[KS_340i]

As I sold my car yesterday, called insurers today to try and suspend policy for 2 weeks, and then cover new car from 1 March.

Chap was taking new car details, then asked me if it had any options. I said It had a fair amount, but all factory fitted, and no aftermarket non factory stuff. He said I would need to declare them, which I challenged, e.g. Pro nav, heated seats etc. He said, yes, the lot. I said I'd never had this before. I well understand declaring modifications but these were just options, and I suspect 99% of cars sold in the UK have some options. He said anything that was not standard, and was paid for in addition to basic car price.

Anyway, got irritated so just cancelled old policy and will find a new insurer for the new car.

But anyone else had this, or are Elephant just a bunch of idiots?

[rjberry]

Originally Posted by KS_340i

As I sold my car yesterday, called insurers today to try and suspend policy for 2 weeks, and then cover new car from 1 March.

Chap was taking new car details, then asked me if it had any options. I said It had a fair amount, but all factory fitted, and no aftermarket non factory stuff. He said I would need to declare them, which I challenged, e.g. Pro nav, heated seats etc. He said, yes, the lot. I said I'd never had this before. I well understand declaring modifications but these were just options, and I suspect 99% of cars sold in the UK have some options. He said anything that was not standard, and was paid for in addition to basic car price.

Anyway, got irritated so just cancelled old policy and will find a new insurer for the new car.

But anyone else had this, or are Elephant just a bunch of idiots?

Direct Line are the same. Anything that is added to the base spec is a modification and must be declared.

I haven't bothered to even get a quote this time from them.

[dangerous_al]

Never had this, if it is factory fitted then no need to declare it. More likely it was the numpty you were talking to that got it wrong rather than company policy

[....,,,,..,,..]

It is crazy.

Had this with current car insured with Admiral.

Admiral office in Wales wanted literally everything.

Admiral office in Toronto just accepted car as is with factory built options.

So it's not just different insurers attitude to options but the person you talk to.

[simon the pieman]

Originally Posted by dangerous_al

Never had this, if it is factory fitted then no need to declare it. More likely it was the numpty you were talking to that got it wrong rather than company policy

+1 on this. Never had that before.

[335d Touring Xdrive]

Hastings accept that if my car has any options fitted at factory or the supplying dealer and are genuine BMW optional extras, then they are not classed as modifications to them. Nevertheless, i ran all my options by them and got them to make a note on my policy, just in case. And it was still only £370 fully comp.

[mikeoz]

Sounds like another ploy to change extra to me.
Load of BS

[225]

Sounds like he was reading his script wrong. Never heard that before either as they normally ask if its modified from manufacturers standard.

[350doc]

Quote from Elephant terms and conditions: "Manufacturer’s optional extras are only covered if they have been declared and we have agreed to arrange cover for them."

[KS_340i]

Interesting comments.

It definitely wasn't just the numpty on the phone, as I got a call from them a few hours later asking why I'd cancelled, and I asked them to clarify their policy, and the second chap said same thing. And as someone posted, it's in their terms.

So, one to avoid, and as they're part of Admiral, them too. Will have a look at Defacto scores and see who comes out well.

We're lucky that fully comp with no voluntary excess for us is only £280, so happy to pay a bit more for better cover.

[Englishbloke]

Can't see anything in my terms with Esure about it.

Did spot that I'm not covered for pressure waves created by aircraft going supersonic though!?

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Englishbloke

Can't see anything in my terms with Esure about it.

Did spot that I'm not covered for pressure waves created by aircraft going supersonic though!?

always think that's a mental clause in policies.

They do cause havoc with car alarms though lol.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by 350doc

Quote from Elephant terms and conditions: "Manufacturer’s optional extras are only covered if they have been declared and we have agreed to arrange cover for them."

The cons about this is you're unliekly to be "covered" anyway. In the event of a total loss claim then they'll trot out a book price of a standard car anyway and you'll be shafted either way.

Best to get a return to invoice/gap insurance to be completely sure that you'd get to replace your car and all it's extras.

