Hi All,
Ive just ordered a Cobalt Exhaust for our 3.5 and rang the insurance to check it wouldnt invalidate our policy.
I explained that its a SS Back Box, not performance enhancing and no other mods will be done.
Their reply was imo vague…the new exhaust has to be exactly the same as the factory fitted exhaust in all ways except material…otherwise we arnt covered.
Has anyone had any experience dealing with Axa re exhausts?
At the worst we save the exhaust and renew elsewhere
Cheers
John
I’ve found each insurance company has their own reasons/limitations as to what you can class as a mod and what will pass their underwriters as “it’s ok with us”
I stick with a specialist insurer if my car has mods (it does) they seem to be more tuned in to what’s acceptable and usually the premiums are flexible too for later additions.
I’ve used AXA many years ago but for unmodded cars, so can’t comment.
I now use Greenlight for the Mk3 rather than a mainstream insurer, with it being lowered suspension, different alloys (but Mazda OEM) SS exhaust (Cobalt) and various other minor mods/additions mainly cosmetic.
No harm in ringing other mainstream insurers if your current insurer isn’t going to play ball, my advice would be the above if you intend to make further mods, try a specialist.
Hi Guys,
After a few calls on Friday I was on the point of giving up.
Even though in their acceptable mods SS Exhaust is allowed I was being told it would have to be exactly the same as the exhaust coming off and that included size, bore etc…
I then noticed they have a Facebook page and I sent them a message via Facebook and Im pleased to say this morning I have an email saying yes I can fit the Cobalt Exhaust…
I had a similar conversation with my Ins co when I had a new Motad exhaust on a motorcycle. Initially the Ins co said it was unacceptable, but I asked the CSA (Customer Services Advisor) what car she had and if she’d had the exhaust changed?
She replied ‘Yes, I got it done at Kwikfit’
So I asked if she advised her Ins Co of the change…
Silence followed and then she agreed that the Motad was acceptable.
One point worth mentioning though - Motad state that their exhausts add no BHP or performance boost but just better made in stainless steel than the originals.
just added a cobalt to my mk3.5 yesterday.
my insurer is nfu and cannot speak to them until tuesday due to easter.
maybe i should not use the car until then?
if they get funny about it i will try greenlight
I’m with DirectLine. When I called to notify them of the Cobalt exhaust and lowered suspension on my NC3.5 they charged me an extra £4 for the suspension but nothing for the exhaust. I simply explained it was stainless steel with no performance improvement (that I’m aware of). No fuss about being like for like. It seemed to hinge on whether the mod cost less than £250 which fortunately it did.
had no charge added for fitting the cobalt with nfu, YET.
i do wonder whether it will be factored in at renewal time.
I spoke to a helpful guy at Moss in Bristol regarding the cobalt exhaust for my 2-5. They are taking some to the Spring rally and if i wanted he would put one by for me. Then the phone call to my insurance company. Esure. They want an extra £52 if I change the exhaust. Half of which is administration cost. Apparently because of slight power increase and makes the car more attractive to low life car thieves.
Churchill (same company as Direct Line) had no problem with me fitting Cobalt exhaust.
have you had your renewal since, though?
Simon, I had a Cobalt on my NB for nearly two years and the insurance renewal did not go up by anything other than inflation.
that is good to hear.
i had a claim on a protected nc policy on my last car with nfu.
my ncd was “not affected” but renewal premium went up by £150.
i dont trust any insurance company
To the OP.
My ND (with mods - spacers, exhaust etc) is underwritten by AXA with a modified policy, so they do cover modifications.
Simon.
They do have an acceptable modifications list that does include stainless exhausts.
All sorted now just waiting for the exhaust to arrive…
There’s a cobalt rear section in Bristol with my name on it which I’ll be buying tomorrow. I’ll have to suck up the additional charge,but won’t be renewing my policy with them next year
There are some very interesting comments about insurance companies and minor mods on this thread.
It seems that every insurance company has a different answer to each different customer on any different day of the week !
I suppose I can understand the need to declare a lowered suspension, but fitting a stainless-steel exhaust or after-market alloy wheels perhaps, or extra bling ? Come on !
I suppose I will have to contact my insurance company when I fit a chrome fuel-filler hatch to my NC next month !
I’m insured with https://www.rhspecialistinsurance.co.uk/ on a classic car policy with my 1999 NB and if it was standard it would be £218 a year with a 5000 mile limit and no no claims used or accrued and that includes breakdown cover in Europe.
With the Turbo conversion, lowered suspension, wider wheels and tyres , EBC discs and pads and Peco back box it went up by an enormous £20 Bargain
Contacted Aviva about fitting a Cobalt rear end to my Mk4, they said to try via the online portal ( MyAviva) I ticked the box on modifications which said ’ exhaust’ back came the reply ’ no premium increase’ - now fitted and sounds wonderful!!