Looking for advice from an Insurance specialist
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Looking for advice from an Insurance specialist
Hi there,
I noticed a thread on here that's talks about aftermarket parts not being regulated etc. My concern here is even if a said driver has a misfortunate mishap and even though had disclosed the fact he/she has fitted an after market part. Would the insurance company assume these parts fitted had recognised safety checks etc. I would assume anything I bought for any car would have to have certifications before being allow to be put on the road.
Basically even if declared on insurance, but a part failed or could of cause the accident was found to be not quite up to scratch would that void the insurance?
I noticed a thread on here that's talks about aftermarket parts not being regulated etc. My concern here is even if a said driver has a misfortunate mishap and even though had disclosed the fact he/she has fitted an after market part. Would the insurance company assume these parts fitted had recognised safety checks etc. I would assume anything I bought for any car would have to have certifications before being allow to be put on the road.
Basically even if declared on insurance, but a part failed or could of cause the accident was found to be not quite up to scratch would that void the insurance?
- warpc0il
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specalist
Insurance companies don't care about "like-for-like" replacements, so a cheap set of tyres or brake pads, or a suspension spring from your nearest motor factor are all perfectly legal and don't require notification to your insurer.
Are they "as safe" as the original equipment? That's a huge debate that's been going on in the motor industry for years.
The honest answer is that, for a high performance car such as the RX8, there are probably more "less safe" options than "more safe".
Are they "as safe" as the original equipment? That's a huge debate that's been going on in the motor industry for years.
The honest answer is that, for a high performance car such as the RX8, there are probably more "less safe" options than "more safe".
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specalist
To be honest I would of never of thought of it, but everyone these days are looking to make and save money! As you know small print let alone normal print isn't one of my strong points, so its a bit of an area that's a bit concerning!
- acegeezer
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specalist
My Insurance company accepted that my mods were upgrades and that was the end of it and policy duly endorsed accordingly.. in my case though they really were upgrades
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- RobinPZ72 (Fri Feb 01, 2019 6:38 pm) • GreySilver Beast (Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:01 pm)
- kopite72
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specalist
Never declared any mods to any insurance co ever.When ever they ask me if the car has been modified I just say no and its on to the next question.
Like John,i wouldn't really call them mods,upgrades is a better way of explaining it.A better braking system is a safety upgrade that just looks the mutts nuts
Like John,i wouldn't really call them mods,upgrades is a better way of explaining it.A better braking system is a safety upgrade that just looks the mutts nuts
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IL MOTORSPORTS STRUT BRACE AND ADJUSTABLE
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specalist
That's not something I'd admit too, but hey who's looking anyway!
Please forgive me if I'm totally wrong, but if you cause an accident or worse deaths surly your insurance would be void if checked!
Please forgive me if I'm totally wrong, but if you cause an accident or worse deaths surly your insurance would be void if checked!
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Looking for advice from an Insurance specalist
@Robin : Do bare in mind that Ian lives in a foreign country and comes under different rules when you insure cars
It's advisable to declare all modifications in the UK, otherwise your Car Insurance Company might use that missing item as a get out clause in the event of an accident and void your insurance
I got everything declared on a List with my Car Insurance Company including my Private Plate
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- RobinPZ72 (Fri Feb 01, 2019 8:58 pm) • acegeezer (Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:03 pm)
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- acegeezer
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specalist
As stated, if they are upgrades you have a valid argument as a challenge to any claim refusal.. if Insurance declared of course
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- GreySilver Beast (Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:00 pm)
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specalist
Yeah I never get away with anything, so I declare everything and my insurance is cheap about £20/month, so don't see the point in telling porkies!
- kopite72
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specalist
Even if I was unfortunate enough to be the cause of an accident I doubt very much my insurance company would be bothered about my Milltek cat back or my MZ Customs kit or my Japspeed dropliknks as a possible source for causing the accident in the first place.
