Notifying insurance company of modifications

[RockinNRollin]

It gets worse though; if your vehicle caught fire and deemed a total loss and it was determined to have been caused by a non-OEM accessory and that accessory wasn't declared, insurers could feasibly decline that claim (depending on the policy wording). Even if that accessory was temporarily attached to the vehicle, I would bet an insurance company would state that is a modification and hang their excuses on it.

 

[WelshGas]

It gets worse though; if your vehicle caught fire and deemed a total loss and it was determined to have been caused by a non-OEM accessory and that accessory wasn't declared, insurers could feasibly decline that claim (depending on the policy wording). Even if that accessory was temporarily attached to the vehicle, I would bet an insurance company would state that is a modification and hang their excuses on it.

Such as fitting Lithium leisure batteries or a lithium power bank wired into vehicle.
Never heard of a bike rack or solar panel spontaneously combustion.

 

[Grigio Van Grigio]

Such as fitting Lithium leisure batteries or a lithium power bank wired into vehicle.
Never heard of a bike rack or solar panel spontaneously combustion.

If you’re worried about a solar system causing a fire, the panel would be the least of your concerns.

 

[Velma's Dad]

You make very salient points, I'm guessing you'd probably have to let the DVLA know about a wrap as the colour is on the V5 document, but I'm not sure.

Yes you are supposed to notify DVLA if you change the colour of a vehicle including by wrapping. Although you might not get into any serious trouble for failing to do so, it could make you more likely to be stopped by police when a number plate check shows a discrepancy between your vehicle and its database record colour (raising a suspicion of a false-plated vehicle).

It's extremely simple to get the V5 changed so I would certainly do it, just to avoid unnecessary hassle.

For a partial colour change eg a lower body wrap, the rules are less clear but it's possible to have a vehicle registered as two-coloured (eg blue/white)... or indeed as 'multicoloured' if you fancied full-on psychedelic.

 

[RockinNRollin]

Such as fitting Lithium leisure batteries or a lithium power bank wired into vehicle.
Never heard of a bike rack or solar panel spontaneously combustion.

Insurance companies will wiggle their way out of a claim with any slightest excuse; any modification, no matter how insignificant or obscure, unless the policy wording exempts it, could be that excuse if they deem it to have contributed towards the need for a claim.

 

[WelshGas]

Insurance companies will wiggle their way out of a claim with any slightest excuse; any modification, no matter how insignificant or obscure, unless the policy wording exempts it, could be that excuse if they deem it to have contributed towards the need for a claim.

That's why it can be easier and sometimes cheaper or better cover going with a specialist. C&MH expect solar panels and bike racks on the vehicles they cover at no extra cost ..

 

[CaliforniaPhil]

That’s certainly true of your insurer but each insurer has a different definition of what constitutes a modification. So for example, some insurers define a modification as anything done to the vehicle since it was first delivered by the manufacturer (I.e. not including factory fitted extras) and some define it as any deviation to standard spec (i.e. you’d have to tell them about optional extras fitted as well). Always import to fully read the t’s and c’s and the wording of the questions you are being asked.

In relation to a dash cam increasing your insurance premium, that feels counter intuitive to me and, in fact, some insurers offer a discount for a dash cam as it can help in the claims process. It depends on how sophisticated the insurers algorithms are, or even possibly how the dash cam has been recorded in the system.

I read somewhere that is not advisable to state that you have a dash cam to reduce insurance premiums. In the event of a crash you will need to give footage of the indecent. If like my dash cam, it's a bit temperamental or sitting in the glove box because you parked in a dodgy area and forgot to put it back up. I assume they would not pay out.

 

[Grigio Van Grigio]

I read somewhere that is not advisable to state that you have a dash cam to reduce insurance premiums. In the event of a crash you will need to give footage of the indecent. If like my dash cam, it's a bit temperamental or sitting in the glove box because you parked in a dodgy area and forgot to put it back up. I assume they would not pay out.

That would not be the case. Regulation would not allow them to turn a claim down in that instance. The most they could do is make you pay back the discount provided.

