Insurance & Modifications.

[Martin.]

Probably a boring topic for most. But I've been playing around with quotes online and just thought I'd share some findings.

If anyone has declared modifications then you'll know there's all kinds of silly tick boxes. I wanted to find out how some common ones would affect a quote.

I chose my mates car as I was planning on buying this off him. Only 1500 quid. 2004 Seat Leon Cupra 1.8T 45k miles.

The quote for me (being 24) was £1175 for the year. Not too bad, £250 more than what I pay for my 182.

But anyway. I ticked the box saying SUSPENSION CHANGES. Increased the quote by £80.

I removed it and ticked the box: REPLACEMENT SEATS. No change in premium surprisingly.

ROLL BARS increased by £380.

CAGE increased by £300

LOCKING WHEEL NUTS (Yes I tried this). Believe it or not the locking wheel nut declaration increased my premium by £80.

SAT NAV. Increased by £80.

SUN ROOF. Increased by £80.

AIR CONDITIONING. Increased by £80 :S

BRAIDED HOSES. No increase

UPGRADED BRAKES. Increased by £80

Then I got bored and tried a few extremes.

BORED ENGINE, TURBO CHARGING, NITROS, REMOVAL OF SEATS. All returned no quote what so ever.

So it seems that for general mods, they just add an £80 charge for each. I know some are pointless ones but I was just trying to see how petty the companies were.

Some things seem silly to me. Locking wheel nuts, they assume your wheels are more desirable and more chances of getting stolen, even though you have the locking nuts.

Upgraded brakes. They almost assume that even though your brakes are better you will be driving faster I guess.

Has anyone else had issues with this before?

I know a lot of people have Turbo'd their cars or other things similar. So my question is, do you guys actually declare this stuff? Because you could technically be un-insured. Or how does it work?

I mean if you car has some mods, but they came with the car, you might not even know any different. But are you then expected to know what they are and declare. Or can you just say it came that way and seemed standard to you.

Removal of seats especially. What if you actually happen to be carrying a fridge in the back and you take the seats out. Are you technically not insured? Cannot understand this one.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

I was insured with Flux, every mod I did didn't cost a penny extra. But I didn't do any engine mods (as it's pointless on a Clio), but I was doing some pretty major stuff, like stripping it completely, bucket seats +harnesses etc, roll cage.....no change

Even my insurers on the Exige have said they when I add the exhaust, they'll just add it on....no cost

 

[Martin.]

That's interesting. Just checking a quote with them online now too. How much was your premium and how old are you mate?

 

[Martin.]

Got my quote back. Not that I need insurance, just because I'm interested. £2900. Absolutely hilarious. If someone said that to my face I think I would literally just start laughing.

I've never ever found that going to companies directly is better than using comparison sites. Don't think I'll ever be trying Flux again. Surprised you've got such a better price.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

I'm 25 with 7 years NCB

 

[Addicted]

If you are trying to insure a car with modifications, not doing it over the telephone OR with a specialist is kinda silly really.

 

[Martin.]

It must be your NCB. I've been a named driver for many years. I'm 24, driving since I was 17, no claims or anything. Only thing I dont have is no claims.

I'm not really trying. I don't need insurance. I was just looking at quotes for if I was to buy my mates car and listing all of his modifications etc

You really think calling up over the phone would make much difference?

 

[Gray]

With Adrian flux none of my mods added much to the premium on my 172 and they where all covered like for like.

In my experience mainstream insurance companies just don't like mods.

Admiral and a few other brokers won't insure my r26 this year due to the modifactions.

I've tried Adrian flux again, they will cover all my mods like for like and further mods can be added FOC, plus the price is £200 cheaper than what Admiral want for a standard car!

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

yes.

Also, I live in a very safe part of the country, where my car is kept in a locked garage. All helps

 

[Martin.]

That sounds great. You must have a lot of No Claims too then I assume mate?

My car is kept on a driveway day and night only do 3k miles per year maximum. Most of which will be actually driving to track days

 

[Gray]

Got my quote back. Not that I need insurance, just because I'm interested. £2900. Absolutely hilarious. If someone said that to my face I think I would literally just start laughing.

I've never ever found that going to companies directly is better than using comparison sites. Don't think I'll ever be trying Flux again. Surprised you've got such a better price.

I completely disagree, EVERY price I have got direct is better than comparison websites.

 

[PP200t]

I wish they all just added £80 to the premium for lowering springs, Directline want £259!! I'm 29 with 8 ncb!!!!:evil:

 

[Addicted]

I'm with Brentacre, unlimited cosmetic mods and unlimited mods up to 185 bhp (as they are always under) for free.

