Short Shift

[Buddy]

After thinking several times about getting a short shift fitted on the Cayman I happened on one for sale and it was just too good an opportunity to miss. So after buying it and having already researched the installation on Planet 9 I knew it was also a reasonably easy DIY job, so did it one evening last week. Hardest part as ever was gaining access to the shifter and of course I had the Bose sub-woofer to get out of the way too which was not in the instructions, clips retaining the gaiter were tricky but apart from those items plain sailing.

Must say that I'm pleased with the result, shifts do seem quicker but more than that, I prefer the new positions for each gear particularly 2, 4 & 6 which always seemed a little too rearwards. As some have said, it felt a little heavier the first time I used it but I very soon got used to it. I've driven a couple of brand new Caymans 5 & 6 speed which have been far stiffer but they no doubt loosened up a few hundred miles further on.

 

[Buddy]

Just been on the line to my insurer as it's renewal time and I wanted to inform them I have the short shift telling them it's to be fitted the day of the renewal. Ok white lie it's been on 1 month. Bearing in mind that the "modification" simply shortens the throw and that the engine is in std tune they don't even want to know what options it came from the factory with but only the "modification" and so it has to wait for their underwriters to decide![] As I also asked about if I fit winter tyres next year, they want to be informed although I did state that I would use Porsche approved tyres. And yet we don't tell them when we change tyres normally and to use winter tyres in winter is an upgrade regarding grip! Reduced risk, no real cost difference...[>:] It really beggars belief when talking to insurance clerks![:'(]

 

[flat6]

It makes me wonder what constitutes a modification affecting insurance and whether they understand that. As you say, there can be a number factory fitted modifications. Just out of curiosity, what made you think you needed to tell them about the short shifter? Not that you shouldn't have, just wanted to understand from your point of view. It doesn't make the car go faster. If a PDK owner changed their steering wheel from the push button to paddle shift model, do they need to inform their insurer of that? I must admit, I don't know the rules at all on what one needs to inform their insurer of, so i'm not asking my question from a position of knowledge, just out of interest. Thanks

 

[Buddy]

Well, it's the same old question of what modifications need notifying, an increase in value hardly as I still have the original which I could sell and get the money back as I did get this one at a very good price. Or increased performance? As you rightly say it's more of a customisation to slightly change the lever movement for personal preference. They even asked for a garage invoice when it says on my insurance that I'm an engineer. And I had to explain that I'm fitting it myself, it's an OEM part etc. Whenever I've asked they always say anything not factory fitted, but we change tyres for better grip ( occasionally not ) regularly due only to wear, at one time we often changed stereos, speakers whatever, added fog or driving lamps. Fitted sunroofs. the thing is they may, given the excuse, send someone along to inspect a car following an accident and use anything to deny compensation. We all know they don't pay market value for a write off just the minimum trade in if they can get away with it. What made me wonder was that someone said that insurers even want to know if we fit winter tyres, now they may say "you've reduced the risk, thanks" but I can't see them reducing the premium for using them through the winter! Many years ago I bought a mini which had been fitted with disc brakes, no increase in premium for value or the alloy wheels but no reduction for the increase in braking capability either. But they say they want to know. Thing is when we talk to insurers about one in a hundred may understand something and they aren't on the phone.

 

[flat6]

OK It's confusing if they refer to 'anything not factory fitted' considering that the same part could be retrofitted by the manufacturer's dealership for a previous owner and you wouldn't necessarily know it wasn't installed at the factory. I wonder if a factory fitted X.51 power kit, which does alter performance is picked up by the insurer. I.e. you buy a brand new 997 and include the X.51 option. You haven't modified the car from how it left the factory and it is not a standalone model so I guess it wouldn't be identified when they enter your registration number onto their system. Thanks Kevan This is useful to know.

 

[Buddy]

You're welcome, insurance is a thing that bugs me as I do try to play to the rules even though they seem to reinvent them at any opportunity. Now when they call me back I want to ask them about track cover. Insurance isn't due for a week so I've got a bit of time to play around.

 

[JohnP]

I was considering a 911 with the X51 pack and checked with my insurer first. As the kit was fitted at the factory it was just treated as another option and there was no additional premium. Mind you someone else's insurer might have said something completely different.

 

[Buddy]

A friend of mine with a garage says he can get a list of the factory fitted options and so can insurers, I'd really expect that they would be interested especially if a car has say £10K of options? Not difficult with a Porsche. It's not unreasonable if you do something to change the risk by say fitting a turbo and boosting power or doing something to increase the likelihood of it being stolen etc but they say every change should be notified! It really is time that they did something sensibly. Incidentally, I have the chrono pack, sports seats etc but they don't want me to tell them of that!

 

[Buddy]

Well finally after calling several times I got my insurance sorted out, no increase but I'd expect not as they don't decrease premiums for depreciation etc. The real annoyance with insurers is that when you call they don't seem to know what you're talking about. Brokers are usually better in that but I wanted to stay with my present insurer in spite of an increase in the premium as they allow unlimited European cover.