[Daftasabrush]

Yeah Admiral do this, as do all the other companies in the group: https://admiralgroup.co.uk/subsidiary-companies

It's one of the biggest reasons I didn't go with them, aside from the fact their cover isn't as good as a lot of other insurers.

They clearly do it as a major cop out when it comes to claim time. If you have 10K list worth of options and haven't declared them, they'll only pay out for the standard car so you could be seriously out of pocket.

[Kal101]

One thing to be aware of now is that as elephant are part of Admiral they will use this to increase premiums if you get a quote - without declaring "mods" with any other company under the admiral umbrella.

fat kid 1 had this with his focus - specced up the style pack- privacy glass and 19 rims with Admiral but declined in favour of an Elephant policy. Had an email a few weeks later adding £230 onto his policy as another quote had the "mods " declared . Argued the point and they accepted their representative hadn't asked can the question and used the caveat it's your duty of disclosure

Bit strange when you consider their quote is based on the price you've paid initially. In theory you could be paying twice.

[dangerous_al]

Try Aviva, this is there definition of modification, so no problems with factory fitted options, and there is £60 cashback with TopCashback or £50 with Quidco at the moment. My 330i was £200 less the £60 cashback so £140

You asked: What is a modification?
We class a modification as a change to the original manufacturer specification, as described in the manufacturer brochure/catalogue, after purchase from new

[Twenty2Three]

They are all crooks who will try to wriggle out of any claim car,bike, home ... whatever!

[B33M3R]

Originally Posted by dangerous_al

Try Aviva, this is there definition of modification, so no problems with factory fitted options, and there is £60 cashback with TopCashback or £50 with Quidco at the moment. My 330i was £200 less the £60 cashback so £140

You asked: What is a modification?
We class a modification as a change to the original manufacturer specification, as described in the manufacturer brochure/catalogue, after purchase from new

See, I find that a bit ambiguous. An option could be argued as a change to the original specification, but then after purchase from new infers post factory.

I'd just declare the options, as I've found it makes bugger all difference. Noticed this with Admiral a couple of years ago.

Incidentally, at renewal time this year, I phoned up with a cheaper quote which they duly matched, but when the paperwork came through all the "modifications" (options) had dropped off. One call and they were back on for no extra charge.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by KS_340i

As I sold my car yesterday, called insurers today to try and suspend policy for 2 weeks, and then cover new car from 1 March.

Chap was taking new car details, then asked me if it had any options. I said It had a fair amount, but all factory fitted, and no aftermarket non factory stuff. He said I would need to declare them, which I challenged, e.g. Pro nav, heated seats etc. He said, yes, the lot. I said I'd never had this before. I well understand declaring modifications but these were just options, and I suspect 99% of cars sold in the UK have some options. He said anything that was not standard, and was paid for in addition to basic car price.

Anyway, got irritated so just cancelled old policy and will find a new insurer for the new car.

But anyone else had this, or are Elephant just a bunch of idiots?

When you choose the new insurer, don't use Admiral or Diamond then, as they are the same company as Elephant I've discovered (Ty Admiral, David street, Cardiff, CF10 2EH)

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by dangerous_al

Try Aviva, this is there definition of modification, so no problems with factory fitted options, and there is £60 cashback with TopCashback or £50 with Quidco at the moment. My 330i was £200 less the £60 cashback so £140

You asked: What is a modification?
We class a modification as a change to the original manufacturer specification, as described in the manufacturer brochure/catalogue, after purchase from new

How about options though? You asked about Mods.Options is another subject judging by these posts.

[KS_340i]

Originally Posted by Englishbloke

Can't see anything in my terms with Esure about it.

Did spot that I'm not covered for pressure waves created by aircraft going supersonic though!?

Just started quote with Esure snd it said

"You must tell us about any alteration to your car from the manufacturer's standard specification including optional extras (e.g. parking sensors, air conditioning). If you do not tell us about all alterations made this may result in additional terms being applied to your policy, your claim being rejected or reduced or your policy being declared null and void."

[335d Touring Xdrive]

Try Hastings.... 0800 035 4792.