification was to play a part in the cause of the claim then they would refuse to pay out, for example, fit some nice wheels and the car gets stolen they probably wont pay as you have made the car more attractive the theft. However if someone drives up your behind whos uninsured then the wheels obviously arnt the cause of the accident and they should pay. I believe this is a stated somewhere by the Insurance Ombusman. So by not decalaring all modifications your taking a risk but it certainly wont mean your claim is null and void, although you may make things more complicated