312mm Brakes insurance Q?

[mr. Hedgehog]

I've just called direct line up to get the final word on my new brakes for the fabia. I had previously told there would be a cost for upgrading to the 312mms(cross drilled zimmermans). However, I’m now being told there is no 'category' for brake upgrade, therefore there will be no charge, just a note on the policy. Now, i'm not one to complain about something not costing any money, but I’m wondering what is going on

I pushed the matter with the representative on the other end, and was perfectly clear that these brakes were non- standard, and that I had been told 'd need to pay for the mod. I was again told that if they do not increase performance I do not have to pay.

I know other people have been charged a few £ for this mod, so I’m a bit unsure, in case the worst happens the insurers turn round and say 'you never told us'. I'm tempted to keep my gob shut. What do people think?

 

[claudefrog]

mate.. they wont even realise you have upgraded brakes.. IMO they should reduce the premium for adding better safety features

 

[Johnsey]

As long as you declare it and they make a note of it, what's the problem? Do you want them to charge you for it? As far as I can make out, you've done your bit so dont worry

 

[mr. Hedgehog]

They would notice - they fill the entire wheel and have cross drilled disks - i can only just fit a pencil between the disk and the alloy!

Just making sure really - I bet i'll call back to renew my policy and they will have changed their mind again.

I don't trust insurance companies too well, and like everything to be in writing so no one can say i havn't been honest.

Had a load of hastle with endsleigh a few years back - i declared a K&N filter and it was recorded as air filter for an admin charge. When i had to claim, they said i hand't declared any performance mods?! - that was because i was happy to be guided ny the person on the other end of the phone.

My point was that they were a safty feature when i first spoke to the to test the water - to which i was told i would still have to pay an extra fee...

 

[Johnsey]

Make a note of the date, time and who you spoke to... calls maybe recorded

 

[Spanky]

... calls maybe recorded....

...for training purposes

 

[Vicky M]

mate.... IMO they should reduce the premium for adding better safety features

They don't see it that way,
1. increased braking means you can and will go faster and brake later, therefore increasing the risk of having an accident.

2. Increased braking means you stop, and the car behind doesn't. although a 3rd party claim, still classed as an accident.

therefore, increasing the risks, and increasing the premium.

However, if they're willing to list it as a mod, but not increase the premium. -Fairy Nuff

 

[Johnsey]

...for training purposes

Precisely:

"You've c*cked up, now we're going to have to pay out, you're fired!"
He wont do it again

 

[mr. Hedgehog]

Good point well made. I'm just suspicious the insurer will backtrack. Bitter experience has done this to me...

 

[Vicky M]

Make a note of the date, time and who you spoke to... calls maybe recorded

...for training purposes

if it has been recorded for training purposes, it can still be called as a piece of evidence in the event of a conflict. Depending on how long the recordings are kept for?

 

[mr. Hedgehog]

if it has been recorded for training purposes, it can still be called as a piece of evidence in the event of a conflict. Depending on how long the recordings are kept for?

If it suits them.

 

[mrcoyote]

From the last place where I worked and they recorded calls, they were kept for between 6 months and a year depending on how often they ran out of DVD-RAM discs.

 

[WeeJase]

get it in writing ,tesco(underwritten by DL) c0cked mine up and i ended up 80 out of pocket because they told me my cordoba immobiliser was adaquate.then when i took the policy they demanded a cat2 3weeks later.
they didn't charge me for some of my mods ,but a 1 off admin fee of 17 quid for brake upgrade iirc.

 

[andythom]

...for training purposes

And/or to improve our service

 

[mr. Hedgehog]

Charged me £7 admin fee in the end - after speaking to their tec advisor. Explained to them in gread detail that this was an UPGRADE and what it meant - i.e. replacing disk, pad, caliper etc. Like banging my head off a brick wall.