Insurance Modification Question

[Fr0dders]

What about modifying the airbox yourself? Lets use the Honda S2000 as an example, you can take the lid off the airbox to improve the noise. You have not added a induction kit or changed the filters. And you still have the same airbox - just missing a part. Is this declarable?

no because you've removed something

not modified it.

 

[Joshy]

no because you've removed something

not modified it.

But he's still modified it from the original specification

Going by this logic, you wouldn't have to mention that you gutted the interior for weight reduction to an insurance company?

 

[TONY]

if you got optional extra alloy wheels, factory tinted windows etc etc etc and you have a claim and they havent been notified they will supply you with a standard vehicle without the extras, why would they pay out for a vehicle with tons of optional extras if they have not been told they are fitted, that would be like covering a bmw without any extras but when u need it replaced saying well make sure its got the 19" alloys, upgraded stereo and listing every single optional extra BMW offer

I wrote off a 335i M Sport coupe last year, it had factory tinted windows as an optional extra as well as nearly everything else that was on the options list including bigger than standard wheels.

I did not tell the insurance company about any of them and they still paid out 35k to me which was the value of my car with the extras at the time, I'm sure they would have used any excuse not to pay me if they could.

 

[Fr0dders]

But he's still modified it from the original specification

Going by this logic, you wouldn't have to mention that you gutted the interior for weight reduction to an insurance company?

i think in this instance it depends on the degree

If your undertray cover fell off without you knowing, can you held liable for not informing the insurance company that it was technically "modified" - no way could they make that stick.

Similarly, neither could they make it stick that your local dealer must have forgotten to put the airbox cover back on, but you knowing nothing about cars - didnt notice. Equally, how can they proove it didnt come off in the accident and is in fact still at the scene of the accident in a hedge somewhere ?

You would on the other hand notice if all your interior was missing ! neither could you claim that it "fell off"

 

[Joshy]

i think in this instance it depends on the degree

If your undertray cover fell off without you knowing, can you held liable for not informing the insurance company that it was technically "modified" - no way could they make that stick.

Similarly, neither could they make it stick that your local dealer must have forgotten to put the airbox cover back on, but you knowing nothing about cars - didnt notice. Equally, how can they proove it didnt come off in the accident and is in fact still at the scene of the accident in a hedge somewhere ?

You would on the other hand notice if all your interior was missing ! neither could you claim that it "fell off"

But doesn't it all go back to claiming ignorance again? I mean from your post it seems like you do agree that technically you should declare it, but that you'd probably get away with it so why bother?

Granted you'd probably get away removing the airbox cover just like I would probably get away if I extensively rebuilt an engine internally to produce considerably more power but visually kept it old and dirty. It doesn't make it right though

 

[Trifid]

Similarly, neither could they make it stick that your local dealer must have forgotten to put the airbox cover back on, but you knowing nothing about cars - didnt notice.

You would definitely notice a S2000 with no airbox lid. It is very loud and makes a deep roar under any acceleration.