AlB

If you are concerned with replacement coverage on mods, the two you listed have no resale value, so I would not bother.

If, for example sake, you were to add a supercharger to your car and you had a front end collision that wiped the blower out, w/o insurance on the mod you would be out the cost of the blower. On the other hand, if you tell your insurer that you added a supercharger, your insurance rates would rocket upward, but in the case of the accident, your blower would be covered.

In either case, I personally would not disclose any info to the insurer.

hope this helps

al

gene1

Thanks AIB, but that isn't my concern.
I'm not worried that my Dinan will not be covered. I'm worried that the insurer will tell me my warranty is void because I modified the car without letting them know.
If I have an accident they can argue that the Dinan changed the car's performance characteristics enough so that it was no longer the car they agreed to insure, therefore the policy is void.
It would really suck to find this out at the moment I needed them.

JSpira

1.) The insurer cannot tell you your warranty is void. They have no influence here.
2.) Call Dinan and ask them if this has ever happened before you jump to conclusions.

gene1

1) I meant Policy not Warranty.
2) Why didn't I think of that?

pukka

Your insurance policy only covers your car in an accident and cannot be voided by some sort of modification you made to the car UNLESS they can prove that modification contributed to the accident.

Example: You have Dinan software and get into an accident while driving at a reasonably safe speed - no problem
You have Dinan software and wreck while racing over 100mph - problem


No matter what mods are done to a car, an insurance company is only going to pay to restore the car back to its original stock condition or blue book value - whichever option costs less. If you tell them you have done mods to your car they will raise your rate because they consider you an increased risk. But you can bet that if you wreck after your rates get jacked up they won't pay out to replace your modifications, at least not without a fight.

You would need additional insurance (I'm not sure what the correct term is). You could also get an independant appraisal of your car, but I'm not sure how much that will help you.

AlwynMike

It would seem that in different countries, different insurance companies have different ideas.
Here in the UK, ALL our insurance companies do their utmost NOT to pay out on any claim. If you have a total loss, you usually have to haggle with the company to give you a fair price, and not even a fair replacement price either. This may seem a cynical view, but I am sure that my fellow countrymen will agree with me.

If you have a car that is modified in ANY WAY from standard, this MUST be declared to the Insurance company or they will simply not pay out ANYTHING. Modifications can mean something as innocuous as a tow bar for towing a trailer, even different light units (yes, even if we convert our cars to newer LCi lights, this would void our insurance. Any engine modifications are frowned upon. Some modifications can be done without extra premium - some companies will allow diesel remaps, others won't. Add an M-Sports body kit to your SE? More money please Sir, you are a more dangerous driver!! New wheels? More premium. Strut brace? More premium, maybe.

So, in the much more litigious USA, I would mention everything, so they can get away with nothing!

Mike

pukka

In the U.S., this is exactly why you shouldn't mention everything. You tell an insurance company you are installing performance software they will assume you are racing the car. And if you wreck the insurance company is going to screw you for your honesty. Let the insurance lawyers work for their money and prove it.

Slowhand11404

This is really going to vary from country to country -(in the US - from state to state) and insurer to insurer. I just checked two separate policies from two different insurers in two different US states - and neither had a coverage exclusion for engine modifications. However, both have exclusions if the insured "misrepresents" any material fact to the insurer, as well as if the vehicle is used for "racing" or "competition".

This is not to say another insurer in the same state may have not an exclusion for certain types of modifications. The bottom line is each person is well advised to read their own policy and make a determination based on their own specific situation. The exclusionary language can be buried in several places in a policy - so you cannot simply look at the exclusions section of a policy. You need to read the whole policy.

steve_gus

All UK policies ask if the vehicle has been modified in any way from std specification - even if its just wheels, a stripe or an aero package. If you subsequently dont tell them you modded it after you took out the policy you would be in default of the terms and conditions of informing them of changes to car or driver.

Most mainstream companies here wont insure cars with any changes and you have to go to specialist insurers - the kind that do imports and kit cars.

Car insurances are calculated on performance amoungst other things, so having a 'chipped' engine which will make the car faster will not meet the terms of the ins co original certification. For example, its cheaper to insure a 520d than a 525d, by chipping a 520d makes it as powerful as a 525d


regarding total loss costs - you can get something in the UK called GAP insurance. It will pay up the difference between the amount you got from the ins co, and the amount it costs to replace the car - 2nd hand or new, depending on policy. If your main insurance is voided by mods, so will this be!