Mods to declare on insurance

[NawidDaoud]

Hi,

I was wondering if people can clarify what counts as a mod that needs to be declared for insurance purposes.

For example if I buy a car which has had a new set of non OEM discs and pads, but they're not necessarily a performance upgrade but simply replacing old parts with fresh ones, does this count as a mod that needs to be declared?

I assume poly bushes count as a "uprated suspension" as they firm the ride up, but just not so sure whether replacing old discs with new non OEM ones count as "uprated brakes"

Or are people of the opinion that you declare all non-OEM parts as mods on insurance?

Only asking because my quote shot up by £160 when I put uprated suspension and brakes on.

 

[andyglym]

Pretty much anything non OEM should be declared with regards to performance enhancing parts.

 

[mrscalex]

It's a good question. I keep my cars standard so not one I have to worry about. But for me it's about intent. Have you clearly set out to change the performance or handling of the car. Also have you done anything that increases vulnerability to theft like new radio.

Here's an interesting one. If you buy an OEM Sport shock from BMW you are actually buying a non-Sport shock. Sachs don't make Sport shocks anymore. So BMW re-label non-Sport shocks with the Sport label. The same part maintained with 2 different part numbers.

So you are actually, in theory, modifying a Sport spec Z3 if you replace with OEM shocks of the correct part number. So what is the most equivalent replacement? I would say you could legitimately argue it's a Bilstein B8 or equivalent. Certainly if you talk to Bilstein they will direct you to that rather than a B4 as it has the shorter stroke of the original OEM part.

 

[Chaz Ricorn]

I told my insurance company when I uprated to drilled & grooved discs and red stuff pads, they wanted a link to the product page, then came back and said that they felt it was a beneficial upgrade which would not increase performance so just noted it with no increase in premiums.

 

[Bampz]

When I fitted braided brake hoses due to the rubber ones starting to deteriorate insurance company said no problem just noted no charge , on my daily drive declared fitting towbar and premium reduced by £1.50 result
As for replacing brakes as long as you are not upgrading just replacing I don't think that's a problem

 

[Fender2004]

All insurance companies seem to have their own rules, and each decides what will increase your premium or not. I think it’s best to tell them everything you’ve done, because if you have a claim they will inspect the car, and if the find item on the car not declared, they could use this to avoid paying your claim.

 

[Stevo7682]

As far as insurance goes you can change your brake discs and pads with non oem as long as parts fitted are direct replacement ones and not an enhanced spec same goes for springs shocks ,suspension arms ball joints etc as long as a direct replacement part and not an higher spec ( for example
drilled discs and performance pads or lowered suspension, performance exhaust) these would be enhanced parts as opposed to you going to somewhere like Euro car parts to by say a rear spring as yours broke
This would be classed as a direct replacement so no need to inform insurance otherwise practically ever car owners in the UK would be phoning insurance every time their car was in the garage.

 

[abh29]

I asked the insurance company what I had to put in relation to a new BMW as always ordered with extras. The advise was to say “as per original factory build” Only list changes after that Build date. I later asked about going from RunFlats to decent rubber reply was if it was an original option not bother about it.

 

[NawidDaoud]

Thanks, really helpful responses. I think I'll call the insurers up to explain and see what they think. I think the online quotes and drop down options for mods are very vague, so the mod could cover quite a wide range of things. I'll probably get a better price if I call and talk it through.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

I declared non standard alloys, wheel spacers, strut brace and air filter.
My insurance went up by the grand total of £4.

 

[Fender2004]

The best advice is to get as many quotes as possible, as prices vary so much between different insurance companies.

 

[SYMZ3]

Thanks for the update on this.

here is another question, should I declare my winter tyre sets when I change them from the summer sets?

 

[Fender2004]

As said before every insurance company has their own rules, one my charge extra for an item others would not.
To be safe yes I would tell them then they will decide what you need to pay.
Then if you need to make a claim, they can’t say well you didn’t tell us about this or that, and refuse to pay out on your claim.

 

[Kenny101]

Id recommend talking to adrian flux , they pretty much cover any mod you can think of. i declared all the bits on my car when swapping back to them earlier this year . They are very easy to deal with .every car ive owned has been modified in one way or another.

 

[Steve Medlock]

I have lots of mods listed on my policy. Strangely perhaps, I would be surprised if that has any significant affect upon the premium.

 

[ClassicLineInsurance]

Hi,

I was wondering if people can clarify what counts as a mod that needs to be declared for insurance purposes.

For example if I buy a car which has had a new set of non OEM discs and pads, but they're not necessarily a performance upgrade but simply replacing old parts with fresh ones, does this count as a mod that needs to be declared?

I assume poly bushes count as a "uprated suspension" as they firm the ride up, but just not so sure whether replacing old discs with new non OEM ones count as "uprated brakes"

Or are people of the opinion that you declare all non-OEM parts as mods on insurance?

Only asking because my quote shot up by £160 when I put uprated suspension and brakes on.

We would not increase the premium for these mods. You are welcome to give us a call and our team would be more than happy to look into a quote for you. Our offices are open today until 5.30pm and Saturday from 9am until 12.30pm and the number is 01455 639 000. Many thanks