Not declaring modifications to insurance companies

[Diablos-666]

This has probably been discussed many times but...

what happens if you fail to declare to the insurance companies modifications?

If i had a crash would they cover the damage to the other vehical and not mine or will the whole insurance be void and im liable?

Iv seen a car i like which has a few mods...

Sports exhaust
Re-mapped ECU
Air Filter
Original Alloys but have been powder coated black -Is this a modification you should declare?
Front splitter added to the bumper
Head lights have been tinted slightly

The difference between the insured cost of the standard and the above modified car is over £500.

So im just asking what would happen if i failed to declare some or all of the mods?

Thanks

Diablos

[Daston]

you would not be insured and if the fuzz found out you will have some points and a nice fat fine.

[kambites]

If you had a crash, they would pay out third party but not fully comp. They would then sue you for the cost of the third party payout.

You would also be guilty of driving without insurance.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 14th January 13:08

[theaxe]

Not sure what would happen to the third party but your insurance would be void. It's just not worth paying money for invalid insurance, be honest.

[Chapppers]

I Predict: Don't do it, be gone with you satan! You're the reason ALL BAD THINGS HAPPEN

However, i'd like to know what really happens from someone who's actually experienced it.

Have you tried Greenlight though? They're usually quite good on modifications.

[Chapppers]

On that list of mods, unless it's a cone filter I'm not sure they'd be able to get you on much to be honest. Remap... maybe if they scan the ECU.

Problem is... the worse the crash, the more likely they are to investigate and the more it'll cost you. It's a strange exponential risk.

[jbi]

out of curiosity what cosmetic changes need to be declared to insurance?

I'm talking things like... seat covers, steering wheel covers, cd player, painting the interior etc etc etc

[PHmember]

Think of it this way, by not declaring mods (or an uprated engine like the mongs you seen in the classifieds ie: has a 1.6, but still on the log book as a 1.2 so cheap to insure), you don't have 'cheap insurance', what you actually have is very expensive 'no insurance'.

[130R]

kambites said:

If you had a crash, they would pay out third party but not fully comp. They would then sue you for the cost of the third party payout.

You would also be guilty of driving without insurance.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 14th January 13:08

This, and you will struggle to ever get insured on a car again.

[Diablos-666]

But how far do you have to declare?

I mean if its performance enhancing mods then i can understand that you should declare but if i didnt declare the powder coated alloys then surely they couldnt void the policy over that?

[Herman Toothrot]

Chapppers said:

I Predict: Don't do it, be gone with you satan! You're the reason ALL BAD THINGS HAPPEN

However, i'd like to know what really happens from someone who's actually experienced it.

Have you tried Greenlight though? They're usually quite good on modifications.

I read a thread once by a person with a modifed but un-declared car who wrote it off. Story basically went along the lines of "the car had un-declared modifications, they would have made £XXX difference to your premium with this in mind we will pay out £XXXX for the car minus £XXX that you should have paid us in the first place". That was that. There wasn't a 3rd party involved though.

[Chapppers]

Herman Toothrot said:

Chapppers said:

I Predict: Don't do it, be gone with you satan! You're the reason ALL BAD THINGS HAPPEN

However, i'd like to know what really happens from someone who's actually experienced it.

Have you tried Greenlight though? They're usually quite good on modifications.

I read a thread once by a person with a modifed but un-declared car who wrote it off. Story basically went along the lines of "the car had un-declared modifications, they would have made £XXX difference to your premium with this in mind we will pay out £XXXX for the car minus £XXX that you should have paid us in the first place". That was that. There wasn't a 3rd party involved though.

That would probably only work for a company that insure modifications. I know a few don't (Direct Line)

[EK993]

You have to declare any modifications to the vehicle that have taken place after it leaves the factory.

Any modification, cosmetic or otherwise will invalidate your insurance unless declared and accepted by the Underwriters.

[BoRED S2upid]

jbi said:

out of curiosity what cosmetic changes need to be declared to insurance?

I'm talking things like... seat covers, steering wheel covers, cd player, painting the interior etc etc etc

Most are only bothered about performance enhancing mods IMO.

[jbi]

BoRED S2upid said:

jbi said:

out of curiosity what cosmetic changes need to be declared to insurance?

I'm talking things like... seat covers, steering wheel covers, cd player, painting the interior etc etc etc

Most are only bothered about performance enhancing mods IMO.

That was my understanding but I know a mate who's insurance company gave him a hard time about a couple of things that would have had no effect on that cars performance... i.e painting the interior

[EK993]

BoRED S2upid said:

jbi said:

out of curiosity what cosmetic changes need to be declared to insurance?

I'm talking things like... seat covers, steering wheel covers, cd player, painting the interior etc etc etc

Most are only bothered about performance enhancing mods IMO.

Yes, but you need to declare them all. Some insurers have a "no mods" policy.

[SGirl]

Diablos-666 said:

But how far do you have to declare?

I mean if its performance enhancing mods then i can understand that you should declare but if i didnt declare the powder coated alloys then surely they couldnt void the policy over that?

Equally, it's unlikely powder-coating the alloys will affect your premium. Declare it to be on the safe side. Don't give the insurance company any excuse not to pay out in the event of an accident.

[Defcon5]

EK993 said:

You have to declare any modifications to the vehicle that have taken place after it leaves the factory.

Tyres?

[Chapppers]

The problem is... the answer isn't clear cut as anyone would like it to be. Every insurer is different and hence, every outcome will be different.

[jbi]

Defcon5 said:

EK993 said:

You have to declare any modifications to the vehicle that have taken place after it leaves the factory.

Tyres?

Thats a good point... tyres are one of the biggest performance effecting changes you can make to your vehicle

Can't remember ever telling and insurer about a change in tyres though unless it was completely different size