Insurance issues with fitting a Yozza stealth (or any other aftermarket exhaust)

[piggoy]

I will hopefully be getting a Yozza stealth (road replacement system) very soon. I was just on the phone to my insurance company (Direct Line) and I thought I would mention the fact I would be fitting an aftermarket exhaust system. I clearly stated the exhaust would give no bhp gains and the only reason I'm fitting it is because it is cheaper and better quality than the OE system. On hearing this the insurance company didn't want to know. They say they don't deal with modifications despite asking their customers to declare all mods!!?? They said my insurance would be invalidated if I was to fit the Yozza. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[jablitt]

i think ill be re insuring when this policy runs out with adrian flux because of other companies hatred towards modifications. give them another ring but if your meeting a brick wall maybe leave the exhaust till you can insure with a more mod welcome company.

 

[piggoy]

i think ill be re insuring when this policy runs out with adrian flux because of other companies hatred towards modifications. give them another ring but if your meeting a brick wall maybe leave the exhaust till you can insure with a more mod welcome company.

The problem is you are fighting a battle with bureaucracy. The person you're talking to on the other end may fully appreciate your concern but it's just another classic case of "computer says no" .

 

[TIG ACM]

Direct line dont insure drivers under the age of 25 with modifications. The best company I have found for young drivers is Admiral, as long as its only minor mods they dont mind too much. For my two cars, VXR and 172 cup its only 1600, which is cheaper than I could get insured with any other company just on the VXR.

 

[Harpham]

Admiral were quite good with mods on my old 1.2 Clio
It had:
- Coilovers >50mm
- Tinted windows
- Exhaust System

I paid about the same as im paying now to be insured on a 172.

 

[calum001]

tbh if you were fitting any other type of exhaust other than a Yozza or K-Tec stealth i would say 100% declare it, as it's a like for like for the standard exhaust i wouldn't bother tbh, whether thats right or wrong who is going to tell the difference ? The tailpipe (which is hidden) looks the same as standard anyway

it's either that or just switch companies as there are plenty that will insure you for mods no matter what age you are

 

[_WILL_]

Is it really a modification? Obviously to you it is, but it is an oe replacement so in an insurance companies eyes it is the same (going by what you said about no performance increase and looking the same). Its no different to going to quick-fit and saying you need a new exhaust and them fitting one that isn't from Renault. If that happened you wouldn't call the insurance company and tell them.

But if you have a crash tho they will replace it with an oe system tho not a yozza!

Problem is for you now tho is cos you have mentioned it, there maybe a note on your account or something! As said i would wait if you can until you re-insure, try going with flux or brentacre, both seem pretty good.

 

[piggoy]

tbh if you were fitting any other type of exhaust other than a Yozza or K-Tec stealth i would say 100% declare it, as it's a like for like for the standard exhaust i wouldn't bother tbh, whether thats right or wrong who is going to tell the difference ? The tailpipe (which is hidden) looks the same as standard anyway

it's either that or just switch companies as there are plenty that will insure you for mods no matter what age you are

I fully agree. My main worry Calum is now that i've phoned them about they have recorded it on my record - So if I was to make a claim in the future the claims investigator would pay very close attention to the exhaust system despite it looking exactly like the OEM.

 

[Jamie]

Have to be >25 for DL to insure modifications on a car.

 

[piggoy]

Have to be >25 for DL to insure modifications on a car.

I am over 25. They still don't want to know.

 

[Jamie]

Ohh right. I'm very suprised then. I just assumed you were under that age limit.

This is one the reasons I have never been insured with DL, well, for some time anyway.

 

[Goodj]

Admiral were quite good with mods on my old 1.2 Clio
It had:
- Coilovers >50mm
- Tinted windows
- Exhaust System

I paid about the same as im paying now to be insured on a 172.

:lolup:

 

[piggoy]

I'm gonna just play stupid and not tell them me thinks. My insurance isn't due for renewal for 10 months so I'll just ride it out until then. Bloody ridiculous though, the Yozza doesn't look like a modified exhaust, and doesn't act like a modified exhaust - being a stealth you can't even see the sodding thing unless you look under the car.

 

[mrt4x4]

DL are now not insuring any engine mods watsoever, tbh tho if u have insurance with them they shud cover it until renewal very strange

 

[skyinsurance]

classic case of "computer says no" .

^ In a nutshell. You are insured on a scheme/with a company which is only really used to stardard UK cars with no modifications.

You need to speak a modified car insurance specialist. I know you guys are surprised each time this happens but I see it day in day out. have a modified car? Planning on modifying your car? Then you need to go with a modification friendly insurer.

 

[skyinsurance]

I'm gonna just play stupid and not tell them me thinks.

Tread carefully with that. Possibly have a look at cancellations terms and conditions if you can get competitive prices elsewhere including the exhaust change.

 

[piggoy]

Tread carefully with that. Possibly have a look at cancellations terms and conditions if you can get competitive prices elsewhere including the exhaust change.

I phoned up DL again and gave them a hypothetical scenario to think about -

If the exhaust on your car starts blowing and you take it to Kwik fit for repair would you consider the car modified if they fitted a non-Renault exhaust? Kwik fit may offer the option of a non-Renault exhaust for the possibility of it being cheaper and better quality.

If the answer is no to the above scenario then why would fitting a yozza be considdered a modification? DL didn't have an answer for me :lolup: Yoz himself if he was so inclined could start selling his exhausts to kwik fit as an OE pattern part. Just because I mentioned the yozza is stainless DL weren't interested.

I've now terminated by policy with them free of charge - that was the deal I struck with them for not coming up with a decent comment to my hypothetical scenario. I've just taken out a policy with RAC. They offer me all the benefits of DL at a cheaper price and they permit the use of the yozza free of charge.

 

[Day]

LOL good work!