Insure a decat

[Ari]

Can it be declared, anyone done it?

[Dum-Dum]

Yep, of course they can even on petrol's, you just need to go to a specialist as none of the mainstream insurers will insure a mod that isn't legal on the road.

[Ari]

Well I would rather be safe than sorry in honesty I was with Flux a few years ago when I had my '6 all mods declared and it didn't cost anymore so would be nice to insure it fully.

[kentiiboii]

I didn't know you could insure a decat on a petrol cos they're illegal

[RetroPug]

Most insurers still include a clause in their policies that your vehicle has to be legal and roadworthy to be covered.
I've heard of people declaring them without problems but I wonder whether anyone has had issues when claim-time comes around.

[Dum-Dum]

Ive always had mine insured, even on the 6

[Eeyore]

Never even thought to insure a decat. The fewer people who know the better. I would have thought if you told them you had a decat and then you crash they would just say... your car was illegal and you even told us!

[Dum-Dum]

Never even thought to insure a decat. The fewer people who know the better. I would have thought if you told them you had a decat and then you crash they would just say... your car was illegal and you even told us!

But they said they'd cover it so surely they have got to honour that? Also surely it would be far worse if you had a crash then they found an undeclared de-cat?

[Kwik]

Thinking about it I wouldn't even class a de cat as a mod on a diesel since we don't need them in the first place.......

[RetroPug]

You could declare a "full sports exhaust from the manifold/downpipe back".

[kentiiboii]

Thinking about it I wouldn't even class a de cat as a mod on a diesel since we don't need them in the first place.......

I declared it on the diesel becuase its not illegal. But with a petrol I suppose its a bit shady, one rule overlaps another kind of thing.

[Dum-Dum]

I don't see why people are so worried about insurance refusing cover if you declare it to a specialist. If you run a red light (illegal) and have a crash your still insured aren't you?

[Kwik]

I don't see why people are so worried about insurance refusing cover if you declare it to a specialist. If you run a red light (illegal) and have a crash your still insured aren't you?

Me personally not worried about insurance cover. But my point is we don't need dpf's like we don't need Egr's they just something else to go wrong so if you making engine as efficient as it can be why should that be classed as a mod

[RetroPug]

I don't see why people are so worried about insurance refusing cover if you declare it to a specialist. If you run a red light (illegal) and have a crash your still insured aren't you?

Me personally not worried about insurance cover. But my point is we don't need dpf's like we don't need Egr's they just something else to go wrong so if you making engine as efficient as it can be why should that be classed as a mod

Classing something as a modification has nothing to do with how sensible or not it is, it is simply as the name suggests, a change made to the car that makes it different o original factory spec.

[Kwik]

I don't see why people are so worried about insurance refusing cover if you declare it to a specialist. If you run a red light (illegal) and have a crash your still insured aren't you?

Me personally not worried about insurance cover. But my point is we don't need dpf's like we don't need Egr's they just something else to go wrong so if you making engine as efficient as it can be why should that be classed as a mod

Classing something as a modification has nothing to do with how sensible or not it is, it is simply as the name suggests, a change made to the car that makes it different o original factory spec.

The thing is if that's the case changing tyre brands is a mod to.

What I'm saying is the dpf is a non item on ours as it doesn't regenerate it just clogs up. A new one costs 145 or a de cat pipe costs 50. The benefits of doing a de cat is a more efficient engine and one less thing to go wrong.

I wouldn't class it as serious mod I would class it like the example I used of changing tyre brand. No where near the same as say suspension, bigger alloys or remap....

[Slam Wagon]

Changing tyre brands and size is a mod that should be declared. Mine are.

[RetroPug]

Me personally not worried about insurance cover. But my point is we don't need dpf's like we don't need Egr's they just something else to go wrong so if you making engine as efficient as it can be why should that be classed as a mod

Classing something as a modification has nothing to do with how sensible or not it is, it is simply as the name suggests, a change made to the car that makes it different o original factory spec.

The thing is if that's the case changing tyre brands is a mod to.

What I'm saying is the dpf is a non item on ours as it doesn't regenerate it just clogs up. A new one costs 145 or a de cat pipe costs 50. The benefits of doing a de cat is a more efficient engine and one less thing to go wrong.

I wouldn't class it as serious mod I would class it like the example I used of changing tyre brand. No where near the same as say suspension, bigger alloys or remap....

Some insurers try to argue that changing tyre brands or sizes is a modification.
It could be argued that tyres are consumables though.

At the end of the day, what constitutes a modification and what is replacing wear items is not always clear cut, but deliberately altering the exhaust system would be viewed as a modification by insurers and the authorities I think, regardless of whether the intent is boy racer noise or efficiency.

