Modifications and insurance

[DiyNutJob]

I don't always use dealer parts when doing repairs. I imagine most people don't for older cars. Even if they are not aware, their non-dealer garages would be using non-dealer parts. These non-dealer parts potentially could be treated as modifications resulting in the insurance not paying out in a faulted accident. If the insurance is invalidated by non-dealer repair parts, would the damages done to the other party be paid for by the now uninsured driver? Would the uninsured driver be prosecuted for having no valid insurance?

I am in need of replacing the engine valve cover with a china aluminum equivalent to reduce chance of oil leaks. It is much cheaper than a dealer plastic part that has more limited life. The china part would stick out like a sore thumb in an inspection by the insurance following an accident. Therefore I would have to declare it as a modification. Would this increase the premium substantially?

 

[DiyNutJob]

The answer to the first question is that the insurer will pay the third party, and then claim that money back from you out of court. I imagine failing that, they would put a black mark against you making getting future insurance of any type difficult or expensive. So, you are paying one way or another.

 

[Notch7]

It could theoretically be classed as a modification

I once asked about winter tyres but they said that was ok

judging by this list, lots of things seem to affect insurance

Turbo/Supercharging+132%
Transmission or Gear change+63%
Complete body kit+57%
Wheel arches+41%
Roll Bars/Roll Cages+41%
Uprated brakes+36%
Replacement of seats+27%
Exhaust changes+26%Car phone kit+26%
Air Filter+25%
Suspension+25%
Spoilers/Skirts+23%
Sunroof+17%Tinted windows+16%
Dashboard changes+16%
LPG conversion+15%
Satellite navigation system+15%
Specialised paintwork +15%
Air conditioning+13%
Light changes+12%
Stripes & badges+9%
Alloy wheels+8%
Tow Bars-20%
Parking sensors-13

 

[DiyNutJob]

I think it's far worst than that list. Any non-dealer part on the car is a mod. Non-original car spec dealer part is selectively OK. It comes down to when the insurer choses to enforce the mod clause. I reckon majority of drivers would be caught if the mod clause is strictly enforced. Even for non-DIYers, the garages they use for repairs wouldn't be using dealer parts.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

1 are you answering yourself?
2. Most of what you put is rubbish
3 Any garage will fit dealer/OE parts if that is what you specify.

 

[DiyNutJob]

3 Any garage will fit dealer/OE parts if that is what you specify.

Most people don't know what OE is. How do they specify? If I ask you to jack up car at OE location, you would refuse.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Why do you continue to spout rubbish.

When anybody asks a garage to do a job they normally ask for the cheapest possible option. But they can ask for dealer parts. The garage just does as requested.

Jacking up a car, you know the answer by now, or you should

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

None safety critical items, should not affect a claim, or the cost of the renewal. Surprisingly, some parts which improve the performance of a car, can reduce the renewal cost, based upon the owner taking more than the usual amount of care of his/her vehicle, therefore more likely to avoid accidents, and claims.

My car has a modified ECU, improving it's power and acceleration, my renewal as a consequence is cheaper.

Why would an insurance company be even interested in your replacing the rocker cover? What material difference does it make - answer none at all.

 

[conny]

I fitted a tow bar, (well, got a tow bar company to fit it for me), contacted my insurance and they said it's not considered a modification so no premium charge.
When I changed my insurance, I declared it and they said the same. Tow bars don't affect your premium.

 

[DiyNutJob]

Why would an insurance company be even interested in your replacing the rocker cover?

This insurer (I don't use them, just a random find): https://www.click4warranty.co.uk/blog/what-modifications-affect-car-insurance/

says:
2. Manufacturer Parts Replacement: Replacing existing car parts with manufacturer-approved parts typically doesn’t affect your insurance, as long as they don’t enhance performance or significantly increase the car’s value.

There is no approval by the car manufacturer for china alum rocker cover. If asked, I am pretty sure they would disapprove for competitive reasons. Disapproval would likely be for all aftermarket parts found on ebay.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

2. Manufacturer Parts Replacement: Replacing existing car parts with manufacturer-approved parts typically doesn’t affect your insurance, as long as they don’t enhance performance or significantly increase the car’s value.

There is no approval by the car manufacturer for china alum rocker cover. If asked, I am pretty sure they would disapprove for competitive reasons. Disapproval would likely be for all aftermarket parts found on ebay.

Well, don't ever tell them you changed the spark plugs, or tyres not sourced from OE.

What that paragraph seeks to do, is avoid you adding a fancy paint job, stereo system, fancy seats, gold plated door handles - anything which would increase it's value. Have you told your insurer that you are drastically increasing the risk of a claim, by attempting to jack the car from under the hub?

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Tyres is a great example.

 

[DiyNutJob]

Well, don't ever tell them you changed the spark plugs, or tyres not sourced from OE.

What that paragraph seeks to do, is avoid you adding a fancy paint job, stereo system, fancy seats, gold plated door handles - anything which would increase it's value. Have you told your insurer that you are drastically increasing the risk of a claim, by attempting to jack the car from under the hub?

That's your interpretation, which is totally inaccurate. I don't tell them, same like you don't, out of ignorance. I feel replacing the rocker cover with something shiny and reflective is harder to hide than spark plugs. Hence I am concerned they might pull an invalidation on me.

My jacking method is a new invention. Therefore the insurer hasn't yet worked out if it needs cover.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

That's your interpretation, which is totally inaccurate. I don't tell them, same like you don't, out of ignorance. I feel replacing the rocker cover with something shiny and reflective is harder to hide than spark plugs. Hence I am concerned they might pull an invalidation on me.

The bottom line is - does it make the car go faster, increase, or decrease the insurers risk, the obvious is no, therefore completely immaterial. No doubt your insurer will be quite happy, to charge you £25 to add the amendment to your policy, but the rest of us live in the real world.

 

[DiyNutJob]

The bottom line is - does it make the car go faster, increase, or decrease the insurers risk, the obvious is no, therefore completely immaterial. No doubt your insurer will be quite happy, to charge you £25 to add the amendment to your policy, but the rest of us live in the real world.

The bottom line is they have all angles covered. Whether they choose a strict enforcement is their prerogative.

Those people ain't worth my £25. I'll take a gamble on china plastic cover instead @ £25 + shipping. But, I'll use the dealer gasket. The china rubber was proven to be carp - this is pending confirmation by my torquing the cover bolts to be sure no shop has loosened them while the car was out back.