Insurance notification

Thinking of fitting Red9 suspension power steering etc. As this is a modification I will have to contact my insurance has anyone done this if so did their premiums change, Thanks Tim

My renewal quote came through last week, so I thought I would ring round to see what other quotes I could get.

All of them were fine until the question of modifications came up, and it became like the Spanish Inquisition, wanted photos etc as proof of the changes.

Not having had any trouble before with my current company, whom I have been with from the start I went back to them for renewal.

I am assuming that they must have details of the Type Approval, or National Small Series Type Approval that is issued after conversion in the UK, whereas some of the others don't.

So I did some research which may answer your question Dennis, and may give some thought on other matters I wasn't aware of. (I latterly worked as an accident investigator for a law firm working on behalf of insurance companies trying to limit litigation claims, so I know they will use all sorts of ruses to get out of paying out)

Basically if you make any modification after manufacture, or doesn't comply with the terms of the Type Approval, or is illegal the insurance company can invalidate your insurance.

I have even seen on one site that stickers in windows have been deemed a 'modification' that can negate your insurance

This is just one example, others are available that basically say the same.

http://www.bobatoo.co.uk/blog/car-modifications-affect-car-insurance-prices/

Make of it what you will, but I think it is worth consideration of the pitfalls.

As bad as the insurance industry is, there's no way a sticker would count as a modification (unless it affected visibility I suppose).

If an insurer repudiated a claim on the basis of a sticker, the Ombudsman would kick them so hard they wouldn't be able to sit down for a week.

I thought it was a bit extreme, but it appears to have happened, this is the one I saw.

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/feb/16/check-insurers-dont-mind-modifications-car

Don't believe everything in the press, John. Even the brown rice eating, sandal wearing, liberal press...