Legality of mods, insurance

[sydney mike]

I was just watching my neighbour install HID lights in his new 2011 Mazda 3 today and it got me thinking. He told me it only set him back $50 from ebay and it took a whole 15mins to install.

 

I have heard that this is an illegal mod as his mazda isn't equipped with headlight washers which is a requirement with HID equipped cars and his projectors may not specifically been designed for HID.

 

Another neighbour has a camry with 19" wheels 

 

Now I know many common mods such as tints, lowering, exhaust, wheels/tyres may be considered "illegal".

 

I have been stopped in my Zed, lowered, wheels,  numerous times for RBT and always get compliments from the officer.

 

My question is, has anybody here experienced problems with insurance such as a claim refusal because of a mod, even if it had nothing to do with causing the accident?

 

 

 

 

[sco_aus]

I am interested to see the results of this, I have been pondering this myself

[MaygZ]

Why don't you ring your insurance company and ask them?  That way you'll know for sure.

[sydney mike]

Why don't you ring your insurance company and ask them?  That way you'll know for sure.

I would already know what the answer would be..hence the word "illegal"

 

What the post is asking is

My question is, has anybody here experienced problems with insurance such as a claim refusal because of a mod, even if it had nothing to do with causing the accident?

 

 

 

 

[Agno]

My Dad is an insurance broker... and he says little things are ok but anything significant to the operation of the vehicle (brakes, engines, suspension, transmission changes) should be reported to your insurer because if they aren't they have the right to refuse your claim.

 

FYI: My brother converted his car from auto to manual and added an RB25 (originally RB20) and after calling the insurance company (Just Car) they added it to his cover no questions asked. He also has little things such as HIDs, rims and sound system.

[sydney mike]

Thanks Alex, thats just the thing. They say they have the right to refuse the claim, I just don't know anyone personally where they have had their claim refused. I do know many people with modded cars.

 

Back in 1996 when I owned a N14 SSS with the usual bolt-ons,dark tint,  lowered, cat back exhaust ,intake pod and 17" sparco's, I t-boned a lady that ran a stop sign. I had no problem in that instance because I was not at fault and she admitted fault.

 

I know I am not going to get a definitive answer on this one, just like people to share their experiences.

[Roberto]

I am with Shannon's and they don't really care what mod's your car has had as long as you tell them when you join and update them.  If they are informed and they choose to insure your car with those mods, then they cannot refuse on the grounds of legality.  When I was running 17" wheels with adapters and having no bumpers they were fine with it.

 

I got the impression they are more interested in insuring someone who will luv and care for there car rather than the legal side of your car.  After all they are insurance people not policemen.

 

 

[nizm0zed]

I think common sense would play a big part in this.

 

Eg, you mod your zed with a power steering conversion requiring a specialised rack and custom tie rod ends.

While cornering, one of the tie rods comes loose and you sideswipe a car mid corner.

Understandably, the insurance company sees your 'illegal' or non engineered modification as one of the primary causes of the accident, therefore cover is void.

However, in the same situation of modification, you have a real accident and slide in the wet, or someone pulls out in front of you ect, chances are they would overlook it because its not a contributing factor.

 

Of course, with all 'illegal' mods, that doesn't take into the "bastard" modifier.

eg, the inspector that is assessing your car has recently discovered he cant keep up his mortgage payments and has to move in with his parents in law while the house is foreclosed by the bank = absolute c$%t towards anyone who happens to be in front of him.

the bastard modifier definitely came into play when i was a rego inspector, no different from any other job where your in some position of power.

 

Oh, and i think you'll find that companies like Shannons, even though they say they are fine with everything if you keep them upgraded there is probably the legal fineprint that the bean counters would love to pull to save a few thousand in a claim or two.

[zeds4ever]

 

              I've been informed by a member of The Highway Patrol up here in the Mountains that if your car is not       

              fitted with HID lghts originally, they are obliged to defect the vehicle. RTA directive he claimed.

 

                                              Regards: Alan.   

[260Coupe]

I have heard of claims being disallowed and policies being "Void from inception" due to Tint too dark (AAMI) and tyres unroadworthy (RACV)

I think the greatest risk is an at fault claim to one of the major general insurers that go out of their way to disallow a claim.

A mate runs a panel shop he reckons the first job of any assessor is to look for any "escape route" for the insurer.

 

Stick to the specialist insurers and declare all mods and there should not be a problem

[sydney mike]

Thanks for that 260Coupe,

 

these are the sort of stories/experiences we want to hear about.

[Wayne G]

I had a ute that was hit by someone causing about $8000 worth of damage when that would buy another average similar ute.  I pointed out all of the mods (exhaust, induction, suspension, fuel system, stereo, uhf plus the typical 4wd bolt ons) and the assessor said "yeah? so what?"  However his attitude changed when I informed him that they were all listed on the policy and counted towards the value of the ute. 

 

Instead of being screwed by an insurance company by no fault of my own they fixed the ute for me. 

 

If the illegal mod can be deemed to contribute towards the cause of the claim or the vehicle is substantially different from what they thought you told them it was then the dramas start.