 

[Grigio Van Grigio]

Insurance companies will wiggle their way out of a claim with any slightest excuse; any modification, no matter how insignificant or obscure, unless the policy wording exempts it, could be that excuse if they deem it to have contributed towards the need for a claim.

I think “reason” is a better word than “excuse”! There is a principal of Treating Customers Fairly and also protections in place that stop Insurers turning claims down due to issues that don’t affect the claim itself. Insurers don’t always get things right but, by and large, valid claims are dealt with promptly and fairly while fraudulent claims are much better dealt with now than in the past. If this wasn’t the case, we would all be paying a hell of a lot more money in premiums.

I often see stories in the press where the headline details suggest an insurer is “trying to wriggle out of a claim” but when you look closer, there’s a lot more to it. Often, T&C’s that seem unimportant to the Insured are actually very important and are rightly applied. Of course, the Insured who is out of pocket will shout foul play from the rooftops. As I say, Insurers don’t always get it right and it is those cases that are highlighted and contribute to the perception of Insurers trying to get out of claims.

The UK Insurance market is very closely regulated and there are a lot of protections in place for the consumer.

 

[andyinluton]

That would not be the case. Regulation would not allow them to turn a claim down in that instance. The most they could do is make you pay back the discount provided.

It gets very suspicious if you state you have a dash cam & then cannot provide any info when there is an accident. It would almost certainly lead people to conclude that it was your fault....

 

[66tim99]

Most insurers would say both tow bars and bike racks are notifiable modifications.

My tow bar was fitted at the factory, so no modification.
I just called LV to check though, if I put a bike rack on the tow bar, is that a modification?
Answer: no.

 

[Snoopy23]

If they are non-standard VW Transporter wheels then Yes. If VW sell them for the Transporter No. No different to changing tyre makes as long as they are the correct specification as recommended by VW in the Certificate of Conformity.

I can confirm i bought vw alloys from accessory brochure and LV were happy they were not classed as a mod as they were a direct replacement.

 

[Snoopy23]

My tow bar was fitted at the factory, so no modification.
I just called LV to check though, if I put a bike rack on the tow bar, is that a modification?
Answer: no.

I asked the same, no. Towing a caravan would be more risk than a couple of bikes!

 

[jepotherepo]

The question of impermanence or removability is a red herring. It’s almost as easy to replace alloy wheels as it is a bike rack but surely you wouldn’t say you don’t need to tell insurers you’ve changed your wheels?

So you tell your insurer whenever you fit winter wheels then? Sounds a bit ott to me

 

[mojo doug]

I'm just in the process of renewing my California insurance. I'm currently with LV and informed them that I have a towbar, bike rack and solar panel fitted. The towbar and bike rack were no issue, however they wanted an extra £110 (!) for the solar panel modification. Anyone else come up against the same issue? I'd love to know what risk they have identified to justify a £110 premium, however strangely enough they weren't able to answer this question when I asked it.
Did I make a mistake in mentioning it in the first place? Would be grateful to know how other people deal with this issue, as I'm now (for obvious reasons) shopping around...(FYI, last year's premium with LV was £284, this year they are quoting £463, plus an extra £110 because of the solar 'modification'. Nothing else has changed.

 

[mojo doug]

I'm with LV great until I had to make a claim ...my house was burgled stole keys and my T5 California van ( I was asleep in the house ) ...poor communication , no answer to emails , eventually paid out for my loss but took 3 months to the date . Initially they asked that I sent in pictures of the van they noticed the bonnet bra (!)...they went to town on this saying I had installed a "wrap" and modified my van ...I challenged with this saying it was removable , was to protect the bonnet etc from chips ...in the end they dropped all the issues (they had the temerity to cancel my policy during this process ..and had singularly failed in answering any of the related emails) ..it was a very stressful , no idea whether they were going to pay up . They even looked at my house on google maps to see where I had claimed to have parked my van .Now being my first claim I have no idea how this process compares to other insurers but the message is that insurers are on tight margins , and they are looking for any way to improve profits and if you do have a big claim its not always going to be straight forward and they will look at the finer points of their policy ...some of which may be open to interpretation .
BTW the police were great though my van was never recover .. only 5% are. I was informed my vehicle has either being chopped for parts or in a container on its way to the Middle East ( apparently the epicentre for stolen vehicles according to the insurance assessor I originally spoke to )

