New Leon FR TDI - This Just Seems Mad

[CupraDaft]

Been casually looking at insurance since ordering my Leon yesterday. The only extras that are going on the Leon are the 18 inch wheel option.

Have just gone through Confused.com

Taking the book value of the Leon plus the wheels, the total cost is £17845.

Got 20 quotes back based on a value of £17845 but not declaring the wheels with the cheapest one being £271.

Got 2 quotes back based on a value of £17845 and declaring the wheels with the cheapest one being £375.

Can't remember the exact terminology, but when asked for details of the modification, did select a box that said something along the lines of "alloy wheels factory option."

I'm currently with Adrian Flux so will ring them as and when I know when I will be getting the car, but will certainly be declaring the wheels. I'm sure actually when I bought aftermarket wheels for my current car a couple of years ago, they didn't charge me any extra for them.

If you ask me, most people ordering the Leon FR are getting the 18 inch wheels, they'll be more common than the 17 inch ones!

[RobM]

Trouble is, as soon as you change any part of the standard spec - be it a factory fitted option or not - it gets classed as a modification. Stupid I know, but that's insurance for you. Anything that makes the car stand out, more desirable or improve performance/handling is an extra risk to the insurance company.

They have you over a barrel really.

[Empi5]

I was under the impression, that an Upgrade to 18" Dealer option wheels isnt classed as an declarable modification. In fact im sure of it.

[CupraDaft]

We'll see what Adrain Flux says I guess.

A friend of mine got a reasonably bog standard Focus but got quite a few extras put on it at the factory - the Francois Duval pack or something, and his insurance weren't bothered as they were all done at the factory.

It just niggles me.

[TllEWL]

No insurance inspector (assuming you're unlucky enough to write off the car) is going to look at 18" wheels with S badges in the centre and think -

"I'm sure the FR TDi comes with 17" wheels as standard"

Then phone SEAT with the chassis number to see what spec left the factory

[CupraDaft]

I know what you mean. Just I'm the sort of person it would backfire on.

[justlivyalife]

I had non-standard Peugeot alloys on my 307. Told the insurance company that they were factory fitted options. They checked and they were. Sorted at zero extra cost!

[CupraDaft]

I'm hoping that is what my insurance company will say that I must admit. Fingers crossed.

[Scotty_b]

Seeing as there factory options i would have thought they are not included as modifications? Its like metalic paint, thats an option that costs you a few squid but doenst put your insurance up?

[Forbez]

If you were just a normal person in the street, and bought the car from a dealer, without going into extra's etc, ie, see it in the yard and say i'll take that please.

How would you know whether or not its supposed to have 17's or 18's?!

[CupraDaft]

Deffo two good arguments.

To be honest, I don't think I'll have a problem when I ring Adrian Flux, which I'll probably do tomorrow.

[CupraDaft]

Finally got around to ringing Adrian Flux on Wednesday. The wheels were not an issue because they're a factory option.

All the worrying for nothing. Only costing me another £49 to insure the Leon. Not bad, I can live with that.

[badtastebear]

We've got the Reference Sport Special edition with body kit and 18" alloys and Tesco werent interested as it was a factory fitted

[CupraDaft]

Think it just goes to show that filling in online forms isn't really the way to go at times, best speaking to companies in person.

[CupraDaft]

Ta, will bear in mind come renewal time in September.