Out of curiosity I thought I'd phone my insurer to get a quote for my forthcoming Yeti - simple, straightforward job. It was a call centre administered by BISL. The lady who answered the call proceeded to take the details. It began with make of car followed by model and then fuel type. Next question was " is it a 5 door hatch or an Estate?" Same thing I replied, there is only one body style. She responded "no, there are two" OK I replied try the 5 door hatch. She then asked for the engine details and I replied a 1.2 TSi DSG or you may have it listed as automatic. There is no such car listed she replied only a 1390cc manual. No automatics at all not even a diesel one I asked. No she said none at all. I responded, go back and try the "Estate" heading and when she did that is where they were all listed bar the 1.4 TSi.

The 1.4 TSi being the last added model (Greenline excepted) had obviously got placed under its own separate heading since someone responsible for their database thought it was a different body style.

Goodness knows where the Greenline lurks - perhaps they have a heading " Eco Crossover"

After attempting to explain the error of their ways, I hung up with my head spinning wishing I had not bothered.

Sounds similar to the conversation I had in 09, while trying to explain winters tyres and snow to an insurance call centre in 'Tim-Buck-Tu'

TP

Sounds similar to the conversation I had in 09, while trying to explain winters tyres and snow to an insurance call centre in 'Tim-Buck-Tu'

TP

Yeah, once the car arrives, I'm dreading declaring factory fit add ons such as RRP, TPM etc.

I've not had a new car myself so never been down the process of insuring a new vehicle myself. This is probably a stupid question and I really ought to know but do you have to declare factory options? Like sunroof, park assist etc?

I've not had a new car myself so never been down the process of insuring a new vehicle myself. This is probably a stupid question and I really ought to know but do you have to declare factory options? Like sunroof, park assist etc?

Not done so myself as I've always viewed it to be as the manufacture built it, rather than modified afterwards. However when we first insured the Fabia II FL, our insurer did ask if there where any factory options fitted which caught me on the hop, so I only mentioned ESP. The others did not spring to mind quickly; spare, radio control on wheel and corner fog.

TP

If they are listed as factory fit options then I never have, and never had a problem. The only thing I mentioned was the tow bar.

When we changed to the Yeti all they wanted was the reg number; she then told me what spec and colour my car was. I suppose it helps using a UK based company (Frizzells LV=)

Trouble is anything undeclared be it F/F options, dealer fit options or modifications leaves loopholes when making any claim and most insurers do not need much of an excuse to refuse a claim. What if your Columbus Sat Nav got nicked as one example, I prefer to have declared it as a added option in the first place. Taking one extreme example it has been known for body pin stripes to be added, not declared and used as a claim get out. I realise that is not a factory fit example but better to be safe than sorry and declare everything. My Octavia had bespoke leather fitted in place of the standard cloth, I advised my insurers and it was duly noted with no additional premium.

They do not need much of an excuse to default, so best not give them one IMO.

Edited 25 February, 201115 yr by Bassa

Slight drift. Just insured caravan again. As insurance company now give 10% discount for AL-KO Trailer control fitted to caravan I enquired about discount for Yeti electronics. Even fully "connected" towbar electronics do not qualify for 10% :no:

The first person I spoke to at Å koda Insurance wanted me to list all the "factory AND dealer fitted options" before giving me a quote. This was for the initial quote. When I decided to go with them and I phoned again the next person said I do not need to list these when I started rattling them all off... Peculiar. So none of my options are listed with them now. Wonder if I should phone them again?

So how many people who buy a second hand car even know it has any options, unless they can get hold of the original specifications. EG my wifes skoda fabia has alloys, rear sensors, etc, I think these may have been factiry fit? but the car is 8 years old now.

They don't even ask if it has mettalic paint or not when you take out the insurance. I only declare obvious modifications, like after market wheels or engine improvements.

Yeah, once the car arrives, I'm dreading declaring factory fit add ons such as RRP, TPM etc.

You don't need to...they are not modifications which you have done, it came from the factory with them.

Mike

Bassa,

if they are listed as standard fitments in the brochure they are NOT modifications. If that was the case you would need to list everything over and above the base Yeti spec.

I switched my insurance to Liverpool Victoria last year having been impressed with the price and the cover offered (eg including up to 180 days fully comprehensive in mainland Europe, which I need). When I phoned last week to alert them to my forthcoming change to the Yeti they were excellent too. I had the extras/options discussion, and their straightforward line was simply, tell us what the car is worth (ie list price as delivered plus list price of all extras and options) and you will be fully covered. Simples ... and not a bloody meerkat in sight!

Bassa,

if they are listed as standard fitments in the brochure they are NOT modifications. If that was the case you would need to list everything over and above the base Yeti spec.

They are not standard fitments or modifications, they are factory fitted optionals fitted over and above the standard Elegance spec.in this case. I think the declaration of these depends on the insurance company's member of staff you deal with as much as the company itself. However for peace of mind there is no harm in declaring the added optionals and in that way there is no comeback and normally it has no effect on the premium . If say the added optional Columbus got nicked on a car owned from new then at least it would have been declared as fitted and offer no cop out for them. In the case of a new car being stolen during its first year, where normally it would be replaced with the same or nearest under a fully comprehensive policy, then providing the declared value was correct and that figure included the optionals added, then that should be fine. Declaring them though gives peace of mind in knowing there are no loop holes for the insurer's to persue.

Edited 25 February, 201115 yr by Bassa

Production of invoice should cover?

Production of invoice should cover?

"Should" being the operative word.

Looking at your car's spec. I can see why

Covering letter sent to Skoda Insurance listing factory and dealer fitted options for clarification and avoidance of doubt.

Any other mods declared and premium adjusted accordingly

Not worth taking any 'flyers' with insurer!