Styling 500 Insurance and Modifications

[The Little Grey Ghost]

Hi,

I'm new to the Fiat Forum and need a bit of help.

I've had my Fiat 500 (1.2 pop) about 2 months now and have recently had a few modifications done, namely Custom Chrome front and rear bumpers, A Bar, Bonnet Line and Chrome Tail pipe.

However, when I contacted my insurance Company (The Post Office) they said that they wont cover these modifications and to call back tomorrow to see if the Underwriters will ??

They are only bits of stick on plastic. Can anyone recomend an Insurance Company that will cover such modifications. Anyone else had issues with their insurers?

Having had Company vehicles all my working life, I never thought to make an enquiry first and the mods were an early Christmas gift from my other half.

All help appreciated

 

[blitz7287]

Adrian Flux deal with modified cars give them a bell.

Would love to see a pic of the car with the custom bumpers

 

[skyinsurance]

The club insurers should all be able to help, have a look at the 'sticky' posts in the insurance section

If you only have the company car driving experience, assuming this is claim free we may be able to offer a discount basis on the basis of this if you can provide proof.

Ollie
Sky Insurance

http://www.skyinsurance.co.uk/car-club-insurance.html

 

[RobinPJ]

Hope you get it sorted.

Bear in mind that the cost of changing insurer (admin payments, not 100% of premium returned, higher premium elsewhere) may be more than the risk of having to replace these items at your own cost in the event of a claim in the period of your current insurance.

In other words, if the PO Insurance people agree to cover your car as usual, for all risks, but just tell you that they will not repair/replace/reimburse you for the shiny bits, just make sure it is worth changing company at this stage. You may be better off just taking the risk yourself and then telling your new insurer when you take out a new policy next year.

 

[RobW]

those arent modifications they are dealer fit accessories

 

[trphil]

those arent modifications they are dealer fit accessories

Plenty of insurance companies consider that to be a "modification". I've even come across companies that call metallic paint a "modification", I literally couldn't believe what I was hearing!!!

Both my S-Max and 500 are exactly as they left their respective factories and both have modifications declared! My Triumph TR7 has had numerous modifications since it left the factory and the insurance company don't care!

 

[loveshandbags]

...
I've had my Fiat 500 (1.2 pop) about 2 months now and have recently had a few modifications done, namely Custom Chrome front and rear bumpers, A Bar, Bonnet Line and Chrome Tail pipe.
...

I would agree with RobW that the bold bits are dealer fit and should not be a problem. The only one I would be concerned about is the customised bumpers - this could affect the safety rating for pedestrians.
Can you post a picture of this mod as mentioned by blitz.

 

[trphil]

I would be very surprised if the OP isn't referring to the chrome inserts that are standard on the lounge and available as an option...

 

[loveshandbags]

I would be very surprised if the OP isn't referring to the chrome inserts that are standard on the lounge and available as an option...

In that case I would take a chance. It would be up to the insurance company to prove that those customisations weren't dealer supplied.

 

[RUI]

I agree the car is not modified they are dealer fit options. if your insurance company tell you different tell them where to stick their policy.

 

[trphil]

Well currently on my S-Max the factory-fit optional reverse parking sensors and the metalic paint are "modifications", I put up with the ridiculous definition because they are still cheapest.

Similarly the (different to standard spec but still Fiat original fitment) alloy wheels, leather seats, metalic paint and glass roof are "modifications" on the 500!

Absolutely daft but thats insurance companies for you. How many people when insuring a secondhand car would even know which things are not the standard specification for the model they have bought?

 

[loveshandbags]

Well currently on my S-Max the factory-fit optional reverse parking sensors and the metalic paint are "modifications", I put up with the ridiculous definition because they are still cheapest.

Similarly the (different to standard spec but still Fiat original fitment) alloy wheels, leather seats, metalic paint and glass roof are "modifications" on the 500!

Absolutely daft but thats insurance companies for you. How many people when insuring a secondhand car would even know which things are not the standard specification for the model they have bought?

There was a discussion on here a few moons back on alloys on a pop. At the time I was trying to order a chrome gear knob off the Sport model for the Lounge. When the dealer plugged in my reg details the exact spec of the car came up. Some of the bits mentioned by the poster are often put on by the dealer afterwards and supplied 'as new' to you. I seriously doubt that those modifications would affect his insurance cover. Alloys are a little different in that they can be 'taken off' but the A bar, chrome inserts, Bonnet chrome - if these were pulled off it is unlikely that they would be re-usable. But I would accept that they may not be covered for replacement if there was an accident.

 

[RobW]

Plenty of insurance companies consider that to be a "modification". I've even come across companies that call metallic paint a "modification", I literally couldn't believe what I was hearing!!!

Both my S-Max and 500 are exactly as they left their respective factories and both have modifications declared! My Triumph TR7 has had numerous modifications since it left the factory and the insurance company don't care!

those are the sort of insurance companies you should avoid
if they are awkward about that sort of thing then can you imagine what they would be like if you claim

 

[The Little Grey Ghost]

I would be very surprised if the OP isn't referring to the chrome inserts that are standard on the lounge and available as an option...

Yes, I think they are the Chrome inserts (the same as what you see on a lot of 500's). Described on my receipt as mouldings when I had them fitted.

Sorry, I wasn't sure what they were called.

 

[The Little Grey Ghost]

Following from my cry for help below, I would like to Thank everyone for there input. The matter was successfully sorted this morning and I am now awaiting new paperwork. Obviously all insurance companies are different and if anyone on here is thinking of adding anything to their car (even adhesive bits) please check with your Insurers first. I have certainly learned a valuable lesson.

My "Custom Chrome Bumpers" are most likely the "Chrome Inserts" that you see on a lot of 500's, I just didn't know what they were called.

I wasn't so much concerned that in the event of a crash the "Shiny bits" wouldn' be replaced, more that it could have totally invalidated my insurance should I have made a claim (and then where would I have been)?

Anyway, all is well and once again thank you for your thoughts, help and advice.

The Little Grey Ghost

ps: Would love to add a pic of her to the gallery, but haven't quite mastered the technology yet. My personal opinion, I think the A Bar and Bonet Line looks good on a "Punk Grey"

Hi,

I'm new to the Fiat Forum and need a bit of help.

I've had my Fiat 500 (1.2 pop) about 2 months now and have recently had a few modifications done, namely Custom Chrome front and rear bumpers, A Bar, Bonnet Line and Chrome Tail pipe.

However, when I contacted my insurance Company (The Post Office) they said that they wont cover these modifications and to call back tomorrow to see if the Underwriters will ??

They are only bits of stick on plastic. Can anyone recomend an Insurance Company that will cover such modifications. Anyone else had issues with their insurers?

Having had Company vehicles all my working life, I never thought to make an enquiry first and the mods were an early Christmas gift from my other half.

All help appreciated