To me, those things are obvious declarations though. The policy on “Factory fit” extras vary from company to company, but as I said before - if you buy the car used, how would you know what was standard and what was specified?- Especially with an mx5 where there are so many special editions - you could look at a dozen, and still be clueless to the ‘standard’ specification) Would I trust the dealer who had to ask if my new wipers were “for the front?”? - I doubt it
It’s the smaller things like mats, different (but similar) gear knobs, removing sun visors, and so on, where I see the grey area lying. Or with larger items, that neither impact performance, or are visually identifiable; changing your ‘dummy’ oil pressure gauge to a working one, or replacing your spare wheel with ‘tyre weld’ (etc) for a bit more boot space when you go on holiday.
Yip
This is one of those things where if you do it right - you lose out. An insurer is highly unlikely not to pay out because of a minor mod (even if they do find out about it).
It’s a bit like flying with Ryanair with a lot of luggage - if you do it by the book, and check it in, you’re £15 (or £30?) worse off, but 99% of people in the same situation just carry their’s on, and get away with it. By doing it right, quite frankly you’ve been a fool. Although in fairness to Ryanair, they are getting better at turning people/bags away.
Edit: I am in no way saying that you shouldn’t declare mods - just that insurers need to be clearer, and fairer on how they do things, so that when you do it properly, you’re not alone.
But this also applys to the jap spec versions , how many owners are riding on none standard wheels,useing none standard steering wheels ect without even knowing any different.
It’s a big can of worms, that i personally see all the insurance Co’s making it up as they go along,and we will always be the lossers,while they get fat pockets.
Sent: 15 May 2010 00:43 To: Dawn Wills Subject: RE:
email
Hi
Dawn<o:p></o:p>
If I fit a
set of alloy wheels to my MX5, that are not as fitted originally, I understand
that you guys need to know, the same with a stereo upgrade or leather seats. But
do you need to know if I fit better carpets, different windscreen wipers[ more
efficient] upgraded headlight bulbs etc etc. Also removing sun visors and
changing the gear knob. We have a debate raging on the MX5 Owners Club forum at
the moment about this topic, you can see it here<o:p></o:p>
I have had a reply from our Tim Slater.
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>He has asked me to pass on that all
modification should be disclosed as some underwriters are very strict but that
these minor cosmetic changes would not result in any increase in
premium.<o:p></o:p>
I don’t think that will come as any surprise to anyone - if you are up for another mail though, you could ask them how they feel about genuine replacement parts which Mazda changed/modified slightly. On the sensible side of things - the rear mud flaps on a MK1 I believe changed from long versions, to shorter ones. On the petty side of things, if I replace my juddering mk2.5 clutch with the improved Mazda part (that replaced the original ■■■■ one which is no longer available). I’m sure there are loads of examples
I think that everybody [in the world] is in agreement that the safest option is always to phone/email/write - although in some cases we know it is going to be stupid/embarrasing to do so.
I hope each and every one of you has declared the replacement tyre valves fitted last time you got new tyres…
However if each of the 5-6000 OC members starts phoning their insurers (at the same time for extra effect), and declares each and every little thing that’s changed since their car has left the factory, maybe they’ll make it a little bit clearer for all, and we will start getting lists! - Tyre valves, tax disc holders, wiper blades (who other than me buys Mazda ones!?!), bulbs (as above!), Be prepared to spend 10-15 minutes per item though if you’re not with a “specialist” insurer, as you try to explain what a “[tyre] valve” is - it won’t be on their script![;)]
If the insurance companies are going to take this stuff seriously I see a lot of consultancy work coming up for automotive design engineers to accurately assess the impact of shorter mud guards (increased spray in the wet, reduced visibility for following vehicles, increase risk of a crash) or replacement valve caps (proof of complience to ISO standard required). Excellent.
Or we could just provide them with a complete list, which they will scan through and make a knee-jerk reaction to the premium based of the words they know (my other car is insured as being modified to 250bhp despite being dynoed to 160bhp because of the way they reacted to the standard-for-that-engine-but-not-standard-for-that-car cams, valves, ports, inlet manifold and throttle). I’m covered on that car because they have the list, but they haven’t done any kind of accurate assessment of the risk based on the mods, and aren’t capable of doing so.
If we flood them with detail they will file it, and only ever read it if we make a claim, which most of us won’t do anyway. It’s worth my time telling them because it’s ten minutes of my time verses the potential loss of all my future earnings, but it’s not worth their time reading it, or thinking about it, until it’s time to try to wriggle out of a claim.
I give them a full list in writing of everything. That way im covered with modified car. Mine has lots of nice bits on it that you cant get now - id plan to strip these off but they have said they will pay for each item on my policy. Ive a full file of photo’s and whatever receipts etc I can keep.
One of the lads on Nutz car caught fire last week. It had many rare and custom features.
These were declared to the insurer but you know you wont get the value from them so following a lot of hard work and generous contributions of old parts, his car is back to bog standard over the weekend. It is being assessed today and he expects the standard pay out as car fire tends to mean cat b apparently.
I know I couldnt replace many of the parts on mine so id really want some way of getting the value and the effort involved back.
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