[CardinalZeus77]

My insurance is due soon and I been getting a couple of quotes ...

Question: Does the car have any modifications?

Do you take that to mean any modifications outside the fitted options when the car was built or is it to mean any modifications including fitted options when the car was built?

I am a little confused as I am getting mixed messages from the insurance companies that have quoted?

[rjs]

Interesting, not really thought about this as been on co. car scheme for years (coming off it now)

Admiral state: A modification is any change to the car away from the manufacturer's standard specification including optional extras, such as alloy wheels, body styling kits and exhaust/carburettor upgrades.

I guess a loaded car is probably more likely to get stolen, thus higher premium?

Adding "Sports/Active suspens(opt ext)" - EDC? adds £23 to premium

[doughboy]

Its a tricky one this, personally I take it as how the car was built is 'standard'.

I did try confessing all the factory options (£7K+) on my 335 a while back, but after about 10 the girl said she had no more room and they couldn't quote me any more, so it seemed apparent that 'options' are not really what they're after. There's no way i'd put 'sat nav' down as a mod for example.

Only post delivery changes are 'modifications' IMO. Once you tick that 'modifications' box you're in a whole different world of pain with insurers, for a start 50% or more won't touch 'modified' cars. Just try it on a comparison site and see how it effects the offers.

Most insurers online 'modifications' lists are just that, all about modded supsension, exhausts, turbos, chipping, body kits etc.

What about 'manufacturers dealer accessories'? are they 'modifications'?

Floor mats?
Tow bar?
black grills?
dog cage?
glovebox mounted torch?
Non BMW screen wash?

[ghosty]

i think it depends on the insurance company. i've also had admiral ask me about what optional extras are on my car. i think the guy said that you need to list the options otherwise they wont be covered in the premium if there is a payout

[doughboy]

Thats crap though because you've already told them the car value (and the cost new if its a new car) so they know how much its worth.

But in the end you'll only get the market value anyway - and they know what that is too.

[Jon D]

My insurer (Aviva through Swinton) has told me that within the first year, I'll get back exactly what I paid for it, less the excess, in the event of theft or write-off.
As soon as it's a year old, I'll get gap insurance - been quoted £400 for 3 years by my dealer.

[Dannyrado]

Admiral insisted that i tell them all my "modifications" be they "optional extra's" or not. The difference for example is that they will pay out for optional extra fancy alloys, but not aftermarket ones.
So my policy now has interior changes (for the leather), tinted windows (for the factory tints), and alloy wheels (optional extra).

It's about peace of mind for me, so i'm happy.

[doughboy]

This is call centre halfwits again.

Mods are mods, optional extras are optional extras. Both different things.

It was admiral 2 years ago that I tried telling all the options on my car to:

Red / Brown Dakota leather
Media pack pro
Visibility pack
Model num deletion
Comfort access
Windscreen with shade band
Rear side sunblinds
Extended luggage pack
Ext mirrors folding and auto dimming
Leccy front seats with memory
Ski bag
Lumbar supports
Sliding front armrest
PDC front and rear
Rear head restraints folding
Hi Fi speaker system
USB interface
Sun Protection glass

After 10 'mods' she told me they could not longer quote!! WTF? Sliding armrest too dangerous??

Now I'm back with admiral with PROPER mods declared (i.e. map / suspension / exhaust etc)

On their online quote system there is no facility for telling them about optional extras, only performance mods and upgrades. At least the online system is consistent and doesn't vary like call centres do.

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Mods are mods, optional extras are optional extras. Both different things.

.

plus one...

The insurance companies are not clear at all!!!

[davyk31]

Admiral and all their group do ask for any options etc but the crucial factor is that they only pay out based on a standard car and only repair to the same. This means they ask for extra cash for options but will not increase a payout in the event of a claim. There is a standard parts clause or suchlike and its very restrictive.

[rjs]

Admiral seem to have both opt. extras & mods on their site

They differentiate between "Alloy wheels (non standard)" & "Alloy wheels (optional extra)" and list other options such as the Mini Chilli Pack which are surely factory fit only?

