Important - be careful with Insurance

[Tonyrec]

I dont know if this is posted in the right forum but it concerns insurance with my forthcoming MCS.
It is important that people see this because someone could fall into the trap and suffer as a concequence.

Whilst changing over my car insurance from my old car to the new MCS which im getting in a few days, i was shocked to find out that they would only insure a basic MCS with a Chili Pack and nothing more.

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.

I was shocked because as far as im concerned, a modification is jacking it up and giving it more horses etc etc.

I then contacted 5 other Insurance Companies and they all said the same. I eventually found one that is only concerned with performance increases and purchased my new policy.

I hope that nobody from this Forum falls into this trap because if your day old car is written off or stolen then you will lose the price of the extras with it seems 'most' insurers.

Sorry about the rant but i hope that as many people as possible are made aware of this potential loophole and as a result, dont come a cropper.

[Scrogg]

Thanks Tony.

Any chance of a list of the companies that don't cover the extras, and the one you eventually went with?

[Paul]

Sounds like the regular thing with Elephant, Admiral, and others in that group. Plenty of this in the insurance forum (where this is going too).

[James]

I don't understand, when you get a quote do you have to declare each optional extra you got??

[Paul]

Yep, but that doesn't mean they'll cover them like for like. In fact, with the likes of Admiral, unless it's changed very recently, their TLC says they will cover nothing other than standard factory spec.

[Tonyrec]

It was the usual ones, Elephant, Bell Direct, Admiral and the like.

I went with More Than who it must be said, were more than helpful.

[KillerByte]

Quote: Originally Posted by Crammy (original)

I don't understand, when you get a quote do you have to declare each optional extra you got??

Yeah. Otherwise, you're actually committing fraud by claiming your car is something it isn't. It's not just performance mods either. Direct Line asked if the bonnet stripes on my car were fitted when the car was built. When I said "No" they refused to insure me because I'm under 25 and they said the car might be prone to vandalism. When I asked why it was any different for a MINI specced with stripes they just answered "Because the car hasn't been modified from the factory spec." I couldn't believe it!

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

Yep, but that doesn't mean they'll cover them like for like. In fact, with the likes of Admiral, unless it's changed very recently, their TLC says they will cover nothing other than standard factory spec.

I'm with Bell who are part of the Admiral group and as you say, any modifications would be replaced with standard parts in the case of an accident. To be honest, I didn't really have any choice - I had no no-claims built up because I've only previously driven on my parents' car and most insurers were either too expensive or just refused to insure me. I've got one year no-claims now which is helping but it is still relatively expensive because I'm under 25.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by KillerByte (original)

Direct Line asked if the bonnet stripes on my car were fitted when the car was built. When I said "No" they refused to insure me because I'm under 25 and they said the car might be prone to vandalism. When I asked why it was any different for a MINI specced with stripes they just answered "Because the car hasn't been modified from the factory spec." I couldn't believe it!

That's logic for you.

"Hey, look at the flashy MINI, lets brick it!!"

"Oh no, hold on, they're FACTORY stripes, leave it lads, leave it"....

[:: Jon ::]

Adrian Flux love mods

[supa-dupa-cooper]

MINI are fine too - thats why im staying put this year, even if i do have to pay a slightly 'higher' premium

[Fin]

This kind of thing is very annoying. Why are these companies unable to carry out a task as simple as insuring extras on a car?

KillerByte - Were they 'Go-Faster' stripes? Maybe that's what they had a problem with

[KillerByte]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fin (original)

KillerByte - Were they 'Go-Faster' stripes? Maybe that's what they had a problem with

To be honest, the Direct Line woman I was speaking to was a shocked as I was. She had to double-check with her supervisor and actually sounded embarrassed when she said they couldn't insure me.

I have a friend who has insured his Citroen Saxo as completely stock but I know for a fact that it isn't. He admits that the reason why he doesn't declare his mods is because of the additional expense. I just hope he never has to make a claim.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by KillerByte (original)

Yeah. Otherwise, you're actually committing fraud by claiming your car is something it isn't. It's not just performance mods either. Direct Line asked if the bonnet stripes on my car were fitted when the car was built. When I said "No" they refused to insure me because I'm under 25 and they said the car might be prone to vandalism. When I asked why it was any different for a MINI specced with stripes they just answered "Because the car hasn't been modified from the factory spec." I couldn't believe it!

MINI dont class these as 'modifications' as such, they are recorded on the computer at their end but only my side skirts show as a mod. (and im under 25)

Its like Churchill wouldnt insure my new MINI because it has a rear spoiler (because im under 25)! They didnt even like the fact it was going to have bigger wheels, even though they were factory spec! Oh well they lost my business, MINI gained it

[Lardy Lambert]

I had this problem while purchasing my first Mini Cooper. I go through brokers A-plan so
when I got my R56 MCS in december I made sure I got a quote in writing before ordering.
Cost me an extra 75 quid over my old premium for the old new MC. Happy days

[Restyle]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyrec (original)

I went with More Than who it must be said, were more than helpful.

I was with them until I had the Dealer fitted JCW Filter, then they just didnt want to know as it wasnt factory fitted.
A.S.Flux were the only ones who wanted my business .. for a lot cheaper than the MoreThan original fee