 

[PeteS]

I would alway declare any modifications that were not fitted to the vehicle during build. In the event of a claim the insurance company could get the build sheets to confirm what the vehicle was build with.
I am with LV and was looking a Caravelle from my local VW Dealers. The dealer had fitted a front and rear spoiler which were VW approved accessories but LV wanted an extra £80.
Interestingly LV provided a discount for a dash cam.
With insurance it is worth being up front as if you need to make a claim you want it paid.

 

[Kayleigh]

I can confirm i bought vw alloys from accessory brochure and LV were happy they were not classed as a mod as they were a direct replacement.

That’s exactly what I would expect the insurer to say.

 

[Kayleigh]

I'm just in the process of renewing my California insurance. I'm currently with LV and informed them that I have a towbar, bike rack and solar panel fitted. The towbar and bike rack were no issue, however they wanted an extra £110 (!) for the solar panel modification. Anyone else come up against the same issue? I'd love to know what risk they have identified to justify a £110 premium, however strangely enough they weren't able to answer this question when I asked it.
Did I make a mistake in mentioning it in the first place? Would be grateful to know how other people deal with this issue, as I'm now (for obvious reasons) shopping around...(FYI, last year's premium with LV was £284, this year they are quoting £463, plus an extra £110 because of the solar 'modification'. Nothing else has changed.

Adding a solar panel is a modification and you need to advise your insurer so you have done the right thing. The fact that they deem an additional £110 is required is due to how they assess the risk.
I imagine it will be covered for theft and damage while driving/camping. It should also be covered if someone tries to steal it and damages other parts of the vehicle in the process, for example the roof.
You asked if you made a mistake in mentioning it… well if you don’t advise your insurer, how do you think they would respond if any of the above happens?

 

[Rich20]

Personally, I don’t consider a Solar panel, not permanently fixed, ie glued to the roof, a modification, nor a removable bike rack.

From what I understand from various discussions with insurance companies a mod is anything added to the vehicle after it comes out of the factory. I suppose the solar installation could be a potential fire risk if it’s not done professionally so maybe a hefty % is added to cover that possibility

 

[WelshGas]

From what I understand from various discussions with insurance companies a mod is anything added to the vehicle after it comes out of the factory. I suppose the solar installation could be a potential fire risk if it’s not done professionally so maybe a hefty % is added to cover that possibility

Depends what you define as " added " to the vehicle. Is it permanent or removable. Is carrying a kitchen pod with gas cooker a mod or not, removable roof box etc.

 

[Azteccamper]

I’m sorry but this conversation is nearly all based on people’s thoughts and opinions and trying to ‘second guess’ what an insurance company might do if you had to claim!
Not sure it’s that helpful to anyone tbh!

 

[chockswahay]

I would alway declare any modifications that were not fitted to the vehicle during build. The dealer had fitted a front and rear spoiler which were VW approved accessories but LV wanted an extra £80.

Strangely enough, my son had a front spoiler/splitter fitted..... when he told the insurers they reduced the premium by around £30 It's weird innit?

 

[Grigio Van Grigio]

I’m sorry but this conversation is nearly all based on people’s thoughts and opinions and trying to ‘second guess’ what an insurance company might do if you had to claim!
Not sure it’s that helpful to anyone tbh!

The helpful bit is to remind people to advise their insurers of any modifications made to their vehicles. Do that and you don’t need to second guess what an insurer might do if you had a claim.

 

[Grigio Van Grigio]

So you tell your insurer whenever you fit winter wheels then? Sounds a bit ott to me

I’d tell my insurers if I fitted wheels that weren’t standard spec.