So, lets say someone added an aftermarket "Limited Edition" badge, or "VRS" or "Irmscher" or "AMG" etc badge this would seem like a trivial modification but could be argued to increase the vehicles attractiveness to thieves.

 

 

Where is the line drawn?

 

"Baby on board" - increased attractiveness to baby thieves?

 

"No tools kept in here overnight" - because it's probably a lie?

 

Golf club membership sticker - to tempt them to break in for clubs etc.

 

 

Any thoughts?

I sympathise, Jono.

 

When I insured my previous Roomster with a large, well-known company (rhymes with an old Vauxhall) I tongue-in-cheek mentioned I had replaced the standard-issue 50mph steel spare wheel with an alloy wheel identical to the other four on the car.  The insurance company told me it considered this a notifiable modification to the car, although there would be no increase in premium.

 

My present Roomster is insured with another large, well-know company (rhymes with Dialect Fine) which took a much more realistic approach to the roof rails retro-fitted by my dealer.  The company considered them standard Roomster components and therefore not notifiable.

 

There seems no rationality with some insurance companies and these experiences have even left me wondering if I should have declared my Brisky sticker (Modification to car? Increased value of car? Increased attractiveness to thieves?...)

As long as you don't have Christ mentioned on your sticker, and be insured with Age Concern, you might well be OK. I wonder how people get away with those fish outlines, though.

....and I always thought "Baby on board" was code for "Beware - erratic driver"

" Baby on Board " Stickers should only be displayed if you have a Baby On Board.  Started in Sweden, If the car was involved in an accident the Emergancy Services would know to look for a baby/young child incase the baby/young child was thrown clear.

 

In the UK it means   " Keep Back " I have a baby on board whether a child is in the car or not

My initial reaction is "You need to get out more".    Having said that what some Insurance Companies think about stuff is beyond comprehension to me.

 

As regards stickers I cannot recall which comedian it was  Jasper Carrot maybe that said about the sticker 'Be aware Show dogs in Transit' I would like to help but don't know what it is I am supposed to do.

 

Also how many cars do you see with the Child on Board sticker on and the parent smoking in the car?

My initial reaction is "You need to get out more".    Having said that what some Insurance Companies think about stuff is beyond comprehension to me.

 

As regards stickers I cannot recall which comedian it was  Jasper Carrot maybe that said about the sticker 'Be aware Show dogs in Transit' I would like to help but don't know what it is I am supposed to do.

 

Also how many cars do you see with the Child on Board sticker on and the parent smoking in the car?

 

I saw a sticker in the back of a Horse Box, It said " Horses in Transit " but the horse Box was a Merc, very confusing

If I replace my vRS badges with ones from a 1.2 could I get a reduction in my premium, as surely it's less attractive for theives. Actually my vRS is debadged so maybe no one know what is actually is anyway?

When I insured my previous Roomster with a large, well-known company (rhymes with an old Vauxhall) I tongue-in-cheek mentioned I had replaced the standard-issue 50mph steel spare wheel with an alloy wheel identical to the other four on the car.  The insurance company told me it considered this a notifiable modification to the car, although there would be no increase in premium.

 

From what I recall readin elsewhere, things like this you would probably want covered. If (heaven forfend) your pride and joy gets stolen, you'd want a replacement with as close to the original spec as possible. The alloy cost you money that you probably wouldn't be enthusiastic about spending again.

 

Same for stickers I would assume. I think it's only once you progress beyond the novelty stuff and head in to wraps (proper money) that a premium would increase.

When insuring our new Octavia we had to declare all 6 factory fitted extras over an above the usual SE+ spec - the only one that caused an increase in premium was the heated seats - 'internal upgrade' or some such bowlocks.   Some insurers still take an interest...

The other side of the coin is that if its debadged do you have to declare and would that affect your premiums?

I suppose if the sticker makes you car more desirable to theft etc. So sticking on AMG or GTI might well make a material difference.

 

As for those fish I thought they indicated that a 45mph speed limiter had been fitted.

Weird, I had been wondering the same thing. Called my insurer to ask and turns out yes - they want to know about cosmetic changes (just to note it on the policy, but no increase). So I told them about having my wheels refurbed a different colour! Now I've just realised I've never told any insurer that I have a non standard head unit :/

 

Need to call them back haha! 

Thing is the K&N sticker i had on my mark2 astra, despite not having the filter itself, definitely added at minimum a pub talk 50bhp (along with a lot of street cred) back in the day - so definitely a mod! :p