Jump to content

Do these things void insurance?


Vinnyzf
 Share

Recommended Posts

So why didn't you fix it?

The million pound question and one that everyone asks me Silver... the answer? Timing, Time and Knowledge.

Timing - The only reason I actually used the green machine to commute was due to the disdain I have for National Rail (oh and the fact I liked the comfort of my pov spec Lupo :P ). For one, I don't like paying for a service where I get treated like dogshit found on the bottom of someone's shoes. However, using the trains was always an alternative for when the car went in for a service. Then work dropped a massive bombshell, a couple of days before the crash in fact. I was in-line to be moved to the new office opening in the upcoming two weeks... around 2.5 miles away from the main office I was in. Not much difference in a car (less than 5 mins), but the main office is a 30 second walk from the local train station (we actually share the same post code), a 2.5 mile walk didn't sound fun and nor did a bus journey. I was left with no option. I needed a car if I was to get to work on time, so I bought the red Lupo!

Time - I did buy the red Lupo with the intention of selling it straight after I fixed up the green machine, but then... as with life, I realized that I just didn't have the time to do it. I spent a month pricing up parts. They were mostly aftermarket replacements that were unsprayed. I had a company in Stoke called Volksmine phoning me every time a Taffeta green coloured part came in stock. I was certainly getting well prepared to do the job... then I began to feel like I was fighting a losing battle. By the time I had every part ready to be ordered, the car had already been sitting for near 3 weeks, taking up space on someone else's drive. Someone who was far too bloody charitable, if you ask me. Of course, if I'd ordered the parts, I would have to fit them... which goes onto my next point.

Knowledge - I'm not bad car knowledge wise. I know my way around, sort of, and have a fairly good grasp of most things. That isn't enough to suffice a job like this. This needed someone with a professional level of knowledge or at least someone with experience. Someone with the ability to remove the damaged parts safely and fit the new parts without resulting in massive panel gaps and vibration problems. Plenty of people on here are qualified to do that Silver. There's guys on here, even amateurs who are far beyond the level of knowledge I possess... at that point, I bottled it and listed it on here. I figured someone might take it off me and fix up a perfect 1.0 Lupo.

Y'know, if you look at my advert on the Classifieds, it was listed over a month after the accident occurred. I mulled over fixing it for at least a month, as I priced up parts, considered when I could do it and most importantly, if I could do it. In the end, I gave up. I said I can't do it and after no response on here, I very reluctantly called the insurance company. I normally make these phone calls on my break at work and I would never forget due to their importance... but I was so reluctant, I actually forgot three or four days in a row after I made the final decision. It was like I was subconsciously trying to stop myself. Ultimately, it needed to go though.

In truth, the saddest thing is, they'll break it. I can't see them selling it as a damaged repaired. They'll take a potentially very good car, with a perfect interior, shove it in a scrapyard somewhere, neglect it and break it for parts. Makes me shudder to be honest. I've seen a couple of other Lupos at scrapyards. The interiors are always fubar because the blokes end up throwing bits of junk on the seats, use them as a storage facility.

Funnily enough I did have a buy back option off the assessor, 50 quid. 50 ****ing quid, considering the offer he'd made, it was nothing! Absolutely nothing when you consider the parts alone, but unfortunately, the charity of free space had expired which meant it'd have to sit on the road. Untaxed, uninsured... nicked within a week I reckon.

I regret it, I really do. One day where I was a bit too cocky in the ice and I ruined a ****ing great car :(

Edited by Skezza
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Woah this got a bit crazy.

I phoned my insurance and they told me "if you're taking the badges off, you are taking something OFF the car so there is no need to declare" Sounds a bit bad but that's what she said. I will phone my insurance and tell them about stickers I want to add, I just find it rediculous.

I recently had my motorbike stolen and they wouldn't pay out.. It's just stupid what I pay for my insurance, and I'm not even allowed to do tiny things to it? I thought lowering the car actually made it safer to drive? (Handles better?) But they want over a GRAND for me to do that. What guy my age has that kind of money hanging around? It's stupid.

Bottom line, insurance are w**kers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...

I've written off two cars (mk4 Astra SE100 + VW Bora 1.9tdi 130) both other parties fault but i received more than i paid for the car both times with Virgin insurance and i'd highly recommend using them. As was said previously, decent insurance companies judge cars on the condition they were "pre-crash". I'd always dreaded having a crash but as i said both times i ended up better off than before i'd bought the cars. Also paid out in under 3 weeks both times despite blaim not being established for the Astra straight away.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've written off two cars (mk4 Astra SE100 + VW Bora 1.9tdi 130) both other parties fault but i received more than i paid for the car both times with Virgin insurance and i'd highly recommend using them. As was said previously, decent insurance companies judge cars on the condition they were "pre-crash". I'd always dreaded having a crash but as i said both times i ended up better off than before i'd bought the cars. Also paid out in under 3 weeks both times despite blaim not being established for the Astra straight away.

