Hey everyone.

Just after abit of advice really.

Iv got a 2013 fabia SE.

Iv done the following changes:

- HID low beam

- philips extreme vision in high beam

-led interior, boot and glovebox lights.

- MDI reftrofit (into the glovebox)

And am planning to do the following:

- Maxidot dash display retrofit.

- piano black vent and radio surrounds

- maybe the 16" wheels off the elegance.

So, how muvh do i declare? Which bits are too silly to declare, and which bits arent? Do the insurance company need to know about vent surrounds? How about headlights etc etc.

Cheers guys

Just not syre how seriously to take it haha.

If the wheels are a different size than the OE wheels, I'd declare them but that's about it. Possibly the HIDs and I hope they aren't hella bright and are in projectors rather than reflectors.

If the wheels are off another Fabia you should be alright iirc

HID's and wheels.

If the wheels are off another Fabia you should be alright iirc

depends on the size, if they aren't the same as originally fitted, you should declare them. Insurance companies are tricky, slippery gits who'll use what they can to avoid a payout.

 

I went from 14's to 16's, declared and no charge but better safe than sorry (and penniless)

HID's and wheels.

 

Same here.

It'd be best to disclose all of it as even the dash replacement and radio/vent surrounds might make the car more attractive to thieves. Let the insurer decide what's relevant.

Cheers guys.

The wheels would be off the 'elegance' spec car, which is (i think) 205 45 16, as apposed to my currents (SE) 195 55 r15.

Dont worry, the HIDS are in a projector lens with a nice clean cut off, and wont dazzle anybody any more than the standard halogens would .

Chrisknottsins - itll be an upgraded skoda dash. I could (should) of specced it from the factory. How do insurance companies know what was selected as an extra at purchase? Or dont they?

As the wheels are a different size to those originally supplied with your vehicle then they must be declared.

 

Ditto the HID's, as they were not a standard fitment to your model. The fact that yours are projector type makes no difference.

It'd be best to disclose all of it as even the dash replacement and radio/vent surrounds might make the car more attractive to thieves. Let the insurer decide what's relevant.

 

Would your typical phone person at an insurance company have a clue what half of the minor trim changes are though?

Yeah i agree on HIDs. I shall do that and the wheels (if i do change them)

Realistically speaking though, is a shiny bit of interior trim going to make a difference?

Im all for declaring everything and playing it safe, im just not sure just how petty im supposed to get with this?

I'm not sure theyd even notice iv changed my dash to maxidot, and im even less sure they could tell it left the factory without it.

Yeah i agree on HIDs. I shall do that and the wheels (if i do change them)

Realistically speaking though, is a shiny bit of interior trim going to make a difference?

Im all for declaring everything and playing it safe, im just not sure just how petty im supposed to get with this?

I'm not sure theyd even notice iv changed my dash to maxidot, and im even less sure they could tell it left the factory without it.

Options sticker under the boot carpet! Still all that I would do is the wheels and HID setup

Ahh. Didnt know that was there!

Maybe i could add a few on with a sharpie haha.

It'd be best to disclose all of it as even the dash replacement and radio/vent surrounds might make the car more attractive to thieves. Let the insurer decide what's relevant.

 

And they can decide how much to fleece you for your honesty.

 

Would different vent surrounds really make it that much more attractive? If it's going to get nicked it ain't going to be because of some extra bits of plastic.

If you knowingly fail to disclose something that the insurer asks you about, that could void your policy. So when they ask about any modifications are you going to gamble or tell them everything?

But what is classed as a declarable modification? This is the crux of all these discussions as there is never any definitive answer and 'everything' is not really acceptable. Headlights, yeah, I would say so, but glove box light bulb, really?

But what is classed as a declarable modification? This is the crux of all these discussions as there is never any definitive answer and 'everything' is not really acceptable. Headlights, yeah, I would say so, but glove box light bulb, really?

+1. This is what im unclear about.

It is not about the person on the phone in a Brokers or Call Centre, they are not the Underwriter,

 you just ask them to send you the Declaration Sheet.  

 

You fill that in,

List & Declare Modifications, and if you hear nothing you check that the Declaration Sheet has been received. 

Your part is done, & if they want Receipts have them available.

Pictures as well, stops any doubt down the line if a Loss Adjuster ever gets involved.

(arse covered on your part.)

 

george

Declaration sheet?

When declaring mods to MCE for the bike (exhaust, fairing, hugger, screen etc) they did it all over the phone. No sheets given (read that how you may. One sheet is plenty n'all)

Dont most insurance companies only accept a certain amount of mods?

With little things like dash vents, led interior lights etc etc id soon clock that up with things that dont even make the slightest difference in most peoples view?

I just asked the guy from Adrian Flux to read my build thread on here. Some hours later he phoned back with a price simples.

Tell insurer's everything, as insurer's can be very contrary in the event of a claim.

They will dismiss what is not relevant and what is..

Tell over the phone all you like, and get stuff now back by Email.

But they record, or say they might.  

 

If that is enough for you then fine, but once you have maybe had experience of Loss Adjusters & Claims Managers messing and wanting 'Proof of Cover & Accepted Modifications;  you get to be more careful on Phone Calls & Verbal Notifications.

 

You want to see in writing what you are insured for,  so you are 'the proposer'  and you get a Insurance Schedule & Policy.

Verbal Agreements are not worth the Paper they are not written on.

(or in an Email, or electronic device.)

 

As to Insurers only accepting a limited amount of Mods, that might be run of the mill Insurance Companies.

http://premiumchoice.co.uk

 

That is why Companies & Brokers like on this Forum are Specialists on insuring Modified Vehicles,

for things maybe more than a Set of Wheels & some Bulbs or Headlights.

 

Insuring a modified vehicle with a Specialist Insurer or through a Specialist Broker might be cheaper than Insuring 

with the Companies that appear on Comparison Sites for pretty Standard cars with Minor Mods.

Every new vehicle has a delivery sheet and absolutely everything is listed on it and I mean everything!

I had a delivery sheet sent to me from a dealer for a second hand vehicle I had bought (not from them) and it was a 6 page fax with every item as it left the factory, it did not have dealer fitted items.

So if you try to bum steer your insurance company you will soon find out what they know about your vehicle

Edited 28 June, 201412 yr by Defenderben

Hmm cheers for your input guys.

I dont want to have to use specialist 'modified car insurance' just because iv changed a few bits of plastic trim and fitted MDI though.

Ill ring em up and see what they say .

Not today though, as im too hungover to tolerate any kind of call centre staff lol.

It really should be simple and straightforward. As you already know.

 

But if you do more involved mods, you know just to be sure you cover all the bases.

& the Insurers on this Forum are there with all the assistance to make things as simple as it can be.