Modifying cars and telling tax/insurance?

GvidoR

I just want to get a few things straight about modifying cars. So, do you have inform the tax office and your insurance company whenever you make some changes to your car? I assume there would be a lot of minor things you can do without informing anyone, so where do you draw the line?

Is your car supposed to be standard until it's changed to a modified car, after you have informed the tax office?

NCT on my Citroen Xsara will run out in a couple of days and I just want to know if it will fail or raise any questions about what has been done to it.




Also, after paying a fortune to the insurance company, I don't want them to say: "We weren't informed about any modifications, so we are not going to cover the expenses" if anything would happen.

Any information about this would be very much appreciated.

Atomic Pineapple

Theres a modified forum here:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=603

You'd get better information in there.

Jackasaurus rex

That's exactly what the insurance company are gonna do though lad. Any excuse not to pay out. Hopefully it doesn't happen through

GvidoR

draffodx wrote: »

Theres a modified forum here:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=603

You'd get better information in there.

Should I make a new thread?

bazz26

Just ask one of the mods to move this one.

Atomic Pineapple

GvidoR wrote: »

Should I make a new thread?

Nah the mods will move it when they see it if they feel its better off in the modified section.

I believe you only have to inform the tax office of things like an engine change or change of colour, things that affect the specifics of the car.

With insurance you have to inform them of any modifications no matter how small or big, they may use non declaration of modifications as a reason not to pay out or as a reason to chase you for costs incurred in the event of a third party claim.

Cheensbo

Like anything with insurance companies, it can be ambiguous, and no-one can say for sure as its down to particulars, but here's my experiences:

Generally, a 'modification' is defined as something that increases top speed and or acceleration.

Visual mods generally don't matter, bodykits, exterior styling etc have never been applicable in my experience.. Stickers could not be deemed as a problem, unless theyre blocking your view from the front/side windows...

The likes of your air filter, while its supposed to improve performance, they generally reduce power, as the heat soak is far higher than with standard airbox set ups. I'm unsure how insurance companies view them, but they're crap anyway, panel filters are far superior unless they are coupled with a proper cold air intake..

The problem with 'modification' is, even straying from the original brand & dimensions of tyre that came on the car, could be viewed as a modification.

Non OE brake pads? modification, if you were pedantic...


So basically, ask your own insurance company, as the answer they give you will be recorded on their system so verification will always be available..

biko

Moved to Modified.

I assume there would be a lot of minor things you can do without informing anyone, so where do you draw the line?

I think for tax it's when the car is modified so it's not longer in the same class.

For insurance, depends on your company but pretty much anything should be run past them.

The lads in Modified will know more.

JimmyCrackCorn

biko wrote: »

Moved to Modified.


I think for tax it's when the car is modified so it's not longer in the same class.

For insurance, depends on your company but pretty much anything should be run past them.

The lads in Modified will know more.

If you change the engine it should be reported to tax office.

If you modify your car you have to get the insurance to list the modifications or agree to them in writing or your not covered and therefore not insured.


I know two insurance assessors and it does happen that claims are denied based on modifications..... Not good stories either...

GvidoR

So, I still haven't gotten a clear answer.

1) Do I have to undo all current modifications before bringing it to NCT?
2) Only performance related modifications should be notified to the tax office?
3) Any modifications, big or small have to be notified to the insurance company?
4) Will the insurance become more expensive, if they are informed about modifications?

Chris_Heilong

1) Do I have to undo all current modifications before bringing it to NCT?
No, only if the modification makes the car unsafe. Otherwise no problem.
2) Only performance related modifications should be notified to the tax office?
No, only modifications which change its TAX bracket, like an engine change
3) Any modifications, big or small have to be notified to the insurance
company?
more or less yes
4) Will the insurance become more expensive, if they are informed about modifications?
Yes, I think its 50 euro extra a mod with Liberty, I heard from a member of the FTO club that they counted stickers as being a mod but best to call to clear up what they regard mods

ShaunieVW

I would in no way be worried about a cone filter and a few stickers to report it to insurance, what I would be worried about is that cone filter sucking in warm air where it is and loosing power:eek: