T-Jet owner punished for springs.

[martwho]

So i'm 38 have got 3 points in may11 and my wife has 3 points from Nov 2006. We were paying a smidge over £400 for fully comp on an 08 T-jet.
Bought the car in Nov last year and insured it with Churchill. Halve way through the years insurance I tinted the rear 3 which Churchill were'nt too bothered by but then shortly after i replaced the springs for Eibach sportlines.
They immediately jacked my monthly from £40 ish to almost £80!
So just had my renewal and now they want £1050!
A £600 hike for a £150 set of springs baffles me

Anyway i almost took the springs off to lower the price again but too be honest I cant go back to the cavernous wheel arches the Punto normally has so have insured myself with Adrian Flux for £550 with 3 years ncd.( no accidents in the last 5 but was too lazy to send off ncd proof to previous insurer, wont be doing that again)

I'm guessing most of the Go karts around my way scraping the floor are not declared as their insurance would be astronomical!

 

[skyinsurance]

You've insured with a company who only really cater for standard UK car insurance , for anything modified speak to a specialist insurer.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

You've insured with a company who only really cater for standard UK car insurance , for anything modified speak to a specialist insurer.

:yeahthat:

Different companies charge different prices for different things, so may be cheap when taking the policy out but might not like covering lowered cars etc.

 

[Gaz37]

Whilst from a driver's point of view aftermarket, non standard springs may improve roadholding and potentially make the car's handling safer look at it from an insurer's point of view-

Q.Why has he fitted lowered/stiffer suspension?

A. Because he wants to go round corners faster so when he does lose it it on a bend he'll be going faster than he would have been with standard suspension so will therefore cause more damage, lets charge him extra

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Whilst from a driver's point of view aftermarket, non standard springs may improve roadholding and potentially make the car's handling safer look at it from an insurer's point of view-

Q.Why has he fitted lowered/stiffer suspension?

A. Because he wants to go round corners faster so when he does lose it it on a bend he'll be going faster than he would have been with standard suspension so will therefore cause more damage, lets charge him extra

Changes the cars crash signature also!

 

[maddogmorg]

Changes the cars crash signature also!

My car has a very flamboyant crash signature.:devil::slayer:

PS. What does crash signature actually mean? I assume it isn't just as simple as the marks left on an object due to impact?

 

[jip0]

the car shaped hole in whatever you hit

 

[Gaz37]

My car has a very flamboyant crash signature.:devil::slayer:

PS. What does crash signature actually mean? I assume it isn't just as simple as the marks left on an object due to impact?

I'm guessing it refers to where and how it impacts on whatever it hits.

If the car is sitting 40mm lower than it was designed to at the point of impact it will deform differently?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

If the car is sitting 40mm lower than it was designed to at the point of impact it will deform differently?

correct. It's the posh and quicker was of referring to how it behaves in a collision and how it behaviour affects the occupants (how much or little protection it gives them).

Obviously cars all ride at slightly different heights anyway so in head on collisions etc unless hitting an identicle car there are always going to be differences on performance out come but those that ride lower generally come out worse off.

 

[maddogmorg]

So it is just as simple as that then. Thanks.

 

[sledge]

Absolutely nothing to do with safety or crash dynamics, the answer is far simpler

Insurance companies work off statistics as we all know and statistically owners who carry out modifications make more claims than those who dont, therefore you carry out a mod and you will be perceived as being of a higher risk than someone who doesnt. Modified cars are also more difficult to value in the event of total loss. Upshot of all this is that your premium will be loaded accordingly.