And LOL at never finding a price cheaper by ringing up, you have obviously never rang up "properly" then, I've never got a comparison quote cheaper than ringing up.

 

[DanFreemanPhoto]

Directline and all those other 'major' insurers will be s**t with mods (normally). Most of their operators won't know what half of the mods even are!

Go to a specialist, or mod friendly insurer like Flux etc....

 

[Gray]

I wish they all just added £80 to the premium for lowering springs, Directline want £259!! I'm 29 with 8 ncb!!!!:evil:

LOL, that pretty much sums it up!

 

[Silent_Scone]

Flux underwrite with redstar, I went through my mods until I got half way at which point the clerk just said "that's fine." Cost me an extra 120 quid to insure everything. You're only kidding yourself if you don't declare mods.


I did also say I was a monk from baker island in the pacific but I don't think they check that sort of stuff out?

 

[Martin.]

I went to flux. Ok I didn't ring them up. I might try that later. But I didn't want to waste someones time as I'm not even sure if I'll be getting the car at all yet.

Flux online price was £2900. Money supermarket comparison site price was £1250.

Direct Line wanted over double the best price I got last year on my Porsche when I went to them directly rather than a comparison site.

 

[PP200t]

I know now. I wish I'd changed from them instead of renewing in may. Although I can cancel at any time. Brentacre want £599 (roughly the same I'm paying now) but with no charge for mods as long as I don't go over 185/190 hp!! May well do some shuffling and switch to them!
On the operator front when I asked the girl at Directline what the charge to lower with springs would be, her first question was "does that make it faster?"

 

[Martin.]

On the operator front when I asked the girl at Directline what the charge to lower with springs would be, her first question was "does that make it faster?"

LMFAO

 

[jhot80]

For my xr2 which is
1700 turbo from a puma with 220ish
Buckets
Suspension
Uprated brakes
Exhaust
Only thing that is original is prob doors and wheels.
No ncb and 23. I got quoted 1100 by graham sykes they specialise in classic and modified car insurance the only thing they were interested in engine wise was power output.

Considering my friend pays 1050 for a 182 with exhaust and coilovers with 3 years ncb thats pretty good.

 

[Martin.]

Never even heard of 'graham sykes' how did you come across them?

I guess if you have stuff to declare, then typing modified car insurance into Google will give you a few specialists to try.

 

[Alex5]

please please just ring flux up.
Talking to insurers on the phone is so much better. If you tell them you have had a quote from somewhere else for like £600 they will try and get as close a possible.. Try it
direct is 100000 x better then comparison sites

Ps I'm with flux also and no charge for mods

 

[Martin.]

I think I'll have to take all your words for it and ring them up later on. Feel bad though as I'm not even sure if I'll be needing a policy at all yet.

Seems Flux are a common one people use when modifying cars

 

[Addicted]

Try Brentacre as well, I've moved from Flux and tbh wouldn't go back unless I had to!

 

[Cueball]

I'm 25 with 7 years NCB

And drive an Exige. You must have a good job.

 

[skyinsurance]

If you are trying to insure a car with modifications, not doing it over the telephone OR with a specialist is kinda silly really.

^ spot on. Price comparison sites are set up to deal with standard UK car insurance, whilst some may quote for modified cars, you're better off with specialist insurers, you'll usually find better prices, knowledge and level of cover.

Bit of a pointless thread really.

 

[Gray]

I'm 25 with 7 years NCB

And drive an Exige. You must have a good job.

Dan is an international drugs smuggler.

 

[182_Adam]

its all about brentacre, if it doesn't improve engine power/performance it doesn't increase premium

 

[skyinsurance]

its all about brentacre, if it doesn't improve engine power/performance it doesn't increase premium

To be fair, most specialists have the same or a similar policy.

 

[jhot80]

Never even heard of 'graham sykes' how did you come across them?

I guess if you have stuff to declare, then typing modified car insurance into Google will give you a few specialists to try.

From a post on another forum. They were really good. Only thing they questioned me abput was how i bought it for 650 and it worth 2500ish now. Due to restoration.

 

[st3ve]

I think I'll have to take all your words for it and ring them up later on. Feel bad though as I'm not even sure if I'll be needing a policy at all yet.

Seems Flux are a common one people use when modifying cars

There's nothing to feel bad about calling an insurer for a quote...:S

 

[aucky]

Adrian Flux ftw. Any mods I want up to 190bhp for free, covered like for like