The main cause of most accidents is the loose nut behind the wheel
R3 GONE, FUN WHILE I HAD HER BUT NOW LOVING MY 25TH ANNIVERSARY MX5
Mods so far..
BBR 200 PACKAGE
COBRA " RACE " BACK BOX
MEISTER COILOVERS
KONIG HYPERGRAMS ( POLISHED LIP)
RACING BEAT ARB's ( FRONT AND REAR )
IL MOTORSPORTS STRUT BRACE AND ADJUSTABLE
DROPLINKS
Mods planned..
BBR STAGE 2 SUPERCHARGED
WILWOOD 6 POT BBK
FULL UNDRBODY SEAL
ATOTO HEAD UNIT
Mods so far..
BBR 200 PACKAGE
COBRA " RACE " BACK BOX
MEISTER COILOVERS
KONIG HYPERGRAMS ( POLISHED LIP)
RACING BEAT ARB's ( FRONT AND REAR )
IL MOTORSPORTS STRUT BRACE AND ADJUSTABLE
DROPLINKS
Mods planned..
BBR STAGE 2 SUPERCHARGED
WILWOOD 6 POT BBK
FULL UNDRBODY SEAL
ATOTO HEAD UNIT
- Dazza44
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specalist
When i declared my mods my insurance went up 13pds a month which i didnt find to bad as id rather not give them the possibility of refusing to cover the car in case of accident.
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specalist
See, this is where the alternative angle comes in (assuming you're insured fully comprehensive of course).kopite72 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:43 pmEven if I was unfortunate enough to be the cause of an accident I doubt very much my insurance company would be bothered about my Milltek cat back or my MZ Customs kit or my Japspeed dropliknks as a possible source for causing the accident in the first place.
The main cause of most accidents is the loose nut behind the wheel
Say you have your car written off in a freak accident - say a tree falls on it in a storm for example. Nobody at fault, but you - rightly so - want to claim on your car insurance. That's why you have it, of course?
They would, in your scenario right now, give you market value for a boggo R3 at whatever mileage you're on.
In my scenario - mods declared - they would give me market value PLUS the associated values of the modifications to allow me to obtain a car that is in the same condition as the one written off.
I declare my mods for my benefit should I write it off, not the benefit of others
It's like insuring the contents of your house, but not telling them about a rolex watch above a certain value - you're only screwing yourself over in the event of a mishap IMO
EDIT: I don't mean things like upgraded brake pads or braided hoses, I mean more like a BBK
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- GreySilver Beast (Wed Feb 20, 2019 11:27 am)
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specialist
I have an agreed value policy with REIS for that exact reason. The market value of my car is £1500 if we're being generous, but should it be written off I will receive 5 grand less my excess, which helps ease the pain somewhat.
The other thing of course is that insurers are slippery b*****, and will find any excuse they possibly can to not pay out. Your car may be technically upgraded rather than modified, but if they didn't know about it they will use that technicality to not cover you. And assuming the incident was your fault, you are then personally liable for the cost of your own car and whatever you smacked. So let's say that Ferrari you hit was going faster than you thought it was, and you thought you could pull out in front of it safely because it flashed its headlights at you, but it hit you anyway, you've now got to pay for their repairs as well as your own.
Fortunately I've only had to deal with insurance claims once, for a not-fault collision that wrote off my Lexus. They know all the tricks, and will stall for as long as they can to try and force you to take a lower payout than is justified even if they are fully liable for it. It took me 6 months to get paid after I pranged that car, so it was fortunate I had a spare sat on the drive - they offer you less than it's worth, and then hope that you're in such a tight spot that you will accept the lower offer just so you can buy another car. Again, b*****. But b***** who you're legally obliged to work with.
