question about insurance

[jay walker]

if my car had 'minor modifications' , but had all the little things like nicer audi wheels baileys DV, remapped, uprated bushes almost all round, quickshifts, basically all the things to make it drive and handle a little bit nicer, do i mention it to the valuator, ie does it increase the value of it, because ive had to spend money on all those things? im desperately trying to get a high valuation on my car so they wont scrap it!
brief backgound, someone crashed into me, wasnt my fault at all.
Cheers
Jay

[Rusty]

If you have receipts to prove you've spent money on the car then that'll be good.

My small bump to the rear cost £2k+ to fix.

[KaraK]

I wouldnt mention any mods that you haven't declared through the insurance or that might backfire!

[quattro]

Tell them about everything, seriously dont try to hide anything at all!

[skyinsurance]

If the modifications are not declared you may have a major problem.

If the mods are declared and you are with a standard insurer then it is unlikely that they will increase the value of the vehicle.

If you are insured with a specialist insurer like my company who cover modifications on a like for like basis and you have the support of a modified car insurance underwriter then yes it may well givbe looking at a higer value.

It pays to pick your insurer very carefully.

[philKS2]

My old 16v Audi Coupe got scraped down the side by a skip driver (who then denied it, despite a witness statement from a passing driver, but that's another story!) ...

The repair bill was £1,600 and the car was worth about £1,800... but I persuaded the insurers that it was a rare collectable car that I had planned to keep for several years etc.

It took some gentle persuasion but Direct Line accepted that they would have to pay out anyway and if I was passionate about the car it was OK.

I guess if the repairs to your car are going to be well OVER the paper value, you'll have trouble persauding them.

REF the mods... on the record I'd saytell tehm everything, off the record, if you've NOT declared them before, it could invalidate your insurance totally.
Insurance companies are here to make money, so they will leap on a chance to NOT pay out.

[igsya]

Insurance

Insurance is the only type of contract made in upmost good faith rather than buyer beware. It means they have to tell you all thats available for a discount you have to tell them anything that may increase the risk or else the contract can become void both for damage and what you hit (normally by instalments!!)

Minor mods still fit this category...