Chip Vs Remap. Insurance question?

[wombar]

Hi All,

I'm just looking into what the insurance is going to cost me for an S4 and have some questions.

I'm potentially going to look at an S4 on Saturday but my current insurance company (Admiral) who also run Bell and Elephant won't insure a car that has been remapped, BUT they will insure chipped cars (up to 25% increase).

I see there are a few members here who have insurance with the Admiral group who also have remaps. How did you get around this? Did you just tell them it was chipped or did you "forget" to mention that your car was remapped. Is there any real difference in performance of a chip over a remap?

I'm not looking for any mods to be covered and Admirals prices are significantly better for me as I have 9yrs NCB, no points and no claims. Also tried green light who aren't too bad but their excess is a lot higher than my current policy

[GrahamS4]

Chip/remap same thing so far as I know for insurance purposes.

If the insurance company are distinguishing I'd say it is a mistake/misunderstanding more than intent.

With the likes of Admiral/Bell/Eephant the person you speak to isn't so clued up on engine tuning.

I have insured remapped cars with them by telling them it's "chipped".

[CliveH]

Strictly speaking, a "chipped" car is one which has had the ECU main processor chip replaced (as this chip can't be flashed).

However, as the new chip contains different engine mapping code, then the car will also have been remapped.

It could also be said that a remap which involves flashing of the ECU changes the contents of the main ECU chip and therefore it's been "chipped".

So as you can see, the two terms can be used interchangeably.

To confuse matters more, in some circles a chipped car is one which has had a generic remap...

If your insurer doesn't understand the "difference" between remapping and chipping, then perhaps you should be looking elsewhere?

In my limited experience of insuring modded cars, I would recommend Greenlight or Adrian Flux, both of which understand these cars and the nature of engine tuning.

[dazzer]

Strictly speaking, a "chipped" car is one which has had the ECU main processor chip replaced (as this chip can't be flashed).

However, as the new chip contains different engine mapping code, then the car will also have been remapped.

It could also be said that a remap which involves flashing of the ECU changes the contents of the main ECU chip and therefore it's been "chipped".

So as you can see, the two terms can be used interchangeably.

To confuse matters more, in some circles a chipped car is one which has had a generic remap...

If your insurer doesn't understand the "difference" between remapping and chipping, then perhaps you should be looking elsewhere?

In my limited experience of insuring modded cars, I would recommend Greenlight or Adrian Flux, both of which understand these cars and the nature of engine tuning.

Admiral insured mine and I told them it had a custom remap so I don't understand why they are so inconsistent. I am insured with Adrian Flux and have nothing but good experiences with them. You can at least have a conversation with them without any ambiguity. The premium is good also. The only downside is they don't offer trackday insurance on their policies so I will have to look elsewhere next time around.

[Dippy]

Yup - they haven't a clue what remapping is - they just have a check-box called "chipped". Unless their base premiums are low, they probably won't be the most competitive as 25% is fairly high for just a remap (sorry chip).

[MarkB]

I think the 25% is referring to power increase.

[GrahamS4]

You have to imagine someone as clued up in cars as your Mum is reading these options from a screen on the computer.

Just tell them the engine has been made more powerfull.

[wombar]

Got a quote (with Admiral) for a chipped S4, with after market exhaust and my quote is coming in at £744 FC with guaranteed NCB, biz use for me only and £350XS. Thats for a 26 yr old, 9yrs NCB, no points(yet) and no accidents. I've had better from Green Light at £672, but as I'm already with Admiral I'll probably just stay with them until my insurance is up for renewal after Xmas. Just about to give them a call to see what they'll do to me as an existing customer.

[EDIT]

Just been speaking to admiral and they have said it will be an additional £350 to insure me on a car that is chipped and has an aftermarket exhaust. Works out to ~£700/year which seems fairly reasonable and I can keep the policy going so I don't lose my NCB on this years policy.

[Wolverine]

Seems alot of money for the remap to me!

[wombar]

The total for insurance for a year(including all mods) is ~£700 which doesn't seem too bad to me. I've not had anything significantly cheaper(£672 from Green light is the cheapest), not sure where else to try. A-Plan wanted well over £800 which isn't going to happen and directline and churchill were all around the £1k mark.

[CliveH]

£700 is a good price (£672 even better), for your tender age...

[derdle]

I used to be with Elephant and they didn't load the premium for the chip/remap on my RS4. Perhaps they looked kindly on me cos I'm an old git.

Paul

[quattrosteph]

With Noel Dazely , premium £700 , £70 extra for the remap, not bad at all!!! (34 years old, 6 years protected no -claim)

[Philws4]

Got £535 this weekend through Adrian Flux.
Mod's insured on a' like for like basis'.
Fully comp,protected NCD,Social,Domestic & Pleasure,£300 Excess.
Legal cover,courtesy car and breakdown cover,Max 8K miles/year.
Didn't think that was too bad

[jb7_uk]

I'm just 25, with 7 years NCB

Only mods i have are the 18" rims but Insured fully comp, with Biz use, unlimited mileage for a mere £580 through Noel Dazely.