The other thing of course is that insurers are slippery b*****, and will find any excuse they possibly can to not pay out. Your car may be technically upgraded rather than modified, but if they didn't know about it they will use that technicality to not cover you. And assuming the incident was your fault, you are then personally liable for the cost of your own car and whatever you smacked. So let's say that Ferrari you hit was going faster than you thought it was, and you thought you could pull out in front of it safely because it flashed its headlights at you, but it hit you anyway, you've now got to pay for their repairs as well as your own.
Fortunately I've only had to deal with insurance claims once, for a not-fault collision that wrote off my Lexus. They know all the tricks, and will stall for as long as they can to try and force you to take a lower payout than is justified even if they are fully liable for it. It took me 6 months to get paid after I pranged that car, so it was fortunate I had a spare sat on the drive - they offer you less than it's worth, and then hope that you're in such a tight spot that you will accept the lower offer just so you can buy another car. Again, b*****. But b***** who you're legally obliged to work with.
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- GreySilver Beast (Wed Feb 20, 2019 11:29 am)
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- warpc0il
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specialist
On the subject of delaying tactics and trying to get you to accept a lower payout, I found that the best way to get the insurance company's attention was to hire a replacement car and send them the bill every week.
Within 2 weeks it was "your case has been given priority" and we got the full payout within 3 weeks, this being after over 2 months of stalling.
Within 2 weeks it was "your case has been given priority" and we got the full payout within 3 weeks, this being after over 2 months of stalling.
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specialist
The couple of times I've had issues with my insurers they do tend to be swayed by what is going to cost them
- When My VW Scirocco was written off they offered me something paltry even though I had evidence of loads of work having been done to the car (not by me), dragged on for months then eventually I sent them a letter giving evidence of what was available to buy and threatened to start charging storage on the car til they sorted it.
Got a response increasing the offer considerably. (this is 15 odd years ago)
- More recently Insurer got my car repaired no problem (couldn't fault that) but kept messing up on the liability side - In the end wrote a complaint letter detailing their shortcomings and got goodwill gesture and them to deal with the liability claim properly which ended in no fault claim.
(they originally just couldn't be bothered and wanted to go knock for knock)
- When My VW Scirocco was written off they offered me something paltry even though I had evidence of loads of work having been done to the car (not by me), dragged on for months then eventually I sent them a letter giving evidence of what was available to buy and threatened to start charging storage on the car til they sorted it.
Got a response increasing the offer considerably. (this is 15 odd years ago)
- More recently Insurer got my car repaired no problem (couldn't fault that) but kept messing up on the liability side - In the end wrote a complaint letter detailing their shortcomings and got goodwill gesture and them to deal with the liability claim properly which ended in no fault claim.
(they originally just couldn't be bothered and wanted to go knock for knock)
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viewtopic.php?p=1105043#p1105043
Pete/Peter him/he/hrh couldn't really care as have 3 siblings and was lucky not to get called by the dogs name.
Living with a rotary - 7 Years in
viewtopic.php?p=1105043#p1105043
- Eddie_r32
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specialist
Germany have TUV and all parts have to go through TUV testing, we are lucky that we don't need that and can basically put whatever we want on our cars as long as the insurance company will cover it.
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Other: Greddy sump, Autoexe exhaust, autoexe brake brace, ingalls engine brace, ultra racing f+r strut brace, hsd coilovers, whiteline Arbs, 4 pot brakes, r3 Diff, r3 interior and lots more
RRP Parts: Full bridge, long tube header, cofs + tanks, pulleys, engine mounts, oil injectors, remap, race cat.
Other: Greddy sump, Autoexe exhaust, autoexe brake brace, ingalls engine brace, ultra racing f+r strut brace, hsd coilovers, whiteline Arbs, 4 pot brakes, r3 Diff, r3 interior and lots more
- warpc0il
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Re: Looking for advice from an Insurance specialist
I used to have lots of dealings with the TÜV, with their HQ in Köln, just around the corner from the Ford plant.
https://www.tuv.com/world/en/customizat ... ation.html
https://www.tuv.com/world/en/customizat ... ation.html