Insurance costs with Hirsch Modifications
Discussion
I have an 05 9-3 rag top Aero with the Hirsch re-map (210 - 235 bhp I believe), plus Hirsch springs that I believe lower the front by 15mmn and the rear by 10mm.
In the eyes of an insurance company the above make me a 'boy racer' and a high risk.
Have owned the cars for 4 years, but due to all the snow / claims that the insurance industry were hit with last year, costs have gone through the roof.
The insurance isn't due until January, but my other car is due this week, so I have been trying to do a '2 car' deal with a few brokers, but finding most will not touch cars that have been modified, and those that do quote are very expensive.
I am considering having the old springs put back on, and the ECU reset to standard, which will cost me £150, but save me over £200 a year insurance.
There are lots of cars out there with these mods, can anyone recommend an insurance company who doesn't penalise so heavily for the modifications?
I am late 40's with over 9 years no claims, so don't feel I should be in the 'boy racer' category!
In the eyes of an insurance company the above make me a 'boy racer' and a high risk.
Have owned the cars for 4 years, but due to all the snow / claims that the insurance industry were hit with last year, costs have gone through the roof.
The insurance isn't due until January, but my other car is due this week, so I have been trying to do a '2 car' deal with a few brokers, but finding most will not touch cars that have been modified, and those that do quote are very expensive.
I am considering having the old springs put back on, and the ECU reset to standard, which will cost me £150, but save me over £200 a year insurance.
There are lots of cars out there with these mods, can anyone recommend an insurance company who doesn't penalise so heavily for the modifications?
I am late 40's with over 9 years no claims, so don't feel I should be in the 'boy racer' category!
John D9395 said:
I have an 05 9-3 rag top Aero with the Hirsch re-map (210 - 235 bhp I believe), plus Hirsch springs that I believe lower the front by 15mmn and the rear by 10mm.
In the eyes of an insurance company the above make me a 'boy racer' and a high risk.
Have owned the cars for 4 years, but due to all the snow / claims that the insurance industry were hit with last year, costs have gone through the roof.
The insurance isn't due until January, but my other car is due this week, so I have been trying to do a '2 car' deal with a few brokers, but finding most will not touch cars that have been modified, and those that do quote are very expensive.
I am considering having the old springs put back on, and the ECU reset to standard, which will cost me £150, but save me over £200 a year insurance.
There are lots of cars out there with these mods, can anyone recommend an insurance company who doesn't penalise so heavily for the modifications?
I am late 40's with over 9 years no claims, so don't feel I should be in the 'boy racer' category!
I got a good deal on my Hirsch'd 9-5 Aero with Admiral.In the eyes of an insurance company the above make me a 'boy racer' and a high risk.
Have owned the cars for 4 years, but due to all the snow / claims that the insurance industry were hit with last year, costs have gone through the roof.
The insurance isn't due until January, but my other car is due this week, so I have been trying to do a '2 car' deal with a few brokers, but finding most will not touch cars that have been modified, and those that do quote are very expensive.
I am considering having the old springs put back on, and the ECU reset to standard, which will cost me £150, but save me over £200 a year insurance.
There are lots of cars out there with these mods, can anyone recommend an insurance company who doesn't penalise so heavily for the modifications?
I am late 40's with over 9 years no claims, so don't feel I should be in the 'boy racer' category!
Thanks for the tip. Just tried using the Admeral on line quote system, and I have to say that it is the 1st site I have used that even tries to cater for modified cars.
That said, it wouldn't accept the lowered suspension even though they has a tick box for it. I un-clicked the suspension box and left it just with the 12 - 25% re-map, and it generated a quote. Will pop them a call tomorrow to see what they can do, but the price generated was the same as my renewal but without the suspension, so I guess I will have to stay with my present company.
Tried Adrian Flux first thing this morning, and as yet no reply.
That said, it wouldn't accept the lowered suspension even though they has a tick box for it. I un-clicked the suspension box and left it just with the 12 - 25% re-map, and it generated a quote. Will pop them a call tomorrow to see what they can do, but the price generated was the same as my renewal but without the suspension, so I guess I will have to stay with my present company.
