Insurance Options for my now 'modified' MK4 Golf, Opinions please..

[kendog]

Hi All,

Basically, I'm looking for a new comprehensive insurer for my 2000 VW MK4 Golf. Bingle won't insure modified cars, and I now have had an engine swap from the lowly 1.6L engine to the GTI 1.8T engine gearbox, brakes, etc.

My main 2 options are:

Shannons, $10,000 value, and all the modifications covered, for a premium of: ~$1160.

or

Progressive, $6,750 value, all car covered except no modifications themselves are covered (but after discussing, engine seems to be), for a premium of: ~$565



The Shannons one is so high because of my 'rich' area apparently. I'm 35yo, with good driving record, full points on license.

Thoughts & opinions?

[gareth_oau]

GIO also do modded vehicles

[The_Hawk]

Double check what they mean by modded. Since it's a standard engine into the same model car you might just be able to call it a GTI and insure it like that??

[Speed]

Shannons have been good to me. Not sure if youi do modified cars but the previous owner of my car used them.
Good luck!

[wai]

Double check what they mean by modded. Since it's a standard engine into the same model car you might just be able to call it a GTI and insure it like that??

The only way it would be an upgraded car is if that engine was offered in that model. If not, they will generally call is a modified car.

[JustCruisn]

Try NRMA QLD

[kendog]

GIO also do modded vehicles

Yeah, I just got off the phone to GIO before starting this thread, she helped me out for ages, but the premium still ended up being ~$1300

Double check what they mean by modded. Since it's a standard engine into the same model car you might just be able to call it a GTI and insure it like that??

That was what I wanted to ask some of them... maybe that's the next question for Shannons. Progressive seem to be fine that it's a 'factory' engine, offered in that chassis, and the other mods (coilovers, wheels) wouldn't be covered.

The only way it would be an upgraded car is if that engine was offered in that model. If not, they will generally call is a modified car.

So, do you mean 'that model' as in 'GL' vs 'GTI'? or 'MK4' 5dr Chassis vs 'MK5' 5dr chassis?

My engine came from a 2002 mk4 GTI, and went in to a 2000 mk4 GL, both 5dr, exact same chassis. Brought whole engine, gearbox, running gear, subframe, etc with me. Bolts directly in. Even the plugs from the engine bay into the cabin matched up exactly, except 1 spare which was not connected (MTE, Trip Comp, etc).

Try NRMA QLD

Do they Insure NSW vehicles?

Shannons have been good to me. Not sure if youi do modified cars but the previous owner of my car used them.
Good luck!

Not sure, but last time I got a quote from youi, it was through the roof because it was a daily driver.


Any thoughts on the progressive deal? I wouldn't get that much back for a full right-off, but everything could be repaired except wheels & suspension for all other claims. And the main thing is that the premium is less than half price!! Thoughts?

[tigger73]

Thoughts are that it wouldn't take much of a bingle to "write-off" a $6,750 (insured value) car. I got sandwiched in my previous car rear/front and the repair bill was over $12,000.

So scrapes and the odd dent is going to be OK but if it's a half serious accident then you're only going to get the "write-off" value.

If you compare the insured value to premium the Shannons one is OK (at least they're going to give you more in the event of a write-off).

That would be my main concern with the cheaper policy.

Other thing to consider is excess on both policies so you're comparing apples with apples.

[wai]

So, do you mean 'that model' as in 'GL' vs 'GTI'? or 'MK4' 5dr Chassis vs 'MK5' 5dr chassis?

My engine came from a 2002 mk4 GTI, and went in to a 2000 mk4 GL, both 5dr, exact same chassis. Brought whole engine, gearbox, running gear, subframe, etc with me. Bolts directly in. Even the plugs from the engine bay into the cabin matched up exactly, except 1 spare which was not connected (MTE, Trip Comp, etc).

