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[keithnic]

I saw a thread a few weeks back about whether to notify your insurance company if you have lowered springs fitted to your Omega.  I had mine fitted recently and was firmly on the fence about what to do until my renewal.

Well it was this week and I 'fessed up.  My premium increased from £239 to £291, so not too bad I thought. 

Well worth spending for the peace of mind that if you hit someone else and cause some damage the insurance company will pay out.

[SJKOO01]

Well, if you hadn't, and you were unfortunate to be involved in an accident, and your insurance company found out, they would of used that as an excuse not to pay out as you'd not notified them of the modification, you'd of lost out both with the insurance cover, and loss of the car, and they would of placed a marker on the insurance database of what you did  :-? .

So in the long run I think it's better to be honest and let them know.
Okay, so we all moan when we have to pay the Insurance company 'premiums', but cheaper should the unfortunate happen ?.

Least you can sleep better knowing your 'legally' covered now   

[Andy B]

and how would we or the assessor tell whether standard springs were fitted from lowered to aftermarket A N Other roads spring? My car always seems quite low at the front, but as far as I know, they're original.

[SJKOO01]

Assessors are more clued up than you think, as their there to check everything that you have on your insurance is spot on, as there working for the insurance company, so the company will want to know if anything isn't 'standard'.

And I beliave that if it was a case of the police coming out because the accident was more serious than a simple shunt, the car is taken away to be assessed by their vehicle inspectors, to find out if there was a mechanical fault, and they will present a copy of the report if the insurance company was to ask for it.  So if they put down that the springs weren't standard spec, that's where it could get difficult ??.

Even if you bought the car as it is lowered, and you didn't know it was lower than factory setting, I'm sure that the insurance company would quiz you about the fact ?!.

My 'point' was if 'you' make a modification, then you know it's been changed from factory spec, therefore you're at least covering yourself on those points.
That's what I was trying to explain.

[robson]

I was thinking about putting air shocks on the back end will this mean a higher premium on insurance

[SJKOO01]

I was thinking about putting air shocks on the back end will this mean a higher premium on insurance

I'm no insurance expert, and really don't want to give bad advise to anyone

I was just commenting on the fact that if modifications are done, and you don't tell your insurance company, what the possible outcome could be for the owners, if the insurance company challenged the parts put on without telling them.

To be honest I would suggest you talk to your insurance company first before you do job, to see if their okay with you doing that, as not all modifications mean an increase.  Or you could ask this question on the forum if anyone has done this, and if they found any increase was obvious.  Though I expect a lot have done conversions, but not told their insurance ! .

Hope that helps ?.

[YZ250]

I suppose you could plead ignorant to certain mods (not legitimately of course) as one dirty spring looks like any other but what about obvious mods like stainless exhausts. We could argue that we put stainless on as a long lasting replacement for a rusty one but I'm sure it would be viewed as a performance mod by insurers. Likewise, it would be difficult to plead ignorant to a set of dirty great brembo's. The safety issues would be outweighed by the desirability to thieves so an increase in premium would be expected. My policy is up for renewal soon so I will enquire what the increase will be for going stainless. Don't really want them having a get out clause for the sake of a few quid. Fingers crossed until then. :-/

[2woody]

insurance assessors rely on expert witnesses when they have to go to court - like me !

I'd have no trouble detecting lowered springs at all - the investigation could also access your bank account, ebay account and this forum to see if you've recently bought / fitted them.

Furthermore, I'd have no difficulty in persuading a court that lowered springs are less safe than standard ones ( have already done this ).

so, your insurance company is right to ask for more money to cover the increased risk that you're taking.

And you're right to ask the question of them.

[Auto Addict]

I notified my insurance company when I fitted a towbar, for which they thanked me, and again when I fitted spring assisters to the rear.

Again they thanked me, but said whilst there was no increase in the premium, the spring assisters would not be covered under a claim.

I forgot to mention the rubber crankshaft though

[Kevin Wood]

I forgot to mention the rubber crankshaft though

You do know they melt if you exceed 45 MPH? 

Kevin

[Auto Addict]

I forgot to mention the rubber crankshaft though

You do know they melt if you exceed 45 MPH? 

Kevin

Thank goodness I don't drive that fast.

[RobG]

insurance assessors rely on expert witnesses when they have to go to court - like me !

I'd have no trouble detecting lowered springs at all - the investigation could also access your bank account, ebay account and this forum to see if you've recently bought / fitted them.

Furthermore, I'd have no difficulty in persuading a court that lowered springs are less safe than standard ones ( have already done this ).

so, your insurance company is right to ask for more money to cover the increased risk that you're taking.

And you're right to ask the question of them.

Surely that`s only possible when investigating a potentially fraudulent claim. Would have thought a court order would be required. :-/

[robson]

Just asked my insurance company if I can fit a tow bar and air shocks. They say the tow bar is fine but they will not cover if the suspension is made lower or heigher. do I try a different company?

[Andy B]

.....
but they will not cover if the suspension is made lower or heigher. do I try a different company?

You're OK then, the shocks are designed to maintain the original ride height with varying loads. 

[robson]

Thanks Andy I think they also  said that any change to the suspension system  would not be covered. I will have to talk to them again