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[rabbit 250]

Hi Everyone!

 

I'm looking for a bit of advice - Buck and I are taking delivery of my new car this Saturday and I'm going to sort out the insurance soon to make sure I'm covered when I drive it away.

The car in question is a new Juke, and I've opted for different coloured wing mirrors and accent around the fog lights to the main body colour (car is blue, wing mirrors and accents will be silver).

All this is being fitted by the manufacturer and as such it is being delivered to me like that.

 

So, my question is, when my insurer asks me 'Are there any non-standard modifications to the vehicle?' what is my answer?

 

The tweaks are non-standard as in if you buy the bog-standard model you won't get them, but on the model I'm getting it does come as an option if I want them, and as I said before they're manufacturer-fitted.

 

I suppose it does 'enhance' the look of the vehicle, so maybe the answer is yes?  But then I wonder, so many cars and vans now have these features, including our other vehicle (also blue with silver wing mirrors and accents) so where does a feature stop being standard and start being a declarable feature.  I'm loathed to mention it (unless of course I have to) as we all know what insurance companies are like.

 

Advice welcome!!

[Burnsy2023 2,895]

Depends on the insurer but most will class this as an exterior modification and may charge you extra for it.

[CD15 23]

I don't think it would count as a modification if it's done by the manufacturer, could be wrong though

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[Marty McFly 658]

It's a factory fitted accessory so I wouldn't class that as a modification, every car has loads of options (alloys, size of alloys, blue tooth, etc) and it would be impossible to fit in with a lot of insurers who have a limit on six "modifications" if they were included.

[Burnsy2023 2,895]

My insurer wanted details of my factory fitted options such as parking sensors etc.

 

My advice would be to call your insurer and ask them direct.  They are best placed to give you the right information about what they require.

[IanW + 1,916]

My insurer wanted details of my factory fitted options such as parking sensors etc.

My advice would be to call your insurer and ask them direct. They are best placed to give you the right information about what they require.

Same here, just tell them it is this model with x factory fitted options over the standard specification.

In my past experience factory fitted (and dealer fitted OE parts) have made no difference to premium cost.

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[Will 54]

I would suggest it is a "standard modification", as it's being done by the manufacturer on a brand new car. I can imagine the insurance company will always answer in favour of them pocketing more money, but if the difference in the premium is negligible it might be better to err on the side of caution.

[IrateShrike + 1,847]

They might not be interested at all when it comes to getting a quote, however if you then have to make a claim they will inevitably be looking over the car with a fine tooth comb to find any excuse not to pay out to you.

 

Insurance companies are arseholes, so cover yours

[P.C.Goody 226]

Hi rabbit

 

I'm new here (my first post in fact). It says I've quoted or multi-quoted you but nothing is appearing. I'll get used to it soon!

 

Anyway, in answer to your question, no. This is not a modification. If you imagine how many people have optional extras these days, they would be very busy people indeed.

 

When it comes to paying a claim, insurers are not permitted to deny a claim on the basis of the vehicle being modified and undeclared unless it is incidental to the loss itself. Many examples here, but if a lowered vehicle with tinted back/side windows and alloy wheels collided with a tree and the owner hadn't previously declared the modifications, it's irrelevant as it's unlikely the proximate cause of the incident was due to the modifications.

 

There are some grey areas but not ones I want to post here really as wouldn't want to be giving 'tips' on a public forum.

 

Hope this helps

 

[Indiana Jones + 1,082]

Hi rabbit

 

I'm new here (my first post in fact). It says I've quoted or multi-quoted you but nothing is appearing. I'll get used to it soon!

 

Anyway, in answer to your question, no. This is not a modification. If you imagine how many people have optional extras these days, they would be very busy people indeed.

 

When it comes to paying a claim, insurers are not permitted to deny a claim on the basis of the vehicle being modified and undeclared unless it is incidental to the loss itself. Many examples here, but if a lowered vehicle with tinted back/side windows and alloy wheels collided with a tree and the owner hadn't previously declared the modifications, it's irrelevant as it's unlikely the proximate cause of the incident was due to the modifications.

 

There are some grey areas but not ones I want to post here really as wouldn't want to be giving 'tips' on a public forum.

 

Hope this helps

Isn't the more pressing issue around the insured receiving a lower premium than might be the case otherwise with a non-mod'ed vehicle?

[P.C.Goody 226]

The insured would receive the same premium as of non-modded, yes. Modifications should be declared as it is a material fact likely to influence the decision of a prudent underwriter. However it is unlikely if not nearly impossible for an insurer to repudiate a claim solely on the basis of an undisclosed modification unless incidental to the loss itself.

A car is involved in an accident due to a deer running out into the road and has 18 inch alloy wheels which were not disclosed. Claim is paid as the wheels have nothing to do with it.

A car with a lowered suspension and sports exhaust goes over a bump at speed and accidentally takes the exhaust off and the bumper falls off and is badly scratched, with the vehicle also hitting a car in front. Own damage likely to be repudiated but third party claim upheld.

In the OP's post though, these are not modifications. They're still standard manufacturers' specifications, just enhanced features. Do I want the standard Mercedes Sport Edition, or the AMG Sport? The AMG comes with a different grille and red stitching. These are not modifications and shouldn't attract a loaded premium under this specific heading.

Regards

Reg

[BlueBob + 692]

Hi rabbit

 

I'm new here (my first post in fact). It says I've quoted or multi-quoted you but nothing is appearing. I'll get used to it soon!

 

Anyway, in answer to your question, no. This is not a modification. If you imagine how many people have optional extras these days, they would be very busy people indeed.

 

When it comes to paying a claim, insurers are not permitted to deny a claim on the basis of the vehicle being modified and undeclared unless it is incidental to the loss itself. Many examples here, but if a lowered vehicle with tinted back/side windows and alloy wheels collided with a tree and the owner hadn't previously declared the modifications, it's irrelevant as it's unlikely the proximate cause of the incident was due to the modifications.

 

There are some grey areas but not ones I want to post here really as wouldn't want to be giving 'tips' on a public forum.

 

Hope this helps

You may be confusing whether the claim will be paid in full or part paid and whilst paying 3rd party may not be affected, it may affect the valuation given to the insurers veh and if nothing else, why not tell them and let them make the decision?

In reply to the op, your about to spend the second largest amount of hard earned cash after a house, and then pay a bit more for some extras.... And yet quibbling on whether to tell your insurer or not! The likelihood is that the extras will not attract any additional cost, even if it did the likelihood is it would be a pound or two. The minor inconvenience is greatly offset to the undoubted arguments should you have to make a claim and justify why you didn't declare, and all that happening at a very stressful time ( after an accident).

A debate you often hear of is the factory mod from steel to alloy rims - gronk the alloys and you may well be paid out for a set of steels, or spend time justifying the extra cost.