When is a mod a mod?

gchild · 09-13-2012, 05:23 AM

When making changes to cars, be it adding a spoiler, changing bulbs, wrapping trim, upgrading wheels etc, what is the trigger point that suggests its a modification worth declaring to an insurance company?

Hotcoupe · 09-13-2012, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gchild

When making changes to cars, be it adding a spoiler, changing bulbs, wrapping trim, upgrading wheels etc, what is the trigger point that suggests its a modification worth declaring to an insurance company?

If the car is not as it was when it left the factory,it could be viewed as a modification.

Some insurers even view some factory fitted 'options' as modifications and insist they are declared on your proposal.

Subzero2003 · 09-13-2012, 05:39 AM

Only you can use your judgement to decide that - most cosmetic mods are normally free - i declared my front Aero lip and rear M3 spoiler and it cost nothing, but my exhaust cost about another £70

As for declaring factory options - this is ridiculous and no one i have ever known has ever done this. I'm willing to bet this is one of these "safety in numbers" things as 99.9% of people don't even what factory options are fitted. IMO - forget about this unless specifically asked.

Here's what i would declare:

Wheels - yes
Different tyres - lol no
Exterior cosmetic modifications (ie. spoiler, aero bumper etc) - yes, because it often costs nothing more anyway
Engine chips/remaps - Yes
Exhausts - yes
Induction kits - yes
Brakes - lol no (unless you are upgrading to 6 pot brembo's or something)
Tinting - yes
Anything interior (adding heated seats/wrapping trim/different steering wheel/etc) - no

gchild · 09-13-2012, 06:22 AM

interesting... i was told by one insurance company that if i went from 18" rims to say 19" rims, but they are specified as OEM option, then will cost nothing. Going to say 19" aftermarket rims would have cost me more.

I think it comes down to who you speak to at the other end of the line...asking the same question again would probably give you a different response

AWBimmer · 09-13-2012, 06:41 AM

Suspension (springs / coilovers etc)?

Hotcoupe · 09-13-2012, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWBimmer

Suspension (springs / coilovers etc)?

Without a doubt,no one could argue changes to the OEM suspension is anything other than a modification.

AWBimmer · 09-13-2012, 07:10 AM

What sort of an uplift would one expect upon changing to coilovers / aftermarket suspension?

Phil325i · 09-13-2012, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subzero2003

Here's what i would declare:

Different tyres - lol no

Unless you're switching from runflats to non-runflats, in which case I would deffo notify...

BoondogUK · 09-13-2012, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gchild

interesting... i was told by one insurance company that if i went from 18" rims to say 19" rims, but they are specified as OEM option, then will cost nothing. Going to say 19" aftermarket rims would have cost me more.

That is exactly what happened on my insurance, no cost... however it is recorded on the insurance, and if they are stolen, or damaged they will replace the ones declared.. not just replace/in kind the OEM wheels

IanS100 · 09-13-2012, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWBimmer

What sort of an uplift would one expect upon changing to coilovers / aftermarket suspension?

It all depends on the insurance company - I declared a remap on my last car which cost me about £80, but when I declared bigger brakes & suspension changes they didn't increase it further - they all seem to work to different guidelines.

The previous car had lightly tinted windows & when I came to renew a number of companies would even insure it wtf!!

Subzero2003 · 09-13-2012, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Unless you're switching from runflats to non-runflats, in which case I would deffo notify...

I wouldn't. Can't remember how many posts i've seen from people saying they've told the insurance company they've switched from runflats and they have responded that it is fine.

gchild · 09-13-2012, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWBimmer

Suspension (springs / coilovers etc)?

Without a doubt,no one could argue changes to the OEM suspension is anything other than a modification.

What about say going from oem SE set up to oem m sport set up?

IanS100 · 09-13-2012, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subzero2003

I wouldn't. Can't remember how many posts i've seen from people saying they've told the insurance company they've switched from runflats and they have responded that it is fine.

I would still advise them to be on the safe side, although I'm sure I'm seen a list somewhere of Insurance Companies who are ok with it!?!

dxb335d · 09-13-2012, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWBimmer

What sort of an uplift would one expect upon changing to coilovers / aftermarket suspension?

You have already done your suspension mods. Have you not spoken to them?

dxb335d · 09-13-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Unless you're switching from runflats to non-runflats, in which case I would deffo notify...

Back in 2008 I did notify my insurance company that I ha changed to non run flats, my car was worth a lot of money still being 1 year old and I didn't want to take the risk of not informing them.

It wasn't as prolific as it is now though.

Subzero2003 · 09-13-2012, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gchild

What about say going from oem SE set up to oem m sport set up?

If it's something that didn't come on the car when it rolled off the production line, and its an exterior modification - i would declare it.

AWBimmer · 09-13-2012, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

You have already done your suspension mods. Have you not spoken to them?

Nope... must do that !

AWBimmer · 09-13-2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subzero2003

If it's something that didn't come on the car when it rolled off the production line, and its an exterior modification - i would declare it.

