Just fell into this one so watch out you don't get caught as well.

Insured with Bell Direct - reasonable deal but if I had found this forum, could have got cheaper with others.

Hole in exhaust (in todo list on website) so good excuse to upgrade to a Mongoose (thanks Johnny).

Advised Bell Direct - they said extra £40 or thereabouts in full year. OK, I said, go ahead.

 

Policy letter arrives & says

We have noted modifications for your vehicle. Please note this is not covered by this policy.

1) So how come excluding their liability for £500 worth of lovingly-tooled stainless means I have to pay more?

2) They didn't tell me that the modification was excluded from cover until after they had taken my money.

 

They also gave severe bullsh*t that this was standard industry practice so I rang Norwich Union to check and they said they didn't do this (i.e. exclude mods which they had agreed to accept).

 

Humph moan grumble - Gio

 

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Gio Mate,

 

Try the insurance factory (Gareth), they cover ZX's as future classics with Mods even they are Japaneasy Imports!!!!Have access to 2nd car though!

Just got cover on the convertible for 725, as a future classic, after two major claims last year???With No NCD

 

Mark

UK spec? Firebond, I was paying 336 squids but that policy ended up getting cancelled due to a slight hick-up! So asked them to re-quote, I originally had the ECU upgrade, zorst and intake listed as mods and 336 was the premium.

 

So with the requote I told them it had been heavily kitted and after market alloys...400 on the dot! Bangin'!!!

 

6K limited mileage on a classic and guaranteed valuation policy!

 

 

 

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Tim Mate,

 

They don't cover Jap Motors at Firebond!

 

Mark

they used to. Im insured through them and i have an import.

Originally posted by Gio:

1) So how come excluding their liability for £500 worth of lovingly-tooled stainless means I have to pay more?

2) They didn't tell me that the modification was excluded from cover until after they had taken my money.

 

Are you sure they aren't just saying that they won't buy you a new Mongoose exhaust if it gets damaged, just a standard one. As the standard one is more expensive, it shouldn't be a problem. I'm sure I had the same thing from one company a couple of years ago.

 

 

 

[This message has been edited by Dave Marley (edited 27-05-2002).]

Dave, I believe you're right. I work for an insurance company (don't hate me for it please!) and this is fairly standard policy wording.

 

A major factor in this is the debate over values. Many modifications could have debatable prices - all the good prices that forum members do for each other ? Exchange rates going mad on parts not available in the UK ? Development time on things like custom chips.

 

It actually stops the price hikes for mods being even more extortionate than they already are.

 

I think there are some specialists out there who will cover mods but I'm afraid I don't know which ones. Big names are more likely to have this sort of 'standard for modded' replacement.

 

Dave

Originally posted by MarkHanley:

Tim Mate,

 

They don't cover Jap Motors at Firebond!

 

Mark

 

They don't do Jap Imports Mark, UK spec cars they do!

 

Cover note is sat in my kitchen after my requote on Friday bud!

 

 

 

 

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Hi Dave, Hi Hairsy,

yes - after some digging I believe you're right. And in my case, as you point out, a Mongoose is actually cheaper than the OEM original.

But it is the principle (that word again!)

1) They took my money without telling me

2) Many car clubs and insurers offer "agreed value" insurance which takes into account modifications to the car. I can understand that extreme or strange mods which push the envelope may be a bit difficult but a s/s Mongoose for a OEM piece of sh*t is hardly rocket science.

Anyhow, I guess I was just letting off steam and trying to warn people rather than getting Bell to change their mind.

 

Thanks, guys - Gio

Gio,

 

I know the feeling. If you wanted you could say that the contract is invalid and demand your increased premium back - you can't enter into a valid contract if you haven't been at least offered the opportunity to know the terms (you don't actually have to know them!).

 

Only other thing is that if it actually came to a claim, if you wrote to the claims department saying you had a cheaper exhaust fitted before and you'd like the same fitted to save them money, you would probably find they'd agree. With this it would always be better to write first and then follow up with a phone call - but find a name of who to write to too. One of the most expensive things for an insurance company is waiting for stuff - if they've already got the confirmation letter when you speak to them then they are more likely to flex.

 

But all insurance companies are out to charge you more than you actually cost them - that's how they make they're money ! What kind of sick person would work for them !

 

Dave

Same goes for wheels. My 18" BBS RS2s cost serious £ and they dont cover them - the extra premium is to cover increased nickability caused to the vehicle!

Willie

 

Hi Tim,

 

Yes mate I meant to say Jap Imports, they do cover Imports but I think at a higher premium. To tell you the truth the quote I got from Firebond for my UK Z is the same as the one from the Insurance Factory for my Import Convertible!

 

Mark

Ok bud, hey got my mail open this morning as I'm a lazy fucker and the letter has been sat in the kitchen since Monday! LOL

 

Not 400, but 371 squids! Oh man I am the happiest bunny in the Warren, no reference to 300z LMFTO

 

 

 

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