is aftermarket stereo classified as a mod?

[sid]

Hi guys,

I updated my tape drive stereo in my honda civic to a cd system with usb etc.
It was only £70 so not particularly.

Should this be declared as a mod on the car? needless to say, im not worried about it getting nicked. Seriously, who steals stereos now a days?

Any thoughts?

 

[~Divine~Wind~]

I'd only bother declaring it if it was something silly expensive.
any chance to jack yer premiuma nd they will

 

[.:MBK:.]

Don't know about most policies but for as long as I've been with Flux I have always had a maximum ICE insurance value on my policy, I have always assumed this covered custom installs up to the insurable limit.

Not that fussed though as I only change HUs for connectivity reasons

 

[spacedskunk]

Generally speaking a new stereo will not class as a risk altering modification; thus you will be fine without telling your insurer. If you look at the policy schedule there should be a cover limit that applies to your car audio, for example mine shows as up to £500 and I'd only inform them if it goes over.

Permanently fitted after market car audio, sat nav, in car entertainment etc usually get defined as accessories in a policy booklet rather than vehicle modifications, which alter the cars dynamics.

 

[TheVoice]

Didn't for me, I put a £60 JVC in my car last year, mentioned it when discussing my renewal a few months later and they said it didn't count.

 

[BigglesPiP]

I do't think any insurer could class that as grounds to refuse a claim, except maybe a break in if it's particularly flashy (does car stereo theft even still happen?).

So probably only declare it if you want it covered, but I follow the idea that you shouldn't insure anything you can reasonably afford to replace without notice, can you reasonably afford to replace a £70 stereo? If averaged out over every ~£70 thing you own, you come out better off by not insuring any of them, better by about the profit margin of an insurer.

 

[OpenToSuggestions]

Cars these days are all alarmed, plus CD/MP3 headunits can be had for <£40 new so really aren't worth nicking.

Go back to the mid 1990s when a good CD headunit cost a heck of a lot more, cars had no alarms and could be hotwired, and they would get broken into far far more.

I declare mods to insurers (remaps, decorative changes etc.) but have never bothered about telling them about basic stereo/speaker upgrades. If I had a £1000 ICE system I would though!

 

[Freefaller]

My policy wording says it covers me for up to £1000 of ICE. Check your policy, or phone them and ask.