Just had my renewal from direct line, and in the envelope was an important changes leaflet. Takes affect from renewals if you're an existing customer.

Short version is you must tell them instantly of claims on other policies, any points or convictions etc as soon as it happens or they'll void your insurance.

They're also clamping down on non declared mods INCLUDING factory options.

I assume others are doing the same.

Thanks Gadgetman.

I recently renewed my policy with Aviva and mentioned in passing that I had replaced the standard-issue spare wheel (steel, space-saver, 50mph limited) with an O/E wheel identical to those on the car. Aviva noted the change and informed me it needed to know EVERY modification made to the vehicle, including the use of a non-standard spare wheel.

It seems, as Gadgetman has inferred, we need to tell our insurers EVERYTHING - or risk voiding our insurance.

Recently, they've been looking at driver aids such as hill hold control and cruise control. These are often available as options.

I know of at least one insurer who always checks for undeclared cruise control in the case of the insured rear ending someone.

we need to tell our insurers EVERYTHING - or risk voiding our insurance.

I've been preaching that for some time now.

Ollie

Sky Insurance

I've been preaching that for some time now.

Ollie

Sky Insurance

If they voided your insurance for putting winter tyres on or a real spare wheel in place of a skinny space saver, I'd love to see what the insurance ombudsman would have to say.

It's completely unreasonable and also something a second hand buying might not realise.

At that point they'd get torn to shreds.

If it's factory fitted they can find it out.

If it's an after market map/performance enhancement, then fair enough.

I think insurance here is a joke and they should look to Germany and other countries for a much better model.

FWIW if you have any issue, then you need to complain to your insurance co and they have to give you details of the insurance ombudsman (although these can be found online). If you get nowhere, then you can refer the issue to the ombudsman.

Worth noting, is that the insurance company gets charged for this (used to be £500) regardless of who wins the dispute.

Edited 17 September, 201213 yr by cheezemonkhai

My point is, disclose everything, let you insurer do the rest.

My point is, disclose everything, let you insurer do the rest.

My brand of air freshener?

My choice of radio station?

My point is, disclose everything, let you insurer do the rest.

That's fine and you can tell them what you know about, but a clause that says if you don't tell us everything, even factory fitted options that you may not know are options, then we'll void your insurance is just bullying.

Any excuse to put the prices up. Oh sir, you've got an improved radio, up goes the price. Oh sir, you chose a black headlining, up goes the premium. Oh sir you specified maxdot up goes the premium. Winter tyres on steel wheels, up goes the premium (yes this happens).

Telling them about mods is fair enough, where it's reasonable. For example extracting another 20% out of the engine using a map is fair game.

The system is clearly bonkers are prices for the majority are pretty high. My European friends can't believe the insurance over here. An M3 costs less to insure in A German city than a 1.6 Audi A3 over here. A RWD merc is cheaper than the same A3 in Norway. What does that say?

My brand of air freshener?

My choice of radio station?

Quite

Watch out that your brake pads and tyres didn't come from the factory they came from when the car was made too

Edited 17 September, 201213 yr by cheezemonkhai

The insurer will determine what options are included for a particular model/date, but you must inform them of any options that were added to that model spec.

i.e. If hill hold control wasn't included in the model spec, but it was added as a factory fitted option, then it needs to be declared separately.

I agree we should inform them as they are likely to use anything and everything to avoid a payout if possible but at what point do we draw the line and how do the companies define a modification?

Things like suspension and engine remaps are obvious. But we change many things in or on a car without thinking, eg 98ron fuel, new tyres, windscreen wipers, light bulbs. Does taking off a dealer applied sticker or a Skoda badge count as a mod?

I think people are getting a bit overexcited. Has anyone been had their insurance voided by using undeclared aftermarket wiper blades? I doubt it. It the Modded part directly cxaused the accident then maybe they would try to avoid paying out but i doubt you would have problems with an aftermarket radio if you rear ended someone. Be serious. People love a calamity on this forum. In my youth i crashed heaps of cars, all part of learning, and no insurance assessor tried to worm his way out of paying anything. Pure scaremongering. If you had aftermarket brakes and the accident resulted because you couldnt stop in time then there may be grounds for the insurance being voided but there needs to be a direct link between the mod and the cause of the accident.

I agree it's a bit OTT, but a policy that says tell us everything or we'll void your insurance is a get out of jail card and also leaves people with anything not on the insurance not only in trouble in the even of a claim, but also liable for being marked for driving without insurance and hit really hard.

When they void the policy, then the third-party claim from a person you may have hurt should be honoured, but would they do it without a fight?

Will they refund part of the premium? How will they notify you. How will they find out?

A 3rd party is covered. Its not complicated.

If you/me/us, give false or inaccurate information they might be looking for you/me/us to Pay the losses, compensation etc they have incurred.

Its not complicated in any way, you buy the type of cover you require.

It is not even expensive in the UK to get Specialist Cover for all types of vehicles, modifications, circumstances.

Motor Sport, Events, Off Road cover etc is so easy to get cover for.

It just seems that some can not be bothered or think 'emu'.

george

Just want ask you guys what do you think should happen (mod no mod? Declare, not declare?) with Skoda equipment option of lowered springs. I spoke to the dealer and he said that should not be declared as this is not a modification to the car but additional equipment. To be fair when you do not declare it you should not expect to have it replaced in case of a write off.

