Insurance asking for "modifications" and "addons" from factory spec

[dean_ham]

When the insurance company asks if you have modified the spec from what is standard do you declare it on mini's

Id expect 99.9% of mini's out there dont have the bog standard spec. All are bount to have some sort of addon on the car.

How far do you go with the insurance now.

Take my example, addons include... stripes, leather steering wheel, panoramic roof etc etc do you declare this.

Who knows i may buy some 17" mini "standard" alloys. To replace the 15" ones. How would the insurance company know these are not standard.

Opinions / experiences appreciated !

[The Eggman]

Best declare and your's are not performance addons, but some don't like or understand so an excuse not to pay out.

I run a heavily modified supercharged S and I'm 50+ my first insurance company cancelled policy with a penalty when I declared a changed air intake !! Hate to think what they would say today !!

[M.O.S]

Anything that is added, optional or otherwise from the most basic spec offered on that particular model - so a cooper with fog lights added but NOTHING more must have the fog lights declared.

[PK5]

they need to know should the worst ever happen then you should get a like for like car quoted for claim.

[aupperton]

it's a shame, but you must declare everything that wasn't part of the base model specification, as in what the car would have rolled out of the factory with if an options list didn't exist.

Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to a big claim. The insurance companies will always be interested in looking after themselves and not giving in.

[Martin F]

My insurers said I should declare anything that affected the appearance or performance of my Mini. So the upgraded stereo was not of significance. But each one has different requirements so best to ask or declare everything.

[dean_ham]

Ok left the insurance company know of the "modifications".

- panoramic sun roof
- stripes down bonnet
- pepper pack
- chrome wing mirrors
- leather sports steering wheel


That will be an extra £35 a month and a £25 administration charge, thank you very much.
She was only paying £50 a month for insurance on her KA before the mini!!!

What a joke!!! Thank god there is only 2 months left. We will be going somewhere else.

BTW this is churchill insurance.....

[mooneymini]

I declare all extras on my policy. I just renewed my policy yesterday.
I have a couple of performance mods, which obviously cost extra, and I would expect that the factory spec options will not be charged for.
I was charged more for the fact that it had a chili pack than all my performance mods combined.

[iPap]

I was told just tell them Chilli.

My Gap insurance would cover the difference!

[randap]

Declare absolutely everything. I used to show my car, so I have a full spec list that I forward to the insurance company every year (Adrian Flux).

It does depend on your insurance company, but better safe than sorry. Remember, if it's not declared they will not pay out for the mods following an accident, and may not pay anything if they can prove the mod had something (even remotely) to do with the accident. And GAP insurance will not make up the shortfall if your claim is fradulent - GAP is purely a financial tool in a total write-off case.

In the case of theft, even stripes can "influence the thief" and make the car more desirable - so you need to declare them.

It's all about risk. That's why your premium goes up, because your car is more desirable to a thief. It's not just about performance.

BTW, look for the thread on Elephant.co.uk (search). This (and their sister companies) will cover your mods, but will only return your car to standard (read no mods) condition following a claim. It's their standard parts clause in the small print. Read carefully.