Hi,

 

I've recently had a Stage 1 remap on my car, which has taken the power from 86BHP to 130BHP. Given this is quite a serious jump in power:

 

1.) Are there any brokers that specialise in insuring cars with these modifications? I've had a look at some standard ones and they only cover 25% increase in engine power. If so, who do people recommend?

2.) If you don't declare the remap, would the insurance company ever check if it had been remapped in the event of a claim? (I've notified them of previous modifications such as new Sat Nav and a towbar)

 

I'm currently with Hastings Direct and was met with a confused representative when I phoned them up to enquire about the remap affecting my insurance. They didn't understand what I was going to do, which hasn't filled me with confidence.  

 

Thanks,

 

The insurers we use on the club scheme are happy with increases of upto 100bhp over stock so please give us a call - 0800 819 9320.

 

best,

Nick

24 minutes ago, WolfyWesty said:

Hastings Direct and was met with a confused representative

You need a proper insurance broker, not a direct sales rep.

3 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

You need a proper insurance broker, not a direct sales rep.

 

Which is odd, as the option is available on their online system (selecting a 26%+ increase in power) but it just asks you to call them.

They're probably keen to look at all aspects of the risk before deciding on your specific case if they're asking you to call them. It'll be manual underwriting rather than system driven.

On point 2......  it's the risk you take if you don't declare the mod.

 

Under normal circumstances, if say you had a minor shunt they may never even look at your car but in the event of something more serious, it would be possible to forensically examine the ECU and determine it has been modified.

 

Insurance companies have also been known to check social media/car forums to look for evidence like this too.

 

To be honest, a question I've considered before is how would you know if your car had been modified this way if you've not owned it from new?  If the previous owner doesn't tell you, you could be driving around in a modified car without ever knowing.

10 minutes ago, ChrisKnottIns said:

They're probably keen to look at all aspects of the risk before deciding on your specific case if they're asking you to call them. It'll be manual underwriting rather than system driven.

 

Not to sound stupid, but what's the difference?

 

9 minutes ago, Russ77 said:

On point 2......  it's the risk you take if you don't declare the mod.

 

Under normal circumstances, if say you had a minor shunt they may never even look at your car but in the event of something more serious, it would be possible to forensically examine the ECU and determine it has been modified.

 

Insurance companies have also been known to check social media/car forums to look for evidence like this too.

 

In all honesty, I'd rather declare it and pay the additional cost than risk having voided insurance in the event of a crash/claim.

 

9 minutes ago, Russ77 said:

To be honest, a question I've considered before is how would you know if your car had been modified this way if you've not owned it from new?  If the previous owner doesn't tell you, you could be driving around in a modified car without ever knowing.

 

I have wondered the same thing, especially with performance models that will see more maps than the standard range.

Edited 14 January, 20206 yr by WolfyWesty
Spelling

 

3 minutes ago, WolfyWesty said:

 

Not to sound stupid, but what's the difference?

 

 

They're perhaps happy to allow upto 25% through on the nod but they want to manually look at anything over 25% to eyeball the overall picture. I'm only surmising.

On the subject of declaring mods in general - there's an extra dimension here too. If a mod is declared it's then covered if the insurer replaces like for like, ie. you won't have to pay for the mod again if there's any damage.

39 minutes ago, ChrisKnottIns said:

On the subject of declaring mods in general - there's an extra dimension here too. If a mod is declared it's then covered if the insurer replaces like for like, ie. you won't have to pay for the mod again if there's any damage.

 

Thankyou for all the info!

I currently have both cars insured by brentacre.

When I remapped the fabia they charged me £50 extra. They told me they raise the price in bands, so if I ever go above 180bhp the premium would increase further.

 

I believe they use LV.

29 minutes ago, Munfred said:

I believe Brentacre use LV.

 

I don;t know any more, but certainly LV know what a remap is and isn't.

LV is one of the insurers we use on our panel. If you insure through us and the Briskoda club scheme the club benefits financially from your purchase.

Hi,

Please feel free to give us a try for insurance if you wish.

Regards,

Dan.

