Insurance - mod notification and nice little surprise

[Retro Pedro]

Took on board what Paul (Badboy) was saying about police pulling over modified motors and checking that the insurance company had been correctly informed of mods therefore leaving insurance policy valid.
As I'd just done the suspension lift and fitted bigger tyres thought I'd better get onto my insurance company this morning to do the honours. When I originally took the policy out I was duly informed that modifications are accepted on this policy at no extra costs.
That was OK until I mentioned the MT tyres and intended use, i.e. Offroading and Green Laning. Could have kept quite about use, but as Green Lanes are legal roads and Off roading sites want road legal motors didn't want to take the chance. Insurance operator goes off to ask his manager where I stand and answers was my insurance would be void if used Offroad or Green Laning and for the insurance to stay valid I would have to remove the modifications.
OK, it's their rule book, so wasn't bothered, just told the operator that I'd go off elsewhere the seek insurance cover that suits my needs and would be back to cancel the policy.
Again, listening to where Paul is insured, gave Adrian Flux a ring. Came back with a quote £150 cheaper that what I was originally paying and recovery from UK and Europe included.
Well pleased - the only thing that I would say is they asked me where they needed to get to on price. Goes without saying, never tell them, tell them you are also getting quotes from the rivals and let them come back with their lowest rather than the price they can sell it for.

[BadBoy]

Nice one - now you got yourself another £150 to spend on more mod's

[Retro Pedro]

Hi Paul - I wish - the money that's coming back is paying for the new insurance so basically the gain I get is that next years renewal moves from May to September 2010 and at a reduced premium, thats when I get the spending money.
Good point you made though about being pulled over and checked - and if worst scenario, insurance company's don't need alot of excuses not to pay out when required.

[Roo]

Nice Pete

[yaki]

There was a similar thread posted on the Glass forum a while back, guy had a bog standard Jap 4x4 but did go off laning, read the small print on his insurance policy and they didn't cover him on unsurfaced ROW's even though they are public roads and you need MOT, tax and insurance to drive them.

Use Adrian Flux myself, prices are good but has anyone had to claim off them for loss or damage and what were they like

[Retro Pedro]

Not 100% sure because I'm waiting for documentation arrive, but I believe Adrian Flux are brokers, so the truth in the pudding will the insurance company/companies they broker for. They did verbally tell me the company, UK something, but didn't take on board the full details.
This broker info came from the previous insurance company when I was politely telling them that their policy can go to the place where the sun doesn't shine.
Having said that, in my case, the vehicle value is not that high, so if the unforeseen does happen, chances are the car will be a right off and if cosmetic repairs are the order of the day, they will be DIY with second hand panels.

[gregster]

[Retro Pedro]

Watcha Greg - Original company was Admiral - I used them because of the multi-car factor. In hindsight, not 100% sure if this is a viable factor or not. In our case, the wife's car holds all the no claims bonus and the second car has to build the discount on consecutive years, therefore the Fronty was relatively expensive to insure. Last renewal date (May 2009) I paid £389 Third Party Fire and Theft with only 1 year's no claims including the get you home breakdown cover. Flux quote was £187 TPFT, £268 Fully Comp. then £52 breakdown including getting you home (UK and Europe) with advised 1 year's NCD.
Looking back, for me the multi-car was an option because when I added the Fronty as the second car, the Focus policy was already running, therefore the actual money I needed to pay was reduced because I only had to pay upto the next renewal date. It's when you get the first renewal day for both cars that the premium hits you at it's full amount.

[furball]

I got this year's insurance through adrian flux / flux direct and while it was all very pleasant (except for the torrent of legal declarations they have to make over the phone), and I like the fact that they send the documentation via email, I must admit that I was slightly concerned to see that the company that is actually providing the cover is a Lloyds company, and they are notoriously evasive when it comes to claims and will do anything they can to avoid paying out. This is of course purely an opinion, and not a statement of fact* (end legal disclaimer )

*(note that this is based on the opinion of my father, who has been involved in motor claims investigation for over 30 years, is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute, and has in the past sat on the advisory board of the Motor Insurer's Bureau Technical Committee, so I assume he knows what he is talking about when it comes to this stuff )