Here's my experience.

Yesterday - Hello AXA (my current insurer @ £380 / year with 16 years NCD and a clean lic)., I have upgraded the front/ rear of my FFRR using LR parts to the 2012 spec. Can you make a note of this upgrade.

Yes- thtas been noted ..you now have 7 days in which to find another insurer and return to us to request a cancellation....Negotiation - zero.

Today - Hello Adrian Flux Brokers. I have facelifted my FFRR. Can you quote me a price for Fully comp with like for like repairs on the car and modified parts.

20 minutes later...yes..£345...go figure


Happy days.

Paul, it beggars belief sometimes, I sold my RRS TDV8 and asked to put my old audi on temporarily while I wait for my new to me L322 ' sorry sir we cant cover that car '. Same position re NCD etc A £20,000 chipped RRS vs a £1500 Audi S6.......

I've never heard of such an extreme response, so I assume they've had some issues in he past with modified cars and have a blanket policy not to cover them, regardless of the modification.

Just seems WAY over the top! Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Alan, I suspect its something to do with securing net new business, share prices, market share etc. That's progress apparently

On the phone now with AXA now to cancel the policy......and they've waived the cancellation charges...refund of £153.38 on its way for mid term cancellation well done Axa. Result

Did you ask why they're taking such an extreme stance on mods? Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Thats a mad response from AXA isnt it,LOL. im not sure the repairs like for like from your new insurer will really come into it as I think if your car has anything but minor damage in the front end it will be written off. Take the price of two headlights a bumper skin add some paint and materials the labour at £75 and hour at least and its a deal clincher I think. I have seen some salvage cars with so little damage its truly without logic they are written off, sometimes the labour alone can do it !

I work in this sector........

Small insurance brokers like Adrian Flux will liaise directly with the underwriter that's taking the risk and they will base every case / policy on its merit and price it accordingly.

Huge direct insurers like AXA have very inflexible systems and processes; especially in their "direct" division. They are set up for insuring the mass market "the norm" they simply do not have the bandwidth to explore small deviations. Then in turn they have no claims history stats in order to take a future punt on risk so you end up with a chicken and egg situation.

I needed to insure my TD6 whilst it was up for sale and the AXA quote was more expensive to be garaged at night than it was sat on my driveway! It's all about postcode, past claims, age, job profiling and complex statistical algorithms and very little about real life.

That brings you onto the term "modification". In Paul's case he's made some small improvements to his vehicle but it's still a standard, off the production line look and style that came off in 2010. Is that really and truly even a modification? It's very niche as the vast majority of "modifications" usually involve big alloys, lowered, stiffened, thumping stereos, tints, nitrous oxide etc etc.

Modifications to most mainstream insurers just means effort and usually trouble. It deviates from the norm and it's easier for them to just run for the hills and leave it to the niche brokers. The overall mod market is so small in the scheme of things that's it's not worth them sweating over.

Such is the madness of this market..........do not be surprised (Paul) if your Adrian Flux paperwork comes through and the underwriter turns out to be......................yep, AXA! 2006 4.2 SC
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alanm_3 wrote:

Did you ask why they're taking such an extreme stance on mods?

Trinity Lane, based in Cambridge and only sell through a few niche brokers, including Adrian Flux.

They specialise in modified cars, motor homes and mobility scooters so you're sorted for your old age!  2006 4.2 SC
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You're only as old as the woman you feel .....hang -on, that makes me older