35 replies to this topic

[blackbelt1990]

I'm 19 and insured with Norwich Union (Aviva) £900 for a modified SPi Cooper which was half the price I was being quoted to renew with my previous provider... people were unwilling to quote for me as I have brake mods! lol

Ryan

[Jet Williams]

Never understood the reluctance of some companies to insure brake mods. Chances are, young lads are probably going to drive fast with or without brake mods, so surely improving the effectiveness of the brakes can only decrease the likelihood of a crash. Improved brakes are a sensible precaution, in my opinion.

[blackbelt1990]

why thankyou

lolage

[sazal]

Isnt it because if you've had a brake mod, then you've had someone messing around with the brakes? So they see it as being danagerous, or some silly reason like that?

[Bungle]

have you tried R & H classic insurance ?

[blackbelt1990]

Isnt it because if you've had a brake mod, then you've had someone messing around with the brakes? So they see it as being danagerous, or some silly reason like that?

I was always told that if you've done a brake mod... they think you're expecting to be driving faster... not making the car safer at legal speeds... lol

[Jet Williams]

Tis in the same league as suspension mods I guess; not that I would condone or encourage such activities, but if you, perchance, find yourself 'persuing' a mate down a twisty road, the way I'd look at it is, presuming you'd do it anyway with decent suspension or tired factory stuff, surely you'd be less likely to lose control with a decent set-up that sticks to the road. I guess some insurance companies see it as the sign of a reckless driver, rather than an enthusiast who wants his or her car to perform at its best, and do it safely.

I find Adrian Flux good for my Escort GTi, most specialist insurers just seemed to stick £50 on for each mod, which ended up with premiums of £900 plus. With flux it's £350 with cams, chip, suspension, brakes, exhaust, alloys etc. all declared. I would presume they'd take the same approach with a Mini. They seem to look at a modified car in terms of the collective result of the mods as a whole, not as a big shopping list of things to sting you for.

Edited by Jet Williams, 22 June 2009 - 04:25 PM.

[Ouster]

Went with Flux in the end. Couldn't find anybody else to match the quote (one person came up with 7 grand!) and thinking about it, 900 squid isn't too bad considering im 20 with no NCB and a beefy engine. The guy on the phone knew what I was talking about as well which was nice, and the policy itself is quite good - 90 days green card, can mod it as much as I like as long as I don't up the power, agreed evaluation etc. Not sure how they can value the car though - apparently I send them six photos and they decide on that??

[hustybusty]

nah that cant be right. When I upgraded my policy to include a supercharger Hic's first question was whether I had upgraded the brakes and suspension. Im only just 24 and insurance went up with everything declared £77 . Its nothing to do with the area your in is it?

[dan187]

I know you've sorted it now, but for others looking for insurance try Brentacre (www.brentacre.co.uk) They covered my 1275 on a BHP basis and pay out at the cost of mods if something goes wrong. They don't charge for adding extra mods and i can do what i like to the car as long as i tell them and don't go over 75bhp. I'm 21 and it cost £640

[MiniMonty]

The problem with Minis and using price comparson sites is that, even with the mods declared, you might find, in the event of a claim, that you are offered what the insurance company consider to be 'market value' for the car rather than what it's worth as a classic; it's definately worth going with a specialist company who will give you an agreed value for the car, even if it costs a little more to start with. Mine's with Peter Best, £142 fully comp with an agreed value of £3000, although my Mini isn't modified. I'd just be worried that if I went with, for example, esure, direct line or any of the mainstream insurers, I'd get something stupid like £600 if it did get written off.

The above quote is really worth reading (if you haven't already).
No matter where you go or what you pay for insurance you must get the "agreed valuation" bit included otherwise, as mentioned, they will almost
certainly write the Mini off.
The "market value" of a crashed twenty year old car requiring specialist attention is sixpence.

Best wishes
Monty

[Ouster]

Yep, I've heard too many horror stories with people getting nothing for their mini, so an agreed evaluation was a must for me. Will be firing off my pictures to Flux tomorrow and will see what they say.

[wilcooper]

i was with norwich union, almost finished for my 2nd years no claims. was about £900 for spi cooper standard. doesnt matter, mini is gone tomorrow and no more payments

[Burnard]

just as a note rather than any serious advice.
when i was still 15 and considering buying a mini, i phoned up a few insuarance companies to get quote to compare 1275 to 998 as a 17 year old.
I dont remmeber the others as it was a while ago, but Adrien flux quoted me £1000 for a 1275 and £800 for a 998 with a stage one kit and unlimited cosmetics which is great.
They also said if i do any performance mods, if i get an engineer's report stating that the changes are safe and carried out to the right standerd, the premium for that modification will be minimal, and with things like brakes, suspension, it wont add any premiums if there is a report to proove they are safe.

Oh and they quoted my dad the grand total of... £76 on a stage one 1275......
If they can still offer me the same deal when i am 17, i will be going with them.

When i spoke to direct line they will not insure any car with any modifications at all!
Same goes for Esure, but they wont insure anyone with less than a cirtain number of no claims (i didnt ring them, just know that because my mums with them)

[1293sleeper]

if you can get a quote from lancaster its well worth it they have been over £550 cheaper for me n my ex the last two years in a row n she is only 22 with a modifed 1275gt and i have a highly moded 1293 both cost under £250 a year but im 26.