12 replies to this topic

[MiniMaggs]

Hi all,

 

Need some advice please, particularly if you understand/work in the insurance area.

So my insurance is up for renewal, and admiral have come out cheapest again. However I have just rang them to try and explain the purpose of Hi-Lo adjustable suspension components. I have them installed but run the car at approx standard ride height, the girl on the phone could not work out the purpose of them when I tried to explain that you can adjust the height independently on each corner to improve handling and safety. I guess her only options were lowered (less than 5cm) lowered (greater than 5cm which they don't insure) and suspension (other).

 

She asked if you could increase the height of the supspension above standard and I said well I guess in theory you could (no clue why you would want to though) which she returned and said they would not insure me if you could increase the height no matter if I did or not.

 

So my question is, can you use Hi-Lo's to increase the ride height?

Secondly, she said all I would need was my word if I were to say no and I'd be insured (increasing my premium by £4 with the mod). However, I would risk voiding my insurance if they discovered you in fact could increase the height. Is it worth the risk?

 

I now wish I had just declared it as lowered suspension because the new cones will settle lower over time anyway. lol.

 

Cheers

[Tupers]

Yes you can use them to raise the suspension, it's not uncommon to do it on rally cars. 

 

I would just declare it as lowered or find a more modified car friendly broker. 

[Tamworthbay]

As long as the ride height is as described I wouldn't worry. You have declared the mod. I was asked similar on mine and tried to explain but a lot of companies just have tick boxes and no room for common sense. It's like stainless exhausts, the one I had on my MGB was for longevity not performance but they don't seem to understand that for some reason. For the sake of £2 I gave up arguing.

[MiniMaggs]

I didn't think about the rally function, good point.

Yeah, well the issue is trying to declare it. They don't insure if you could increase the ride height with these fitted. Would they check this in the case of a claim?

[Tamworthbay]

I would very much doubt it, but if you are worried put a sticker on saying 'not to be used beyond ......mm'

[MiniMaggs]

Okay cheers for the advice

[sonikk4]

I declared mine with Peter James and made no difference at all to the insurance. That and the Cooper S disc conversion. Other than that the car is bog stock 998 Clubman.

[MiniMaggs]

Adrian flux have not quibbled the mods and the quote is cheaper, so I'll likely go with them

[Grimshaw17]

I declared mine as adjustable suspension after having the same conversation about it being able to go as low as I liked. 

[AVV IT]

If your insurer have actually stated that you potentially wouldn't be covered if your suspension has the facility to be raised, then I wouldnt risk it. Insurers have a reputation of looking for any way of wriggling out of a claim, so this is playing right into their hands. If I were you, I think I'd be looking at going with one of the specialist insurers that are more familiar with and more friendly towards mods, as opposed to a mainstream insurer like admiaral.

[kezzkitkat]

Adrian flux have not quibbled the mods and the quote is cheaper, so I'll likely go with them

For the love of god dont bother go with a alternative like hic and etc

[Guess-Works.com]

If you use genuine HILO suspension you can state that the items have been homologated.

 

As stated above, HILO's can be adjusted upward as well as down, hence the name, HIgh - LOw, however many of the non-genuine HILO's don't have the range of adjustment, and very rarely enough adjustment to maintain a standard ride height let alone raising it.

 

My advice is, first be honest with the insurance company, which you have.. Many people would not have even declared it.  Secondly, if they state they will not insure it with a modified suspension, then you will need to look else where, but what you could also do is get something in writing form ( engineers report or say guidance from a respected organisation ) which states the purpose of the hilo...

Do you have any other suspension mods apart from the HILO ?

[MiniMaggs]

Exactly, I don't want to risk not being covered in the event of a claim so I'd prefer to declare these items. I have the genuine HILOs and also have KYB gas-a-just shocks.