All a bit confusing really - what if you buy a second hand car? How do you know what was an option?

[dar2008]

Originally Posted by zltm089

The insurance companies are not clear at all!!!

And I suspect they are in no hurry to clarify it either.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by rjs

Admiral seem to have both opt. extras & mods on their site

They differentiate between "Alloy wheels (non standard)" & "Alloy wheels (optional extra)" and list other options such as the Mini Chilli Pack which are surely factory fit only?

All a bit confusing really - what if you buy a second hand car? How do you know what was an option?

Optional Alloy wheels (or a factory bodykit) are a valid thing to declare I'd say as they 'bling' up the car making it more appealing to thieves, but not heated seats and a freaking ski hatch FFS!

The mini's are something where insurers have latched onto the 'packs' and now fleece you accordingly.

Bet if you quote a ford focus they don't list the ford 'comfort pack' or 'winter pack' as options?

[rjs]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Bet if you quote a ford focus they don't list the ford 'comfort pack' or 'winter pack' as options?

Nope, I was quoting for BMW & the MINI packs came up

[rjs]

At the risk of going slightly OT, what about jobs?

This can have a large effect. Admiral ask: Please enter a description of your job in the space provided (e.g. 'Clerk', 'Student', 'Retired', 'Unemployed' or 'Housewife') we will then try and find a match on our system.

I would probably put IT Manager as that describes what I do. I am a director though & if I put that in then the premium goes up by £82!

They do ask for description though, not job title...

[doughboy]

Same here, I run a small engineering company, so I am both an electrical engineer and a company director.

I find 'company director' comes out cheaper oddly.

[zltm089]

I think that car insurance is fcukin bullshit in this country!....i got standard oem 18 inch wheels on my car! ...bought it that way! ....what, do i need to declare it as a mod or optional extra now?...most 335 have 18 or 19 inch wheels anyways!.... rarely seen those with the 17 inches...

and from what i understand, they want to increase the premium but in the event of claiming from a total loss, they would only pay out for a standard car!....fcukin thieves!...

[rjs]

Originally Posted by zltm089

I think that car insurance is fcukin bullshit in this country!....i got standard oem 18 inch wheels on my car! ...bought it that way! ....what, do i need to declare it as a mod or optional extra now?...most 335 have 18 or 19 inch wheels anyways!.... rarely seen those with the 17 inches...
.

I'm not declaring mine as the standard car comes with alloys, I've just got bigger ones I think it's more for cars that don't come with them as standard. (not that common these days)

The whole system seems a joke to me

I add on edc, it goes up by 23
Then I add on exterior trim or whatever as well, and it goes down by 8!

I added my dad on (not as main driver, that's still me) but just as a named driver and it went down by £135! A chap at work did the same and his went down by 100+

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by rjs

I'm not declaring mine as the standard car comes with alloys, I've just got bigger ones I think it's more for cars that don't come with them as standard. (not that common these days)

The whole system seems a joke to me

I add on edc, it goes up by 23
Then I add on exterior trim or whatever as well, and it goes down by 8!

I added my dad on (not as main driver, that's still me) but just as a named driver and it went down by £135! A chap at work did the same and his went down by 100+

plus one....

its just a matter of what the computer says! ....and getting more money from the customer!...

think i need to declare that i got velours floor matts now!...

[DeepD.Fast.Rider]

Its crap.

Optional extras...??? Its a silly question, sometimes they dont ask...so dont tell.

Mods, be it cosmetic, yes do tell. Alloys, spoiler, tints...

Bmw cancelled my shortfall because of non standard mods, but got another insurer to cover shortfall with cosmetic mods. So back to invoice....£123

[Baby Dave]

A mod is something you cannot order from the factory when the car is new. The less you tell the thieving robbing bastards the better.

[rjs]

I'd rather not tell them, but I'm sure they'll use any excuse the fekers can not to a pay out!