Insurance woes

So they ask me "has it been modified in any way" and I say "what do you mean by modified?". Comes back with "anything that was not factory fitted, anything that is not as it was when it came out of the factory". So I said " I've no idea really - it's 20 years old".

Another said "A modification is something you can see by looking at it - does it look modified".

Well this all narrows it down.:dry: :huh:

Further proof of the morally bankrupt and generally corrupt nature of the insurance industry, were it needed.

Lambert wrote: Further proof of the morally bankrupt and generally corrupt nature of the insurance industry, were it needed.

I know it is a form of nationalisation and I recognise that the tax disc going may affect what I am about to say but I can't see why a basic insurance could not be given to all registered vehicles as part of the road fund tax.............but wait, I can see why they wouldn't do it, where to start. I would happily pay a little extra on fuel to fund it but then again it has been suggested in the past that road fund be put on fuel and the idea ignored.

The declaration if the vehicle is modified or not is made by the person requesting an insurance quote and the liability for any inaccuracies stops with them. A modification is any change outside the normal "as supplied" specification of the vehicle. This could be a tow bar, stereo change, fancy wheels etc, the list is endless. The reality is that any modification will only become an issue if it can be linked to the cause of a potential accident or claim.
So changing your stereo is unlikely to be implicated in a rta, but if your stereo is stolen and you then ask them to cover a £1000 posh stero rather than the naff standard stereo, your claim is likely to be declined.
So you don't have to declare the 4 inch lift, rear disc brakes, oversized tyres or lockers, but you can't claim you had no idea if the changes can be implicated in an RTA or resulting theft.

Not defending the insurance industry, its just how it is.

My pet hate being offered the option to pay for protected NCB which is nullified by the question "have you been involved in any accident or claim in the last 5 years".

Scimike wrote: The reality is that any modification will only become an issue if it can be linked to the cause of a potential accident or claim.

So if I run in to a ditch and have a big fender bender claim the fact I have fitted reversing sensors will be unimportant???

Reverse sensors are one of the very few items that when declared should lead to a 13% reduction in your insurance premium..
I strongly disagree with some of Scimike,s statements... (sry)
When you apply for insurance, you will be asked whether your car has been modified from the original specification provided by the manufacturer. This is because when an insurer sets the price of policies, it considers any factors that may increase the value of the car, or up its chances of being stolen or involved in an accident.
Car modifications can have a big impact on these factors, so it is important that you are completely honest about them with your provider.

Car modifications tend to fall into two categories – to enhance vehicle performance or appearance. If any of these modifications have
been made to your car, you need to declare them – even if you have not made them yourself. If you fail to do so, it’s likely your insurance will be invalidated and your claim will be refused when you need financial protection. It can also amount to fraud by non disclosure.

The following information outlines the different types of car modifications and how these could affect the cost of your insurance with a standard insurer:

Engine and mechanics
Turbo/Supercharging 132% increase
Transmission or Gear change 63% increase
Exhaust changes 26% increase
Air Filter 25% increase
Bodywork:
Wheel arches 41% increase
Complete body kit 57% increase
Spoilers/Skirts 23% increase
Light changes 12% increase
Tinted windows 16% increase
Interior :
Replacement of seats 27% increase
Roll Bars/Roll Cages 41% increase
Dashboard changes 16% increase
Brakes and suspension
Uprated brakes 36% increase
Suspension 25% increase
Wheels
Alloy wheels 8% increase
Fuel economy
LPG conversion 15% increase
Car Climate
Sunroof 17% increase
Air Conditioning 13% increase
Driver aids
Satellite navigation system 15% increase
Car phone kit 26% increase
Parking sensors 13% decrease
Paintwork
Specialised paintwork 15% increase
Stripes and badges 9% increase

rappey wrote: Reverse sensors are one of the very few items that when declared should lead to a 13% reduction in your insurance premium..

Now that is very interesting, thanks.
On one online form it asked if there were any modifications and gave some examples of what they class as mods like alloy wheels but amongst them reversing sensors was stated. It gave the impression that it was negative point.
My biggest gripe is that despite the log book stating it is a 3 door the online quotes keep bringing up that it is 5 door and as soon as I get in touch with them to correct this the premium trebles.
I have to admit I have always found insurers (such as Admiral as an example) on any of my cars to be way more expensive when done personally over the phone.

I'm not disputing the need to disclose. But that doesn't mean that the industry isn't utterly corrupt

Lambert wrote: I'm not disputing the need to disclose. But that doesn't mean that the industry isn't utterly corrupt

I agree, I think it is just there to make money .

The logical progression is to incorporate a basic premium into the duty on fuel, make further insurance optional and allow true market forces to operate on insurance providers. The government still gets to collect tax, there's no uninsured drivers and premiums actually reflect risk.

Lambert wrote: The logical progression is to incorporate a basic premium into the duty on fuel, make further insurance optional and allow true market forces to operate on insurance providers. The government still gets to collect tax, there's no uninsured drivers and premiums actually reflect risk.

I just don't know why they don't do it.

Because a politician wouldn't know what a logical answer was if it slapped them in the face with a monk fish.