I mean the same year or MY year where both engines were offered as options. For example, with my caddy, if I were to replace the TDI250 with a TDI320, then as both were offered in the same MY model, there would/should be no issue. It would be a different matter if I were to put the TDI320 (2.0 litre) into the previous model that had the 1.9 litre diesel engine as the largest available. The other thing to remember is anything else that relates to the larger engine also being fitted (things like brakes, suspension, wheels/tyres, etc).

[kendog]

Thanks tigger,

Good point, $6500 might be easily achieved if they want to write it off. Another big point for Shannons. I keep thinking of only the extremes: minor car park dents, or written off. Where as the one in between those, they could 'write me off' even if I wanted to keep & repair. All hard work gone for naught.


Sorry I left out the excesses, but they're pretty much the same for the main 2 choices:

Shannons: $550

Progressive: $650

Others like GIO: $800+ (not covered AT ALL for anyone under 25 driving).

[kendog]

I mean the same year or MY year where both engines were offered as options. For example, with my caddy, if I were to replace the TDI250 with a TDI320, then as both were offered in the same MY model, there would/should be no issue. It would be a different matter if I were to put the TDI320 (2.0 litre) into the previous model that had the 1.9 litre diesel engine as the largest available. The other thing to remember is anything else that relates to the larger engine also being fitted (things like brakes, suspension, wheels/tyres, etc).

OK, Thanks Wai.

Well, it was definitely the same engine as was offered in my 2000 year model, GTI with 'AGU' engine. It is just from a newer one with a few less k's, but the exact same engine model.

So where do I go from here? How do I approach/ask/explain that to the insurance company?

[wai]

Well, it was definitely the same engine as was offered in my 2000 year model, GTI with 'AGU' engine. It is just from a newer one with a few less k's, but the exact same engine model.

So where do I go from here? How do I approach/ask/explain that to the insurance company?

You might have problems as you have to show that the engine you fitted is one that was offered with your model. Not just the capacity. Essentially, they would need information to show that the donor vehicle was the same model as yours; not from a different year and model, but the same model (year and all) as yours.

You can try and see if the insurance company will accept it. You would need to gather a whole lot of information to back it up.

By the way, what has the RTA said about this?

[Speed]

Thoughts are that it wouldn't take much of a bingle to "write-off" a $6,750 (insured value) car. I got sandwiched in my previous car rear/front and the repair bill was over $12,000.

Other thing to consider is excess on both policies so you're comparing apples with apples.

True in a sense. I have bought two Mk4 Golfs from auctions as repairable write offs before the RTA (or whoever they are now) changed the rules. By the sound of it you will be very surprised at how little it takes to write a car off these days.
We are talking bonnet, radiator and bumper - Gonski's!
I have seen cars written off with just a damaged bonnet!!!

The great thing about Shannons is that they always give you the option to buy back the wreck, unfortunately I personally believe their offered amount is still more then it's actually worth at auction.

[kendog]

You can try and see if the insurance company will accept it. You would need to gather a whole lot of information to back it up.

By the way, what has the RTA said about this?

I haven't yet spoken to the RTA about this... but I do have the 'engine swap blue slip' ready to give them. I might speak to them tomorrow.

True in a sense. I have bought two Mk4 Golfs from auctions as repairable write offs before the RTA (or whoever they are now) changed the rules. By the sound of it you will be very surprised at how little it takes to write a car off these days.
We are talking bonnet, radiator and bumper - Gonski's!
I have seen cars written off with just a damaged bonnet!!!

The great thing about Shannons is that they always give you the option to buy back the wreck, unfortunately I personally believe their offered amount is still more then it's actually worth at auction.

1 very good point for higher agreed value and a point for Shannons giving you the chance to get it back I guess.


I also got a quote from 'Just Cars' with all mods listed, agreed value $10,000, premium: $1037.

[Speed]

Shannons also offer a free windscreen replacement every year.
I was with just cars once apon a time (previous car)