Parking sensors

skaif said:
I got a cheapo set from the bay and they worked just fine. It was a 4 sensor set with led read out.
Bit of a pain to fit as had to pull the rear number off and drill through as well as colour match the sensors themselves. Suppose it was worth it in the end as it looked factory.
Personally I would prefer to go with a camera as less hassle to fit and you can often get a number plate surround that includes the camera which then links to a rear view mirror with a screen in it.
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How well has the paint lasted on the sensors? I've been looking at some of the cheap sets on the bay as well, as most seem to be sub £20. Whilst they do provide coloured sensors, i'm doubtful these will match the colour of the car very well, and may look very obvious.
 
I had a camera on my previous car and i prefered that over the sensors on my current one. You can actually see what's coming with a camera.

I fitted it myself. I already had a head unit with a camera input. So I installed one of those number plate light mount cameras and spliced the power from the reversing light. It cost £60.
 
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I've fitted a couple of cars with some - Pretty easy overall, I think. Just a bit of messing around pulling the interior apart and routing the wires, really.

Haggisman said:
Reverse over a child because you were relying on the sensors rather than looking behind where you would have seen them running across the back of the car
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Our work vehicles had them fitted because you can't see out the back/sides. The 'windows' are panelled and there are three bulkhead cage things blocking the rear view. We also have to reverse-park everywhere to minimise the chances of accidents.
 
Firstly you should never rely soley on the sensors, they can and do fail from time to time, yes they are handy but not essential imo.

I'm yet to see parking sensors fitted to an hgv (a vehicle where you'd think you'd need them all the more) and having recently changed from a car with sensors to one without I can't honestly say I miss them, maybe I'm just old school?
 
Scania said:
I'm yet to see parking sensors fitted to an hgv (a vehicle where you'd think you'd need them all the more)
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All our Heavies (from goods to tankers) had to have them fitted, but they're all-round sensors rather than just reversing/parking... and it's purely because of all the Cyclists!
 
rodenal said:
No chance I'd be declaring parking sensors - I'd love to see them decline to pay out based on that
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It's easy "Oh we spotted you've got parking sensors, you've not declared them and it's pretty obvious they're fitted so when you declared everything was true to the best of your knowledge you lied. Bye bye insurance"

Insurance companies love an easy get out.
 
tom_e said:
It's easy "Oh we spotted you've got parking sensors, you've not declared them and it's pretty obvious they're fitted so when you declared everything was true to the best of your knowledge you lied. Bye bye insurance"

Insurance companies love an easy get out.
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They simply wouldn't replace the parking sensors in the event of a crash, stop being so melodramatic. They won't void any insurance claim based on you having parking sensors...
 
acemastr said:
They simply wouldn't replace the parking sensors in the event of a crash, stop being so melodramatic. They won't void any insurance claim based on you having parking sensors...
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I'm not saying it's likely but they would be within their rights to if they see them as a modification and they had not been declared.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3923075

Car door catches fire, undeclared alloys leave him up crap creek.
 
They'd have to prove the alloys caused the fire, or the parking sensors caused the accident... which they can't with any actual proof.
 
acemastr said:
They won't void any insurance claim based on you having parking sensors...
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They will void any insurance claim if there is anything you have not declared, be it modification, incident or whatever.

My own initially refused to renew me because I'd not told them about an accident, despite them being the ones who handled the claim for me - The idea that they'd record it on my record didn't occur to them. I only got through because I argued I'd already told them about when I made the claim for it!!
 
tom_e said:
It's easy "Oh we spotted you've got parking sensors, you've not declared them and it's pretty obvious they're fitted so when you declared everything was true to the best of your knowledge you lied. Bye bye insurance"
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I haven't declared my Factory Fitted Parking Sensors and have no intention of doing so. I also haven't lied to my insurance, as they ask "Has the car been modified from it's original factory specification", in which case the answer is No.

Do they have to pay out for the cost of Parking sensors in the event that my car gets written off? - clearly not, I would get the book price, I would need some kind of GAP insurance if I wanted to cover any factory upgrades.

Suggesting Insurance is automatically void because items aren't declared is a bit far fetched - I assume most people who have added options to their car when ordering (or have retrofitted factory options) don't declare them.
 
ttaskmaster said:
They will void any insurance claim if there is anything you have not declared, be it modification, incident or whatever.

My own initially refused to renew me because I'd not told them about an accident, despite them being the ones who handled the claim for me - The idea that they'd record it on my record didn't occur to them. I only got through because I argued I'd already told them about when I made the claim for it!!
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Only the bad insurers do that. The good ones either ask you to pay the difference to cover the mods, or just don't replace/cover modified parts. Some specialist insurers will also cover the cost and even replace damaged mods like for like.
 
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Insurers are no longer able to "just void" your insurance and must now prove a deliberate act of deception plus be able to prove that the undeclared item directly related to any incident. As already stated it seems most will charge the difference in premium rather than go a more serious route.

The issue with an accident above is simply a "computer says no" scenario, which could happen with any detail. A bit like admiral or its associated companies attempting to increase premiums for drivers based on doing a quote for a modification etc.


Circumstances clearly matter in terms of defining what would happen and when, but I can't say parking sensors would personally worry me.
 
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