Interesting car insurance spot check!
Discussion
Wasn't really sure how to title the thread, however I found this post on face ache rather interesting. This is on a limited edition model specific closed FB group. With 296 members that are required to own one, (were bunch of sad buggers I know! 
) So have no reason to believe it's a tall tail.
Now never heard of an insurance spot check before? That seems odd and the OP goes on to say that he's had the policy for 4 years in a later comment this was totally out of the blue.
I'm also inclined to agree that an OEM fitment air filter isn't a modification. Where do you draw the line? Is linglong ditch finder a mod ? These cars came from factory with Michelin pilot super sports.
Is a aftermarket control arm from euros a mod ? If it was a cold air feed or a modified induction kit then yes I would agree it's a modification.
I've posted this purely out of interest, I dont have any link to the op apart from sharing the same taste in cars. And it's definitely not me mine is well into the threshold of a modified policy.
Edit: I've just thought that it's utterly pointless too as if he made a claim they would inspect the car anyway. Very odd
Edit 2: as it was asked. Op is from Scotland I believe, if that makes any odds
Update from the op,
) So have no reason to believe it's a tall tail. Now never heard of an insurance spot check before? That seems odd and the OP goes on to say that he's had the policy for 4 years in a later comment this was totally out of the blue.
I'm also inclined to agree that an OEM fitment air filter isn't a modification. Where do you draw the line? Is linglong ditch finder a mod ? These cars came from factory with Michelin pilot super sports.
Is a aftermarket control arm from euros a mod ? If it was a cold air feed or a modified induction kit then yes I would agree it's a modification.
I've posted this purely out of interest, I dont have any link to the op apart from sharing the same taste in cars. And it's definitely not me mine is well into the threshold of a modified policy.
Edit: I've just thought that it's utterly pointless too as if he made a claim they would inspect the car anyway. Very odd
Edited by Zephyr Speedshop on Tuesday 24th September 22:14
Edit 2: as it was asked. Op is from Scotland I believe, if that makes any odds
Edited by Zephyr Speedshop on Tuesday 24th September 22:28
Update from the op,
Edited by Zephyr Speedshop on Wednesday 25th September 19:03
Does the photo show the actual filter, or just the sticker. An old sticker doesn't prove existance of a currently fitted mod, it could easily have been replaced again with oem.
Going by the word tires are they in the us? Maybe standard practice over there. But then the currency is £s.
My used bike came with a sticker on the swingarm that says scottoiler, and marks on the frame where the scottoiler was at some point in the past.
I wont be telling my insurance company until i get my finger out and fit the new scottoiler sitting in its box in the garage looking at me all disappointed about my procrastination.
Going by the word tires are they in the us? Maybe standard practice over there. But then the currency is £s.
My used bike came with a sticker on the swingarm that says scottoiler, and marks on the frame where the scottoiler was at some point in the past.
I wont be telling my insurance company until i get my finger out and fit the new scottoiler sitting in its box in the garage looking at me all disappointed about my procrastination.
Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Tuesday 24th September 22:18
OldGermanHeaps said:
Does the photo show the actual filter, or just the sticker. An old sticker doesn't prove existance of a currently fitted mod, it could easily have been replaced again with oem.
Going by the word tires are they in the us? Maybe standard practice over there. But then the currency is £s.
My used bike came with a sticker on the swingarm that says scottoiler, and marks on the frame where the scottoiler was at some point in the past.
I wont be telling my insurance company until i get my finger out and fit the new scottoiler sitting in its box in the garage looking at me all disappointed about my procrastination.
Not seen the photo in question, but he's says that's the case. And if it's in the standard airbox it's impossible to tell what in it. You can't even really see the airbox it's under the windscreen scuttle panel. Going by the word tires are they in the us? Maybe standard practice over there. But then the currency is £s.
My used bike came with a sticker on the swingarm that says scottoiler, and marks on the frame where the scottoiler was at some point in the past.
I wont be telling my insurance company until i get my finger out and fit the new scottoiler sitting in its box in the garage looking at me all disappointed about my procrastination.
Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Tuesday 24th September 22:18
And yes that what I said swap a bogo one in and say it's an old sticker.
Edit 100% UK post think it's just a typo or auto correct.
Edited by Zephyr Speedshop on Tuesday 24th September 22:26
QuickQuack said:
Requires custard test with insurance letter and the said filter. Otherwise, it gets filed under "things that didn't happen" along with a bunch of other crap people post online just to get some attention.
Fair enough, could be. But it's term time so we should be safe right ? I have a Pipercross panel filter on my ZR for the same ease of clean / refit reasons - it's made zero difference to the insurance price, etc, since it's been on the car (declared). I've had 2 instances in the past where the broker i've used has asked me to submit photos to prove the current look of a car (although that's for a heavily modded MK1 FRS and was probably making sure i hadn't skimped on listing the mods). That involved a couple of exterior, interior & engine pics so pretty easy for anyone clued up to know things matched the declaration.
Also, based on the pic in the OP, and some future replies regarding replacing the filter in the standard airbox with an OEM filter, Pipercross isn't the OEM air filter for the car listed, it's a well known aftermarket / modification brand (despite the fact it will make no power difference) so if the car was declared totally standard by the owner when they knew the new filter was aftermarket / modified (confirmed by the OP screen grab) then technically in the eyes of their insurer it's now a mod. Ironically one that most specialists / brokers wouldn't even care about or charge more for if you honestly declare it.
