For my sins I am insured by More Than. They were the best quote I could get at the time, beating other companies by a significant amount plus allowing me claim cashback from quidco.

Anyway, I just phoned them up asking if they would cover me if I lowered the car by changing the springs and dampers. After we cleared up that I didn't want to fit a new blanket into my car :confused: All I could get out of them was a vague statement saying that "if it [the modifications] increased performance, top speed or acceleration" then I wouldn't be covered.

She suggested I could fit the springs and dampers and then if I needed to claim, we could argue over whether I was or wasn't covered. Thanks but no thanks More Than

Roll on December!

I don't understand the problem. They state on their website and in their policy booklet, 'We will not be able to provide cover if your car has been modified to increase the top speed or acceleration'.

You haven't modified your car to increase the top speed or acceleration, so there's no issue.

Performance?

There's no mention of 'performance' in their policy document, only top speed and acceleration.

I'm reading that now, and I agree. I will check the wording on my certificate

My 'Car insurance schedule' states

It is not modified to increase performance, speed or acceleration

Tim - I've just looked at the current version of MoreThan's current "Motor Eligibility Criterion" page which is something you have to agree to when you sign up for a policy and it now says 'The car is a standard model produced for the UK market and has not been modified to increase top speed, performance or acceleration'. :(

Looks like they tightened it up. They really need to correct http://www.morethan.com/Pages/Products/Car/Faqs.aspx#modified - that's bad. :(

I wouldnt even risk doing it then hoping they'll overlook it. They most likely wont.

BBC NEWS | Programmes | Moneybox | Insurers warn on car modifications

Tim - I've just looked at the current version of MoreThan's current "Motor Eligibility Criterion" page which is something you have to agree to when you sign up for a policy and it now says 'The car is a standard model produced for the UK market and has not been modified to increase top speed, performance or acceleration'. :(

Looks like they tightened it up. They really need to correct Car Insurance & Online Quotes FAQs from MORE TH>N - that's bad. :(

I'm with morethan too and I read it as you cannot modify to increase top speed, performance or acceleration. By that obviously exhausts, remaps and filters but there is certainly NO mention of body work or suspension. Even the bit 'The car is a standard model produced for the UK market". I read that as meaning not an import or some kind of special edition :rotz:

Surely they could argue that upgrading the suspension increases the performance of the car? I suggested that it was for looks only, but she wouldn't confirm whether I would or would not be covered.

In fairness she might not of understood my reasoning, hence her confusingly asking me whether I was adding a blanket... Next time, I'll go with an insurance with a UK call centre

I was insured by More Than for 12 years or so, nothing flash just a bog-standed fully-copm insureance, last year I changed my car from a Faleica to a Roomster3 ex Demo, never checking on the cost as been a customer of long standing I thought I would get a good deal, It was when I received the renewal this June I looked to see the premium---, Ls bells it was over £400 for the year, like a fool a rang them to check the price was correct, saddly the person on the line could not queit understand me with my northen accent,I cancelled the insurance for this year and looked to Saga who do the House insurence, well I now have fully copm insurance with brakedown cover for £245,. So More-Than is not all its cracked up to be, in fact I think they try it on with some trusting customers, and as for changing the spec on a car, who in their right mind is going to put a "V" 8 engin in a small car, may-be Mr Clarkson!! john048

FWIW I was with More Than back in 2006 and when visiting my parents someone hooked the keys to my 02 VW Golf GT TDI 150 through the letter box. That was the last I ever seen of my pride and joy but More Than were excellent in dealing with my total loss claim. I was paid out quickly and got a fair price for the car. My Dad has always said you only ever know how good an insurance company is when you need to make a claim.

Yes, I'd be very careful about adding the modifications now. If the modification are going to be fitted I would want something in writing stating that your insurance underwriters are aware of them.

Unfortunately I see this sort of situation almost every day on the various car club forums we are affiliated with. It pays to pick your insurer very carefully.. cheapest isn't always the best. Specialist (modified) cars require specialist insurers.

I was talking to my mate at work last night who's just bought a 04 plate 320 D with all the M sport goodies on it. His insurance company is Zurich and they wanted to know all of the options that were on the car. He asked them why and they said they needed to know to adjust his premium :eek::eek::eek: It's starting to look like a "modification" to a car is anything over the base spec model that comes straight from the factory. :mad:

I was talking to my mate at work last night who's just bought a 04 plate 320 D with all the M sport goodies on it. His insurance company is Zurich and they wanted to know all of the options that were on the car. He asked them why and they said they needed to know to adjust his premium :eek::eek::eek: It's starting to look like a "modification" to a car is anything over the base spec model that comes straight from the factory. :mad:

Well, it's because it's a change to the manufacturer's standard specification. Back in 2004, a 320 derv was bought, and then the M-Sport pack was added as an option. Hence, a change to the spec.

If you lower a car, you will reduce its drag co-efficient. This will increase its top speed.

If you lower a car, you will reduce its drag co-efficient. This will increase its top speed.

Equally, if I take out the spare wheel the acceleration will be improved

I'll be taking out (proper) insurance later this year which means the mods will have to wait until then. Sky is one of companies I'll be phoning so there's no need pimping for business here

Well, it's because it's a change to the manufacturer's standard specification. Back in 2004, a 320 derv was bought, and then the M-Sport pack was added as an option. Hence, a change to the spec.

Appreciate that, but they also said that "all" factory options had to be declared, including blue tooth and sat-nav. (said something about it being a non-standard paint job as well, which was actaully a limited edition paint color. Bit like WR Blue on the scooby) I personally have never had an insurance company ask me what otions I ticked on the car.

Well, it's because it's a change to the manufacturer's standard specification. Back in 2004, a 320 derv was bought, and then the M-Sport pack was added as an option. Hence, a change to the spec.

Take that to the limit of contract, and they should refuse to insure a car bought pre-owned unless the current owner has a copy of the original sales invoice so they know what options it was fitted with!

tim

Have you asked more than to tell you how much they will refund against the existing policy if you cancel it?

Might be an option

tim

Have you asked more than to tell you how much they will refund against the existing policy if you cancel it?

Might be an option

Remember though, you'll loose any ncb earnt during the last year. OP hasnt said how far in they are, or is left to run on the policy.

Roll on December!

Remember though, you'll loose any ncb earnt during the last year. OP hasnt said how far in they are, or is left to run on the policy.

It runs out mid December, which is basically when the warranty on the car is up as well. So in honestly it makes sense if I hold off until then. Also, I'm not prepared to sacrifice a years no claim as I have only built up three so far :(

It runs out mid December, which is basically when the warranty on the car is up as well. So in honestly it makes sense if I hold off until then. Also, I'm not prepared to sacrifice a years no claim as I have only built up three so far :(

If you cancelled I dont think you would lose all your no claims, only the current year - new insurer would just ask for evidence of your NCB, then all you would have to do is show them your renewal/welcome pack from more than which will show your NCB on it.

I'm glad to see this - I got a quote from More Than through a comparison site specifically for modified cars, but when I went to them direct, there were not boxes etc. for declaring mods. Seems like I shouldn't have got the original quote...

I'm glad to see this - I got a quote from More Than through a comparison site specifically for modified cars, but when I went to them direct, there were not boxes etc. for declaring mods. Seems like I shouldn't have got the original quote...

what comparison site was that please.