[Phasenoise]

Been looking at making some small changes to my Puma and was wondering when do you need to inform your insurance company?

Suspension, I had the Powerflex kit added all round, costs me £90 extra a year.
Exahust? Thinking of pumabuilds FRP system on the standard Puma.
Brakes? Thinking of the standard EBC discs and the Greenstuff Pads.

Will I need to pay even more for these other bits??

Thanks, just thought it might help others if they knew about insurance changes, pretty sure there are loads of people with simple mods that invalidate their insurance.

[FlashBastd]

In theory you should tell them about all of those. In reality the brakes probably won't make any difference, but the exhaust and suspension might.

[Shilly]

as said above discs and pads are like for like replacement i would inform them that all modifications that where made where not to enhance the performance but as a cheaper alternative to manufactures expensive parts
ive been dealing with brokers for the past few weeks and have been learning a few tricks of the trade

This post has been edited by Shilly: 13 April 2010 - 08:02 AM

[pumapilot]

The only thing my insurance company charged me for, was my 4-2-1 Milltek manifold, because it was a non standard replacement - no charge at all for Powerflex suspension bushes, insurance premium rose by 10% after exhaust fitted, but heard this is standard practice.

[ScubaSteve]

id only tell them about exhaust tbh, they really wont go near the bushes or even know what they are if they found them, know someone who is an inspector and he told me exactly what they check in accidents, if i asked him what a polyflex bush is he wouldnt have a clue lol

[dawesy]

i had a full stainless exhaust on a car that got wrote off (only been on a week and hadn't got round to ringing them)
assessor came round and never noticed.
all depends i suppose. i would say that the FRP exhaust would be ok as it still looks stock, but in reality you should tell them about any thing that isnt stock.

[Phasenoise]

Cool thanks for the replies, really fancy the FRP exhaust, will be pretty expensive, manifold, centre section and backbox. If I can talk the missus in to it I might just go for it

Is there any power advantage or is it really cosmetic and a bit more noise?

[ScubaSteve]

you wont really get any power advantage from any small engined n/a car with just a different exhaust unfortuantely

[Pumasparky]

It's always worth informing the insurer of ANY modifications as if the car is involved in an accident and they start being picky, you could lose out if they say the car has been modified and they haven't been informed.

Be safe and sure and let them know.

[ScubaSteve]

yeah but come on, things like bushes, they are renewable parts, its like saying you are going to tell your insurers when you put anything other then ford spark plugs in your car.

[pumapilot]

Phasenoise, on 13 April 2010 - 01:53 PM, said:

Cool thanks for the replies, really fancy the FRP exhaust.
Is there any power advantage or is it really cosmetic and a bit more noise?

Full FRP Milltek system on my 1.7 Kat, no need to change down from 5th to 4th to overtake on the motorway, there are 2 systems - resonated and non-resonated, not sure which is quieter, but under 4000rpm, mine is bearable at motorway cruising speeds, as for power advantage, Pumaspeed reckon 8-10+ BHP increase.

Bonus is that apart from manifold, insurance company only presume that you have had a stainless steel exhaust fitted.

The only downside is that your stereo wont work for a month, you'll have the window open listening to the noise, you'll find yourself loking for tunnels to drive through as well.

EditThe exhaust looks pretty awesome at the back too:

This post has been edited by pumapilot: 13 April 2010 - 08:15 PM

[chestnutree]

i've added:

Puma badge over ford badge
LED lights inside headlights
3rd brake light
Parking sensors (which would add safety not hinder)

Wouldn't need these adding would i? lights and additional safety?

[happy-kat]

Anything that is a change to standard then yes it is your insurer's decision as to whether or not they are bothered.

[PG12]

car 'insurance' is now essentially just another tax - wouldn't loose sleep over any modifications - they find something to not pay out regardless

[happy-kat]

Even since the guy telling his story of not only not being covered himeself but the fact he had to actually pay to repair the other vehicle as he had his cover invalidated, now that was painful experience, and very! costly.

[Phasenoise]

Just got my renewal for insurance, price has gone up so used Adrian Flux to find a better price, got one but with some company called Red Star or something, the insurance hasn't started yet but hearing bad things about them from family members, anyone here had a run in with these people?

[dawesy]

no issues here. i use them for the insurance on the corolla, very heavily modified. although they try to increase the premiums evry year by £100 or so, ive had no issues, tho i havent had to claim

[Phasenoise]

Cool I'll see how it goes, I'm pretty sure all insurance companies are the same.

[stetsoncutie]

Phasenoise, on 20 April 2010 - 01:21 PM, said:

Cool I'll see how it goes, I'm pretty sure all insurance companies are the same.

Can't believe no ones mentioned wheels and tyres ! if you are running non standard wheels and not factory spec tyre size i suggest you tell your insurance pronto, trust me i'm a car bodywork collision estimator !