Ok, title doesn’t really explain anything, so here goes:
This week bought my first MX5, unmodified but with the aim of making some changes over the coming year(s). Because it’s currently unmodified I was struggling to get a good price from Adrian Flux and other modified specialists, so ended up going for one of the bog standard places (Churchill).
Given this, what’s the best play here for getting modifications done and transitioning to modified insurance in the same fell swoop? Anyone got experience with this situation? Is it just a matter of cancelling Churchill for a fee on one day, getting the mods done, then hitting ‘go’ on a pre-prepared quote from a modified specialist the next day?
Some mainstream insurers don’t like modified cars, some will allow none power mods at an increased premium.
I think you’ve got to consider how much it will cost you to cancel your current policy to start again elsewhere. Insurers have a sliding scale of fees to cancel a policy, it may be wise to wait until it’s up anyway before the mods start.
Admiral my current insurers cover modified cars, with power mods too. I’m currently have my NC with power mods, lowered suspension etc with them. You can ring up and amend the policy to suit.
My NB is now fairly modified. It’s currently insured with Lancaster. I’ve notified them after each mod (made in stages) before using it on the road and it’s typically been a £20 fee each time. However, the original underwriters eventually said ‘No’ so Lancaster cancelled my original policy, refunded some of the premium, and started a new policy simultaneously with a different underwriter.
I suspect you might be better with a more specialised insurer if you’re making substantial changes to the engine. I spoke one motorsport-focused provider and the initial premium was a higher but all they wanted to know was engine power and, as long as that didn’t change, I was free to make any other mods with no additional premium payments. I think it was Reiss but can’t be 100% sure.
I tried some of the usual suspects after some mild upgrading work . Some refused outright , others were affordable but insisted on stupidly low annual mileage . But Adrian Flux was excellent - affordable , helpful and friendly - and no mileage cap either . .
I contacted Churchill to understand what they would cover, turns out it’s more than I’d expected.
New infotainment, new alloys and new cat back all covered under my policy - exhaust is the only thing I need to tell them about but apparently won’t affect my premium. Didn’t try any more for now…
Good result.
Will be keeping records of them telling me this stuff (was all done on WhatsApp). Feels like they might try to shaft me later.
Just read some horror stories (including on here) about insurance companies saying one thing before modifications are made, then changing tact after changes. Hopefully won’t be an issue!
I hope they think “here’s a customer who is paying attention to our rules and contacted us to fill any knowledge gaps. We should ensure we follow up on our prior statements made to him.”
Hope I didn’t offend you John - don’t think I’ve said anything unreasonable.
Ah , but when I had a day job I was a lawyer, and ts and cs were what got me out of bed in the morning . Oddly enough , I don’t miss either drafting them or reading others’ efforts …
I am with Admiral, insured mine as standard, made changes online, super easy and made very little difference to the premium (from what I can remember less than £20 over the year).
I have lowered it, added cat back exhaust, stage 1 remap.