I think it should be declared as part of optional equipment, not a mod and should attract any additional premiums.

What do you think?

Policy that says declare everything of we void is simply illegal. Wording has to be "may void".

Insurance for young drivers is a broad daylight robbery but for older drivers with families is quite reasonable compared to the rest of EU. In UK insurers currently either break barely even or make losses. They do not make any money from premiums but from investing them in financial markets and we know how they look these days...

Insurance market, especially motor insurance changed massively in the last 5 years. Huge increase in claims culture fuelled by rampant "lawyers" and ridiculous deals insurers make with garages for insurance repairs killed the industry and all they do now is keeping afloat by pushing it all on to the customers who pay lawyers and garages extortionate fees...

Lowered springs are not a STANDARD fitment, therefore should be notified.

Just want ask you guys what do you think should happen (mod no mod? Declare, not declare?) with Skoda equipment option of lowered springs. I spoke to the dealer and he said that should not be declared as this is not a modification to the car but additional equipment. To be fair when you do not declare it you should not expect to have it replaced in case of a write off.

I think it should be declared as part of optional equipment, not a mod and should attract any additional premiums.

What do you think?

It's not part of the model spec. It's not a factory fit option. It's not an approved accessory. For insurance purposes, it IS a modification. You must declare it.

That's fine and you can tell them what you know about, but a clause that says if you don't tell us everything, even factory fitted options that you may not know are options, then we'll void your insurance is just bullying.

Any excuse to put the prices up. Oh sir, you've got an improved radio, up goes the price. Oh sir, you chose a black headlining, up goes the premium. Oh sir you specified maxdot up goes the premium. Winter tyres on steel wheels, up goes the premium (yes this happens).

Insurers need to know about all material facts which could influence an underwriting decision, this includes disclosing both aftermarket and optional extras. Common sense does apply though but if you are unsure, disclose everything and let your insurer do the rest. If there is any confusion over what is standard/factory fit/optional extras then an engineers report will clear this up.

With regards to prices going up, with respect, that is a sweeping and incorrect statement, if you are seeing premium increases for anything you mention above, you are with the wrong insurers.

Common sense needs to prevail though, the trouble is, some people have none hence why the blanket 'disclose everything and let your insurer do the rest' statement covers all.

Edited 17 September, 201213 yr by SkyInsurance

This Skoda option, cost £180 plus installation by Skoda and has the same warranty as new car. It is not an aftermarket mod. You can find on Skoda website. This is no different to having Columbus fitted in Fabia by Skoda, spoilers or anything else from their options and accessories catalogue. So if there is question on the insurance quotation website, has your car been in any way modified the answer is NO. I would still declare it to them but not as a modification.

'Dealer fit Option',

you just declare it on a Declaration sheet like everything else.

(Attached letter with the Proposal Form & get them to confirm.)

There are Companies, Underwriters & Brokers that deal in Nice Simple Insurance cover,

Proper Brokers with Knowledge cost no more to deal with, they get you the correct cover..

One of those has Posted Here already.

george.

With regards to prices going up, with respect, that is a sweeping and incorrect statement, if you are seeing premium increases for anything you mention above, you are with the wrong insurers.

Come on? Are you seriously saying your industry doesn't try and fleece the consumer for every available penny, for the most minor changes?

Try £30 admin charge for a change of phone number on the policy, or £50 admin charge for canceling the policy despite having paid the full premium up front? It's ridiculous and never-ending.

And what about the routine practice of sending out over-inflated renewal quotes in the hope that the consumer won't notice and simply hand you the extra wedge? Your industry is as dishonest as the feckless gits who falsely claim for personal injury, or fail to get insured in the first place.

I urge fellow Briskodians to take a look at this article:

http://www.guardian....nies-defraud-us

Now I must go for a lie down…

I thought that was exactly what he was saying, (between the lines) & then gave the solution.

"you are with the wrong insurers"

george

One of those has Posted Here already.

george.

Are You on a commission George?

I mustn't forget the briskoda sticker on my declaration as well as this is not factory fitted and a Proper Insurer will deem it have obstructed that most critical part of my back mirror vision and refuse the cover as I blatantly lied on my declaration, was imprecise and withheld information. Same goes with heated seats, floor mats, Bluetooth and other options as the model does not have them listed as a standard spec!

One more thing, I will also have to declare that while I driving I think about other things than driving, listen to radio stations requiring listener to concentrate on is being broadcasted in short my full and undivided attention and mental faculties are not in 100% concentrated on driving...

World really went crazy...

On continent cars are insured (that includes 3rd person damage), not people...

I am old & for personal Standard cars i have my NCB 'matched' (Multicar)

& am with SAGA. Partner & me & no youngsters.

for modified.

http://www.premiumchoice.co.uk

(been with them since it was 'Road Sure')

Agreed Value & use no NCB & gain no NCB,

limited mileage etc

george

Thanks George, I will check that link when I get my car modded.

Read the article. Good examples from both side of the fence. What I do not understand is why costs of fraud, uninsured drivers, scandalous costs of payouts for the smallest of injuries (mostly hyper inflated by unscrupulous lawyers) and repair bills with rates multiplied by 10 compared to normal market rates - it is all being passed down on the customer as we do not have any choice and have to have the bloody insurance! Insurance firms just couldn't be bothered to do anything with the above as it is so much easier just to hike the premiums to balance the sheets...