Cosmetic mods and insurance
Discussion
What will happen is that in the event of a claim, they will see that the colour is wrong and say that because of that, the policy is void and you're not covered at all. I *think* they have a duty to cover the 3rd party if you crashed into someone but you can consider your car scrap. Additionally, because of this, you may find that since you're driving without insurance, the police might be interested to speak to you.
As an example, one of my cars has a "modified exhaust" (not an exhaust system). They have expressly state that this is not covered so in the event of an accident which results in a damaged exhaust, I will get an OEM exhaust (which is fine by me!).
As an example, one of my cars has a "modified exhaust" (not an exhaust system). They have expressly state that this is not covered so in the event of an accident which results in a damaged exhaust, I will get an OEM exhaust (which is fine by me!).
Well I’m sure someone better versed in these matters will be along shortly, but overall, your car sounds to be modded quite a lot, regardless of paint colour.
If you haven’t declared them then you are running quite a big risk of not getting paid out/repaired in the event of a large incident.
If you haven’t declared them then you are running quite a big risk of not getting paid out/repaired in the event of a large incident.
Whatever your mods do, they make your car more nickable or probe to damage from people nicking parts so if you don't declare them, expect a void policy to come your way.
It's one thing to blithely continue with a "theoretical policy" but it's no good when they refuse your claim (and from the sound of it, I think they would).
It's one thing to blithely continue with a "theoretical policy" but it's no good when they refuse your claim (and from the sound of it, I think they would).
MarcelinoZzZ said:
Hi all, so I'm in a bit of a pickle here. I recently bought a car that not many people mod, but the guy I got it from, did. Now, I managed to find cheap insurance with Aviva Zero which is an all online insurance with no call centre, they didn't even send me insurance papers in the post.
So, we all know and love car insurers but with this car I'm thinking more about them. So the car has minor mods, like headlights, taillights (they're aftermarket but really high quality with lots more adjustment and visibility than the original, they cost like £1000 for each set, no Amazon special LED 50000 lumens lights), spoiler, bumper diffuser, BC racing coilovers and a back box delete (already ordered a pair of valved back boxes, the constant exhaust sound is becoming irritating). Now, the car is also fully painted midnight purple with a bit more black in it, so it's a darker shade of purple, the problem is, the previous owner didn't change the V5C and I'm thinking of doing it.
Now, I've had a few people tell me that I shouldn't because it's dark purple and can be seen as black in low light but for peace of mind I'd like to change it to purple. Will the insurer get notified of the colour change, or do they often check? I know you can easily check the colour of a car on the gov website by just using the reg. I don't feel as bad for not declaring the mods, which I can easily rip off at any point, nor do I expect the insurer to pay me for them in case of an accident, even the paint, if, god forbid, I get into an accident, they can paint the parts they change, black, I don't mind, even though I'd never claim, especially if it was my fault. I'd much rather pay out of pocket than have my premium sky rocket and pay more for insurance than damages.
And before anyone says "but just declare the paint, it's not a big deal", yeah well... the cheapest insurance that accepts custom paint (which my insurer doesn't at all) is £4500 a year... and that's with 7 years NCD... At that point I might as well paint the car every year
So, should I just change the colour without having to worry about the insurance finding out? Should I ever bother declaring £20 Chine-plastics mods for a £££ increase?
DP14 said:
Hoofy said:
...the policy is void and you're not covered at all. I *think* they have a duty to cover the 3rd party if you crashed into someone but you can consider your car scrap.
Yes, they have a duty to cover the 3rd party, but then they can come after you for that outlay.Hoofy said:
DP14 said:
Hoofy said:
...the policy is void and you're not covered at all. I *think* they have a duty to cover the 3rd party if you crashed into someone but you can consider your car scrap.
Yes, they have a duty to cover the 3rd party, but then they can come after you for that outlay.Didn't take long for OP to delete their post - at least DP14 quoted it so those of us late to thread can have a 
at OP buying a clearly modified car and thinking he'll be able to get away with declaring it as standard because it's an online only policy. I guess the next thing they'll try is claiming ignorance that they didn't know it was modified
at OP buying a clearly modified car and thinking he'll be able to get away with declaring it as standard because it's an online only policy. I guess the next thing they'll try is claiming ignorance that they didn't know it was modified DaveyBoyWonder said:
Some insurers don't charge extra for cosmetic mods - Brentacre and I think A-Plan/Howdens being two so maybe try them.
Or maybe try and figure your insurance situation out before you get all giddy and buy a car you can't afford to legitimately insure.
My Riley is insured with Howdens who asked for a handful of photos to verify the modifications I'd declared, cosmetic and performance enhancing. All very easily done and not expensive at all.Or maybe try and figure your insurance situation out before you get all giddy and buy a car you can't afford to legitimately insure.
Mr Tidy said:
Hoofy said:
DP14 said:
Hoofy said:
...the policy is void and you're not covered at all. I *think* they have a duty to cover the 3rd party if you crashed into someone but you can consider your car scrap.
Yes, they have a duty to cover the 3rd party, but then they can come after you for that outlay.My nephew works as a loss assessor for a large car insurance company (he is also a fully trained vehicle technician). If the OP's vehicle ends up in a serious accident then the loss adjusters will examine it (or get an independent company to - see link below). Undeclared mods like different lights, coilovers and any aftermarket exhaust will soon be uncovered jeopardising the claim. The purple paint job would immediately set off any loss adjusters spidey senses
https://www.hoopers.org.uk/
https://www.hoopers.org.uk/
OP does not seem to consider that the colour change has not been advised to the DVLA, potential penalty fine there.
As for the insurance, these are not minor mods. Any insurance would expect to know that.
Finally, there is the risk of having your insurance cancelled, and having to declare that on future insurance applications.
Summary: a rolling time bomb.
As for the insurance, these are not minor mods. Any insurance would expect to know that.
Finally, there is the risk of having your insurance cancelled, and having to declare that on future insurance applications.
Summary: a rolling time bomb.
N.A.R.T Spyder said:
My nephew works as a loss assessor for a large car insurance company (he is also a fully trained vehicle technician). If the OP's vehicle ends up in a serious accident then the loss adjusters will examine it (or get an independent company to - see link below). Undeclared mods like different lights, coilovers and any aftermarket exhaust will soon be uncovered jeopardising the claim. The purple paint job would immediately set off any loss adjusters spidey senses
https://www.hoopers.org.uk/
On the other hand if you have an old shed the insurer won't even bother sending someone to look at the car! https://www.hoopers.org.uk/
Admiral declared my nephews 2004 E46 325i Sport Touring was a Cat S based on photos from his phone in 2018, when it was really only a Cat N.
Hastings decided my 2005 E90 330i was a Cat N based on an inflated estimate from their recommended repairer in 2023.
When I worked in the motor claims industry in the 80s/90s every potential total loss got inspected by an in-house or independent engineer.
These days they don't seem interested and just write-off everything for an easy life.
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