Mods to a car

[james_s]

Hi guys, i had a accident a few months ago and the woman reversed into me and damaged my front bumper. they now are sorting who win the case.

The only problem is i have a type r bumper on a standard civic. I didn't declare this as i thought it was just another bumper in my eyes. The bumper has a lower skirting, do you think this will invalidate my insurance as of this.

Ford have taken pictures and sending it to my insurance company to check the damages and to see if that is ok.

Should i be worried and if it gets invalidated what happens?

Thanks guy

[Postdog]

Might not happen but if it does, plead ignorance, which, from your post, is the case. Just say you needed a new one and that was what they put on.

[james_s]

so should i just say i bought the car like that. would that be reasonable enough to say?

[shylock73]

In a word....Yes.

[gouldc]

No it shouldn't invalidate your insurance.

Worst case scenario on such a minor modification is that you may be charged an additional premium - this is assuming that this is all that you have not disclosed, and that the insurance company even notice!

It often shocks me the number of people I worl with who can't tell the difference between standard and aftermarket alloys, so they're never going to pick up on this!

The other thing that may happen is that some insurers have a ''standard parts'' clause - this means that they would replace the damaged modification with a standard part instead - ie they would replace the Type-R bumper with a normal Civic bumper.

I really wouldn't stress too much over this - I've seen people get away with a lot worse.

[chas2008]

shylock73s answer, is the best route, i work in a bodyshop and we come accross this frequently, ' it was like it when i bought it', is a standard answer, unless its mega performance mods or involved in a serious claim the ins. co's dont seem particulary interested. If you are claiming of the 3rd party it shouldnt make a difference to the claim anyway.

[gouldc]

Missed the part where you're claiming through the other person's insurance.

In that case, the third party insurer should replace the damaged part - don't worry about it being a modification.

I would suggest you disclose it to your insurers though

[ChuckFickens]

I'm confused about why ford have taken pictures of your honda

[james_s]

thanks guys.. well my insurance company have reccomneded garages that the car should be repaired at and in my case its a ford garage that deals with all of the insurance companies cars. I am a named driver of my mums insurance.
the solicitors are fighting the case on who to win.

I have some other mods like side skirts, alloys and tints. But no rear bumper or exhaust. and NO performance mods, all engine is standard.

Ford have taken pics from the rear and front but not the sides to send to insurance company to save them coming. I am planning to change alloys to standard when they take it in.

So really guys is there nothing to worry about, i was worried that going to invalidate my insurance and ****** me proper. Just got to see what they say now.

[gouldc]

So you essentially have a full body it? Dependent on your age, convictions, claims history, and of course which insurer, they MAY take the option of voiding your policy as you may not fit their underwriting criteria.

Whilst it's not a performance mod, a bodykit makes your car more nickable, and without throwing accusations around, we're aware that this type of car (with this type of mod) tends to be driven by a certain sort of person we don;t generally like to cover.

[james_s]

well when the car was bought i didn't know of the mods on it as the parents had bought it for me, but it isn't a full body kit, just the bumper really, i have been driving just under a a couple of years now with no convictions.

Also what do you mean "we're aware that this type of car (with this type of mod)"?

Regards