[SF2001]

I was planning to have the JC Works Sound Kit fitted on Friday this week, but my insurer wants to hike my excess by £100 and add a further £60 to my annual premium. That's an increase of 20% (Direct Line).

Even Mini Insurance online won't recognise the Sound Kit as a standard item, they need you to phone and advise them. Then you lose the 10% online discount, and they add another whack on top for a "performance enhancement". I explained that it only adds 5 bhp but that still counts apparently. Online sites such as Confused.com just don't want to know me! 49 out of 50 quotes were declined due to "modified vehicle".

Why is an official Mini product such a problem for insurers? A badge on the back and +5 bhp shouldn't constitute any greater risk! Would anyone even want to buy the car off me in a few years? I need to reasess whether this is worth it. I could run an MCS for that price, or insure a BMW 120d for only another £50 / year. Surely that doesn't make sense?? Any suggestions welcome!

[dietcokeplease]

Quote: Originally Posted by SF2001

I was planning to have the JC Works Sound Kit fitted on Friday this week, but my insurer wants to hike my excess by £100 and add a further £60 to my annual premium. That's an increase of 20% (Direct Line).

DL don't like mods. They prefer cars to be standard as this makes it cheaper for them to deal with claims. By adding a mod you are falling outside their desired market.

Quote:

Even Mini Insurance online won't recognise the Sound Kit as a standard item,

The Sound Kit isn't a standard item. It's a modification. Insurers normally ask you:

"Has the vehicle been modified or altered from the manufacturers standard specification?"

Therefore technically any accessories that you add to an absolutely bog standard Cooper will need to be declared. That means telling them about Chili packs, air con, CD changers etc etc.

I suspect that you are youngish and that may be the reason for the additional premium.

[Black Works]

Ive insured a Works cooper with HIC insurance for less than a One with Direct Line. You will need to look in the miniworld mag on on their website for the number but they really do offer some good rates!

Look here, http://www.newmini.org/# and the number incase that gets deleted is 08451 258 258

[SF2001]

Thanks, I had the Sound Kit fitted today, collect the car tomorrow morning. I added the JCW kit to my current policy as it was easiest, but I will be moving home in the next few weeks so will shop around for a new policy for that. I will also gain a garage to keep my Mini looking smart!

Will definitely contact HIC on your recommendation. Wish I was still in the first flush of youth, dietcoke, but fortunately I'm not 40 yet! Might graduate to the new 3-series by then... Anyone could enjoy driving a Mini though.

[envy]

Well the JCW Sound Kit really ****ed me off.
I go through churchill (and im 20).
Basically they told me that the JCW Sound kit is a no due to BHP increase. I MUST be over 25.
If i wanted to add it, they would cancel my policy.

Unfortunatley i looked around but found none cheaper, therefore i had to bow to churchills command and cancel the addition of the exhaust.

Though i will be moving soon - i still want that exhaust, and i want the aero kit (another thing that they wont touch!)

So dont feel so bad about it! At least they insured you!!

[Jon Chalk]

SF2001 - I don't understand DL (or any insurance co.) - I must have been very lucky.
I've got JCW soundkit going on my car next weekend & I've just rung them to get a price for it to be added to my policy (figuring I've got 7 days to cancel & go elsewhere, if I don't like it). They quoted an increase that's less than the cancellation fee!!
The guy on the end of the phone just wanted to know %age power increase (I said 5% ' cos I couldn't do 5/115 in my head) - gave me a figure straight back. Made sure he understood that it was the JCW soundkit being fitted.

It's a real problem if it's down to the muppet on the end of the phone - I'm now worried that they haven't understood or adjusted properly & that if my policy isn't right then I'll suffer if I have to make a claim.

[SF2001]

The sceptical sounding guy who answered the phone at DL put me on hold while he consulted their Underwriter. Once he came back with the quote, I was stuck with it. I couldn't find cheaper elsewhere. About £360 for the year with £250 excess.

Certainly sounds throatier now! Quite subtle badge and shiny new tailpipe. I think you notice the sound more outside the car. I'm having four Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 fitted on Tuesday as my front tyres are shot after 11k. The wheels also need balanced as the wheel is squint and it pulls left. Hope that will be worthwhile and I can have another 2 to 3 years happy motoring.

[stealth haggis]

try adrian flux or greenlight thow royal sun alliance who im with under our group family cover wernt bothered when i put on an iduction kit and ive got 0 no claims and im 22

[The Red Baron]

Amemended my insurance today with Nationwide, to include the addition of the JCW Sound Kit. They didn't recognise this package on their system. First of all they thought it was an added body kit? Ehh?

