Insurance

[midzt]

I know that this may depend a lot on what car and what company you're with but I was wondering what (roughly/on average) stuff like:

New alloys
Changing Front/rear bumpers (not Chavvy ones, subtle styling ones)

-would add to an insurance premium.

And does stuff like new head units and speakers need to be declared, if so how much would that add to the premium.

I haven't got my car yet but I'm just trying to see what kind of money I would need and to save up/get a job


Thanks for any replies.

[MD]

usually a policy would coever you for whatever audio equipment is in your car, you need to check your policy to see what the allowance is on your docs or discuss it with the insurer when getting a quote to make sure you have a suitable allowance....

As for the alloys, you only pay if they are not dealer fit, and usually its about £50 or so quid more I have found...

m@

[Rave]

New alloys
Changing Front/rear bumpers (not Chavvy ones, subtle styling ones)

My advice is don't do it TBH- spend the money on booze, it's better value.

And does stuff like new head units and speakers need to be declared, if so how much would that add to the premium.

My policy says something along the lines of "Audio equiptment is covered up to 10% of the value of the car, or £250, whichever is less" which means that my car stereo is insured for about £40.

All insurance is negotiable, if your ICE is worth more than that, I'm sure you'll be able to add it into your policy for a suitable increase in premium.

[Barakka]

New alloys
Changing Front/rear bumpers (not Chavvy ones, subtle styling ones)

Really does depend on the insurer, as an example Churchill (I spit on you ) say alloys are fine as long as they are no more than 1.5" bigger* than the factory fitted wheels. Bodykits are OK as long as they are original manufacturer parts, fitted by a dealership (proof required).

Alloys most companies will cover you for with a small premium (say £50 or so) unless you're talking 18" split rims or 20" chrome spinners or something

With other modifications companies vary wildly, but the style of the bumpers makes absolutely NO difference, the car is modified and that excludes you from around 70% of the insurance companies full stop. "Because the computer says so" The best way to avoid (or at least minimise this) is to stick to original manufacturer parts.

*I have yet to find anyone who makes 15.5" alloy wheels, but when I do i'm sure it will be fun finding tyres to fit them

[5lab]

i remember one insurance company quoting my mate on his mini. he has done a LOT of work on it (spent thousands) and declares everything to be on the safe side. near the bottom of the list is 'chrome door handles of a *** mini' (cant remember exactly - either a different year or a different model.. but basically off another stock mini). 'wait a minute please sir...' he's put on hold for 20 mins, eventually they come back and tell him 'im sorry sir, we can't insure you'. basically door handles werent on their computer so they had no way of adding it to the policy. what a pile of gumph!

[Barakka]

My absolute favourite is:

CallCentreStaff: "sorry sir, we can't quote you for insurance if the car's been modified, we only insure low risk drivers"

Me: "I've been driving for well over ten years, on my own policy since I was 17, never had an own fault accident, have no points on my license, and maximum no-calims, how exactly am I a High risk?"

CallCentreStaff: "Sorry sir, it's what the computer says"

Used to make me mad, that I am a high risk because I have uprated the wheels, exhaust, air filter and suspension on my car but have an unblemished insurance record. But someone with an unmodified car, three points, a previous own fault accident, and one year of no-claims is a Low Risk ?!?!

But I no-longer let it bother me, just means that I get my insurance from companies that actually know what they're talking about rather than reading a script from a screen - and to be honest the prices are better !