Retrofit cruise control = "modifying"

Gordon Gekko · 13-02-2012 4:27pm #1

Hi all. Search done and couldn't find anything. If I was to retrofit cruise control to my car, would insurance companies regard the car as being 'modified'? As in, when you renew your insurance they run through some standard questions, one of which is always 'is the car modified'.

Would retrofitting cruise control require a yes answer to this question - or is that question more intended to cover mad after market exhausts, turbos etc.?

13-02-2012 4:33pm

Would be a yes imo, and if you did the work yourself they mightn't like it.

coylemj · 13-02-2012 5:01pm

Gordon Gekko wrote: »

Hi all. Search done and couldn't find anything. If I was to retrofit cruise control to my car, would insurance companies regard the car as being 'modified'? As in, when you renew your insurance they run through some standard questions, one of which is always 'is the car modified'.

If you have to ask a question like this, the answer is almost always 'yes'. When in doubt you must declare it, no point pretending and then having a claim refused based on non-declaration or downright false answer to a question.

A botched aftermarket cruise control install could lead to a jammed accelerator causing a crash at speed so would definitely constitute an increased risk and therefore must be declared. If it's a self-install I'd say they will tell you to take your business elsewhere or just don't do it.

opinion guy · 13-02-2012 5:04pm

Call up your insurer and ask them.

Better than finding out after the fact!

mickdw · 13-02-2012 5:14pm

The correct answer is yes you would have to tell them.

Now, I know I am going to get abused here for saying this but if I was doing that upgrade with a genuine retrofit kit from the cars manufacturer, i would be tempted not to tell them.

racso1975 · 13-02-2012 5:17pm

Ok I'm sure when the op refers to "if I" he means If i were to get a mechanic to blah blah.......or maybe the op is a mechanic either way lets not have a go at him over it.

In relation to the op's question i would defo consider it a modification to the car and i'm sure the insurnace will to especially given that they consder non factory wheels as a modification

CiniO · 13-02-2012 5:23pm

RoverJames wrote: »

Would be a yes imo, and if you did the work yourself they mightn't like it.

I fitted my eibach hardening springs and strut-brace myself.
Insurer asked for receipt from garage for fitting them, so I responded I don't have any receipts as I fitted it myself, and I got all the parts on secondhand merket.
They said it was fine, and increased my premium by 15%.

opinion guy · 13-02-2012 5:28pm

CiniO wrote: »

I fitted my eibach hardening springs and strut-brace myself.
Insurer asked for receipt from garage for fitting them, so I responded I don't have any receipts as I fitted it myself, and I got all the parts on secondhand merket.
They said it was fine, and increased my premium by 15%.

I presume they would still have increased it by 15% had you gotten receipts etc ?

savagecabbages · 13-02-2012 5:32pm

I'd say you may be ok, if its an available option on your car, and you use the OEM parts. For many cars, the wiring loom comes with the plugs etc required, all you need is plug in the new stalk and do a little re-programming to activate it.

But prob best to ring your insurance company to double check!

CiniO · 13-02-2012 5:33pm

opinion guy wrote: »

I presume they would still have increased it by 15% had you gotten receipts etc ?

I don't really know, but I assume so.

Gordon Gekko · 13-02-2012 5:36pm

Thanks all. Just to avoid confusion, it would be an original kit supplied by the manufacturer and fitted by a specialist garage - no question of me attempting a DIY remedy - wouldn't have a clue where to even begin

mickdw · 13-02-2012 5:43pm

Its pretty straight forward. On vw/Audi, genuine kits come with everthing you need, its just plugging in connectors and a quick code change with vagcom.

Retrofit cruise control = "modifying"

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