Like I said, if you pick a decent reputable company, I've always found they'll be more than helpful. I'm with DirectLine.

**** the nodding dog, as he's currently giving my girlfriends mum the run around and my best mate.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use to be with directline but damn was expensive. Moved to e-sure and got £178 knocked off my insurance, so now only £220 or so fully comp. I actually really liked directline when contacting them. I put leather seats in my car, rang them up, no change in price, and got my new policy stating the updates like the next day, but prices didn't seem to go down much each year with them so had to move on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I use to be with directline but damn was expensive. Moved to e-sure and got £178 knocked off my insurance, so now only £220 or so fully comp. I actually really liked directline when contacting them. I put leather seats in my car, rang them up, no change in price, and got my new policy stating the updates like the next day, but prices didn't seem to go down much each year with them so had to move on.

DirectLine are giving me a pretty decent deal at the moment so I can't complain too much. After all, I have zero years no claims with a fault claim on file. Most other insurance companies were quoting me over £1000. They've done it me for £800. It's high for my age, but I have to hope it'll come down next year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is the kind of thing that if you know you are going to modify a car you need to go to a specialist insurer (such as the contributors of this thread)

The majority of the schemes we have offer cosmetic modifications (stickers, de wipered, debadged, interior changes) with no cost at all, or maybe in some cases (if other changes being made at the same time) a £25.00 admin fee.

A lot will even cover coilovers, wheels and the like for just a £25.00 admin fee.

A recent example, we had a car come through with no mods listed, photos were supplied and mods weren't acceptable on that scheme, we cancelled that policy and got a new policy with all mods declared (including air suspension) for £150 cheaper than the original quote.

Sometimes it is worth just being honest and checking with your insurance company

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 years later...
On 11/2/2019 at 7:16 PM, Dannyk1234 said:

I'm buying a seat Ibiza DAB special edition. It has tinted windows. Blacked out badges. Smoked rear headlights. The dealer garage I'm buying it from has said I won't need to declare them. Will I have too. I'm 19 and this will be my first car. Don't want t chance anything 

up to you. Personally, I wouldn't. If your buying blackbox insurance they may flag those but tints and badges shouldn't really affect your premium as tints can be a factory option. just play dumb in regards to the smoked lights. I wouldn't declare myself but its up to you, it may not cost a lot more to declare for peace of mind.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Hello guys 

I have just bought irmscher stickers for my car, irmscher is just a manufacturing company, I have informed my insurance company and they said they cannot give me a quote, they aren’t harmful they do not offend anyone, I do not get this, I’m a 18 year old boy who just wants to customise his car without making it look over the top It’s not like I’m sticking a Ferrari badge on my car it’s just to make it look individual and my own, if anyone has any recommendations on insurers that allow stickers with no extra cost please help me out, I do not get this with insurance companies at all there just stickers at the end of the day 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Stickers, unless affecting vision or functioning of the vehicle (like lights or windows) will not affect insurance. The car's standard performance and characteristics are unchanged. Just like painting your car a different colour...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Insurance is an effing joke, the whole industry needs a good poking from government. Declare all your mods and go with a good company they say, well Brentacre wouldnt even give me a quote on my very mild Lupo TDI yet are well regarded in the modded car scene with crazy engine swaps and bags etc, so go figure.

Thats why i ended up back on standard wheels and just the obvious mods declared. 

if your insurance company is so a n a l they need to know about a cup holder or a sticker find a better insurance company, I would take that as a good sign they will use any possible means to wiggle out of honouring your insurance in the event of a claim.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When you had your recent claim @Sausage, did anyone "inspect" your car? Such as check for engine/suspension/exhaust/wheel alterations? I bet all they did is closely look at the impact point and take it from there.

Considering that a small door or wing dent and scratch is enough to write off a Lupo now, I'd be very surprised if they do actually check everything at an engineering level. I know that if there's a serious injury or death involved after an accident, then the forensic people are called in to scrutinise everything very closely. My guess is that is just about the only time they'd ever find out!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

AFAIK it was all done via the photos i sent. They had asked the storage / recovery guys for pics but never got any in the 24 hours it was in their "care" so I took them and sent them instead. The car had only passed an MOT 3 days before the crash so maybe that factored into it some, if it had had 3 days left on an MOT instead I wonder if they would have been so relaxed about it.

You are correct, only if a serious incident and police are forensically inspecting the vehicle and insurance get the report. But even then it is mostly safety aspects and obvious engine mods affecting speed and acceleration in the incident they arent going to itemise the stickers and cup holders unless those impact on safety.

Edited by Sausage
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/23/2013 at 7:42 AM, Skezza said:

Like I said, if you pick a decent reputable company, I've always found they'll be more than helpful. I'm with DirectLine.

**** the nodding dog, as he's currently giving my girlfriends mum the run around and my best mate.

If that's the Hastings Direct thing I'd avoid too as its half owned by the most loathed bank in the world, Goldman Sachs and its reviews are awful

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.