Insurance for A2 with modifications

Pinkythelabrat

A2OC Donor
A vague query so it's in general.

What do people do for insurance following modifications to the base car?

I ask because I had an insurance company refuse to cover me after I said I wasn't sure if my wife's Smart Fortwo had the original engine or if it had been replaced by a later fortwo engine (50bhp vs 56bhp). They cancelled my policy and were keeping 8 months of payments until I found out it was a rebuild of the engine only.

Reading the policy documents very carefully anything which alters the car in any way from standard must be declared - including interior changes like trim and small things like badges - crazy!

My question is what is the experience of forum members when approaching insurance companies?

I'd like to add leather seats and better shocks but previous experience has made me wary.




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I use Adrian Flux, they are very tolerant of mods. My whole package costs no more than £20 more than a standard policy and mine is heavily modified from standard.
 
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Never had problems declaring things like different alloys as long as they were on the manufacturers list of recommended sizes, so the 17" A1 S-line wheels we have in our A2 were fine.
 
Direct line are happy about most mods - I am now with Adrian flux on an agreed valuation on the storm and my fsi is on a normal policy with them (also with mods) I only left direct line as they really didn't like the fact it was lowered and it doubled the premium (we have had great service from them over the years and was sad to leave) cheers Mike
 
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I've never heard of Adrian Flux so will look into them. The call handler just kept doggedly repeating the words 'it must be identical to the original' - really not a pleasant experience.
I wasn't thinking of lowering particularly - I think the front offside top mount bearing has seized or spring has snapped and if I'm paying for a stripdown anyway...
Or I could try it myself...


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I've never heard of Adrian Flux so will look into them. The call handler just kept doggedly repeating the words 'it must be identical to the original' - really not a pleasant experience.
I wasn't thinking of lowering particularly - I think the front offside top mount bearing has seized or spring has snapped and if I'm paying for a stripdown anyway...
Or I could try it myself...


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Yes the insurance industry can be ridiculous about old cars. Often the modifications we make improve the car with no real performance gains. I had one insurer insisting that I somehow find and fit the original equipment exhaust on a 30 year old Toyota MR2 Mk1. Even if you could find an original replacement mild steel exhaust why would you fit it? It was average quality in the first place which is why it rusted out. An after market stainless steel exhaust is an upgrade and unlikely to be a significant performance gain.

I reckon any of my future even slightly exotic cars will have to be insured with flexible specialists such as Adrian Flux.
 
I have taken out a policy with Adrian flux (good saving), during the quotation they asked if I was a member of a owners club and mentioned A2
OC, I have received a email asking for the following.

Please upload a copy of the membership card for the owners club you are a member of. If you do not have a membership card, please upload a written statement including the name of the club along with your membership number. Please ensure your statement is signed and dated.

I have an old club discount card but don't recall a membership Card/number, anyone advise.

Thanks.

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I have taken out a policy with Adrian flux (good saving), during the quotation they asked if I was a member of a owners club and mentioned A2
OC, I have received a email asking for the following.

Please upload a copy of the membership card for the owners club you are a member of. If you do not have a membership card, please upload a written statement including the name of the club along with your membership number. Please ensure your statement is signed and dated.

I have an old club discount card but don't recall a membership Card/number, anyone advise.

Thanks.

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Was just about to pm you back. I'll sort something for you tomorrow that should fit the bill. Can you pm me your full name and address.
 
Apologies for the slight swerve on insurance in general...... I always find either home or car insurance slightly frustrating around renewal time. My existing home insurance renewal arrived last week with a quote from Churchill for around £220. I phoned them direct to discuss the policy and was offered a "loyalty" renewal price of £180. :confused:

I found these savings could also be made on car insurance too. I think the moral of this is to possibly ring your existing insurer and try to haggle down their renewal quotes.

Cheers
Dave:)
 
Apologies for the slight swerve on insurance in general...... I always find either home or car insurance slightly frustrating around renewal time. My existing home insurance renewal arrived last week with a quote from Churchill for around £220. I phoned them direct to discuss the policy and was offered a "loyalty" renewal price of £180. :confused:

I found these savings could also be made on car insurance too. I think the moral of this is to possibly ring your existing insurer and try to haggle down their renewal quotes.

Cheers
Dave:)

It's annual occurrence for me that, well quite a few times a year. But I usually end up changing about 3/4 of the policies I have because I get it cheaper elsewhere.
 
We renew with Admiral every year (well the last 8 years)
We play the game
1. they send a renewal much higher than last year
2. I use a few comparison sites, money super market was good this year
3. I ring Admiral, they better the price by a small amount and I stay with them

We have played the game for 7 years
 
I saved about £700 this year on two cars (A2 1.4 Tdi and a Smart Fortwo 2003). The renewal was over £1000 and had been going up every year for the last 4 as I hadn't taken the time to check around for other quotes.
I've got 14 years ncd and my wife has 4. No claims for years apart from a windscreen. When I called them to cancel they said they could do £600 - almost half. But I got both insured for about £340 with cash back.
The moral - don't be lazy like me!


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