VOSA and police was out in Ipswich today, seems they now have the power to check if you have declared modifications and they were impounding cars that had undeclared mods
Have you declared your mods?
- Thread starter dave
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Have you declared your mods?
I can't see how this works, just because a mod isn't declared doesn't mean that insurance is automatically void. They (VOSA etc) cannot decide if an insurance policy is void, only an insurance company can, and often this won't be done instantly over the phone.
They not just checking for illegal mods like loud exhausts and badly fitted HIDs etc
OP
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well they took 1 that i know of
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I can't see how this works, just because a mod isn't declared doesn't mean that insurance is automatically void. They (VOSA etc) cannot decide if an insurance policy is void, only an insurance company can, and often this won't be done instantly over the phone.
They not just checking for illegal mods like loud exhausts and badly fitted HIDs etc
Could it be similar to using a vehicle for business, when you don't have the insurance?
I've had it before, bloke using it for pizza delivery, no business use on his insurance, we phone the insurance company up (MIB), they say yes or no to them being insured, if its no, we take it off them.
No idea if its the same for mods though.
It will depend on the insurance company. ANY undeclared mod be it full body kit to new stereo or debadging can invalidate your insurance, depending on how the insurance company contact feels that day. My policy is to declare ALL mods and any I plan on doing during the coming year.
It appears that the police in Ipswich are using the fact that undeclared mods invalidate the insurance so the vehicles are being impounded for lack of insurance, which has been available to them for some time, not for being modded.
It appears that the police in Ipswich are using the fact that undeclared mods invalidate the insurance so the vehicles are being impounded for lack of insurance, which has been available to them for some time, not for being modded.
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I've always attempted to declare my mods, I have a different stereo, wiring, sound proofing an amp etc. Usually get the line we only care about performance mods/bodykits etc. Tbf the cars been modded for 4 years of its 6 year life declared every year only time its affected policy was with aviva, where they restrict the max stereo cover to 500 where its normally unlimited.
But you have declared them. It doesn't matter that they don't affect the cost of the policy, I had a highly modified Hyundai Coupe and none of the mods affected the performance or cost of the premium (with Sky) but when my car was written off there were no awkward questions from the insurance company regarding modifications because they new about all of them, including the fact it had been debadged.
It'll be similar, but again, only the insurance company techincally can validate or invalidate a policy. MIB / MID info can be incorrect, and only advises (as far as I'm aware) if a policy is in force, not what makes it valid or invalid.
Not that I've an issue with it, if people don't declare mods then thats their own stupidity, but knowing how it works from the other side of the fence I can't see how VOSA / Police can say if a policy is valid of not or if something has been none disclosed.
Correct, but an insurance company will vary rarly make a desission like that there and then, and on the stop, there are proceedures which will have to be followed before they can decide if a policy is invalid or not.
The small print says that any modification to the manufacturers original spec can invalidate your insurance. In reality stereos are accepted as changeable (unless you've gone all out and put £5000 one in) and if the accident you have is someone elses fault they will generally waive their right to cancel the policy. If its your fault then don't be surprised if they walk away. Best policy is to declare everything however small, the insurance company may say they are not interested but at least they can't say they haven't been told.
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They are not going to void insurance over the phone. Will need to be inspected I'd imagine. They would then send a pro-forma for the difference in policy price with the mods declared.
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I'm guessing the ones getting trailered away are people with dangerous / illegal mods.
Yep, I tend to think this is more likely the case personally.
i can see how this works, it all of whats discussed, dangerous or illegal mods, its a prohibition notice, undeclared mods, phone call to insurance company, "does this invalidate the policy straight away?" "yes", car seized, not insured. (i think its section 165A)
Stereos arent generally covered in the insurance policy as a modification. We have people smash windows every now and then and get their insurance to replace it at the show.
But an insurance company wouldn't normally decide that over the phone though as they'd have to much to loose if they've messed up on that instant decision. Making a policy invalid isn't a choice made by one person or dept normally.
The theory is sound, but its very unliky to happen.
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OP
OP
its not really up to the insurance company what they say on the phone really, if its on the agreement that insurance is void if information is not disclosed then in the eyes of the law you are not insured.
guy on the phone may say you are still covered but would he still be saying it if they wanted to wriggle out of paying a claim for hundreds of thousands :chin:
guy on the phone may say you are still covered but would he still be saying it if they wanted to wriggle out of paying a claim for hundreds of thousands :chin:
I wonder how many of the vehicles taken away had illegal hid's fitted. Ie with no self levellers and washers (most aftermarket ones). That's an easy score for the cops.
But this is what I'm saying, A) none disclosure doesn't automatically mean a policy is invalid, for example if its a modification which doesn't load the policy premium then it is unlikely that a policy would be invalid, B) if the policy holder says they advised they had informed the company this would need to be looked into and calls listened to before a company could give a catagories yes the policy is valid or no it's invalid answer.
Not strictly true, I have had a policy voided instantly on more than one ocassaion for non disclosed convictions/modifications. Some underwriters who point blank refuse to insure certain circumstances will void cover there and then. So then un-insured which means they will get vehicle removed. Even in some circumstances I can even make that decision, I have an amount of delegated authority from our panel of underwriters (which all the companies use the same underwriter).
Yeah, headunits arent modifications to a majority of insurers but usually have limit, although some offer unlimited amount of cover.
But also, yes VOSA are stopping and making checks, they inspect the whole vehicle and will make sure it is all legal, its within their power and I think its a good thing. Good to keep illegal vehicles off the road.
There's nothing wrong ingetting dangerous cars off the road, but if somebody has made a cosmetic mod to a car (alloys for example), then as long as they are the right size etc. that would not make the car dangerous, but yet if they have not been declared the car could be towed away?
Surely that is turning what is a commercial risk assessment matter into a legal matter?
Yes the insurance companies may well want a higher premium as the car and its shiny wheels may get stolen, but surely it is over stepping the mark to tow it away?
I think the insurance business has got out of control in this country. It's a legalised racket.
Surely that is turning what is a commercial risk assessment matter into a legal matter?
Yes the insurance companies may well want a higher premium as the car and its shiny wheels may get stolen, but surely it is over stepping the mark to tow it away?
I think the insurance business has got out of control in this country. It's a legalised racket.