[Kwik]

It's not clear cut at all.

Supposing someone doesn't do their own work on cars takes their car to a garage and garage says your exhaust is gone we can either charge you £175 or £75. No mention of a mod by garage but if you go the cheaper one you've then invalidated your insurance due to a mod lol

That's not a good look is it. But by what your saying that's a reality people face. Also the same thing can happen when people change a tyre brand but keep the same size. Or even using 5w 40 oil instead of 10w 40 that's factory spec.

I can say in my experience with insurance they show some common sense. For instance my ninja has a stainless steel exhaust system on it but to insurers it's not a mod even though by what your saying it is

[RetroPug]

It's not clear cut at all.

Supposing someone doesn't do their own work on cars takes their car to a garage and garage says your exhaust is gone we can either charge you £175 or £75. No mention of a mod by garage but if you go the cheaper one you've then invalidated your insurance due to a mod lol

That's not a good look is it. But by what your saying that's a reality people face. Also the same thing can happen when people change a tyre brand but keep the same size. Or even using 5w 40 oil instead of 10w 40 that's factory spec.

I can say in my experience with insurance they show some common sense. For instance my ninja has a stainless steel exhaust system on it but to insurers it's not a mod even though by what your saying it is

The point I'm trying to make is that because it isn't clear cut, and the insurers could argue many things were modifications if they were dicks, it is best to err on the side of caution and declare things for peace of mind.

I'd rather declare an exhaust modification and find out that it doesn't count than not do and find out that they want to argue that I invalidated my insurance.
Typically insurers just put generic terms for modifications anyway such as "exhaust modification" "headlight modification" etc. on your policy documents, so if it were me, I'd declare a full sports exhaust from the manifold back and be done with it.

No harm in calling and saying "I did this, I view it as maintenance, do you count it as a modification?"
Eg. adding mudflaps, I called and asked if this would count as a cosmetic mod or taking precautions to protect my paintwork and they said they didn't list it as a mod so all good.


I guess in summary I'm just saying "better safe than sorry".

[Dum-Dum]

Retro Pug is right, changing tyre brands is a mod. The car is tested for its braking/handling with a certain tyre on and changing away from that is a modification.

This is why you see the Hyundai police cars rolling on Hankooks even though Michelins would be better its cos thats what they came with.

[kentiiboii]

I never thought of declaring tyres, but I suppose if the wheel gets damaged chance is the tyre will as well. Suppose if theyll replace the tyre as well its worth while

[Kwik]

You do know that tyres are a recommendation same like the oil right? The size and type is the only things looked at on a mot. There is no brand snobbery lol. Also that would render the winter tyre market defunct

The reason I said mot is you need an mot for insurance right......

[RetroPug]

I personally don't declare tyre brand changes as I'd be happy to argue that they were a consumable if the insurers did decide to be unreasonable, however if I went to road-legal semi-slicks I might.

If I'd modified the exhaust I'd just declare a "full, modified exhaust from __back", that way if they try to argue you can tell them to bring up the phone recording and listen to what you said if they try to argue that part of the exhaust was changed without being declared.

As modifications are not clear-cut, declaring any changes that aren't consumables is probably best if you don't want ambiguity when it comes to claim time as if your insurers are dicks they will use that ambiguity to try to avoid paying out. If you are happy to argue the finer points of modifications if they do try this then that's fine but I'd much rather not.

[Dum-Dum]

As above, I wont declare any consumables as mods like fitting new wishbones although they could argue that a non pug replacement is a mod.

I have been a little ambiguous with mods in places like my car is just "lowered".

[Kwik]

Aslong as car has valid mot that is what insurance are looking for.

That's why they toughened the mot laws to take out mods. But as diesels do not have a true cat aslong as the exhaust is in good condition not a problem.

Me personally wouldn't call a de cat a mod but others would. I think that's what it boils down to

[Eeyore]

As above, I wont declare any consumables as mods like fitting new wishbones although they could argue that a non pug replacement is a mod.

I have been a little ambiguous with mods in places like my car is just "lowered".

Imagine if you got asked if you car was 'lowered' or 'slammed'.

[Kwik]

Lol he could say which one lol

[bashbarnard]

Knock centre.out of cat. Job done

[Dum-Dum]

Still a mod though isnt it mate however you do it.

[Slam Wagon]

Have you seen that brentacre posted up about police contacting them over a remap? Best to declare everything. Dont want to foot the bill then take the mods off/ dont fit them in the first place. Most insurance companies seem to do everything they can to get out of paying, its how they work.