[pinco000]

Hi guys, I would like to know your opinion on declaring to insurers upgrades to the car.
To be more specific, I mean for example:
- upgrading my originally non Idrive E92 to CIC I drive ( factory CIC retrofit by a very skilled forum member)
- Mulf2 high module to combox
-fitting an M3 bootlid spoiler

I have mixed feelings about this as I heard one story of a member who has done a cic retrofit to his bimmer and the insurers cancelled his policy and he ended up having 30days to find new insurance company.
What worries me too, that if my car gets stolen and then unbelievably recovered, they might not pay towards possible damages to the vehicly due to unreported upgrades.
Thank you for your replies !

[surrey 335i]

I would tell them and I would not expect the premium to change by much, its not affecting the performance.
If the car got stolen and you wanted to replace it with another car of the same spec (ie with Satnav) then you'd need to tell them, or else the payment would only cover one with no satnav, only a small difference but if you have spent all that time and money on it I'd want to know it was all covered.

[Waspo]

Declare EVERYTHING you do on your car, and EVERYTHING previous owners may have done from when it left the BMW Conveyor belt.

That way they cannot use they "You did not notify us about that............ excuse!

[pinco000]

so just informed them about cic retrofit, m3 boot lip spoiler, steering wheel lock, underground parking
result..£157

[Dan-danGT]

I hate insurance companies especially ones that are on go compare. I'm with sky I'm 25 with 5 years no claims on a e90 330d 08 plate. I have lip spoiler, remap and intercooler. Told them it's about 274hp they wanted about £76 extra. I was happy with that considering the piece of mind if I crashed it.... My insurance is about 700 I think.

[JulesM]

Steep, Get a new insurance company at renewal time!

[pinco000]

I will. I really thought that securing my car ( no more street parking ) will out weigh the mods. Well...

[Route 16]

tell them if it's a lease or finance or paid off vehicle to change price rate

[dy63]

do people really tell insurance about a lip on the boot lol

[JulesM]

The day after I bought the e90 I had the renewal due on my other three cars, I paid £1200 for four modified cars. Result!

They don't even load the policy when I stick new mods on either. I guess they might if I went Liberty Walk wide arch though

[pinco000]

Originally Posted by cupraraj

do people really tell insurance about a lip on the boot lol

you better tell m8. In a case you have an accident ( your fault or not ) and your car is deemed a write off, insurers will inspect the car. If they find unreported mods it will invalidate your insurance lol
boot lip spoiler is a mod

[Juz5i]

I personally wouldn't tell them about a lip spoiler. Also I wouldn't even mention lowering springs and small mods but that's just me.

[Waspo]

Originally Posted by Juz5i

I personally wouldn't tell them about a lip spoiler. Also I wouldn't even mention lowering springs and small mods but that's just me.

Thats quite irresponsible advice Juz. Fair enough if you want to run the risk then fine, but ALL insurers insist on being notified of "ALL MODS" and you would be reckless not to comply with this. I tell them EVERYTHING, even LED interior lamp replacements!

Don't give them ANY excuse to back out of a claim. It's all part of ownership and Modding. If you can't afford to own and Mod a BMW or any car for that matter, then buy something cheaper!

I certainly would not like to be hit by you and your insurance company to turn round to me and say, "Sorry Mr Waspo, but his insurance is in-valid and any compensation you will have to claim from him"

[djgandy]

For lip spoiler, I'd not worry, but anything suspension wise must be declared. Insurers might want to know who fitted it too. If you fit new springs yourself, and then you end up in an accident, they are going to say it was your fault because you cocked up your suspension!

[Waspo]

Have a read of this link below from MoneySuperMarket.com

Some good advice to which people on here should read if you have advised someone not to declare a "Spoiler" for instance!!!

CLICK HERE!!

[JulesM]

The best thing to do is find a knowledgeable company/broker, that way you won't get loaded for minor mods. I even added springs on to the bmw policy as a planned mod.

One company refused to give me a quote because I had a dump valve!! All the other engine mods that actually increased power were fine but as soon as i mentioned a dump valve it was conversation over, if you're insured with someone like that and you want to add mods you have a problem.

[Waspo]

Also bare in mind that it is YOUR responsibility as the current owner and Insured person to declare any Mods that differs from Factory Build sheet!

"EVEN if they where done before you bought the car by previous owner(s)"

[Waspo]

As an addition to my above post:

Just informed LV (My insurers ) of all my Mods:

New 19" wheels & New tyres (Told them the make and she said this actually makes a difference)
CCC to CIC upgrade
Combox fitted
New Custom built Quad Exhaust
Centre sliding armrest
New M3 style steering wheel with gear change paddles
Black Front Grills
Speedo light Mods
Dash fittings change


Cost £11 for the YEAR!!!!!

Now someone tell me informing them was not worth it, less than a pound a month and i am safe in the knowledge that LV won't do a runner if i clout one of you guys Loverly Modded Beamers!

[pinco000]

Originally Posted by Waspo

As an addition to my above post:

Just informed LV (My insurers ) of all my Mods:

New 19" wheels & New tyres (Told them the make and she said this actually makes a difference)
CCC to CIC upgrade
Combox fitted
New Custom built Quad Exhaust
Centre sliding armrest
New M3 style steering wheel with gear change paddles
Black Front Grills
Speedo light Mods
Dash fittings change


Cost 11 for the YEAR!!!!!

Now someone tell me informing them was not worth it, less than a pound a month and i am safe in the knowledge that LV won't do a runner if i clout one of you guys Loverly Modded Beamers!

Reading your post makes me feel I was raped last night when I was made to pay 154(incl 25 admin fee) for going non idrive to cic and a m3 boot lip

do u mind to tell me which insurance company I should use next time?

[doughboy]

That's remarkable. For a start 3 years ago LV refused to insure any more than 3 mods on my 335i, of any description.

They also charged a standard £75 policy amendment fee on top of the mod costs, which were also a fortune.

I was 40 with one SP30 3 points, 9yrs+ no claims. Insurers work in mysterious ways......

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by pinco000

do u mind to tell me which insurance company I should use next time?

Greenlight insurance were great for my mods, they specialise in mods, as long as your car is worth under 20 grand.

Or just trawl the websites, don't use comparison sites, go direct with mods.

[Waspo]

Originally Posted by doughboy

That's remarkable. For a start 3 years ago LV refused to insure any more than 3 mods on my 335i, of any description.

They also charged a standard £75 policy amendment fee on top of the mod costs, which were also a fortune.

I was 40 with one SP30 3 points, 9yrs+ no claims. Insurers work in mysterious ways......

Indeed they do doughboy!

I have been with LV all through my E46 M3 days and i was heavilly modding that, they took each change with a pinch of salt and charged very little. I tell them every Mod i have, just not worth the heart ache!