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  • Car insurance questions

    Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on some of the vague questions that insurers ask when getting a quote.

    I don't intend for any of this to sound illegal, I'm just trying to make some sense of it. I'm pretty sure the insurers do it on purpose to make and save themselves money!

    Has it been modified?
    Is this a case of if you have an accident, if you've told them any mods, they'll cover them, but if you haven't told them then they'll only cover whats stock? Also, if you don't tell them it's been modded, can they cancel your policy as you haven't been truthful?

    Worth and cost?
    I assume that the higher the numbers here, the higher the policy cost will be? Do the insurer pay out worth or cost?

    Do you have the car yet?
    Is this a case of holding you to ransom as if you have the car already they can charge you more?

    Have you committed any driving offenses in the last 5 years?
    Now I know they are being naughty with this one. I have 6 points that I got in October 2016. I was getting very excited as on the DVLA site it says they expire in October 2019. I thought then I could answer this question as no from October but I thought I'd phone my current insurer and ask. They said as the question reads, I have to tell them any offenses from the last 5 years. So even though the points have expired, that means nothing. It also says on the DVLA site that they will be removed in October 2020, but if we are still answering the same original question, it will still be yes until October 2021. I would definitely like some thoughts on this as, of course, this makes the policy more expensive and if my points have indeed expired in the eyes of the government, then the insurer should reflect this?

    Mileage?
    How does this affect the policy price? The insurer must be hoping this is answered with honesty as I'm not sure how they would find out if you are lying or not?

    Where do you keep the car?
    As a carer, I work nights at other peoples homes and can park on the drive, but at home I have to park on the road. If I phone can the insurer take this into account or can they only answer questions the same way we do at our end? The area that I work is alot nicer than where I live aswell so if they could take that into account surely it would save some money?

    Policy start date?
    Having read up on car insurance already on Money Saving Expert, I know that this is a big deal. Having got quotes to start the same day and for 30 days ahead I have been given a price difference of a couple of hundred quid on this. I have a plan in mind to buy my next car around 6 weeks in advance so I can take advantage of this. The father in law will let me use his drive while it's off the road

    Extra cover?
    Is any of it worth it? Windscreen, legal cover, personal injury cover, breakdown cover (which I already have at a decent price separately at £43).


    Apologies if that was rather long winded, but I just wanted to pick some brains

    Cheers!

  • #2
    Has it been modified?
    This means any changes made from the original specification of the vehicle when it left the factory. For some insurance companies this can also mean any factory fitted options. Check with the individual insurer. You would also need to check with the insurer whether all modifications would be covered under the policy (assuming you are fully comp)

    Worth and cost?
    Insurers will only pay market value for the car. Again, check with the insurer how they determine market value but most use Glasses Car Guide. Although in a total loss claim you may be able to negotiate the settlement with the loss assessor.

    Do you have the car yet?
    This is in case you are obtaining a quote for a vehicle you may be intending to purchase.

    Have you committed any driving offenses in the last 5 years?
    Not sure why you're questioning this as it's self explanatory. Yes it is more expensive when you have points...............so don't get points on your licence.

    Mileage?
    The more miles you cover, the higher the risk of a claim hence the higher premium. Your mileage is documented each year on your MOT and service records so an insurer can verify your mileage.

    Where do you keep the car?
    This would be where the car is "normally" kept at a certain time of day. Some insurers ask where it is parked at night, some in the day and some both. So just answer as "generally parked" at those times.

    Policy start date?
    Yes I've noticed when getting quotes that certain times of the month have different prices......not sure why though. As long as your're happy with the level of cover for the vehicle. If it's on the drive and then gets broken into etc then it won't be covered if no insurance. hance you take.

    Extra cover?
    This is purely down to personal choice.
    Insignia Elite Nav 2ltr SIDI Turbo 250PS, Pearlescent Emerald Green, VX-Line Interior, VX-Line Exterior Styling Kit, Premium Brandy Nappa Sports Leather, 20" Elite Multi Spoke Alloy Wheels, 8" Digital Drivers Display, Bose Premium Audio System, Front Camera Pack, Rear View Camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, Advanced Park Assist, Rear Privacy Glass, Keyless Entry & Start, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Factory Fitted Towbar

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    • #3
      A valid questions, bit also sometimes pointless. All offences stay for five years, as do accidents and by the way if you tell them about something and decide not to claim it still stays for five years.

      Ring and ask about overnight parking, I used to work funny shifts, several days on mornings, then several afternoons then several nights then ten days off. And I had more than one work place. It actually boiled down that if I parked outside a Depot overnight while on nights they wouldn't insure the car, but if it was left in the Depot compounds then they would, but if I was on my ten days off I could park on any street anywhere all night long and be covered. Work that one out.

      Insurance changes daily, can be hundreds different from one day to the next.

      When I changed from 1.6 Petrol Sri Astra j to the Insignia Halifax basically doubled by premium, saying the company I was with didn't insure that type of car, and to cancel would have cost me more than what was going to be paid. I waited and dumped them asap and got it for less than Astra with someone else.

      It pays to actually change provider every year, new customer get more discounts, loyal customers get none.

      Extras. This annoys me. Put all details into search engines and great quotes come back , by time you have just added a few basics it's hundreds more. So now I look for the ones that include everything, the premier etc. It actually works out loads cheaper and you don't have to worry about forgetting anything. Ok I don't use European stuff, but have it anyway.

      Limited mileage insurance can save you a little, bit on my experience only if it's like under 6k a year. I changed mine from 10k to 12k per year and was no difference.