 

Gaz

On ‎15‎/‎01‎/‎2020 at 21:39, DAN@ADRIAN FLUX said:

Hi,

Please feel free to give us a try for insurance if you wish.

Regards,

Dan.

 

Certainly will!

 

13 hours ago, CallmeGaz said:

 

Gaz

 

That's quite surprising to be honest!

 

So my current insurer Hastings have said this modification invalidates the insurance as they don't cover engine modifications, but I will get a pro-rota cancellation refund for unused months (about 6 months worth).

 

Guess I better find alternative insurance!

Call us once you've found your best quote as we have insurers' authority to do what we need to to win members' business (subject to absolute minimums of course).

32 minutes ago, ChrisKnottIns said:

Call us once you've found your best quote as we have insurers' authority to do what we need to to win members' business (subject to absolute minimums of course).

 

So I've done it through Go Compare and have listed everything (remap, Maxton front spoiler, Satnav, towbar, new exhaust) and it's come through at £458 with Admiral, which is nearly £200 cheaper than I currently pay with Hastings!

 

Same job, same address etc.

 

I'm staggered at the price decrease.

On 17/01/2020 at 13:33, WolfyWesty said:

 

So I've done it through Go Compare and have listed everything (remap, Maxton front spoiler, Satnav, towbar, new exhaust) and it's come through at £458 with Admiral, which is nearly £200 cheaper than I currently pay with Hastings!

 

Same job, same address etc.

 

I'm staggered at the price decrease.

I'm having to call Hastings tomorrow about a planned remap. Looks like I'll be looking for new provider too going by this. 

 

Rapid 1.2 tsi 90hp remapping to 130hp. It will be the only mod if I go ahead. 

Sorry bit late to this but shall share my input in the off chance it still helps anyone.

 

@WolfyWesty pretty sure you already know my story but I shall sum up.

 

New Scala March 2020, 

Collision with a female Deer, 30mph at night on a 60mph road, she just jumped out from behind some close trees.

Insurance claim -3400 GBP new bumper, new LED headlight, new bonnet, new wing, plus door repair, paint and labour.

Driver at fault as the Deer wouldn't accept responsibility.

Car stock at this point.

Insurer was Lloyds Bank, underwritter AXA, cant fault as they handled the claim effectively and quickly, even allowing to choose my own bodyshop for the work.

At renewal - March 2021 I knew I wanted to do mods.  Lloyds/AXA wouldn't insure the mods and standard premium went from 500GBP/annum to 700GBP/annum.

Tried Chris Knot as per recommendations on this forum and they couldn't produce a quote for me based on the mods I wanted to do.

Adrain Flux would insure me at just under 900BGP/annum.

In the end I got some good recommendations for Greenlight. They insured me and all mods for 600GBP/annum.

 

My model is Scala SEL 1.0TSI 115PS.  Policy covers all modifications upto the power of 180PS.

My modification list is getting rather big now but its as follows

 

Performance

-RacingLine Stage1 remap 150PS

-Racingline Coldair intake

-Longlife custom cat-back non-res exhaust

-Eibach Pro-Kit springs

-Eibach spacers

 

Cosmetic

-Maxton Design full lip kit

-RacingLine Wiper Delete

-Monte Carlo Front Grille Frame replacement

-Monte Carlo Front/Rear badge replacement

-Debadge- Scala

-Gloss black loading protector

-Genuine Mudguards

-OEM alloys custom painted gloss black

-OEM brake callipers painted rosso red

-OEM rear bumper trim custom painted gloss black

-OEM dash panel custom wrapped in brushed steel

 

Audio

-AudioControl LC7i Line Output converter

-MTX component speakers in front and rear

-MTX 4Ch amp under front passenger seat

-MTX 12" Active Sub in boot.

 

Of course the true test of any insurer is when you are in an incident and we all hope that doesn't happen and hopefully drive our best to help prevent such things.  So on Greenlight I cannot comment on this aspect.  However as for customer service and price, I have been very pleased.  They also offer a nice web portal to add modifications to your policy without having to be on hold on the phone.  It is assessed within the hour and they email knew documents confirming your modifications on your policy.  So on this basis I would highly recommend.

 

Cheers