I'm sure loads of people fit aftermarket PiperX, K&N, Green, etc, panel filters and never declare them as with some mods it won't ever get checked on, but person in the screengrab should really have removed the sticker if they didn't want to advertise the fact when being asked to take pics where an insurer / broker is likely to know it's a well known aftermarket / modified brand name.
Also, based on the pic in the OP, and some future replies regarding replacing the filter in the standard airbox with an OEM filter, Pipercross isn't the OEM air filter for the car listed, it's a well known aftermarket / modification brand (despite the fact it will make no power difference) so if the car was declared totally standard by the owner when they knew the new filter was aftermarket / modified (confirmed by the OP screen grab) then technically in the eyes of their insurer it's now a mod. Ironically one that most specialists / brokers wouldn't even care about or charge more for if you honestly declare it.
I'm sure loads of people fit aftermarket PiperX, K&N, Green, etc, panel filters and never declare them as with some mods it won't ever get checked on, but person in the screengrab should really have removed the sticker if they didn't want to advertise the fact when being asked to take pics where an insurer / broker is likely to know it's a well known aftermarket / modified brand name.
Edited by AlexRS2782 on Wednesday 25th September 01:20
Sebring440 said:
Zephyr Speedshop said:
I found this post on face ache rather interesting.
What's "face ache"...?Going back to the OPs question, air filters are often a performance modification, so that’ll be the insurers get out clause. If it could be proved that it makes no difference other than reduced maintenance then the policyholder should fight it.
Never heard of a spot check from Insurers and certainly not for a car like this which from the original fb post with no sticker they wouldn’t have been able to tell anything was different anyway.
As already suggested much more to the story including no doubt plenty of other mods or a claim was submitted and Insurers became suspicious.
As already suggested much more to the story including no doubt plenty of other mods or a claim was submitted and Insurers became suspicious.
Alex Z said:
Sebring440 said:
Zephyr Speedshop said:
I found this post on face ache rather interesting.
What's "face ache"...?Going back to the OPs question, air filters are often a performance modification, so that’ll be the insurers get out clause. If it could be proved that it makes no difference other than reduced maintenance then the policyholder should fight it.
I'm surprised by this, is it usually listed specifically in the terms? because for me where do they draw the line and what if an aftermarket replacement air filter happens to flow slightly more ? it seems like abit of minefield.
the tyres is a good example , pilot super sports are no longer available, I have ps5 road tyres on mine, would that be classed as a mod? i also have a another set of wheels with MRF ZTRs on these and e marked road legal track tyre?
my cars not the best example as its modified and all mods are declared. my policy terms don't really discuss mods in detail, I guess as its a modified policy!
I'm interested as like the OP i wouldn't have though twice about putting a 'performance' panel filter in.
also my colleagues new Abarth, came from the dealer with an CDA 'performance' filter fitted and the oem one in the boot? where would the insurer sit with this?
AlexRS2782 said:
I have a Pipercross panel filter on my ZR for the same ease of clean / refit reasons - it's made zero difference to the insurance price, etc, since it's been on the car (declared). I've had 2 instances in the past where the broker i've used has asked me to submit photos to prove the current look of a car (although that's for a heavily modded MK1 FRS and was probably making sure i hadn't skimped on listing the mods). That involved a couple of exterior, interior & engine pics so pretty easy for anyone clued up to know things matched the declaration.
Also, based on the pic in the OP, and some future replies regarding replacing the filter in the standard airbox with an OEM filter, Pipercross isn't the OEM air filter for the car listed, it's a well known aftermarket / modification brand (despite the fact it will make no power difference) so if the car was declared totally standard by the owner when they knew the new filter was aftermarket / modified (confirmed by the OP screen grab) then technically in the eyes of their insurer it's now a mod. Ironically one that most specialists / brokers wouldn't even care about or charge more for if you honestly declare it.
I'm sure loads of people fit aftermarket PiperX, K&N, Green, etc, panel filters and never declare them as with some mods it won't ever get checked on, but person in the screengrab should really have removed the sticker if they didn't want to advertise the fact when being asked to take pics where an insurer / broker is likely to know it's a well known aftermarket / modified brand name.
i wouldn't have thought twice about it either to be honest. i wouldn't have classed it as a mod. Also, based on the pic in the OP, and some future replies regarding replacing the filter in the standard airbox with an OEM filter, Pipercross isn't the OEM air filter for the car listed, it's a well known aftermarket / modification brand (despite the fact it will make no power difference) so if the car was declared totally standard by the owner when they knew the new filter was aftermarket / modified (confirmed by the OP screen grab) then technically in the eyes of their insurer it's now a mod. Ironically one that most specialists / brokers wouldn't even care about or charge more for if you honestly declare it.
I'm sure loads of people fit aftermarket PiperX, K&N, Green, etc, panel filters and never declare them as with some mods it won't ever get checked on, but person in the screengrab should really have removed the sticker if they didn't want to advertise the fact when being asked to take pics where an insurer / broker is likely to know it's a well known aftermarket / modified brand name.
Edited by AlexRS2782 on Wednesday 25th September 01:20
Ive been running modified cars for the last 10plus years and never had a spot check from my insurer (usually with a broker). always on a policy declaring the mods but maybe because they have quite a few mods they don't bother checking up on me? although my 208 is fairly tame by my standards . I mean ive left the stock engine in it for a start
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff