Insurance on cars. (Have a look)

[RSVI]

I've found out something that I'd never thought about. I miss understood the question when asked and i don't think I'm alone.

You phone an insurance company for a quote, during the questions they ask
"has the car been modified in any way?"

Now, I've always guessed they mean, "have you put an aftermarket exhaust on or changed the wheels. put a big spoiler on the back etc.....


I've now learnt this isn't strictly true.

Say i had a new BMW and added extras from the optional extra list like auto box, xenon lights, sunroof, sat nav, com pack.

Because these are not on the basic (std) car the insurance company (unless told) is not aware of these being fitted and they wont be covered on the insurance.

If you had a front end and the lights needed to be replaced, if the car came std with normal bulbs that's all the insurance company needs to replace unless they knew the car had xenon's.


I think i have explained this well enough for you to understand.

It's something i learnt today and wanted to post it for others to look into. We all know what insurance companies are like to try and get out of paying in full.

[MarkB]

I've seen factory options listed seperately on some forms.

Thing is it's easy for the original purchaser but what about all the older cars? Some options seem to get spec'ed on all cars so many think are standard.

What a Mine Field!

[Andyuk911]

Wow ... news to me ... I will have to revisit my Direct Line Quote for a RS4

[GaryC]

You're absolutely right there, and in my experience it's not something that many insurers make clear when quoting. I picked up on it half by chance due to something the customer services rep said on the phone several years ago when insuring a car with Bell Direct, and it seems that most/all insurers do the same thing. So now I list all the options on the car when getting a quote.

Gary.