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On the subject of wheels... When I declared some aftermarket rims (16's rather than 14's) on a fiesta..
IIRC they were TSW wheels with eagle F1 tyres.. My insurance company at the time said I didn't have to declare them..
The only caviat is in the event of one breaking or getting robbed or whatever is they would only cover the equivalent cost of the standard 14" Ford alloys and stock tyres rather than the after market sports wheels and tyres.
I was fine with that so my premium was unaffected.
I'm with Aviva Zero. Just asked about a roof rack. Was told it's modification and needs to be declared on the policy but don't need to tell them if it's on or off. Cycle carriers and roof boxes don't need to be declared. Got a £10 refund on my premium for adding the roof rack to the policy.
I've been told by goskippy that I need to declare taking it on or off and they charge me money each time. I asked about removing the bike carrier, but they were unable to understand that a roof bike carrier is seperate from the roof rack so who knows.
but they were unable to understand that a roof bike carrier is seperate from the roof rack so who knows.
As ever, these insurance decisions are made by a bean counter and risk analyst somewhere. That does not mean they understand the practicalities and how people use vehicles.
Interesting in one case a roof rack has reduced premium....
They wanted 60 quid, almost all of which was an admin fee. I didn't pay. They didn't seem to understand what I was asking. Maybe they think they are permanent roof rails?? I've checked the policy document and theres nothing in there mentioning roof racks, just examples of alloy wheels, body kits and engine remaps. If it ever becomes an issue I guess I'll be arguging that a temporary removable roof rack is not a modification of my car and taking it to obudsman / court if necessary.
Minor thread resurrection because I don't think we discussed it before, but how do we think sea sucker and similar type suction cup mounted bike (and other things) carriers would be viewed?
They're very much not a bolted on 'structural modification'. But I'm sure from an insurer's perspective they bring lots of exciting new risks and liabilities...
Thoughts?
Duplicate post for deletion (see the forum update is as expected)...
But I'm sure from an insurer's perspective they bring lots of exciting new risks and liabilities...
IANAE, but I'd agree.
Are you more likely to damage a car park height barrier, your bike and car with or without a roof rack, bolted on or not?
Are you more likely to attract thieves while having a pee in the motorway services with or without a roof rack, bolted on or not?
Is something more likely to fall off your roof with or without a roof rack, bolted on or not?
(I've picked up three bikes locked together with a U-lock from lane 1 of the M1, I never did find the owner, I'm guessing boot rack for that one)
The real question is should it be declared?
If the criteria is modification of the vehicle from stock, then I don't think you necessarily do. But then insurance companies being what they are are you in breach of some other T&C?
Is a sea sucker, or whatever, available as part of standard spec?
Is it a factory option for those insurance companies (eg AA^^) that accept anything factory as standard?
If not then it's a modification that adds risk. End of. Why would you not declare it?
A mobile phone holder has the same potential for adding risk, but sensible positioning away from airbag deployment and necessary view negates that.
I've picked up three bikes locked together with a U-lock from lane 1 of the M1
Was that in a professional capacity or just as someone taking a bit of a risk to make everyone safer?
Was that in a professional capacity or just as someone taking a bit of a risk to make everyone safer?
It was decades ago, but I was at work on there, so a bit of both
Just got off the phone to Admiral - no need to declare a roof rack with them apparently...
DrP
Spoke to Admiral this morning - that person said you do need to declare a roof rack. What a **** mess
I recently renewed my insurance and went with Aviva Zero. I declared my roof rack as a modification from the drop down list after reading the thread on here about the removable towbar claim refusal mess that ended up on road cc and getting a lot of media attention. The rack generally stays on the car but the bike carrrier is on and off quite a bit.
I'm with LV. They were happy that the roof rack was an attachment. I told them about the fold away towbar (a factory fitted option) - they confirmed that I was right to tell them but (if I remember right, it was 7 years ago) reduced the premium a little.