Hello there

I'm hoping to start a bit of discussion on the hot topic of declaring modifications. Although I happily have all my modifications on the record (mostly down to the fact that my insurer doesn't charge me any extra), I was thinking the other day, really what is the point? Particularly for us youngsters.

And no, it is not as crazy as It seems.

First off - Most insurance companies (particularly those who are willing to allow youngsters to declare modifications) aren't likely to do 'mod for mod' replacements, and even then every other person I know in my sort of age bracket are on Third Party policies anyway, so getting a payout from the insurance company is a moot point (if you were at fault).

If you weren't at fault, are insurance companies really likely to care? Say for example you are involved in an accident where the other party is completely to blame, open and shut case for your insurance company to deal with. Am I wrong for thinking that it is unlikely that an insurance company is going to refuse to fight for your cause (and for the money of the other person's insurance company's company ) simply because you hadn't told them that you've changed your alloy wheels? Would they even inspect the car if it was a simply repair jobbie?

I'm expecting the uneducated masses to flood this topic with 'Of course you should declare them, if you hit me/my wife/tiny tim you aren't insured!'. I'd like to point out to these people that by law, and insurance company cannot deny a third party claim, regardless of the validity of the policy. If they want to recoup the money from the Policy holder then so bet it, but again I'd doubtful if they'll ever get to this point?

I await your thoughts .

A colleague of mine had exactly this happen.

The other thing I question is this:

When I bought my current car I was asked if it was modified, I answered no as it is standard. I was then asked what optional extras it has?

I answered that "It is exactly as it was supplied brand new"

Now how can a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th................... 43rd owner be expected to know what were optional extras? I have no idea what is standard on my car.

Also what about non cost options? Cars these days often have different wheel options at no extra cost or say for instance a choice between heated seats or Xenon headlight?

This has lead to a stupid situation with my track car. It is insured as fully modified with everything declared. They askd me what wheels it has, it has two 14" bottle caps and two 15" BBS's. Both are these were standard fitment options to the car as new. They wanted me to actually find out what wheels a 21 year old Beemer came with, how the fk am I meant to know that? It might not even have been either of the sets.

Modifications should be declared to your insurance company as they can potentially increase the risk to the insurer in two ways:

1. Cosmetic improvements such as upgraded alloys, bodykits etc may make a vehicle more attractive to thieves and thus more likely to be stolen, increasing the risk to the insurance company.

2. Any aftermarket performance/handling enhancements mean that the vehicle is not the same as the insurance company have based their risk and premium on. If you upgrade performance and handling, then it follows you are very likely to wish to exploit the extra power and roadholding you've paid good money for; therefore you are more of a risk in the eyes of the insurer.

never try to claim through your own insurance for a third party claim!

When youre the third or more owner of a car its impossibel to know what was on the car from new, yet they do want to know all the mods, wheels, tyres, spot lights, paint treatment, carpets, air filter etc.
Because it has the mods it's more stealable so increased risk, no matter that you wont wnat to clain for these if its your fault.

Without telling them, youre effectively uninsured, as they can use as an excuse not to pay out.

The US system is supposedly more open, where you agree how much cover you need (say £15k) and then pay a premium to suit. It doesnt matter how many mods you've done.

No chance
From what Ive read they'll just say youre not covered..tough.

How would the new owner know it had been re-mapped? i was lead to believe that any none visible modifications prior to your ownership would be ok as you would have no way of finding or declaring them.
Or rather that the insurer wouldn't penalise you for failing to declare.

Or they wouldn't find out? I can't see many claims adjusters hooking up suitable diagnostic on every single 'mappable' car they come to see...

And for those who say the person is 'uninsured', to what extent? As already proven, the 3rd party is going to get a pay out. They might refuse to pay out for your car, but so what? You're 3rd party. And as for refusing to pay for your car if a third party caused the accident, why? It's not their money!

It's interesting hearing that in other countries that you are insured for a set figure regardless of mods. I've always wondered how bigger brakes, better suspension, altered alloy wheels with better tyres, etc increase your risk on the road...

Come to think of it, surely as a whole modified car drivers are safer than standard car drivers? I would have thought somebody who has an obvious interest in motorcars would be more caring behind the wheel when compared to somebody who only sees a car as A - B transportation?

How is not declaring mods and saying "they have to pay out anyway" really any different to telling them it's a completely different car? Or that you're a 40 year old female doctor who only drives 5 miles per year? Where is the line for the company having to pay out to third parties?

The way I see it is:

Don't bother not declaring stuff - not worth the hassle if it goes Pete Tong.

It's YOUR responsibility to know what isn't standard. YOU take out the policy and answer THEIR questions. If you say it has no options, make sure it has no options. If you say you don't know then fine. It's not that difficult to find out. I'm pretty sure I could work out what were options on most cars up to about 15 years old reasonably easily. Using either sites like Parker's or getting build sheets from a dealer (2min job if that).

To be honest I insure my mods not just for the fact of making sure my insurance is valid but because here we have "random" VOSA checks on modified cars in certain areas and I don't wish to take the risk. If the Police check your insurance and the mods that VOSA say you have are not listed then its game over.

In terms of mods not making a difference, with my mods declared my insurance goes up £130...I am 20 with just nearing 3 years no claims (never claimed, never crashed) and I feel a bit sore about this as my insurance is currently £800, however this is nothing compared to the £1700 I was paying on my first car 2 and a bit years ago. (again modified)

I do know a few people who don't insure mods, one was caught out, 6 points. The other one has been fine so far but I don't want to always be on the look out for a Vosa check-point and worrying