+1..

To the OP, it does sound a little bizarre but worth notifying and paying the extra few pounds for peace of mind.. on the other hand, how ridiculous will this sound...

You: "Yes I'd like to declare I've now switched from BMW OE softer suspension to BMW OE M sport suspension..."
Insurance: "Ok, one moment... that'll be £100 (or whatever) more on top"

LOL

Rudz · 09-13-2012, 02:43 PM

I went from 17" to 19", declared the mod to Admiral, got charged £32, I was told i would not have to notify if I changed alloys ever again as this additional premium covered it all

a11y · 09-13-2012, 03:46 PM

I thought this was a mod?

doughboy · 09-13-2012, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Unless you're switching from runflats to non-runflats, in which case I would deffo notify...

Why? nothing says you have to fit runflats? Only size, load and speed ratings are relevant.

Fitting non rfts is no different to using mobil oil instead of 'reccomended' castrol, would you declare that?

Alex.Devol · 09-13-2012, 05:59 PM

Last months mods have added Â£800 to my insurance and I've really had to shop around to get that. Bodykit, exhaust, brakes, suspension & alloys. I tried to add a few i plan to make (to save on more admin fees if i change the policy later) but It seems going over 6 mods makes me uninsurable with most companies.
I didn't notify of vinyl wrapping though, has anybody done that?
I think It's a bit ridiculous that my 325 is now more expensive to insure than an e92 m3...

09-13-2012, 05:23 AM	#1
gchild First Lieutenant 24 Rep 340 Posts Drives: honda Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: london iTrader: (0)	When is a mod a mod? When making changes to cars, be it adding a spoiler, changing bulbs, wrapping trim, upgrading wheels etc, what is the trigger point that suggests its a modification worth declaring to an insurance company?
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09-13-2012, 05:39 AM	#3
Subzero2003 Captain 20 Rep 668 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Only you can use your judgement to decide that - most cosmetic mods are normally free - i declared my front Aero lip and rear M3 spoiler and it cost nothing, but my exhaust cost about another £70 As for declaring factory options - this is ridiculous and no one i have ever known has ever done this. I'm willing to bet this is one of these "safety in numbers" things as 99.9% of people don't even what factory options are fitted. IMO - forget about this unless specifically asked. Here's what i would declare: Wheels - yes Different tyres - lol no Exterior cosmetic modifications (ie. spoiler, aero bumper etc) - yes, because it often costs nothing more anyway Engine chips/remaps - Yes Exhausts - yes Induction kits - yes Brakes - lol no (unless you are upgrading to 6 pot brembo's or something) Tinting - yes Anything interior (adding heated seats/wrapping trim/different steering wheel/etc) - no
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09-13-2012, 06:22 AM	#4
gchild First Lieutenant 24 Rep 340 Posts Drives: honda Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: london iTrader: (0)	interesting... i was told by one insurance company that if i went from 18" rims to say 19" rims, but they are specified as OEM option, then will cost nothing. Going to say 19" aftermarket rims would have cost me more. I think it comes down to who you speak to at the other end of the line...asking the same question again would probably give you a different response
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09-13-2012, 06:41 AM	#5
AWBimmer Major General 355 Rep 6,174 Posts Drives: E92 335D Pre-LCI \| E63 M6 V10 Join Date: May 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (4)	Suspension (springs / coilovers etc)? __________________ BMW E92 335D \| Lower Klasse IG: @that.m6
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09-13-2012, 07:10 AM	#7
AWBimmer Major General 355 Rep 6,174 Posts Drives: E92 335D Pre-LCI \| E63 M6 V10 Join Date: May 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (4)	What sort of an uplift would one expect upon changing to coilovers / aftermarket suspension? __________________ BMW E92 335D \| Lower Klasse IG: @that.m6
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09-13-2012, 02:43 PM	#19
Rudz Lieutenant Colonel 237 Rep 1,720 Posts Drives: F30 335D xDrive Shadow Edition Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK iTrader: (3)	I went from 17" to 19", declared the mod to Admiral, got charged £32, I was told i would not have to notify if I changed alloys ever again as this additional premium covered it all
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09-13-2012, 03:46 PM	#20
a11y First Lieutenant 22 Rep 309 Posts Drives: VW T5 Campervan... Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Central Scotland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 VW T5 Campervan [0.00]	I thought this was a mod? __________________ It's gone - no longer an e90 330i owner
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09-13-2012, 05:59 PM	#22
Alex.Devol First Lieutenant 26 Rep 329 Posts Drives: BMW E92 M-Sport LCI Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Lancashire iTrader: (0)	Last months mods have added Â£800 to my insurance and I've really had to shop around to get that. Bodykit, exhaust, brakes, suspension & alloys. I tried to add a few i plan to make (to save on more admin fees if i change the policy later) but It seems going over 6 mods makes me uninsurable with most companies. I didn't notify of vinyl wrapping though, has anybody done that? I think It's a bit ridiculous that my 325 is now more expensive to insure than an e92 m3...
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