My insurance was up for renewal recently and as I'd just fitted a Dragon tuning box, I thought I ought to do the right thing.

I was previously insured with Budget who were now looking for £203 + £20 legal cover, fully comp. I knew they wouldn't even know what a diesel tuning box was let alone insure one so I phoned Chris Knott. I was really impressed when they quoted £260 inc legal cover etc... with cover to include the Dragon box (upto 30% bhp declared) and paid up immediately.

I duly recieved all the paperwork including a form for me to fill in and describe any modifications etc - which I did. So I was quite miffed when I got the final certificate and schedule the other day with no mention of the tuning box or any other such mod. I rang them straight away and explained that I really would like to have the agreed modifications on paper - just in case. They appologised and said this must've been an omission and would get an amended schedule to me ASAP. Well , got the new schedule today and in the endorsments it now mentions modifications but only to say that cover will only be valid if mods have been declared. Am I being pedantic in wanting to see written evidence that my specific mod (tuning box) is noted and covered? On the phone they said they were OK with the box but if things went nipples north, I wonder if I'd have issues.

The whole point of me insuring with Chris Knott was that they are modification friendly and are clued up in this area - I've now got my doubts. Guess I'm going to have to ring them again tomorrow .

I am now insured with Sky insurance, and I rang for a quote, and declared all of my mods ( a fair list ), when the policy came, I had to send a form back with all declared mods. on it.

This was duly returned, with all declared mods signed off, so as to avoid confusion.

Well impressed, and a reasonable price too.

So I should demand to have agreed modifications on paper?

I should say so, then if you have a claim, there are no arguments.

Anyone else had issues with Chris knott or have I just been unlucky to catch them in the middle of party season?

I have no experience of Chris Knott, but I would expect conformation of any mods. undertaken, after all you pay for them.

Right, just rang C.K. for their take on this. They said that the paperwork I now have is normal and correct and that modifications are not usually detailed on the schedule. We confirmed that the mods do show up on their computer system (which was a start) but I have insisted that they send me some form of written confirmation - this seems to have caused quite a flap in the office. I cannot believe that this is not normal practice for a firm which apparently welcomes modified vehicles!

I'm still very happy with the premium I've paid and everyone I've spoken to has been very helpful and friendly but I don't know whether Chris Knott are really upto the job of catering for the needs of the modding owner.

I must admit I was pleasantly surprised when I got my paperwork,but as the man said my mods. are covered like for like. i.e. If I stuff my car it is insured with a full Miltek and sports cat, and vag 312mm brakes, so that's what would be replaced in the event of an accident, not a generic ss exhaust or big brakes.

I've had a similar issue with Chris Knott but it's for adding modifications during the term of the insurance. They told me that the mods show on their system fine but they can't add to the certificate until it's renewed. If I renew with them in January I'll be insisting the mods are on the new certificate.

Finally recieved written conformation today - 10/10 for rapid response C.K.! It's just a headed note literally stating the modification and that it's covered. Clearly not something they're used to doing but I'm happy now. May have to try Sky Insurance next year tough (thnx Mr Grumpy).