Software updates & insurance

bren2002

Genuine question -

I saw a tweet today from a Tesla owner about an OTA update that among other things listed a 5% peak power increase.

One of the questions asked when buying insurance is has the car been modified or upgraded since it was manufactured.

Given how much technology is now in cars, not just tesla & other electrics it seems to me that this insurance question is becoming aged.

How do insurance companies deal with this now?
Its not just OTA upgrades either, VW diesels were remapped and I suspect many cars get tech upgrades during a dealer service that punters aren't told about.

Del2005

Manufacturer updates are not an issue. The power increase from Tesla could have implications for insurance but the power of the vehicle is a very small part of the quote.

What insurance companies are worried about, mainly in this country, is if the car has been modified from standard. Because they base their quote on a standard car and the bigger issue is that you are supposed to inform the company of any modifications, plenty of posters here readily admit that they have invalidated their policies and don't care as it can't be proven easily.

kirving

Routine manufacturer upgrades aren't an issue.

The Polestar upgrade from Volvo for example (manufacturer approved aftermarket remap) would probably have to be declared I'd say, but insurance company probably wouldn't care.

Aftermarket remap by an independent would have to be declared as it would invalidate your insurance.

The J Stands for Jay

Del2005 wrote: »

Manufacturer updates are not an issue. The power increase from Tesla could have implications for insurance but the power of the vehicle is a very small part of the quote.

What insurance companies are worried about, mainly in this country, is if the car has been modified from standard. Because they base their quote on a standard car and the bigger issue is that you are supposed to inform the company of any modifications, plenty of posters here readily admit that they have invalidated their policies and don't care as it can't be proven easily.

I've also been led to believe that factory fitted options can count as modifications...

bazz26

McGaggs wrote: »

I've also been led to believe that factory fitted options can count as modifications...

That's bit of a contradiction there. If it's factory fitted then it's not a modification from the manufacturer's original specification. Otherwise if I order a factory fitted sunroof or leather trim on a brand new car does that mean they are a modification or would I have to declare them to an insurance company?

Seth Brundle

McGaggs wrote: »

I've also been led to believe that factory fitted options can count as modifications...

You've been led to believe that by whom?

The J Stands for Jay

Seth Brundle wrote: »

You've been led to believe that by whom?

Someone showed me an article in a magazine. Reasons not to believe it are:
- It would have been a UK magazine (are all Irish magazines just for women?
- It was years ago.
- It was probably Max Power magazine or something similarly high-brow.
- Not sure how option extra alloy wheels would be a modification

The J Stands for Jay

Seth Brundle wrote: »

You've been led to believe that by whom?

I should have typed "led to believe".