Insurance and Modifications!!!!

[Greg Park]

I'm interested to understand what other people have paid for insurance on their modified 3.2's. I've just had new Bilstein Sports shocks, Pads, Hoses fitted and added a Strut Brace (which is the only modification) some insurers seem to bump the price considerably even though the modification will make the car safer rather than faster.

Understand some insurers will see modifications as helping you go faster, but which insurers in peoples experiences are best?

 

[Guest]

Good question - I`m starting to think about the effect on my insurance by fitting a ducktail spoiler, as it directly affects the aerodynamics. I also might lower the front suspension slightly, so I could be in for a shock when I get my next quote...

 

[Guest]

My insurers have been ok with mods and the loading is not too bad - like about £100 a year. I insured thru Peart in London and now thru Norton on a Classic Car policy given I am garaged in lovely Kent. The one consistent concern of my insurers was whether the mod increased hp. Otherwise they were quite tolerant. My current engine mods are disclosed in detail to Norton and they are also happy with installation of a full roll cage.

I found things went best if I could say that I was installing a std part from a later car ie., 964 brakes. I also described many things as "restoration" or "refurb" before providing the detail. They seemed quite happy that I was rebuilding the suspension and fitting bigger t-bars and sway bars as part of a full suspension refurb.

I think you just need to be sensible. If you talk about "lowering the car" then insurers have visions of slammed boy racer Saxos. If you disclose that the ride height was adjusted and the car corner balanced by a reputable shop as part of an annual alignment check-up, then there is unlikely to be a problem.

HTH

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: Greg Park

Bilstein Sports shocks, Strut Brace, RS wheel, Pads, Braided Hoses

Apart from the strut brace, they all look like you've just fitted alternative parts to me... What's the difference between those and the "pattern" parts you might get from Halfords (for instance)...?

 

[Greg Park]

Mark,
I agree with you, but alternative parts can be argued in the case of the steering wheel as you could use the same arguement about swapping one set of alloy wheels for another.

It's just not worth giving an insurance company any room to get out of paying a claim if needed.

Greg

 

[Chris_911]

Greg

Note that you have a 'Sport' coupe. How do your Bilstein 'Sport' dampers differ from what the car would have had as part of its Sport package?

 

[Greg Park]

Chris,
I believe that the "Sport Package" came with standard Bilstein shocks (I may well be I corrected by someone) I had the option for the standard Bilstein's or Sport Bilsteins so being easily led went for the Sport Bilsteins.

Greg

 

[Chris_911]

Greg

I admire your honesty. Can't say I'd be highlighting this to the insurers.

My understanding of the Sport package is that it included dampers in a 'sport' valving. But I'm happy to be proved wrong!

 

[Greg Park]

Mark,
The only things I believe I need to advise my insurer of are the strut brace and the steering wheel. The sport shocks are fine for a sport and the pads and hoses are alternative parts of better quality.

What I was surprised about is how many companies have the nerve to add to your premium for items which do not improve the performance of the car (in terms of speed) and then say in the case of an accident they won't pay for the modifications.

Greg

 

[Beaky]

Do you really need to tell them that you have changed the steering wheel?

So when I updated my std 4 spoke with a std CS wheel I should have told them, why

 

[Greg Park]

Guess it's a similar arguement with wheels. An insurance company has always got a get out clause if you don't tell them as they may choose to say it makes the car more tempting to theives or that it's not standard and you didn't tell them.

It's a risk you take, but my arguement would be a steering wheel doesn't make it faster and so shouldn't really increase your premium and you can't get the orignial wheel any more!

 

[Beaky]

Better not tell them about the air freshener then[]

 

[Bazgillie]

Their other argument is that it makes the car more desirable to be stolen.
They do not like body kits as replacement costs are high yet an alloy is an alloy in their eyes.
Baz

 

[Guest]

...and supposedly people who modify stuff are a higher risk of insuree. Its the slammed Saxo, backward cap syndrome unfortunately.