Tried Adrian Flux first thing this morning, and as yet no reply.
John D9395 said:
Thanks for the tip. Just tried using the Admeral on line quote system, and I have to say that it is the 1st site I have used that even tries to cater for modified cars.
That said, it wouldn't accept the lowered suspension even though they has a tick box for it. I un-clicked the suspension box and left it just with the 12 - 25% re-map, and it generated a quote. Will pop them a call tomorrow to see what they can do, but the price generated was the same as my renewal but without the suspension, so I guess I will have to stay with my present company.
That's odd..... when I did mine, I was able to tick the wheels, suspension and big brake options OK. Mine doesn't have an engine tune though.That said, it wouldn't accept the lowered suspension even though they has a tick box for it. I un-clicked the suspension box and left it just with the 12 - 25% re-map, and it generated a quote. Will pop them a call tomorrow to see what they can do, but the price generated was the same as my renewal but without the suspension, so I guess I will have to stay with my present company.
I was with Privilege before with mods declared, and Admiral were 35% cheaper...
May be had I 'un-ticked' re-map, and just ticked suspension, they may have quoted me, ie may be they only allow one performance enhancement when quoting on line?
Currently insuring through A Plan on both my cars, and to be honest, they have been great over the 4 years I have been with them. The main reason I have done so much looking is that my Jag insurance went up by nearly 50%, but after a lot of shopping round, got it down to almost what I paid last year, but don't seem to have many takers on the 9-3 Aero!
Currently insuring through A Plan on both my cars, and to be honest, they have been great over the 4 years I have been with them. The main reason I have done so much looking is that my Jag insurance went up by nearly 50%, but after a lot of shopping round, got it down to almost what I paid last year, but don't seem to have many takers on the 9-3 Aero!
Hi Ash, yes sorry, post left before your message this morning.
Your price looked in the right ball part to get me interseted, will call you before Xmas to confirm details unless you have the time to post me a quote?
Renewed the Jag today with Churchill, but they were miles out on the Saab!
Your price looked in the right ball part to get me interseted, will call you before Xmas to confirm details unless you have the time to post me a quote?
Renewed the Jag today with Churchill, but they were miles out on the Saab!
Hi,
I've been having this problem also and even considered selling as an option.
I have now found a very entertaining deal with Admiral multi car.
As background my insurance has increased through no personal fault over the last 2 years, but a quick check last month suggested that my 9-3 had doubled from £780 (in 2010) to £1614 (for 2011 renewal)
I have been searching all options and found that including things like; business use and keeping on the driveway!!! yes are both cheaper than in garage and SD&P.
I turned the house into a small brokerage yesterday and fired off around 40 quotes etc and ended up with a very sensible one for £606. with 4yrs ncd and my corsa using 0ncd coming in at £603. so £1200 total but individual prices where (best only) Saab £958 from admiral on confused no less. and the Corsa £707, from admiral on confused. meaning a total saving of £450 ish.
Shopping around really helps and in this case has saved me from selling/trading her in.
Good luck mate.
I've been having this problem also and even considered selling as an option.
I have now found a very entertaining deal with Admiral multi car.
As background my insurance has increased through no personal fault over the last 2 years, but a quick check last month suggested that my 9-3 had doubled from £780 (in 2010) to £1614 (for 2011 renewal)
I have been searching all options and found that including things like; business use and keeping on the driveway!!! yes are both cheaper than in garage and SD&P.
I turned the house into a small brokerage yesterday and fired off around 40 quotes etc and ended up with a very sensible one for £606. with 4yrs ncd and my corsa using 0ncd coming in at £603. so £1200 total but individual prices where (best only) Saab £958 from admiral on confused no less. and the Corsa £707, from admiral on confused. meaning a total saving of £450 ish.
Shopping around really helps and in this case has saved me from selling/trading her in.
Good luck mate.
I have an (ancient!) '98 9-3 Turbo convertible with similar mods declared (suspension lowered, spoiler, Hirsch chip, Non-standard alloys & Exhaust). Have been with Direct Line since I passed my test, and have insured this car with them for over 6 years, but this year they turned round and refused to insure it, they have told me they no longer insure any modified cars.