What I had to do in the end was explain the details of the changes to the car and emphasised to them that it only gave the car a increase of 3 BHP. They then put this to their technical department and decided to put an extra 75 pounds on the policy.
Oh and 15 notes for the pleasure of doing so.

After doing some searches on the net there are some insurers out their that do recognise this upgrade. But be aware that some insurers are still quoting for the original Cooper Works Kit which is not the same and had a greater effect on the BHP of the car.

[buds]

Just ordered JCW sound kit today too, fitting is happening Wednesday. Zurich are charging me £60 for it after much discussion as to what it was lol.

[SF2001]

Also watch out for the increased excess on the policy. I've never had to claim and long may it continue!

I can't categorically say I prefer the car with the JCW Sound Kit ftted. It certainly seems louder and deeper. Does this effect vary from car to car depending on how it's fitted?

However, I am delighted with the four new 205 x 50 / 16" Eagle F1 GSD3. Much better ride quality, nicely damped over potholes and no more tramlining. Also seems to be less road noise. Reveals how good the chassis is.

I always thought the standard 15" wheels with non-runflats gave the car a lovely balanced feel, but the 16" wheels fill the wheel arches better. Hope the GSD3's last longer than my runflats did. This car is getting expensive. One year old, £1100 spent in the last week and only 32 mpg. Love the styling and tight handling, if not the sales tactics. I even had my dealer on the phone tonight looking for me to trade in for a new one!

[stealth haggis]

Quote: Originally Posted by chrisandjax

Amemended my insurance today with Nationwide, to include the addition of the JCW Sound Kit. They didn't recognise this package on their system. First of all they thought it was an added body kit? Ehh?

What I had to do in the end was explain the details of the changes to the car and emphasised to them that it only gave the car a increase of 3 BHP. They then put this to their technical department and decided to put an extra 75 pounds on the policy.
Oh and 15 notes for the pleasure of doing so.

After doing some searches on the net there are some insurers out their that do recognise this upgrade. But be aware that some insurers are still quoting for the original Cooper Works Kit which is not the same and had a greater effect on the BHP of the car.

3 bhp my inscruance co wernt bothered by my indcution kit and strut brace and im only 22 and thats what induction kit gives the car

[Mini E]

Quote: Originally Posted by thelostriots

3 bhp my inscruance co wernt bothered by my indcution kit and strut brace and im only 22 and thats what induction kit gives the car

Who are you with???

This is my story:

I'm so excited, I get my JCW Sound Kit fitted tomorrow!!

Nearly had to cancel though cos insurance said that if i got it fitted my insurance would be null and void as they don't insure people under 25 with 'MODIFICATIONS'. I asked them if they would insure me on a Mini Works and they said YES!!! I told them that a works is almost racing standard and they'd insure me on that but not just putting a tiny part of that onto my car. But it's because all the modifications on a works are considered 'standard'.

It's ridiculous, and then i found out I was null and void with them anyway because they 'don't insure people under 25 with alloy wheels'!! They never asked me if i had alloys when i signed up with them - and they're standard!!

Anyway that was Priviledge, rung and asked Churchill and they said exactly the same thing (well apart from alloy bit but did say that if you change your wheels it's considered a modification).

So in the end i rung JCW to see if they could suggest anyone and they said Mini, who i've now changed to (£150 more but at least i'm covered and with mods) and seeing as Mini Me GB has new cone air filter and JCW exhaust which made him null and void with Churchill he's now changed to 'Performance Direct' who i have to say were very knowledgable and helpful (also suggested by JCW).
It cost him £150 more as well, but at least we're covered!!

Stupid insurance companies!! Anyway roll on tomorrow!!

[LANCER]

Insurance is a pain but the kit is really worth it. Great sound.

[SF2001]

Mini E that's an absurd story! Shows how the insurance companies can be absolute morons when it comes to modifications.

What annoys me is the principle. Why should people be charged more for this? After all, they say that you can add as many factory extras as you want, such as £600 on a/c or the sunroof, and these would all be covered for free anyway. Seems they've got this a bit out of proportion By the way, I checked and they don't care about the change to non-runflats.

However, I definitely enjoy the car more now with this weeks mods!

[AlexUK]

Induction kits are a pain to insure on any car. I've had them on a few of my cars and it causes problems with no end of insurers depsite the relativly small increace in performance. Added an induction kit to my elise and it whacked the premium up by about a hundred quid! - the damn air filter only cost about the same!