Insurance

[Orangemonster03]

I just purchased a 2003 XR8 sedan with 20" wheels and I was knocked back on insurance due to the 'modification' of the car... Can someone explain to me why this would be?

I did end up finding someone to insure my car but not cheaply either

[Yellow_Festiva]

20" wheels???

What does the sticker say for what was factory fitment??

What state are you in?

[Orangemonster03]

I'm in Qld.
I have no idea what the factory fitment is :/

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by Orangemonster03

I'm in Qld.
I have no idea what the factory fitment is :/

Here's a tip...it certainly wasn't 20" wheels. I'd say that's your problem right there.

Despite the "look at me" factor that people want with larger and larger wheels, on cars not designed for them they actually do throw up a few handling issues.
There's a good engineering reason they usually limit you to X-amount larger wheels, and it isn't to be a killjoy.

[chopstar87]

Who was the insurer that knocked you back?

I am sure i heard somewhere anything 2inchs over the standard wheels fitted to the vehicle when manufactured would be roadworthy and illegal to be fitted to a vehicle.

Been a BA, the largest wheels may have only been 17s when built.

[Orangemonster03]

It was RACQ... I wasn't aware of those guidelines.

Thanks

[chopstar87]

RACQ are REALLY REALLY Picky, anything a little different or risky, they wont cover or price them selves right out of the market. they use to class my XR6 as a high performance vehicle.. considering it had same power as the XT, i dont think so.

I remember i got a quote way back when i had my XR6 and they gave me a extra excess of $450 because i had 1 accident on my claims history.. umm, no thanks. i insured with a different insurer. for way cheaper and no additional excess.

[LTDHO]

There will be a sticker on your car listing the wheel sizes that your car is available with.

You are allowed to go 2" taller.

However insurers write rules to suit them, so call other insurers or sell the 20's.

[zilo]

just don't tell them.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by zilo

just don't tell them.

Till something goes wrong and they blame that wrong on your wheels and void your policy.

[zilo]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Till something goes wrong and they blame that wrong on your wheels and void your policy.

Nope...they still have to prove it.

I bought the car with those wheels on it...prove otherwise.

They can't.

[karj]

Originally Posted by zilo

Nope...they still have to prove it.

I bought the car with those wheels on it...prove otherwise.

They can't.

That excuse won't wash with any insurance company that I know of.

My RAA insurance PDS states a few things...

A 'modification' means: "any alteration or addition to the body, wheels, tyres, rims, engine, exhaust, extraction system, drive train, paintwork, suspension, instruments, sound system, interior, or any other work that changes the performance, security or value of the vehicle."

and that "You must tell us immediately if there has been any alterations, conversions or modifications to the vehicle."

and that "We will not cover you for loss, damage or liability if you fail to advise us of any alteration, conversion or modification from the maker’s specifications of your vehicle that would be relevant to us in accepting the risk or continuing to insure your vehicle."

and that "You are responsible for keeping your details up to date."

[zilo]

Originally Posted by karj

That excuse won't wash with any insurance company that I know of.

My RAA insurance PDS states a few things...

A 'modification' means: "any alteration or addition to the body, wheels, tyres, rims, engine, exhaust, extraction system, drive train, paintwork, suspension, instruments, sound system, interior, or any other work that changes the performance, security or value of the vehicle."

and that "You must tell us immediately if there has been any alterations, conversions or modifications to the vehicle."

and that "We will not cover you for loss, damage or liability if you fail to advise us of any alteration, conversion or modification from the maker’s specifications of your vehicle that would be relevant to us in accepting the risk or continuing to insure your vehicle."

and that "You are responsible for keeping your details up to date."

I guess I had better put the original floormats back in then....

[LTDHO]

Originally Posted by zilo

Nope...they still have to prove it.

I bought the car with those wheels on it...prove otherwise.

They can't.

No they don't.
It's up to you to ensure the vehicle is legal and safe, not your insurer.

[PX_Ranger]

Shannon's is your answer.

[zilo]

Originally Posted by LTDHO

No they don't.
It's up to you to ensure the vehicle is legal and safe, not your insurer.

Of course, if the mod contributes to the claim then that is a valid point of contention, no one is disputing that.

But you are wrong if you think an unrelated mod can disallow a claim.

Also..if I decide to put an expensive sound system in and it gets stolen they will only compensate for the cost of the oem system without a premium adjustment....which is the "notice" that they want.

So it's not a draconian system as some would think.


No-one will say...gotcha...no collision claim because you didn't tell us about the floor mats, fluffy dice and aftermarket sound system...

[Ruination]

I am pretty sure its not 2 inch rim size.

As far as I know ADR states that overall rolling diametre should be no more than 15mm larger or 26mm smaller.

[MercurySilver]

seriously they need to know every mod, no matter how basic
insurance companies will do absolutely everything to try and get out of paying
tell them every single mod and get the whole thing in writing obviously

[xisled]

Originally Posted by MercurySilver

seriously they need to know every mod, no matter how basic
insurance companies will do absolutely everything to try and get out of paying
tell them every single mod and get the whole thing in writing obviously

You are wrong, only a very small amount of claims are denied. around 1% to 2% with most insurance companies.

Basically an insurance company with have tens of thousands claims a year.

If insurance companies did not pay out, they would go out of business. Who would want to be with an insurance company that denied claims. Everyone would be talking about them saying my claim had bene denied.

It takes in general approximately 3 years for an insurance company to make money on a policy without a claim. If companies denied insurance claims all the time, then most customers would not last 3 years and the insurance company would not survive.

[Ruination]

Ah okay, I only did it last month, some mobs require you to be over 24. Its probably dependant on the car too.

[ridzilla]

Don't BA XR8's come with 18s factory? That would keep you in the two inch rule

[Yellow_Festiva]

You can be really clever with the technicalities but if it came down to 'lawyers at 20 paces' the side with the deepest pockets wins.

And in 999 out of 1000 cases that aint you....

[zilo]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

You can be really clever with the technicalities but if it came down to 'lawyers at 20 paces' the side with the deepest pockets wins.

And in 999 out of 1000 cases that aint you....

Sorry mate, I been sucking eggs a long time.

$45 application to VCAT ain't a problem.

Almost never costs awarded and no lawyers allowed except by mutual consent.

One can't really be bullied around by threats of legal expenses anymore by the big boys.

[LTDHO]

Zilo, How long have you worked in insurance or the industry?