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edmong1981 - I'm interested in your opinion on another similar matter. If you install upgraded brake discs/pads/cables for example which are installed because it stops the car quicker and therefore is "safer" do the inspectors/insurers treat these mods in the same vein as tyres/wipers etc. Or is it the issue the insurer sees them as making the car more likely to be stolen. (grooved brakes in general look better and make the car more desirable.) Saying that (not my thing) but I know that a nice looking tyre tread can make a car look more desirable.
 
Not been funny, but if you dazzled by someone, the same could apply if you was on full beam and forgot take it off in error ! Insurance would still cover it accident damage.

Likewise if you are speeding which results in an accident ( go round corner too fast ) its illegal , but insurance would still cover damage / injury ! remember that fella who drove down a motorway bank some years ago , He fell asleep and went into a train and people died, Insurers had to pay millions on injury even though he was convicted of dangerous driving or something like that...So HID's, dont think you have much to worry about
 
edmong1981 - I'm interested in your opinion on another similar matter. If you install upgraded brake discs/pads/cables for example which are installed because it stops the car quicker and therefore is "safer" do the inspectors/insurers treat these mods in the same vein as tyres/wipers etc. Or is it the issue the insurer sees them as making the car more likely to be stolen. (grooved brakes in general look better and make the car more desirable.) Saying that (not my thing) but I know that a nice looking tyre tread can make a car look more desirable.

If you were to upgrade your discs and pads to a better standard (not too look good) and they were installed by a qualified person then why should the insurance company not pay out if you where to have an accident.

With insurers and warranty, they need to prove that whatever you have fitted caused the accident/part to fail.

Anyway just buy a LCR with Brembos :)
 
You HAVE to declare new disks on your insurance. When i phoned up about mine it put my insurance up. I asked them why this was as it is making the car "safer" when breaking. Their answer was that what is the need for them, to stop people quicker when travelling faster!

This may not be the case in most people but it the view of the insurer! The same with a roll cage, it makes the car more stable and safe, but do an online insurance quote with one and see how much it goes up by!
 
No chance! Disks and pads are consumables just like tyres, they wear out and are replaced.

Would you declare non OE tyres to your insurance company just because they had a tread pattern and compound that made them more grippy? NO.

If a consumable item is appropriate for your vehicle and legal for use on the road in the UK then the insurance company has no grounds to invalidate your insurance. I'm pretty sure you'd have a good court case against them if they did.
 
I know where your coming from but when you look on the part of your insurance about your car being modified in any way, there is a part on their for your breaks. Surely this is just the same as if you change the airfilter/exhaust etc you have to claim it on insurance as this is not a standard part in their eyes?

I agree, that why should you have to claim it, but insurance company's will worm their way out of payment anyway they can, although you pay them for your car to be insured.
 
I know where your coming from but when you look on the part of your insurance about your car being modified in any way, there is a part on their for your breaks. Surely this is just the same as if you change the airfilter/exhaust etc you have to claim it on insurance as this is not a standard part in their eyes?

I agree, that why should you have to claim it, but insurance company's will worm their way out of payment anyway they can, although you pay them for your car to be insured.

you are assuming the part for brakes means disks and pads. I'd say its more likely to do with the non-consumable parts of your brakes like calipers.

say you have standard LC and would like some nice big Brembos, then I'd tell my insurance.
 
When my Toledo was in an accident (Fitted with HID's) the insurance assesor went over the full thing with a fine toothcomb finding all damaged parts etc as they do, and never commented on the HID's.
 
I know what you mean totally, but insurance companys dont see it from our point of view. If its not standard then its a mod, which they want money for and prob wont cover
 
I know what you mean totally, but insurance companys dont see it from our point of view. If its not standard then its a mod, which they want money for and prob wont cover

I agree, but I honestly don't see how they could refuse a claim on the grounds that you used a legal, appropriate, at least OE standard, non OE replacement for a consumable item.

IMHO they wouldnt have a leg to stand on.
 
Just phone my insurance (the pru) and they sed that upgrading to hid WONT change my insurance but i do need to let them know when i fit them, Hope this clears some of this up for a few of you :)
 
you wouldnt think so, but you know what isurance companies are like, i think all they would say is,

"you insured your car as standard, but it isn't standard as you have upgraded them, so we're not paying out!"
 
But like i sed you have to tell them u have upgraded to HID'S but your premium wont go up so its a win win situation well it is to me
 
If you're that worried about the HID's keep a set up normal bulbs in the car somewhere.

As long as you're not DEAD in a crash, it'll take minutes to remove the bulbs and ballasts. Then in the extreme case they notice the holes in the headlight covers and question it, it's a simple "Oh, I had HID's in, but removed them due to problems"

Of course the chance of them bothering you about it in the first place is minimal, but if you are really worried...
 
Being in the insurance game i know a thing or two;

basically you will find on most motor forms they will ask something like;

Has your vehicle been altered in anyway inc electronically , engine or body mods, special or non standard equipment and or non standard wheels.

So all i will say , if you are not sure, ask them and you will know, so changes are obviouse, but others are a grey area and some insurers will be fine, some may not, so just ask