Seems a bit of a shame for them, as I've insured three cars with them for around 10 years with no claims, and they've decided they don't want me as a customer!
Oh well, Admiral were cheaper anyway, although it's worth noting, they don't insure the modifications in the standard premium, as in, they would only replace standard items/pay out for standard items etc.
They offered an additional premium to insure the modifications which I didn't bother with.
Also Admiral charge a hefty admin charge for any changes, and they try to up-sell you extra's when you take it out (you have to do it on the phone).
That said, I'm gutted for you guys paying large insurance costs, the Saab premium next year is £178, even my '05 XKR with modifications is under £500.
Seems a bit of a shame for them, as I've insured three cars with them for around 10 years with no claims, and they've decided they don't want me as a customer!
Oh well, Admiral were cheaper anyway, although it's worth noting, they don't insure the modifications in the standard premium, as in, they would only replace standard items/pay out for standard items etc.
They offered an additional premium to insure the modifications which I didn't bother with.
Also Admiral charge a hefty admin charge for any changes, and they try to up-sell you extra's when you take it out (you have to do it on the phone).
That said, I'm gutted for you guys paying large insurance costs, the Saab premium next year is £178, even my '05 XKR with modifications is under £500.
Well, I must be lucky, albeit a bit old.
Very SLIGHTLY O/T, as no mods on my car (yet...would love a power increase) When I bought the 9-3 Tid Sportwagon last April, I wnet the usual dealer 'free ins for 7 days' route, and they couldn't get down to what my current AA quoted (I had just traded the 45 TDi in for the Saab). AA wanted £513. Went to Saab ins - came out higher. Tried Co-op (was with them with the Rover before going to AA) no joy. Unfortunately, I had only renewed my insurance on the Rover a month or so before trading, but it only cost £25 admin to cancel. However, my lad, who has an Evo, suggested I try his broker, Noel & Richards. Surprisingly, they covered me even though the Saab was not what they normally handle (specialist brokers) I have fully comp for only £267!! (inc OH as named) Only downsides are: screen repairs £10 as opposed to normally free; screen excess £70 opposed to normal £50 & Excess £150. They have arranged cover with Aviva, and it all looks good in the small print department. The £267 included £67 'broker's admin' fee, as they had some sort of direct arrangement with Aviva. I am natch well chuffed. Maybe not so good if I ever go modified, may then be a different story, but well, if it is not good, then I'll just keep the cover as is, and when I have the caravan on the back just stay in 5th & keep the revs up for the hills (I DO like making progress with the 'van in tow)
I will report when my renewal comes through, as I know ins costs have gone up.
Very SLIGHTLY O/T, as no mods on my car (yet...would love a power increase) When I bought the 9-3 Tid Sportwagon last April, I wnet the usual dealer 'free ins for 7 days' route, and they couldn't get down to what my current AA quoted (I had just traded the 45 TDi in for the Saab). AA wanted £513. Went to Saab ins - came out higher. Tried Co-op (was with them with the Rover before going to AA) no joy. Unfortunately, I had only renewed my insurance on the Rover a month or so before trading, but it only cost £25 admin to cancel. However, my lad, who has an Evo, suggested I try his broker, Noel & Richards. Surprisingly, they covered me even though the Saab was not what they normally handle (specialist brokers) I have fully comp for only £267!! (inc OH as named) Only downsides are: screen repairs £10 as opposed to normally free; screen excess £70 opposed to normal £50 & Excess £150. They have arranged cover with Aviva, and it all looks good in the small print department. The £267 included £67 'broker's admin' fee, as they had some sort of direct arrangement with Aviva. I am natch well chuffed. Maybe not so good if I ever go modified, may then be a different story, but well, if it is not good, then I'll just keep the cover as is, and when I have the caravan on the back just stay in 5th & keep the revs up for the hills (I DO like making progress with the 'van in tow)
I will report when my renewal comes through, as I know ins costs have gone up.
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