Surely if you answer their questions there's no problem.
1. Make / Model = Mini Cooper S Chilli
2. Any modifications (I would assume that to mean performance mods) No
3. Purchase Price = £22500 (Now this is where you have been honest, that price is not a MCS+Chilli is it? They know that too, so why not question it? Unless they either accept that you have optional extras or they want to stitch you up if you ever claim .
Got a quote from Adrian Flux today, for a new MC. Very competitive price, and I'll almost certainly go with them when the car arrives. And although they wanted to know the details and price for EVERY factory-fitted extra, at least all these would apparently be covered on a like-for-like basis. Cheapest quote I've found so far, and a friendly service.
same hear i was paying £1500 for my 02 cooper with 2 yrs no claims how expensive! and now paying £1000 for an 04 MCS with 2 yrs no claims still as i bought the MCS before the end of my Cooper Policy!
I personally thought this too but when I had to claim, my insurance company wrote to me to explain why I hadn't declare the modifications (I declared the chili pack when I took out the cover but not the rest of the options - bonnet stripes, s spokes, anthracite interior, etc) to the company?
I explained that I honestly did not consider these accessories as modifications AND when I bought the car (stock), the accessories had already been fitted and I did not personally spec the car
The insurers duly contacted the dealers to confirm the details and eventually paid out
moral of the story - insurance companies will explore all avenues not to coff up AND declare all your optional accessories..........
Let's say you have the Aero kit on your MINI. Are you saying you wouldn't specify it because it isn't a performance mod? So, when someone runs into the back of you and they decide to replace your 'original' bumper with another original standard bumper you wouldn't have a problem with it?
The insurance company only has to replace what it knows about, and only if its T&Cs don't specify a mod-for-standard replacement policy. Remember, they will try to get out of covering you if they can find a legitimate excuse not to. Don't give them the excuse - be honest and then you don't have anything to worry about.
My insurers ( Norwich Union ) say that they want to be told about all modifications. They say a modification is anything that affects either the performance or appearance of the car.
Last edited by Martin F; Feb 22nd, 2007 at 07:55 AM.
Reason: typo
A lot of these companies don't have a clue when it comes to Mini's. I changed my insurance over last week, from a standard Renaultsport Clio 182 to a Mini Cooper with Chilli Pack, 17" S wheels, white roof/mirrors etc. The operator at Admiral really didn't have a clue.
Luckily, I've only got 7 or so weeks left on this policy, so will go with a more clued up insurer come renewal time. Are Adrian Flux my best bet?
I'm 23 years old, 3 NCB, driving 5 1/2 years, no accidents/claims, 3 points (speeding on public road), low crime area, car is garaged etc. Considering I paid around £750 on a Clio 182 (group 16) last year, I'd expect to be paying £400ish on a Mini Cooper come renewal, with all of the 'mods/extras' declared?
I had a quote for a standard MCS JCW from A Plan. The best deal they could get me was close to £1500.
I now have my insurance with Adrian Flux at a cost of £550, including all mods on a like-for-like replacement basis.
I found it very difficult to find insurance with other companies that would insure optional extras on any car. Its quite annoying. surely if they know the value of the car then the non--performance options should be covered? They are all weasels.
Any extras over and beyond the Chili Pack are not covered. As we all know, you have to be restrained not to tick any other boxes other than the Chili Pack and as a result, some of us have some well speced up expensive cars. In short, they said that things like a Multifunction wheel and heated screen, seats etc were a modification and as a result, would not be insured.
Thanks for this one Tony. I wasn't aware and despite obtaining a number of quotes before ordering my MCS, due 1st March, none of the insurance companies I obtained quotes from mentioned this. After reading your thread and in preparation for the big day I am sorting out my insurance today to be told exactly what you describe. My present insurer Bell direct state they would only settle any future insurance claim as if it was for standard spec car! Despite all options being factory fitted?
Just been told by Hastings Direct they wouldn't even insure car! I wouldn't mind but I'm nearly 40 years old.
My previous Insurers were Bell Direct and said exactly that.
When i eventually found that More Than would Insure the car, it was still a little problematic when i mentioned the Chili Pack.
They consulted with their underwriting dept who said that because of the Chili Pack they wouldnt be able to insure it because of the Power Increase.
When i explained what the Chili Pack was exactly, they were apologetic and Insured the car. They also noted this on the Insurance Policy.
It does make me laugh though, i have had in excess of 30 cars and this was the most difficult one to Insure, not because of cost and the like but because Insurers dont know exaclty what the various packs entail.
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