[miniboyblue]

Hi All

Just thought I would share this info with all of you, I have just been on the phone to my insurance company to get a quote for my JCW kit which is being fitted next week. During the conversation they asked me if I had the Chilli pack fitted to my car, which I confirmed I had. They asked me to hold, then after 5 mins came back and told me that the JCW kit would cost me an extra £225, BUT as I had the CHILLI pack fitted to the car I had to pay an additional premium of £120.50. When I asked them what the hell for, they advised that as the CHILLI pack contains the 17" wheels I have to pay the extra premium.

When I took the policy out I was asked if the car had been modified in any way, I questioned the girl as to what modified means as I had put a lot of extras on the car, her answer was that standard Mini extras did not qualify as modified !!......... During a lengthy conversation today I told this to the insurance company, they even went back to the tape of the original conversation, however the underwriters are adamant that the CHILLI pack must carry the extra premium of the £120.50 due the to 17" wheel upgrade. I asked what happens then if I where to buy all the extras in the CHILLI pack separately, answer was it was only the wheels that are causing the extra premium.

I just wanted to share this with all of you to see if any one else had heard of this and if not be aware of it, cause you know what those slippery b-------s are like at insurance companies for trying to get out of paying for any claims.

[minicabrio]

When I insured my MCC I declared every single item on my spec sheet just to make sure it was properly covered!! Right down to those lovely velour floor mats!

[Olly.]

I'm with MINI insurance and they charged me an extra £35 for my new MINI with CHILI Pack, 17's and curiously they charged me extra for the sunroof

Your insurance company are expensive

[gazmincoops]

I have seen this just recently whilst going through different websites getting insurance quotes, they treat it almost as a different car, fortunately my company are OK.

[paulworthing]

How about when we talk of insurance companies we name and shame the bad ones and praise the good ones and then, hopefully by consumer power, the bad ones might do something about ripping us off!!!!

[sprite]

I just insured my Cooper with Frizzells - they didn't know anything about the pepper pack or anything else (I don't think the person really understood when I said about adding extras and that mine was more than the 'base' price they had) - anyways, I said I wanted to make sure I was covered for the full amount - he said just keep proof (the invoice) and it wouldn't be a problem. Really seems to be a lot of differences between insurers!

[Rich C]

May be a case when going through one of the high street brokers is better - for my more "normal" cars I seem to find A-Plan usually manage to match anyone elses quotes - and just popped in today to do my mini cab with Chilli & more. Kept my policy with Axa, no problem with the mods (although same advice of keeping a copy of the invoice and breakdown of items) AND they even will continue to insure my old car for a month free whilst I try to sell it

Was a big advantage talking to a person who really seemed to understand the issues of options (and a genuine ca person too!)

[harrisona]

I have just had a hell of a time getting a qoute for my sons MC. He has got the aero kit, larger roof spoiler ,split rims, exhaust mod, tinted rear windows and elected for the split rims! What's more he's 18!

Any way before he bought it [ brand new] we checked with endsleigh and they quoted approx £2500 which is what he paid for his renault megane lsat year - so we went ahed with the car. On delivery they wanted £6500 for insurance!

Best quotes have been No1 Norwich Union direct with whom I spoke on thephone and they listed individual items and did not count the extras and then Chilli pack [ duplicating the alloys etc!] My feeling ois that they are doubling the premium on some items as the insurance advisors are not aware what the Chilli pack contains.

2nd best was Elephant

PS His mini is fab and in the driveway whilst he's away - I have the keys Happy days!!!!!!

Not bad from a confirmed CLK cabriolet driver - if I didnt cover the whole country with my job I would have a black MCS convertible. I wonder if I can persuade my daughter to get one?!!!!!!!

[JSN]

i'm having a nightmare with my insurance company

I had an Astra which was stolen in July. On this i had a Styling pack and Sunroof as fitted optional extras.

Now - they have paid up for the Sunroof but not the Styling pack - because they claim optional extras have to be declared. So why pay for the Sunroof then as i decleared neither under the assuption that optional extras are not modifications (after sales) anyway i'm taking it to the financial ombudsman to sort it out.

I was with Norwich Union btw.



I know Axa don't class optional extras as modifcations.


Once its all sorted i'll be ordering a mini cooper

I agree that some insurance companies just don't play fair if you make a claim. I used to be with elephant. Great price for the policy, car got written off, then no end of hassle which went on for best part of a year and still ended up about £3k out of pocket.

[UKC4]

The insurance companies are overdoing insurance premiums, not because of accidents but profit for the best part of it. But If you have modified the exhaust and wheels as well as the aero kit you should expect it to be a lot, this is how companies make the most money, by modid cars. The exhaust will make the most difference I think, this is because it will alow the car to produce more BHP, it may be only 4-5BHP but it is still increasing performace of the Mini.
£6500K - wat a set of plonkas.

[Bartacus]

This question has been raised before.

The main problem seems to be the definition of 'modification'. I have worked in insurance for years and factory fitted options have never fallen into this category historically.

If the insurer does not make it clear at the proposal stage that they class option packs such as the chili pack as a modification and then try to throw your claim (or part of it) out, then I would complain immediately to the Financial Services Ombudsman. I don't see how the FSA could do anything other than rule in your favour, as if there is any ambiguity about the definition then it will be ruled in the customers favour rather than the insurer.

If the insurer does clearly ask you whether you have options fitted and you don't answer honestly then there will be problems in the event of a claim.