UK Insurance for modifications

[greenbean3]

Hi everyone,

We have recently raised the suspension on our 80 series Landcruiser to Old Man Emu in preparation for our London-Cape Town trip next year, and now our UK insurance company Elephant are refusing to insure us because they think we may take the truck off-road (!). We have rung around some other insurance companies but they won't insure us either as we don't have any no claims bonus (as we were previously living in NZ).

Elephant said they don't offer insurance for any suspension modifications on 4x4 vehicles. At the moment we have fully comp insurance, but we really only need 3rd party, but they won't even give us that, its unbelievable!

Help! Has anyone managed to get insurance cover for their truck through Elephant Car insurance?
Can you recommend any other insurance companies?

Any info much appreciated!!

Cheers
ness

[Quintin]

Hi Ness

Elephant are part of the Admiral Group of companies who tend to insure 'ordinary' vehicles at quite good rates or specialise in insuring specific groups of people eg women (sheila's wheels) etc. I'm not surprised they won't insure anything out of the ordinary as a vehicle modification equals increased risk in their minds. It is for that reason they won't even consider 3rd Party only. In effect they think you are a higher risk of causing accidents. Incidentally, there generally is no real cost saving going for 3rd party only in the UK as premium depends on market competitiveness and the market for 3rd party only is less competitive than fully comp.

What I suggest you do is contact a specialist insurer eg look in one of the off-road magazines which often have ads for insurance for modded vehicles or else contact a TLC club (sorry I can't provide details) to see if they have a database of insurers or brokers. Don't worry though; you will find an insurer though without a UK NCB it may well cost. Some insurers though will take into account 'foreign' accident-free history provided you can provide evidence in support.

Best of luck

Q

[greenbean3]

Thanks for that Quentin,

We have tried a number of other companies, and none of them will insure us. We tried NFU, but they don't cover London, we tried some other ones that specifically insure modifications, and they are refusing to cover us! We are getting a bit desperate!! We might try transferring the car over to my name instead of my boyfriends, and see how we get on. I last had insurance in my name (as car owner) in 2005 so not sure whether the no claims bonus will count. We have been named drivers on my sister's policy for a few years, but apparently that doesn't count as NCB for some reason...
We are leaving for a trip around Europe in a few weeks time so it is getting to crunch time!!
:confused1:

[Quintin]

Ness as you are having such problems I suggest you go to a broker and get their advice as to your way forward. Have you tried Adrian Flux? They insure (well they are brokers so don't actually insure) my overland truck (by definition modified) as well as insuring a large number of self-built-i.e. converted-camper vans.

Good luck

Q

[Rocketraz1982]

Yep Adrian Flux are very good for insuring "modded" cars, also there bike section Bike sure are also great give Flux a shout on 0800 369 8590 lines open 9AM-7PM.

If you have NCB they are only valid for 2 years after your last policy has ended and thats for UK policys only.

One other thing you could try is rather than trying for a full year policy go to anyone of the growing number of Insurance companys doing short term insurnace 1 day-6 months etc as in my experience then tend to be more lenient try Temporary and short term car and van insurance from Day Insure or www.tempcover.com "may" just get you on your way but there are many many more

Uk Insurance can be stupid but all you need to do is find that one company that tells you yes.....

Hope you get sorted....