      Oh and to add, this is legal, but play around with your profession title. It can make a huge difference. Don't lie, and if you have an exact title than your stuck. But lots of jobs can be classed as various things. Again the industry you work in also.
      Me for example, electrical /mechanical pump fitter. Work call me a pump engineer. Do I work on plant. - yes, so do I work on site - yes, do i work in workshop -yes. All give a different price. Do I work in engineering - yes, do I work in health- yes, do I work for local authorities- yes. Again all give different prices. I can't pick everything, there is only one choice on drop down menus. Try everyone and see the different prices given. I'm not being untruthful. Lol [emoji12].
      Last edited by MattG; 03-09-2019, 07:59 PM.


      MATTG - 2016 - 2.0 ELITE 170
      Usual Elite specification;Dancing lights, up/down windows, sliding seats, on board atlas, slippery seats, musical bumpers, storm detectors, tubeless radio, female knight rider communication system, all seeing windscreen, cherry air freshener, auto moaning passengers, learner driver, shiny door pins, rear boom box, Heko smoked window hats, rear window sunglasses, 10 million candle flame reversing lights, matching number plate lights, shiny pedals, front and rear all seeing eyes, fully integrated interrogation system, empty bank account .

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      • #4
        As above, but sticking my ore in .
        Modified in my mind means anything that did not come as standard on your car and not just , a car of the same spec , considering that there are so many options available on cars thease days , I don't quite know how they can tell in the event of a total loss , if your particular car has been modified or not , so that's a grey area .
        But if you go balls out and fit aftermarket wheels , remap it , take the DPF off , put in a 50" plasma TV then that's modified in my eyes .
        As above worth / cost , when I renew I always put the value I paid for the car , but in the event of a total loss it's the market value .but god forbid it happens, you never take there first offer , you should always look at similar cars for sale on auto trader etc and throw it back at them .
        Claims and convictions, always answer truthfully or else it will bite you on the ass .
        Mileage you do .i suppose they are thinking the more mileage you do the more likely you are to have an accident.
        Where you keep,your car , that question I suppose is if you park it on a road then the more likely you are to be hit .
        Put it in a garage and less likely.
        Yep start date is the most confusing.
        Extra cover ? If fully comp then windscreen is covered less excess
        Leagal cover that's always an extra but I have my own cover for that
        Breakdown cover , I shop,around .
        Last but no means lease , type of cover you are wanting
        Seeing as you are a carer and work,nights at possible different addresses , then to be truthful,
        You may require a level of business use because you don't have a permanent place of work
        I don't know if you have allowed for that in your quotes .


        .K.M.P.C.U
        YEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAA

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        • #5
          in answer to the questiion about modifications

          if you dont tell them about any modificatons and they find out they will instantly cancel your cover, and if you do tell them about them and have an accident tey will NOT replace them they will only put the car back to standard. Its a total con i know

          as for al the others there standard self explanatory questions

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          • #6
            Originally posted by MartyW View Post
            in answer to the questiion about modifications

            if you dont tell them about any modificatons and they find out they will instantly cancel your cover, and if you do tell them about them and have an accident tey will NOT replace them they will only put the car back to standard. Its a total con i know

            as for al the others there standard self explanatory questions
            I'm not sure that would be the case for factory fitted extras? But I may be wrong?
            Insignia Elite Nav 2ltr SIDI Turbo 250PS, Pearlescent Emerald Green, VX-Line Interior, VX-Line Exterior Styling Kit, Premium Brandy Nappa Sports Leather, 20" Elite Multi Spoke Alloy Wheels, 8" Digital Drivers Display, Bose Premium Audio System, Front Camera Pack, Rear View Camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, Advanced Park Assist, Rear Privacy Glass, Keyless Entry & Start, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Factory Fitted Towbar

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            • #7
              If it's an option that is fitted / approved by the manufacturer of the car , then in my mind that is not a modification, that is an option offered by the manufacturer. And so it's part of the OE spec of your perticular car .
              Seeing as most cars thease days can be built to your own spec . What with option lists as long as your arm.


              .K.M.P.C.U
              YEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAA

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              • #8
                Thanks for all the replies and advice everyone!

                It is a massive con job and a bloody mindfield!

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by 0011728 View Post
                  I'm not sure that would be the case for factory fitted extras? But I may be wrong?
                  if its factory fitted thenn its fine you dont need to declare it, only after market mods im refering too, thats even if you change the wheels

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                  • #10
                    There is also some insurance companies that Specialise in Modded cars and it can be cheaper if you meet there modified criteria But I cannot see or understand why if such things like lowered suspension, massive wheels and the like would make it a better risk. Some forums i have used it was quite common for owners to do a mod just to become eligible for specialist insurance companies.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by MartyW View Post
                      if its factory fitted thenn its fine you dont need to declare it, only after market mods im refering too, thats even if you change the wheels
                      I have had to declare all my factory fitted options to my insurer (Sheilas Wheels)
                      Insignia Elite Nav 2ltr SIDI Turbo 250PS, Pearlescent Emerald Green, VX-Line Interior, VX-Line Exterior Styling Kit, Premium Brandy Nappa Sports Leather, 20" Elite Multi Spoke Alloy Wheels, 8" Digital Drivers Display, Bose Premium Audio System, Front Camera Pack, Rear View Camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, Advanced Park Assist, Rear Privacy Glass, Keyless Entry & Start, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Factory Fitted Towbar

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